New av setup advise

LinkZ · 25 Jul 2013 at 14:08

I'm looking to get an AV setup for the living room, currently just using the speakers in the TV for everything and while they are ok i'd like to get much better sound all round (tv, movies, music).

Currently my TV only has 3 HDMI sockets and i've got 4 HDMI devices i'd like to plugin so i'm assuming the best option is to go for an AV receiver and 3 speakers (seen pictures of setups with one central speaker and 2 either side) however i'm really not sure what to get, so i'm coming here!

Any ideas on what I should be looking for? I'm looking to spend around £400.

EDIT: I should also add i'm not looking for a surround sound system at the moment as I wouldn't be able to setup the cables nicely, but I would like the AV receiver to have the capability to do it in the future incase I eventually do some DIY and I can hide some cables round to the back of the sofa.

Nick1881 · 25 Jul 2013 at 14:54

I'd buy a used AV receiver with 4 or more HDMI connections, then buy a pair of bookshelf speakers also second hand. You will get much more for your money buying used. If you feel the need in the future then you could look for a matching centre speaker.

LinkZ · 25 Jul 2013 at 15:11

Any idea on make/model? I don't know anything about AV equipment so not sure what I should be looking to get.

Banzai_Joe · 25 Jul 2013 at 15:22

I bought an Onkyo all-in-one box 5.1 set from RS for £300. 3 years later its now in my conservatory, but is 3d compliant with 4-in, 1-out (hdmi). I now have a Denon 2113 with Monitor Audio Vector AV's as my main setup.
The Onkyo is cracking first setup. Don't let the av snobs (if there are any here) put you off. £300 is a bargain to get a really good first 5.1 setup.
However, if you only want 2.1 then i'd probably agree with Nick1881.

Nick1881 · 25 Jul 2013 at 15:33

How about this? http://www.avforums.com/forums/ampl...ed-adverts/1793401-sale-pioneer-vsx-422k.html

Though they are only £189 new so not the greatest bargain.

I'd aim for Yamaha, Sony, Pioneer, Denon, Marantz, Onkyo in that order.

Then these http://www.avforums.com/forums/spea...erts/1796083-sale-dali-zensor-1-speakers.html

or

http://www.avforums.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-classified-adverts/1793120-sale-kef-q300.html

for speakers, see how it sounds without a sub for now.

Damnations Fury · 25 Jul 2013 at 23:03

Not so sure on the clips on that receiver for the rear & surround channels, but it would do the job. One thing I would say is, if you need 4 devices now, try and get one with 5 inputs minimum (harder I know), just so you've got some allowance for the future.

Speaker wise, both will be a good upgrade from tv speakers, the Kef's are quite a lot cheaper and Dali's get decent reviews for their price range.

limoslight · 26 Jul 2013 at 08:29

Hmm not sure if keen on this (el cheapo) idea?

1. 5 port HDMI switch (so in total 7 HDMI inputs)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Port-Au...ion_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item2a2f5a9c87

2. Cheap optical/coax AVR on sites like Gumtree UK (assuming your sources can output audio via coax/optical) Also assuming u dun need DTS-HD/ Dolby TrueHD? These could be had for 20 quid upwards

3. A pair of floor standers, used. Get higher end ones/best SQ with all the savings from #1 and #2 Or bookshelf + active sub set up