Hopefully a quick question about amp+ speakers

Sherm · 11 Mar 2009 at 20:14

hi, just trying to get started in the world of home cinema stuff, cash is short so here is the question

I am looking to get the Sony STRDG820 amp, have the cash for that no prob.

Now, speakers. Would i be better starting off with just two bookshelf speakers (been looking at the Mordaunt Short ALUMNI 2's) and adding as and when, or getting a complete package (been looking at the Jamo A102HCS5's).

Also, if i went for just the two Mordaunt's, how would that sound compared to my current surround all in one?

Cheers

lozza23_uk · 12 Mar 2009 at 08:14

What all in 1 system do you have at the moment?
What sources do you have at the moment?
Are you looking for a full surround sound system?
The Alumni's are small, very small. They would require a sub, which makes your setup much more expensive.
This would be a 2.1 starting system.

Think about centres as well if you are a film watcher, ideally it would be good to have a close match to the front speakers for this.

If you do not want to go the sub route, there are plenty of options for fronts within budget for you.

Tannoy F1's
Mordaunt SHort 902's
Mission M31's or M32's
Wharfdale 9.1s

I would go shopping and have a listen to some combinations and see what you like. Especially if you are limiting yourself to starting with only a stereo setup.

Can you salvage the satellites from your existing system?

Sherm · 12 Mar 2009 at 11:16

Hi Lozza, thanks for your reply.

My current all in one is a Samsung thx-35, was a really good until the dvd drive died, now does'nt recognize any dvd's. Shame as i still use it for surround sound and in my nieve way i think it sounds pretty good.

Sources
Sky+
Xbox360
And eventually a blu ray player

Yes i am looking for a surround system, but prepared to start of with 2 speakers and build up, although did choke when i saw the price of some of the subs :eek:

The reason i chose the Alumni's is due to there size and they got good reviews. I have the wife factor to deal with, so won't get away with big bookshelfs or floor standers. She does not mind the current Samsung floorstanders as they are the typical all in one style units.

The reason that i cannot use my current speakers is the impedance is too low for the amp. The current speakers are 3ohm's and the Sony amp is 8. Don't spose there is a box to put between the amp and speakers to protect the amp is there?

I will look at the other speakers that you recommended, and will also look at going into out local richer at the weekend to see what demo's they have etc.

Sherm · 13 Mar 2009 at 13:18

Any other views on this?

lozza23_uk · 16 Mar 2009 at 09:17

you would be suprised how wife friendly some of te bookshelf speakers can be. The Wharfdales are good looking speakers. I quite rate them as well actually for the price.

The Alumni's will be great for 5.1, as a package with a sub, I am just not sure how they do for music, due to their size.

Really you need to have a think about your "end goal". If you want 5.1 right now, then the Jamo's seem to fit the bill. As a 200quid set of 6 speakers I suppose you can't go wrong.

If you want to build up a good set of speakers over time, I would suggest getting the fronts only now (after checking with the wife) and get the rest later.

edit: KEF 1005, Onkyo 518 are also packages I would look at in the 200quid range.

Baplad · 16 Mar 2009 at 18:03

I recently bought a STRDG820 and a set of KEF Cresta 2's

Perfect setup for my need's all depends what you want, i went for the Cresta 2's as they where cheap enough and then i can upgrade sometime down the line.