Optical to phono

hornetstinger said:
You could try it, depends on what sampling and frequency rate that box supports.

If you decide to replace your AVR, you'll need complete set of 5.1 speakers, as that Phillips hts 3357 is a HTIB. The speakers and subwoofer are propiertary speakers.
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Thanks I have ordered that to test. Sorry for the many questions but what does htib mean? I'm about to go on holiday but I'm gonna get something like the pioneer vsx 932 and a set of atmos speakers hopefully in January.
 
HTIB- Home Theatre In a Box. Typically all in one systems that can't be upgraded or parts changed for standard amp/speakers/sub.

It's like having a PC case, power supply, motherboard, videocard all unique to that model and non PC standard so nothing can be changed.
 
Regarding Atmos, get the 5.1 or 7.1 speakers sorted first - as you will need them. Then concentrate on atmos, as ideally that requires two or four ceiling speakers. Unless you use reflecting speakers, but these aren't as good as full on ceiling speakers.
 
Will do, i will just pick them up at the same time. It will have to be reflecting speakers, as much as i would love to fix ceiling speakers the wife would go mental when i start cutting holes. Thanks for all your advice.
 
snarloas1982 said:
Will do, i will just pick them up at the same time. It will have to be reflecting speakers, as much as i would love to fix ceiling speakers the wife would go mental when i start cutting holes. Thanks for all your advice.
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Do you have a buget to factor in the 11 speakers? It you have a lower budget it may be better to go for 5.1 rather than 7.1 + 4 atmos speakers.
 
I should be fine, i was planning to go 5.1 first to see what it was like. I know the vsx932 is a 7.1 system so i was thinking i could add to it if i needed it.
 
hornetstinger said:
It's a 7.1 AVR. You still need speakers and subwoofer.

For a complete 7.1 home theatre you're looking at £1000, more if atmos.
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Can you not start with buying the 5.1 setup and add the additional 2 speakers at a later date to make it 7.1? the cost should not be an issue, i just want to see if i desire it first.
Im aware the vsx932 is a 7.1 and the vsx832 is a 5.1 system.
 
Sure, you can start with stereo for now.

But you'll need to buy a AVR, so £150 plus
Stereo speakers £100 plus
Center speaker £100 plus
Subwoofer £200 plus
Side speakers £100 plus
Rear speakers £100 plus
Atmos speakers £100 plus

AVR's do not come with any speakers at all. So with a £350 AVR, a 5.1 speaker system is about £600-£800, so that's £1000. Another few hundred to get extra 2 speakers for 7.1 then another few hundred to get Atmos. Say £1500-£2000 for complete Atmos system (and you can spend a whole lot more)
 
Yes i know that, like i previously said i will get speakers at the same time i get the AVR. What makes you think i need so many speakers when the vsx 932 only has 7 channel outs? That's more than i will need anyway.
  • Speaker 7 ch Out (FRONT, CENTER, SURROUND, SURROUND BACK/HEIGHT/Bi-AMP)
 
Why are you even considering the vsx 932 if you are interested in Atmos? It doesn't have atmos speaker outputs. Unless you're going to buy the vsx 932, go upto 7.1 then sell the vsx 932 for a new AVR.

You need a AVR capable of powering Atmos speakers, the extra channels required.

You haven't mentioned what your budget is. Decide what your budget is, what type of speakers you want, the brand and model, how many, and which AVR make and model you want. And subwoofer type, budget, brand and model.
 
1k is no issue. Apologies for the question's im just curious to some of the things you mention. i picked the 932 as when i looked into the spec and it states ATMOS in the specs and also 7.1. If this is the wrong thing im looking for that's fine. I should be looking an avr with 5.1/7.1 connections on the rear and also atmos connections? is that correct?
 
A £300 AVR may decode Atmos, but it may not have the power amplification channels, or pre-outs. It'll just downmix atmos to 5.1 There is a bit of mindfield with Atmos/AVR. You'll need a 9 channel AVR for Atmos, or even more (11 channels) for full on four atmos speakers.

tbh I wouldn't concentrate on atmos yet, by the time you get your system, you may not want the extra speakers. 7.1 is already chock full room of speakers as it is.

IMO I would go for a mid range AVR either 5.1 or 7.1 AVR, get the speakers, from stereo to 7.1 and decide if you want atmos speakers, then replace your AVR. I'm using a kick ass 7.1 av pre-power seperates system and see no need to get Atmos.

If you do get speakers over time, by the time you finalise the speaker system they may not be produced anymore, so you may need to buy remaining speakers second hand. If you can afford it, it's good to get the lot in one go. Although by buying in parts you will get a better quality system at the end, as you may go for £1000 stereo speakers now, then a year later buy the matching £700 center, another 6 months a £1000 sub, then £600 rears, £600 sides, £600 atmos . But if you have a set budget on speakers, you might just get a £1000 7.1 system in one purchase.
 
Right i get you now. To be honest between 5.1 and 7.1 that will do my room. I was looking at atmos symbols as it was the latest tech. I know the vsx932 and some speakers will suffice.

