Recommend a surround sound system

Psycho Sonny · 30 Jan 2017 at 11:40

I have a BK XXLS 400 and wish I had got a Monolith. Ported subs have a much bigger boom than sealed units. However sealed units are much better for music and it's a big sealed unit to it's supposed to be good at both however I wish I had more.

Overkill for the OP and their whole budget would be taken up by a monolith but with subwoofers go for the biggest you can accommodate that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb regardless of room size. You can always adjust their gain so they aren't as loud.

hornetstinger · 30 Jan 2017 at 15:36

Psycho Sonny said:
I have a BK XXLS 400 and wish I had got a Monolith. Ported subs have a much bigger boom than sealed units. However sealed units are much better for music and it's a big sealed unit to it's supposed to be good at both however I wish I had more.

Overkill for the OP and their whole budget would be taken up by a monolith but with subwoofers go for the biggest you can accommodate that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb regardless of room size. You can always adjust their gain so they aren't as loud.

I had a ported 13" subwoofer, I changed it to the sealed box 13". Works better in my room.

Never managed to like the ported for music. Great for movies though. The sealed is fine for movies, and I think will be fine in larger room (not like English living rooms are massive)

Rito · 2 Feb 2017 at 15:53

sprite- said:
[*]What is the primary thing you’ll listen to or care about the most? For example, if you watch allot more movies than you do listen to music I’d suggest style type / satellite over bookshelf speakers (Especially due to your room limitations). If music is the primary concern, the bookshelf speakers are going to be a better buy.
[/LIST]

Primarily will be listening to music as I game.

sprite- said:
I have a Samsung UE55KS7000 with a Denon X2300W and KEF 3005SE 5.1 (Adding 2 KEF ceiling speakers soon for Atmos)

Is it worth purchasing a Denon model above X2300W?

sprite- said:
Second-hand is a great way to snap up AV gear – as recommended by somebody else on here.

I would have purchased them second hand but the sellers are too far for me to collect from them and they won't have it delivered (I don't blame them) so I'll have to buy it new.

sprite- said:
I’d recommend the following

KEF 3005SE

Monitor Audio MASS

Q Acoustic Q7000

Bookshelf wise, as you’ve probably guessed by peoples suggestions. Q Acoustics are pretty popular – that reputation is well earned aswell. Any 2000 or 3000 set is going to do you well.

Is there a big difference between Q7009 and 3000? (apart from the name)

sprite- said:
As always, with ANY home cinema consideration. Go and demo it. Sound is a highly subjective thing.

Richeh · 2 Feb 2017 at 16:32

sprite- said:
As always, with ANY home cinema consideration. Go and demo it. Sound is a highly subjective thing.

Rito said:
Will do.

Which of these bundles is the best option?

xxx

Thanks.

Does not compute

hornetstinger · 2 Feb 2017 at 19:45

Rito said:
Primarily will be listening to music as I game.

Is it worth purchasing a Denon model above X2300W?

I would have purchased them second hand but the sellers are too far for me to collect from them and they won't have it delivered (I don't blame them) so I'll have to buy it new.

Is there a big difference between Q7009 and 3000? (apart from the name)

Will do.

Which of these bundles is the best option?

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v681-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v581-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v581-w-q-acoustics-3000-speakers-5-1.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v681-w-q-acoustics-3000-speakers-5-1.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v381-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v681-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/denon-avr-x3300w-w-q-acoustics-3000-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/denon-avr-x2300w-w-q-acoustics-q7000i-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/denon-avr-x3200w-w-q-acoustics-3000-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/pioneer-vsx-831-with-qacoustics-7000i-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/pioneer-vsx-831-w-q-acoustics-3000-speakers-5-1.html

Thanks.

I'd recommend Yamaha for reliability and a general good, safe sound. If you do get the Q Acoustics 2000 series then I would skip the sub and get one from another brand, SVS 12" sealed box or something like that.

Have you considered second hand? I bought £5000 worth of speakers for £1000.

sprite- · 2 Feb 2017 at 19:58

Rito said:
Primarily will be listening to music as I game.

Is it worth purchasing a Denon model above X2300W?

I really like the Denon, at £400 it represents some seriously good value. Then again, Yamaha in same range is still a very good option. My last two AVRs have been Yamaha.

I personally feel the Denon X2300W is better than the Yamaha RXV-681, not only is it cheaper (£40-£50 less) most places it's also got more HDMI 2.0 / HDCP 2.2 ports. Is the reason most places says the Denon X2300W is the best buy in that price range.

