Spec me - 5.1 Home Theater Movie Setup!

Trojan Horse · 23 Jun 2016 at 19:02

Any speaker set better than the Cambridge Audio Aero 5.1?

£1030 from RicherSounds: http://www.richersounds.com/package/speakers/speaker-packages/pah011441

What sort of receiver would I need? I want to play 3D, and 4K.

Richeh · 23 Jun 2016 at 19:31

I have not heard any Cambridge audio stuff but would be tempted to go with the similarly priced Dali's instead due to not hearing anything negative about Dali that I can remember. The CA stuff doesnt tend to be mentioned in the £1k+ price bracket as Dali, Monitor Audio start becoming reachable.

Receiver just depends how much you want to spend as range from about £300 up to thousands.

Trojan Horse · 23 Jun 2016 at 19:43

Richeh said:
I have not heard any Cambridge audio stuff but would be tempted to go with the similarly priced Dali's instead due to not hearing anything negative about Dali that I can remember. The CA stuff doesnt tend to be mentioned in the £1k+ price bracket as Dali, Monitor Audio start becoming reachable.

Receiver just depends how much you want to spend as range from about £300 up to thousands.

Receiver wise, this one is £180 - pioneer VSX330 4K https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-VS...=1466707333&sr=8-1&keywords=pioneer+VSX330+4K

This one is £280 - 4k and 3d Denon AVRX2200W
http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/denon/avrx2200w/deno-avrx2200-blk

What about cabling? How do I know what sort to get for the Cambridge Audio ones and what sort of connectors do I need (like is it banana plugs?)

Anything else I might be missing? Perhaps a 3D/4K player?

FurryLemon · 23 Jun 2016 at 20:05

Buy the Denon 2200. It's a bargain.

If you can up your budget a touch I'd go for the Monitor Audio Bronze 5 http://www.richersounds.com/package/speakers/speaker-packages/pah012552

Trojan Horse · 23 Jun 2016 at 20:19

FurryLemon said:
Buy the Denon 2200. It's a bargain.

If you can up your budget a touch I'd go for the Monitor Audio Bronze 5 http://www.richersounds.com/package/speakers/speaker-packages/pah012552

The set with the Denon 2200 comes at £1520 - http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/home-cinema-separates-bundle-deals/pah013091

That's effectively £200 more than the Cambridge Audios. What does the difference of £200 provide? Again, not an audiophile whatsoever, just want my room to rumble and really get immersed into films!

Cabling - what sort do I need to go under flooboards, and what gauge?

FurryLemon · 23 Jun 2016 at 20:36

MA make a better speaker IMO. CA make some decent low tier stereo equipment, but I've never been a fan of their speakers.

Cable - can of worms this! some of my friends have spent 5 figures+ on cable, but like me there cinema/stereo setups cost 6 figures+. I use Van Damme Blue 2.5mm for my cinema setup. Works out under 2quid a meter. As long as the cable is 99.999% oxygen free copper of reasonable thickness (2.5mm recommended) then it really doesn't matter what brand it is.

I use Sewell banana plugs. 30 quid for 7 pairs. Bare wire is best.