Basic AV Receiver question

ShadowMan

ShadowMan

ShadowMan

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18 Oct 2002
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Is there any downside in using an AV receiver with just 2 front speakers and possibly a centre rather than a full 5.1 or 7.1 setup?

Looking at a Yamaha RXV667 but funds would not permit a full set of decent speakers at this time. Currently using built in TV speakers for everything so my brain says that the upgrade would be considerable with only the 3 speakers up front and I could always add rears and subs later as funds permit.

Speakers would either be Mordaunt Short Alumni 2's and 5 centre or Q Acoustics 2020's and 2000C centre. (I did consider QA's 1010i's to save some cash for rear's but finding the wall mounts for them seems to be a challenge currently and I dont like any of the generic mounts I have seen so far)

Sources would be PS3, HTPC (HDMI and Optical), Wii and TV Freeview Tuner. Possibly adding Sky+ or Sky+HD in next 6 months too.
 
Thanks for that both. Impressed you managed to find a source of 1010i speaker brackets as basically everyone seemed to be out of stock.

This has put those speakers up my list quite a bit now but as you say the price could be a problem. That said 1010's appear to be a lot cheaper than either the 2020's or the MS's. Will have to listen to all of them on the same amp before I make my choice.

For me quality sound for movies and games is the priority and I will definately be adding more speakers to provide 5.1 or even 7.1 in future. Whilst I listen to some music, most of it is from poorly ripped MP3's and as such I think top quality stereo amplification would be wasted.

Bearing in mind that I currently on have TV output speakers, could I get away without buying the centre and just use a single pair of front bookshelfs which may free up some cash for either a better receiver or even a sub and make it a 2.1 system? Would you see there being much clarity lost in the spoken range without a centre? Current audio output is woeful and I feel that as anything could be considered an upgrade I would like to spend the money in the most economic fashion possible without wasting it on features I dont need or shorting myself on something that would benefit me greatly in the long term.
 
Would like to keep it under £500 for all at the moment. Was going to upgrade TV to a 50" LG50PK350 but think this is the better overall upgrade.

Depending on how much stuff I sell after a clearout the budget might be a bit higher or even lower but not by a large amount.
 
Hopefully might be able to stretch my budget a little. Have decided that I no longer have time for airsofting so in the process of selling up the last of my kit. If this goes it may stretch the budget to £1000 or so which will enable me to look at 5.1 (assuming wife allows it in the room).

Will have to see how my sales go however so thanks for all the advice on the above. I have to admit that music will probably never be a major thing for me so the home theatre receiver option will probably always outweigh a stereo amp just for the options it provides.

With the announcements of Star Wars BD coming this year I now have a deadline for getting it all setup and ready too!
 
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