Rito said:
Is there a big difference between Q7009 and 3000? (apart from the name)

Typically, for music, book-shelfs will be better.

HOWEVER - and this is a big one. 5.1 book-shelf's can take up quite a bit of space, in a room with little of it i'd be inclined go for the likes of the Q7000i. You can basically just mount the Q7000i's on your walls.

My KEF 3005SE L and R fronts are mounted on my wall either side of my TV, centre under-neath and rears on two slim stands behind couch. When i had Q Acoustic book-shelfs (Which are still phenominal), they took up considerably more room. While yes - you "can" wall-mount them. I think they look bloody awful on a wall, personal preference thing.

Rito said:
Which of these bundles is the best option?

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v681-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v581-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v581-w-q-acoustics-3000-speakers-5-1.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v681-w-q-acoustics-3000-speakers-5-1.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v381-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/yamaha-rx-v681-w-q7000i-5-1-speaker-package.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/denon-avr-x3300w-w-q-acoustics-3000-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/denon-avr-x2300w-w-q-acoustics-q7000i-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/denon-avr-x3200w-w-q-acoustics-3000-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/pioneer-vsx-831-with-qacoustics-7000i-5-1-speakers.html

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/pioneer-vsx-831-w-q-acoustics-3000-speakers-5-1.html

Thanks.

If it were my money, out of all of those i'd pick the Q7000i with the Denon X2300W

http://exceptional-av.co.uk/denon-avr-x2300w-w-q-acoustics-q7000i-5-1-speakers.html

I'd go demo both the Q7000is and the 3000 - see whether you feel book-shelfs are truly what you need for your listening habits

hornetstinger · 2 Feb 2017 at 20:03

The Denons do have more power than the Yamahas. But Denon reliability isn't that great.

As for the Q7000I they're a bit too small and bass shy for my liking, I'd recommend speakers with 6.5" drivers. 95hz and 75mm drivers a bit small.

But I'm more used to these speakers.

http://www.fotosik.pl/zdjecie/e19726df3a903d6d

sprite- · 2 Feb 2017 at 20:15

hornetstinger said:
The Denons do have more power than the Yamahas. But Denon reliability isn't that great.

As for the Q7000I they're a bit too small and bass shy for my liking, I'd recommend speakers with 6.5" drivers. 95hz and 75mm drivers a bit small.

But I'm more used to these speakers.

http://www.fotosik.pl/zdjecie/e19726df3a903d6d

What?

Nothing to substaintiate Yamaha reliability over Denon, Yamaha have a great reputation but so do Denon, id say Yamahas is more established. I've also seen just as many Yamaha failure instances as Denon on my internet travels, experienced one first hand with my Yamaha. Whatever brand you go for, both are reliable and both offer excellent service when sorting out issues.

Bass shy for your liking? Once again, he's told us all his room dimensions and you're recommending floor standers. Guess that's one way to go.... :eek:

hornetstinger · 2 Feb 2017 at 20:19

Yamaha has been voted the most reliable brand.

If you can fit standmount speakers then I'd recommend. If you need to save space then get smaller speakers for side/surrounds. But still concenrate on decent front speakers (front pair, center, sub)

I use floorstanders and a 1000W 13.5" sub and they're great.

hornetstinger · 2 Feb 2017 at 20:24

Bass shy for your liking?

Well they reach down to 95hz. I'd want speakers to go lower than that. Also no +/- spec for those, so highly likely they won't reach 95hz.

I'd probably say those Q7000 are about 120hz or so.

2 x 3" sealed box won't go that low. That means the subwoofer will have to play higher frequencies. Which means a good sub is needed. And that Q Acoustics sub is nothing special, with a 8" sealed box, 150W it won't be steller.

sprite- · 2 Feb 2017 at 20:28

hornetstinger said:
Yamaha has been voted the most reliable brand.

If you can fit standmount speakers then I'd recommend. If you need to save space then get smaller speakers for side/surrounds. But still concenrate on decent front speakers (front pair, center, sub)

I use floorstanders and a 1000W 13.5" sub and they're great.

You didn't say Yamaha has been voted the most reliable, if you did It would simply reflect what I said in that they definitely have a more "established" reputation for reliability. You said... "Denon reliability isn't great" which is misleading and well, not true.

I could fit floorstanders in a cupboard, doesn't mean I should.

