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. :)
 
To be fair, none of those are really all-in-ones, they're just AV receivers bundled with speakers. All-in-one systems are those crap things from LG, Samsung and the like with terrible speakers, no connectivity and usually a DVD/BD player built-in.

But yes, buying your speakers separately will generally net you better results, as should be obvious from the fact that the receivers alone cost as much or more than the entire one-box systems themselves. The one-box kits from Onkyo and Yamaha are still superb (got an Onkyo one myself) and leagues ahead of the all-in-one rubbish though.
 
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?
 
Hi mate,
I just bought the yamaha unit myself two days ago and let me tell you that it is absolutely amazing. You will not be disappointed at all. Really good build quality, amazing sound and lots of connection.

Having said that this is my second 5.1 system and I have never had separate speakers/av receivers. Just avoid the All in one blu ray players with 5.1 as they are dreadful.
 
There's a big price difference between a Yamaha YHT199 kit at £249 and a £400+ AV Receiver + speakers at anything from £200 to over £1500. You wouldn't normally do an A/B comparison with such a gulf of cost difference. It doesn't make sense.

What you have to start with is deciding what you need in terms of features and performance. Also look at practical issues such as speaker size. For example, cheap floor-standers look impressive but don't perform as well as similarly priced smaller book-shelf speakers.

For many folk who want a bit of surround sound for their various sources and to play some music for casual listening then the Yamaha kit is perfect. However, if you were more serious about music quality and you also had an interest in listening to lots of new stuff via online streaming, then one of the network connected amps would be a better choice along with some good quality bookshelf speakers for the front pair.
 
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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rhysduck said:
Edit: I've been told by her the speakers need to look nice too :(
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Oh blimey. If it's aesthetic choices then you really need to take her along with you.

If you're in Nelson, Lancs, then pop along to Roy Jowetts at Colne. Go see Shane or Liam. Tell them Chris Frost sent you. They have a pretty extensive range of speakers. They talk sense and they do good deals.

While you're there ask them about having a look at the Optoma HD30 projector just to see what a calibrated projector looks like. I'd be interested in your impressions.
 
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???
 
How much of a budget do you have for speakers?

Nice looking speakers are normally labeled as style.

I just bought RXV673 and it a cracking amp. A lot easier to set up than the denon it replaced. Got mine for £299 and if you can go to the shop you could even talk the guy down a little and take out a 5 year warenty
 
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.
 
Yesterday I went into Richer Sounds and Asked for an

Onkyo tx-nr414 av receiver

and

Pioneer S-HS100 5.1 speakers

These would have cost me £249 but the store had neither in stock so I instead bought

Sony STRDH820 av receiver at £149

Tannoy TFX 5.1 £199

The salesman knocked £50 off the Tannoy speakers as I said I would have the SFX speakers but, again, they were not in stock so he let me have the TFX (should be £249) at the price of the SFX. I have to say that I am very pleased with my first 5.1 surround set-up to go with my Benq 1080p projector and 100" screen. Last night I played the start of the Lord of the Rings Blu-ray and the sound effects are just immense. So, to me, I got a great system for £350.
 
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.
 
Bigpig said:
How much of a budget do you have for speakers?
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£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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Wouldnt Diamond 9's be ok for rears? I might be able to get hold of some KEF Q10's anyone got any experience of these? There is tons of stuff at work that have been sat in a store room for years that I have been told we have to clear out soon but I saw theses inside the door the other day I think there is also a set of Heybrook HB1's in there as well.
 
I'm a big fan of Monitor Audio speakers, and the BX series is one of my recommended choices. In your case the room is a little tight for the bass power of the floor-standing BX5's, so the BX2's up front would be a better choice. The centre and sub choice (either MA or BK) would be good. For rear surrounds, have a think about a mix n' match approach. The Monitor Audio Radius R45HD are small cubes with a rear facing tweeter. They're designed as rear surrounds for the Radius series. The rear firing tweeter makes them less directional than a conventional satellite speaker. They come with wall brackets. Sonically they'll blend with the BX series fronts and centre.
 
Hi,

I have a Yamaha 673 and I would highly recommend it, even factoring in that I paid £550 for mine.

If your looking at kef speakers, I also have kef. Iq30 fronts, iq60c and q2ds rears with a DIY sub (using a sealed jl audio 12w3 driver) and to be honest it sounds fantastic. I'd really recommend kef.

I started out with just the front iq30s then added the amp, then later I got the rears and centre.

They are often available on the auction site.

If your looking for a off the shelf sub then have a look at BK. don't even bother with a cheap sub. It will just detract from the enjoyment.

Just my 2p worth.

If you we're more local I could have demo'd torn legacy for you haha :)

Jason.
 
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.
 
Jowetts don't offer every single brand, it's true. But what they do do is listen to and know every single product they sell. So, unlike so many etailers that just want your money and then let you sort out your own mess, Jowetts can actually guide you to combinations of gear that work better together. It's something that the industry has lost in the shift to online retailing; the idea of product knowledge and service rather than just the kerr-ching of the till.


Room acoustics: Square is actually bad for audio. The best rooms are where the dimensions of the width or the height or length aren't even fractions of each other. The absolute worst rooms where to or more dimensions are equal or an even-multiple of one-another. For example, a room with an 8ft ceiling where the width is 16ft and the length is 24ft would be quite a challenge acoustically.

Dealing with bass is the trickiest thing in most rooms. The corners of a room are not friendly places for most Hi-Fi and surround satellite speakers. Folk put them there because it looks neat. But really, if there's somewhere else they can go then it's better.

Using a sub in a system can actually help get cleaner more tuneful bass. The subwoofer can be moved around a room so that it has a better chance of working well.
 
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