Surround Sound System Help

bsoltan

bsoltan

bsoltan

Soldato
Joined
16 Oct 2005
Posts
4,117
Location
UK
Hi folks, looking for some help on a surround sound setup.
I read the sticky but it hasn't had an update for several years.

I have been running the same TV for a few years, no external speakers or anything. Now I feel the urge for something to make the movies sounds good.
Unfortunately I don't really know anything about speaker systems. Main thing is the size of my room. I don't have the best space to play with so I drew up a picture with a few dimiensions. Furniture could me moved nothing set in stone.

Current setup
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I have access to the loft for running cables to the front/rear if needs be. It is semi-detached with the wall along the back of the sofa also the wall for next door's living room.

Current Devices
  • Sony KDL40v3000 TV
  • Xbox 360
  • PS3 (Blu-ray)
  • Revo L70 (XBMC)
  • AppleTV [to be added]
All the devices are HDMI. I also have a Sonos Bridge and Sonos Play3 which is just used for music around the house. At some point it is likely I'll add a next gen console.

Requirements
Surround sound system - most likely 5.1 as I don't have the space for 7.1. Although I'd like floorstanders I don't want the setup to dominate the room although if I need stands then it takes up about the same space anyway.
It will be used for TV, Movies and Games. The more features the better, controlling from tablets, smartphones, Airplay, bluetooth, inputs, outputs etc.
I don't currently have a Hifi system but I would like to add one when I can work out where to put it so if that can be incorporated in the future that would be nice.

Budget
I don't really know where to start, looking at prices for some kit I'd say around £1-1.5k seems like it would fit the bill. Please let me know if it can be achieved for less or if I'm way short.

I do have a RicherSounds in town I can visit if that would be worthwhile.
Sorry if I've gone overboard with the info in my first post. Thanks very much for anyone that can help out.
 
You could get a set of 5.1 speakers in there - a pair of speakers either side of the TV, plus a centre under the TV, plus a pair of rears on stands either side of the sofa.

Is the black rectangle to the left of the sofa a table (ie low level) or some kind of cabinet/cupboard (ie high level)

Almost every decent AV receiver will allow you to adjust the levels/delays of the speakers so that all the sound reaches you at the same time, no matter how far away the speakers are from your listening position, but ideally you'll want a pair the same distance apart - ie keep the rears an equal distance away from your listening position, if possible.
 
Yes I hope I can fit it, the furniture can be moved around a bit if necessary. The black rectangle is a low level side table. I also have a coffee table between TV and sofa (not shown).

That's good to know regarding the receiver setup, is it something that is easy to do or does it require a mic/setup kit?
 
Depends on the receiver itself - mine came with a mic, but I think it's a feature of most receivers to set it up via the menus - you may need a tape measure when setting it up ;)
 
For 1-1500 you can get a decent amp an all your speakers/cables

first Q : is there a woman involved , as they can make real easy or hard :)

if there is you need to win them over with the speakers an cables an positions of where you want to put them , as they won't understand ...

If not great I take its your digs ...

you can easy fit a 5.1 surround in that room , if you are keeping everything where it is ..

Fronts : L/R speakers either side of TV , Either wall mounted will need brackets , or floor standers speakers ??

SUB : Can go anywhere in the room , but try not stick in the corner .

Centre :Speaker either wants too be just under the TV , but can go just above or on the floor , some amps allow you to move the sound from the speaker up so it sounds like its coming from the TV ...

Rears : L/R speakers now these can either go on stands either side of the settee around head hight when sat down or mounted on the wall behind you either end of the settee ..

Speaker cables : they say you should budget 10% for cabling .. as long as you don't get Door Bell wire you can't go wrong

Amp : There's loads of good offers on at mo as last years stocks are sold off for this years new .. me I'd say spend between 250 - 400 for your amp should get a really good one for that price range with at least 4-5 HDMI connections full HD audio support ,As for what speakers to go for , that's a very personal choice you need to try out a few different brands , me I got Missions .. but as I say its down to how you think they sound too you ...
an if your going to be playing music through them as well take that in to account before you buy ..

As for setting up the amp , some come with a MIC an if it doesn't all you need is a tape measure .. an a good ear ;)
 
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No woman involved.. :(:) so everything is up to me and whatever is going to give me the best performance.

Good to know about the sub, I was actually thinking of putting it in the corner on top left of the image, maybe better to the right of the TV?

Centre speaker should be ok, I might try to get a shelf to put the TV on so I can put the speaker under it, or my TV unit has a shelf in it but might be a bit low, plus I have the consoles there now.

Guess I'll have to browse around the various speaker and amp options.

Thanks.
 
Ooh yeah I forgot to mention ...

When you buy the speakers cables .. Make sure to get the same length for both speakers , don't measure to each speaker only ..

So for the fronts you may need x2 lengths of 2m cable .

for the rears you may need say x2 lengths of 6m cable .

its to do with the ms response time to all the speakers ..
 
That isn't really an issue in a sitting room - the lengths of speaker wire have to be stupidly long for it to become a noticeable problem.
 
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