Newbie to proper AV 5.1.2 need advice please

[RoyMi6]

Yeah, I'm going full idiot on my cinema room (separate processor, amps, 7.2.4 speaker, buttkicker) but might pick up this short term while I save up to get matched speakers. I'll then just demote the Sony to the lounge.

 

[Stretlow]

AVR wise you'd be looking at something like:

Denon X2700, the Yamaha RX6VA or the Yamaha RXA2A. The first two are in the £650 price range and the third is around £900, but has more power per channel. Other than that they all have similar specs and will do 5.1.2.

Denon amps tend to run hot. I have a couple of USB powered fans on mine.

Input switching is simply a case of selecting the source on the remote for the AVR.

Speaker wise if you want something small, the Q Acoustics i7000 will get you the 5.1 channels for around £1000. Or the Q3000 series, which are more bookshelf size for £775.

Q Acoustics also have an in ceiling range starting at £149 per speaker.

Dali Spector 1's are another well reviewed small speaker at around £180 a pair and the same for the centre. Or a 5.1 package at around £900

Dali also do in ceiling speakers at £340 a pair.

Alternatively you could buy the speaker in pairs and the centre separately and buy a better sub from someone like BK Electronics. Their entry level subs start at around £250 and are excellent value for money.

You could also save money by looking at the second hand market.

Could I please ask a question on the first two you quote here?

Due to distance I think I'm going to need to run a cable from my pc to an avr then to the TV.

I have an RTX 3080 and an LGC1 so I would like to be able to still have 4k 120hz by the time the signal gets to the TV.

Are the two you mention capable of this.

Thanks in advance

 

[barmyllama]

Could I please ask a question on the first two you quote here?

Due to distance I think I'm going to need to run a cable from my pc to an avr then to the TV.

I have an RTX 3080 and an LGC1 so I would like to be able to still have 4k 120hz by the time the signal gets to the TV.

Are the two you mention capable of this.

Thanks in advance

The Denon will be fine at 4k 120hz provided it was built from May 2021 onwards.

The Yamaha may require a firmware update.

As for HDMI cable it depends on the distance between them.

Generally it's recommended that you can use a passive ultra high speed cable up to 3 meters long and still get the full 48gbs required for 4k 120. Anything over that and you'll need an active cable.

 

[Stretlow]

The Denon will be fine at 4k 120hz provided it was built from May 2021 onwards.

The Yamaha may require a firmware update.

As for HDMI cable it depends on the distance between them.

Generally it's recommended that you can use a passive ultra high speed cable up to 3 meters long and still get the full 48gbs required for 4k 120. Anything over that and you'll need an active cable.

I suppose there would be no way of checking when it was built though right. When I was looking the 2700h was the one i was looking at.

I think I'm ok on the cabling. I have a 3m 2.1 now i just have to move the pc nearer the tv when i want to play. As long as i can get the same 48gbs per second to the AVR which is closer than the tv then i think it should work.

Just need to figure out how to get one of those 2700h post May units.

Thanks for the help

 

[melmac]

Yeah, I'm going full idiot on my cinema room (separate processor, amps, 7.2.4 speaker, buttkicker) but might pick up this short term while I save up to get matched speakers. I'll then just demote the Sony to the lounge.

Reading up a bit more on this. These are a few negatives that I have found out (so far!!)

It doesn't work well if your ceilings are too high.
It doesn't work well if the Front speakers are too close together.
And it doesn't work well if the rear speakers are at the side of the listening area.

Also, after setting it up, if you move the speakers at all you have to rerun the setup again.

Other than that most of the issues seem to be just teething problems/user error.

If you pick one up, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on it's performance and how it compares to what you have.

 

[melmac]

I suppose there would be no way of checking when it was built though right. When I was looking the 2700h was the one i was looking at.

I think I'm ok on the cabling. I have a 3m 2.1 now i just have to move the pc nearer the tv when i want to play. As long as i can get the same 48gbs per second to the AVR which is closer than the tv then i think it should work.

Just need to figure out how to get one of those 2700h post May units.

Thanks for the help

It doesn't matter too much what X2700H you get. If it doesn't work with the 120HZ, Denon will send out a HDMI adapter Kit to you for free. Sorry, should add, that this will only be if you are buying a new one with a Warranty.

 

[jaket]

Thanks for all the feedback here. I think I may have to stick with soundbar system like the Samsung or ht-9. Appreciate all the advice

 

[SimonR]

If you want to go over 3m for Ultra High Speed you really need to look at Hybrid Fibre and there are few player in this area that are certified as Ultra High Speed. Unfortunately due to competing products I cant mention their name on here as OCUK sell (incorrectly described) HDMI Cables, but there is one player in this sector that is extensively used by many AV Installers.

HDMI Cables are often mis-described as an HDMI 1.4, 2.0 or 2.1 cable (or compatible), according to HDMI.org who set the standards and certify cables, there is High Speed (10.2 Gbs), Premium High Speed (18 Gbs) or Ultra High Speed (48 Gbs). Additionally 8m is the physical max length for Premium High Speed passive cables - a 20m Premium High Speed Cable is not capable of delivering 18Gbs - Period. You would require and active HDMI cable, fibre or hybrid fibre for 18Gbs over 20m.