Can i just ask one more question? http://petertyson.co.uk/index.php/onkyo-sks-ht588-home-cinema-system-black.html these are sold as a Atmos speaker setup with up firing speakers etc and its a 5.1 set. now i know this is a cheap option but do they not give a similar experience? how can they sell this as a atmos cinema system but not use 9-11 speakers?
 
You can buy reflective atmosphere speakers but they're not ideal proper ceiling speakers bare superior.

Also if £400 is your budget I'd buy a set of £400 stereo speakers, or stereo speakers and a sub. Ideally second hand speakers as you'll get more for your money. A £400 5.1 plus reflective atmos speakers is going to be average at best.
 
snarloas1982 said:
Right i get you now. To be honest between 5.1 and 7.1 that will do my room. I was looking at atmos symbols as it was the latest tech. I know the vsx932 and some speakers will suffice.

Can i just ask one more question? http://petertyson.co.uk/index.php/onkyo-sks-ht588-home-cinema-system-black.html these are sold as a Atmos speaker setup with up firing speakers etc and its a 5.1 set. now i know this is a cheap option but do they not give a similar experience? how can they sell this as a atmos cinema system but not use 9-11 speakers?
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The Onkyo speakers have upward firing drivers built in to the top of the front L&R speakers. That's how they work for ATMOS on a budget. Subject to the amp they're being used with and the room layout then this will do 5.1.2 configuration ATMOS. The front speakers have two sets of speaker connectors. That means running two sets of wires to each front speaker; one set for the Front speaker, and another set for the ATMOS part of the speaker.



The Pioneer VXS932 is a 7.1 channel amp. The speaker terminals for the five channels of a 5.1 layout are as normal: Centre, Front L&R, Surround L&R.

The extra 2 channels can be assigned in the set-up menus to be any of the following:

- the rear surrounds of a 7.1 layout

- bi-amp power for the front channel speakers (applies to 2.0, 2.1, 4.0, 4.1, 5.0 and 5.1 layouts)

- front height speakers in a Dolby ATMOS layout 5.1.2 - for example, this is how you'd set the amp for use with the Onkyo speakers

- rear height speakers in a Dolby ATMOS layout 5.1.2

What the amp can't do is be a 7.1 channel amp and drive ATMOS speakers at the same time. It doesn't have enough output channels. If you want 7.1 and a pair of ATMOS speakers then you need a 9.1 channel amp. For layouts in 7.1 plus 2 pairs of ATMOS speakers you'll need an 11 channel amp.

ATMOS soundtracks contain information for the front heights and the rear heights. Depending on the speaker set-up of the amp, the channel info for the relevant height speakers is used.


Coming back to the Onkyo speakers, they'd be a step up from what you've been used to with the Philips kit. How successful the ATMOS effect from them is depends very much on your room layout and seating position. It has to be said too, this kit is relatively inexpensive for a 5.1 plus ATMOS kit so is on par with other 5.1 kits in the £180-£250 range. If you can afford better, then the performance will improve significantly as the budget increases.
 
lucid said:
The Onkyo speakers have upward firing drivers built in to the top of the front L&R speakers. That's how they work for ATMOS on a budget. Subject to the amp they're being used with and the room layout then this will do 5.1.2 configuration ATMOS. The front speakers have two sets of speaker connectors. That means running two sets of wires to each front speaker; one set for the Front speaker, and another set for the ATMOS part of the speaker.



The Pioneer VXS932 is a 7.1 channel amp. The speaker terminals for the five channels of a 5.1 layout are as normal: Centre, Front L&R, Surround L&R.

The extra 2 channels can be assigned in the set-up menus to be any of the following:

- the rear surrounds of a 7.1 layout

- bi-amp power for the front channel speakers (applies to 2.0, 2.1, 4.0, 4.1, 5.0 and 5.1 layouts)

- front height speakers in a Dolby ATMOS layout 5.1.2 - for example, this is how you'd set the amp for use with the Onkyo speakers

- rear height speakers in a Dolby ATMOS layout 5.1.2

What the amp can't do is be a 7.1 channel amp and drive ATMOS speakers at the same time. It doesn't have enough output channels. If you want 7.1 and a pair of ATMOS speakers then you need a 9.1 channel amp. For layouts in 7.1 plus 2 pairs of ATMOS speakers you'll need an 11 channel amp.

ATMOS soundtracks contain information for the front heights and the rear heights. Depending on the speaker set-up of the amp, the channel info for the relevant height speakers is used.


Coming back to the Onkyo speakers, they'd be a step up from what you've been used to with the Philips kit. How successful the ATMOS effect from them is depends very much on your room layout and seating position. It has to be said too, this kit is relatively inexpensive for a 5.1 plus ATMOS kit so is on par with other 5.1 kits in the £180-£250 range. If you can afford better, then the performance will improve significantly as the budget increases.
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That's a good break down on how to understand it all, thank you. I will purchase better speakers with the AVR, i just needed to understand how that onkyo kit worked. I think that VSX932 will do me in that 5.1.2 config, to be honest i was happy with the 5.1 and sound from the old Vt combined. The E7 i now have has a ATMOS soundbar but its not to my liking. The sound is better than most TV's but it still feels a bit one dimensional. I will look out for a small set but better quality that the onkyo stuff i touched on. I dont really want the big speaker look as it like it to be discreet and hidden as best as possible.
 
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