Help Deciding on New Home Cinema System

Veradun

Veradun

Veradun

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Joined
16 Jan 2012
Posts
465
Location
UK
Hey everyone!

I've been looking around for a new cinema system, specifically 5.1, and with front and rear tallboy speakers. And that, seems to be a problem, as most newer systems seem to prefer small satellites for the rear speakers, which is horribly inconvenient (why are they doing that? xD) and ugly IMO. I'll be using it for my gaming consoles, PC and TV.

I'm no expert when it comes to sound, but I have read that you shouldn't buy based on total W Power output, as it's not a sign of a good system. My previous system, was a 1000W unit from 2010, which is now in a different room, and still sounds epic to this day, but I literally can't find any 1000W systems with 4 tall speakers that aren't £450+!

So, if someone with knowledge in these systems could lend me a quick hand and compare these systems, I'd be very grateful!

My Old System

Samsung HT-TZ325R 5.1 ch Home Cinema System (click for specs)

Considering

Samsung HTJ4550 500W 5.1Ch 3D Blu-ray/DVD Home Cinema System (click for specs)

What concerns me, is the half output, 1000W to 500W, but as I mentioned, apparently that's not uber important? From looking at the specs, I can't tell which is better, and the last thing I want to do is waste money on a unit that will sound weak compared to my old one!

If anyone has any suggestions for another 4 tallboy speaker 5.1 or higher system around the same price range, please let me know!

PS: Below is the LG one I was referring to - 1000W, looks premium, but £450 seems like a stinger for a cinema system! My old one was £212 back in early 2010 from Amazon, and that sounds amazing.

Overpriced LG Unit?

LG Home Theater System LHB655NW

Thanks,
Veradun.
 
Personally I would keep away from these all in one units, they advertise big power but really they are not that very good. Separates is the way forward. But depending on your budget it could get pricey.

I would buy a individual AMP and have separate speakers. My setup I have a Sony STR-DN850 AMP: https://www.whathifi.com/sony/str-dn850/review. And I use it with Kef KHT 2005.3 speaker set: https://www.whathifi.com/kef/kht20053/review

And for the size of my lounge it sounds pretty amazing.
 
"but I have read that you shouldn't buy based on total W Power output,"

Correct, power output on the amplifier has nothing to do with sound quality. I could build a 25W stereo system that'll blow the doors off a ahem 1000W PMPO HTIB piece of junk

My previous system, was a 1000W
Click to expand...

I doubt it's 1000W. If it is, then it's PMPO which means diddly.

My system comprises of 7 channels of amplification, all being 200W per channel. But those amps weigh 25kg each, and cost a lof of money. Like multiples of your budget just for one amplifier. Mutiples of your budget just for one speaker. But you don't need to spend that much to get a good sounding system. You're not going to get 1000W true output for affordable prices, unless it's a single class D amplifier for a sub. Typically a HTIB system is probably 20W-40W per channel.

Ignore power output.

For your £450 budget, I'd get a AVR, stereo speakers, and matching center. Leave subwoofer and rears for now.

Something like a 600 series AVR, maybe second hand, then Q Acoustics 2000 speakers, the larger standmount ones. If you want larger speakers for rears then again bumping up the price. I use Defintive Technology BP-2X for sides, I think retail of those was about £600 per pair.

Buy second hand you'll get more for your money.
 
Power consumption of that Samsung HTIB is 75W.

So
75W / 5 = 15W
75W / 7 = 10W

Rated output is the speaker. Speakers don't have power output, they have power handling

You'll find that "hundreds" of watts of power will be with one channel driven, high distortion, with 3ohm output.
 
Indeed.1000W, my foot. Marketing BS and meaningless numbers. They never give any details as to how the system was tested in which 1000W was achieved. Without more detailed specs, is just numbers intended to draw the attention of consumers who don't know much about audio and think bigger numbers means better.

Not to mention the 10% THD you get with these all in one systems. Yuck.

Still these systems do serve a purpose for those aren't bothered with quality, just loudness.
 
Marsman said:
Indeed.1000W, my foot. Marketing BS and meaningless numbers. They never give any details as to how the system was tested in which 1000W was achieved. Without more detailed specs, is just numbers intended to draw the attention of consumers who don't know much about audio and think bigger numbers means better.

Not to mention the 10% THD you get with these all in one systems. Yuck.

Still these systems do serve a purpose for those aren't bothered with quality, just loudness.
Click to expand...

Yup to get 1000W for one channel you need something like this

https://emotiva.com/product/xpa-1-gen-2-2/

or to get around 1kW total amplifier output
https://emotiva.com/product/xpa-7/

Those aren't my amps btw.
 
Talk about an eye opener!

Thanks everyone for the input so far. I never considered separate parts, so that's intriguing. However, the old "1000w" 5.1 sounds amazing to me, so I'm guessing that's just a slither of what sound systems can actually offer then xD

As far as budget, spending anything more than £500 on sound to me is too much to bear. I've seen some costing thousands before, but not being an audiophile, I just couldn't bear spending the money even if I was a millionaire! Just out of intrigue though - how crappy was my old system would you say just from the stats? Be a good scale for quality I suppose lol.
 
Veradun said:
Talk about an eye opener!

Thanks everyone for the input so far. I never considered separate parts, so that's intriguing. However, the old "1000w" 5.1 sounds amazing to me, so I'm guessing that's just a slither of what sound systems can actually offer then xD

As far as budget, spending anything more than £500 on sound to me is too much to bear. I've seen some costing thousands before, but not being an audiophile, I just couldn't bear spending the money even if I was a millionaire! Just out of intrigue though - how crappy was my old system would you say just from the stats? Be a good scale for quality I suppose lol.
Click to expand...

I would seriously increase your budget. Even if you buy budget AVR you won't have much left over. You will need 5 speakers, a subwoofer, and a BD player.

For second hand get something like this, you won't get better

https://www.gumtree.com/p/home-cine...q-acoustics-2.1-home-cinema-system/1272654453

Something like that. One above is 2.1. You will need matching center and rears, or buy complete Q Acoustics setup second hand
 
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Personally I think £500 is a really decent budget for him, I went from a Samsung all-in-one system to a sub-£300 Onkyo AVR and 5.1 speakers several years ago and the difference was staggering.
 
Plus the other thing to consider ..

If the blu ray drive fails or a speaker .. It's swapp the whole system ..

Benefit of separates if a part of it fails you replace that part not the whole system ..

Plus if you do want to upgrade parts og it, it's all generic connections, not specific to the brand !
 
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