5.1 or good two speaker setup?

atmax1 · 10 Oct 2011 at 19:02

Hey all, I am sorting my bedroom out soon and I need to know if i should keep my cheap onkyo 5.1 or upgrade them to something better or buy a bass speaker and two bookshelf speakers? It isn't a huge room why I was thinking about two bookshelf speakers.. I watch a lot of HD movies and listen to a lot of music via media centre pc.

I use a 32" Samsung (going to upgrade) and a Denon AVR 1910 receiver.

What would you recomend with a budget of around £250?

Flare · 10 Oct 2011 at 19:20

Depends, do you primarily listen to music or watch films?

atmax1 · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:23

About the same, but mostly sky and movies I can always get speakers for this pc for music if need be... or if you think stick with 5.1 for movies I could do that and get two small speakers for music? and just switch them over onto zone 2?

ssmacc · 10 Oct 2011 at 21:05

5.1 will be great for films and OK for music, i would just go with 5.1 in a small room rather than 2 set ups)

Flare · 10 Oct 2011 at 21:40

I've never heard them but I know the Boston Acoustics Soundware XS have a very good reputation:

Best style speaker package up to £500, Awards 2010. It’s been a while since we’ve enjoyed a budget 5.1 package that sounds this good

Review: http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Boston-Acoustics-Soundware-XS

They are very small and discrete which is good for a small room and can now be had for £200 or £220 with 5 year warranty, they were £350 last year
http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/boston-/soundware-xs/bost-acous-sw-xs-blk

atmax1 · 11 Oct 2011 at 09:43

Thank you Flare, I will look into them then... I think i was looking at them a while ago but they cost a bit much.

Thanks again for the help

Flare · 11 Oct 2011 at 10:59

atmax1 said:
Thank you Flare, I will look into them then... I think i was looking at them a while ago but they cost a bit much.

Thanks again for the help

Anytime

Another thought, seen as you already have a 5.1 set up why not get some good headphones? That way you'll be able to get great sound and not need to be dependant on your 5.1.

lunarwolf · 11 Oct 2011 at 12:07

is it possible to mix and match? ie replace front 3 speakers with better ones (something like Monitor Audio BX or better depending on budget) and keep existing sub and rear speakers. if your amp can handle it, you could have a 7.1 this way.

my 2 cents

Imy · 11 Oct 2011 at 15:19

I'd forget about trying to find a good sounding 5.1 set for £250.

Buy 2 good bookshelf speakers then add more speakers later if you got the space and can afford it.

mattyfez · 11 Oct 2011 at 16:11

I just run some decent bookshelf's and a decent sub in my front room for movies and music, in a 2.1 config.

I have some matching floorstanders and my amp has 6 channels, but I find its simply not needed unless it a larger space.

fabkat · 12 Oct 2011 at 13:45

Imy said:
I'd forget about trying to find a good sounding 5.1 set for £250.

Buy 2 good bookshelf speakers then add more speakers later if you got the space and can afford it.

This is what i would do also and possibly try for a centre it you can afford.

alchemistkevin · 13 Oct 2011 at 11:35

Why would you draw a line saying the OP can't have good 5.1 for £250?

There's nothing to say he won't buy used and won't be able to find good speakers for that money?

Also, the OP doesn't say where he lives, in case its a flat, he probably doesn't want Hi fidelity at louder volumes which means no need to spend a lot of money on high end speakers to get a 'good' sound.

My suggestion would be to keep your current set, buy a couple of good floorstanders or bookshelf speakers and replace your front L&R.

keep the original speakers as backup in case the rear's decide to pack up or you want to upgrade in the future & sell the current 5.1

Win-Win for stereo & 5.1 (on the cheap) IMO.