5.1 System (AIO) or Separate AVR & Speakers?

rhysduck

rhysduck

rhysduck

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I've not got a place of my own so it's time to start kitting it out properly!
So my current system that I'v only borrow off a mate is an old 5.1 system, the amp gets SUPER hot so really isn't ideal.
I've got some cash to spend on a semi-decent setup but don't know where to begin;
Would it be best getting a "ready made" 5.1 system like these Onkyo setups:
Onkyo HTX-22HDX w/ SKS-22X Speakers or Yamaha YHT199
Or go for a seperate Amp/AVR & speaker combo;
ONKYO TXNR616
Onkyo TXNR626
Yamaha RXV673

Then it comes onto speakers... :( I know that a separate AVR & Speaker combo is the best to go for is it not?
Dad had Wharfedales (Diamond Series?) at his and they are brilliant!

It's for BluRays, some music, PS3, Sky. :)
 
Hi,
Yes sorry I didn't mean the All in one "home cinema system setup" things. I know they are pants.
Like you said I was referring to the avr & speaker bundles...

Which Onkyo bundle do you have?
 
Thanks lucid - you've just made up my mind.
The Yamaha RXV673 - is there anything else around for the same price that comes close or surpasses the Yamaha. From reading reviews around the web, the Yamaha seems an extremely viable option for £350.

Now we come to speakers. Apart from Wharfedale Diamond 9's I've never experienced anything else so haven't got anything to compare...
I need to buy rear speakers first as they need to be smallish but still pack a good punch.

Edit: I've been told by her the speakers need to look nice too :(
 
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Unfortunately it's Nelson, South Wales. Lanc is a bit far :(

And she has no say in it really - the speakers just can't be hideous!

Where do I start researching rear speakers???
 
Bigpig said:
How much of a budget do you have for speakers?
Click to expand...
£500 absolute max for all speakers and sub, its a bit low I know but I don't really have to buy the full set straight off.

lucid said:
What sort of budget range are you looking at. What size room and roughly where do you sit in relation to the TV and back wall. Also, what does "must look nice" really mean? Is that colour, size, shape or something else as well?

As for the AV amp, the Yamaha 673 would make my shortlist too. At £300 (was £500) there's a lot of amp for not a lot of money. Partner it with some efficient speakers and it'll be a very effective combo.
Click to expand...
We sit directly in front of the tv. 2.5m away from at as the crow flies :D the settee backs on to the rear wall.
Here a picture to show you;
RE: Amp;
Is there anything else that really compares to the Yamaha? Ive got experience with previous Yamaha amps and they've been brilliant. The 673 is a serious contender.
Sony haven't been great in my experience.
Regarding "must look nice", they can't be overly big as I'll probably need to wall mount them on the... Wall :D I could always out them on stands behind me though.
Broken Hope said:
Not sure what your budget is but for speakers I'd get the following

Monitor Audio BX2's plus stands, or BX5's

BX Centre

and then some BXFX for rears.

Then I'd be looking at the BK range of subs.
Click to expand...
Lovely speakers them Bx2's!
The BXFX I fear may be a little big to wall mount where I need them. What do you think? (take a peek at the pictures posted)
 
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Cheers everyone.
I'm in Cardiff on Sunday so may pop in Richer Sounds and enquire about the Yamaha.

Where do you lot usually purchase online?

Edit: Shall take a look at the Kef's, BX2's and R45HD's too...
 
Thanks lucid.. not a lot of range on their website but they do have the tv I was fancying! Shall make another thread for that!

lucid, looking at the shape of the living room do you forsee any audio issue due to its non-square shape? I'm worried that if I splash out for this kit that i won't benefit from it all. The room isnt square see.
 
Excellent. Thanks for that informative little post lucid, a good little read.

So how would you rate the layout of my living room for what I want to achieve from suggested hardware in this thread? I can draw up a plan if you would prefer?
I'm slightly apprehensive of th fact that the rear left surround speaker is further away from me than the right (which would be quite close) but having read what you said above it sound's like I shouldn't worry too much.
 
RS are completely out of the Yamaha 673's as Yamaha have stopped making them, replaced by the 675 but that's priced at £499 :(
 
Can someone explain how/if that the R45HD's are specced for an amp of between 5-50w. So what happens if you pair them up to a Yamaha V673 which is a 150w/channel Amp?
Will they go bang?
*Confused*

Edit: or will they just draw a max of 50w on each channel? Sorry I'm an audio noob.
 
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Thanks lucid, you're a wealth of knowledge!

I'm more or less decided on the MX2's for the front, R45HD's for the rear (unless I can find something that really is as good as them for the money and size), sub and center will have to wait a little while as I want a new tv too; in this thread ;)

Edit: all this will mean a new tv stand too!
Edit2: oh and speaker stands - any trouble with them on wood/laminate flooring?
 
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Amp and 45 speakers arrived! The R45HD's were end of line so they replaced them with the new MA Radius 45 speakers (exactly the same just improved).

Now to decide on speaker wire - any suggestions?

Going to order the front 2 speakers next week and then to decide on a sub and centre.
 
Oh right thanks. Gonna hold off for a little while then and see what centre I can get.
Oh decisions :(

£145 for the Radius's. from Exceptional-AV guy i spoke to who (who rang about half hour after I placed the order) was very helpful and stuck £20 on for the new Radius's... bargain if you ask me.
 
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