Floorstanders are great, they are however something which needs some careful consideration. In a room his size (which to be honest is quite typical in the UK) it's not only the placement of floorstanders which is important but the actual type, not all mid sized floorstanders would be suitable. Which is why it's often not recommended, especially for first steps into home cinema. Something you can add later if you need it... Perhaps you could understand this stuff before helping guide somebody?

For example, my living room is bigger than his room... Yet I don't even touch the limit of my KEF 3005SEs from a volume (room filling sound experience) or bass perspective. Not even close.

hornetstinger · 2 Feb 2017 at 20:34

sprite- said:
You didn't say Yamaha has been voted the most reliable, if you did It would simply reflect what I said in that they definitely have a more "established" reputation for reliability. You said... "Denon reliability isn't great" which is misleading and well, not true.

I could fit floorstanders in a cupboard, doesn't mean I should.

Floorstanders are great, they are however something which needs some careful consideration. In a room his size (which to be honest is quite typical in the UK) it's not only the placement of floorstanders which is important but the actual type, not all mid sized floorstanders would be suitable. Which is why it's often not recommended, especially for first steps into home cinema. Something you can add later if you need it... Perhaps you could understand this stuff before helping guide somebody?

For example, my living room is bigger than his room... Yet I don't even touch the limit of my KEF 3005SEs from a volume or bass perspective. Not even close.

You can get away with Kef Q300 in your typical room.
I own Kef Reference as well.

For the OP I'd step up to the larger Q Acoustics 2000/3000 series over the smaller 7000.

I've also got Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 they're great for the size, and perfect for a PC audio rig. I think it's better to buy speakers that you'll keep and happy with, not having regret should have gotten slightly bigger speakers.

Rito · 2 Feb 2017 at 21:20

Richeh said:
Does not compute

Haha, I am intending to get a few recommendations first and then go down to a local richersound or sevenoaks to sample all the recommendations.

hornetstinger said:
Have you considered second hand? I bought £5000 worth of speakers for £1000.

As I stated before, the sellers want the speakers to be collected but they live very far from me.

pete910 · 3 Feb 2017 at 00:22

hornetstinger said:
The Denons do have more power than the Yamahas. But Denon reliability isn't that great.

As for the Q7000I they're a bit too small and bass shy for my liking, I'd recommend speakers with 6.5" drivers. 95hz and 75mm drivers a bit small.

But I'm more used to these speakers.

http://www.fotosik.pl/zdjecie/e19726df3a903d6d

My x4200 seems to be fine :confused:

Also @Rito

If you are going to use the extra outputs/inputs features of the models above and have budget then yes go for a higher model. If not you are kinda wasting it and be better off toward some nice speakers/sub.

Personally have the x4200 with the Q 7000i 5.1 package as I have a small living room too. To me they are awesome. Punch a lot higher than you may think given their size with clarity to boot. Sub, more than ample for me.

End of the day it's down to taste.

I would like a BK sub though

Rito · 12 Feb 2017 at 19:31

You think a Pioneer SC-LX57 is worth purchasing for £300? Do Pioneer's produce a "warmer" sound like Denon and Yamaha?

I've been looking around for second-hand gear. Managed to find a few AVRs like:

Denon AVR-X3100W for £385
Yamaha RX-V477 for £150
Yamaha RX-V577
Yamaha RX-V675 for £229
Yamaha RX-V775 for £220

Going to try finding speakers and a separate sub. Perhaps a BK sub since quite a few members have praised it.

Psycho Sonny · 13 Feb 2017 at 15:09

Rito;30496953 said:
You think a Pioneer SC-LX57 is worth purchasing for £300? Do Pioneer's produce a "warmer" sound like Denon and Yamaha?

I've been looking around for second-hand gear. Managed to find a few AVRs like:

Denon AVR-X3100W for £385
Yamaha RX-V477 for £150
Yamaha RX-V577
Yamaha RX-V675 for £229
Yamaha RX-V775 for £220

Going to try finding speakers and a separate sub. Perhaps a BK sub since quite a few members have praised it.

Activate your trust (bottom right next to quote).

You can get a Yamaha RX-677 for less than the price of that 675

Rito · 13 Feb 2017 at 18:16

Psycho Sonny;30499292 said:
Activate your trust (bottom right next to quote).

You can get a Yamaha RX-677 for less than the price of that 675

I think I activated my trust.

Thanks, always good to know the value of equipment.