First Hi-Fi setup.

[DiscoDave]

Hi Chaps,

I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma tv and using the built in speakers. I've noticed when I stream content from my HTPC (1080p mkv's) voice sounds are a bit tinny, so I turn up the volume to compensate, and when a loud explosion happens it's too loud. So I'm constantly fiddling with the volume.

I'm not sure if this is an issue with the speakers/configuration but I've never had a hi fi system before and it's got me intrigued.

Would there be a noticeable difference in quality if I went from using the in built speakers to a entry level floorstand/amp setup?

 

[DiscoDave]

You won't believe the difference if this is your first step into HiFi, even if it is entry level (say £300 for amp and speakers).

Question before we start.

1 - How much do you want to spend
2 - Do you want it for films or music or both
3 - Do you have space for separates, 2.0, 2.1 (2 speakers and a sub) or even a 5.1 set up?

Hey dude,

Interesting. I'm looking at getting a pair of Mission M33i speakers and Pioneer VSX322. Very entry level.

1. £200-£300
2. Films and TV. Music is a bonus but not the motivation
3. Space isn't really an issue, but I dont want cables trailing across my living room so floorstanders are currently my preference.

 

[DiscoDave]

£300 is pretty low, even for a 2.0 system including the AV receiver, let alone a centre speaker too.


If you think you'll be happy for a while with a single purchase, I'd advise something like this deal from Richer Sounds:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/home-cinema-separates-bundle-deals/yamaha/pah01858/pah01858

That's a receiver that will take a much better speaker set if you feel you want to get one in the future and will sound pretty good for now. Will blow your TV set sound away completely

Interesting offer. I don't think i'd utilise the surround sound and the wiring will be a pain in the backside, undless I just have all the speakers at the front, but that kind of defeats the point? Can't really get anything with too much base due to living in a flat, neighbors etc..

 

[DiscoDave]

Just wire up the front 3 speakers and the sub, there should be no more wires than a regular 2.0 set up as the centre is hidden under the TV anyway if you have you TV on a stand. The sub can be placed to the side of the TV too.

The only problem I foresee is having to mount those satellite speakers, unless they come with stands?

Looks like they don't come with stands. This is why I'm looking more at the floorstander options, two of them and possibly a center may be the way to go. Seems a bit counter productive to get a 5.1 setup and only hook up three of the speakers.

 

[DiscoDave]

Yes, there would. I recently faced this problem with a new TV. The solution I went for in the end was a Denon DM39 mini system together with Dali Zensor 1 speakers (i.e. a simple 2.0 system with no AV bells and whistles). I connect the optical digital out of the TV to the DM39. The difference is immense. The DM39 also has a subwoofer out connection, so if you want to add really deep bass later on, you can. Also worth considering are the Q-Acoustics 2020i (or the 2010i if space is really a constraint). A quick look at Richer Sounds shows that you can get these as packages for around £300.

May I ask how much that setup was? I've seen that exact setup on a competitor site for £299.

 

[DiscoDave]

there is no issue with your tv speakers its just that they are TV speakers and that is a main problem with them is that you need to turn them up high to hear voices , especially when playing dvds and blurays.

Add a centre speaker to your new setup and voices will be much much clearer.

I have a 3.1 setup and its such an improvement

Thought about a Onkyo htx22hd?

That Onkyo htx22hd looks quite good. Is that the setup you upgraded to?

 

[DiscoDave]

there is no issue with your tv speakers its just that they are TV speakers and that is a main problem with them is that you need to turn them up high to hear voices , especially when playing dvds and blurays.

Add a centre speaker to your new setup and voices will be much much clearer.

I have a 3.1 setup and its such an improvement

Thought about a Onkyo htx22hd?

Ken,

Does your Onkyo have the capability to adjust the bass manually right down to 0?

 

[DiscoDave]

the sub and receiver are one unit on the Onkyo htx22hd I guess you can disable it as such , not sure how as I have never tried it but cant see why lowering the volume on it would unbalance everything that much

So the sub has its own volume level as well as the side speakers?