Poll: TV above mantelpiece or not?

[Yaayuh!]

Now, i've always gone with never putting the TV above the mantel because of eye height and it usually looks terrible, but I'm limited in my living room and having a rethink because my mantel isn't actually all that high (89cm) and I want to upgrade.

I currently have a 10 year old 40" TV in the corner with a soundbar. I can replace with a 43" TV without it being any bigger due to the big ol' bezel on the current one, but not really any bigger than that without it causing issues.

I'd like to go at least 50" (49" Sony is the current thought) above the mantel, bring back a full AV 5.1.2 or 3.1.2 solution and put a new AV cupboard and shelves in the corner. Wanted to get all your opinions as to what you would do in this situation.

Here's the lounge, excuse the birthday cards...



Edit: Mods, @EVH, Can you please make a poll for me.

Should I put the new TV above the mantelpiece?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Pancake

edit:

**UPDATE**

I did it and glad I did.

Update post

 

[Yaayuh!]

Can you take a wide angle photo of the room to show us what else you have to play with.

Not really, took a crap pano, but useless.

However, BEHOLD! My super paint skillz!



Not to scale in the slightest but givers you more of an idea.

More info:

• Top of mantel is about 89cm high from the hearth.
  
• Sofa seat is about 46cm. No recline.
• Distance from the chimney breast that the TV would be on to the sofa back is 3.5m (about 11.5ft).

 

[Yaayuh!]

Couldn't you move the chav sofa to sit next to the window and put the tv against the wall opposite the fireplace?

Not without it going in front of the fireplace.
If the sofa was the other way around (there’s a long side and shorter side) then maybe.

One of these, accommodates up to 65 comfortably without looking out of place in the room. The oak isn't as dark as the pics.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...hepstow-930-mm-tv-stand-oak-10004693-pdt.html

Not sure where I would put it?

 

[Yaayuh!]

The TV is on an an adjustable arm on the wall that can repositioned. It’s angled out at the Sofa.
I can’t put a bigger TV in the gap without it encroaching on the window/curtains and fireplace/mantle.
I’m limited to about 43” in that gap, unless I bring it further out and over hang the window and put it in front of the fireplace.

 

[Yaayuh!]

I might see if I can dig out the stand for the TV, so I can just plonk it on the mantel for a few days as a test.

 

[Yaayuh!]

Can you measure the height of the mantel (from the bottom hearth of the fireplace to the top of the mantel), at least that'll give us details.

89cm

Also, how high up is the seating position on your sofa and is there a recline in the back rest? All these things play a factor in how you mount the TV, along with accessibility, maybe keeping it away from wandering kids hands etc.

Seat is about 46cm. No recline, but I slouch and lay down sometimes, depending on my blood alcohol level

Also, the distance from the chimney breast that the TV would be on to the sofa back is 3.5m (about 11.5ft).

 

[Yaayuh!]

Thanks mods

Rip out fireplace, put in wires, board up and plaster, mount TV.

A bigger job than the OP intended, but well-worth the effort in my opinion.

Not an option we're considering, it gets used now and then and may get a wood burner eventually. It's an old cottage so suits it too if we ever want to sell.

 

[Yaayuh!]

Ok, so your TV would have it's bottom at a similar to height as the one in our kitchen shots. That's not too high with your sofa seat (46cm vs our 30ish cm). Plus you'll be slouching down with a blanket in your drunken state so you will be looking up a bit anyway

As you're sitting 3.5m away I'd say a 55" would be ok, but to see the benefit of HDR etc and really get the big screen effect, a 65" would be ideal. TVs these days have much thinner bezels than that ancient one in the corner, so blend in better.

For TVs:
- Grab an angled bracket like the Invision one. It doesn't stick out much and you can angle it downwards a little.
- I'd look at the 2019 Samsung models - Q70, Q80, Q85 (ignore the Q60 unless it's a super cheap deal).
- Or consider an LG OLED, but they will probably cost more and you have the risk of screen burn to have in your mind. Lovely picture though.
- Both have decent SMART systems with almost every app you could need. I liked the LG but am very impressed with the Samsung system since we got our Q90. Just brilliant and easy to use.

For Sound:
- Depends how much effort you want to go to, be it a 5.1 system or go for a Soundbar with Sub system (maybe add their rear speaker set).
- A full system with AVR will be better, but you'll have to mount speakers on the walls, chase/hide wires for the front 3, run wires to rear speakers and sub etc.
- A soundbar setup will let the soundbar do the front 3 channels and will give some height (if it has upfiring drivers), look at the Samsung Q60r or Q70r 2.1 combos as they come with a wee sub.
- You can then add their SWA8500 (or SWA9000, which is meant for your chosen soundbar) wireless rear speaker kit if you really want rears.. You can hide the rear wireless box at the back of the room then only run cables to the rear surrounds.

If I was in your position and wanted the least hassle for the best buck, I'd get one of the 65" Samsung 2019 models (Q70 minimum, or the Q85 as it has reflective coating), then something like their Q60r or Q70r soundbar 2.1 kit. You'll then get the big screen for general viewing and perfect for evening movies, no risk of screen burn (like the LG OLEDs) and you'll get decent enough sound from the soundbar/sub combo and have very little cable management to worry about.

It's easy on here to spout, get an OLED, get a 7.1.4 surround system, but you can get an incredible picture from the Samsung QLED sets and decent sound from their soundbar combo. It won't be a full surround setup, but then it'll be a lot less hassle, easy to use for both you and the GF/Mrs and it'll be easy to install in comparison. A decent compromise.

Thanks for your detailed response and advice.

My budget is limited and I have set "as close to £1K" (but likely £1200) as budget for TV and i'll go Sony because i've had nothing but excellent user experience with them and friends and family's too. I've had my eyes on the XG for a while so looking at a full Sony setup again but will be taking a look in JL and RS beforehand at all models (as soon as I can ). Overall budget is weighed heavier on the sound side.

If I stick it up on the wall then I'll not go soundbar, just seems pointless, I may as well shoot higher especially since It will be used for music frequently. I plan to start with a 3.1.2 setup and add the rears for 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 once i'd figured out their placement.

Sony XG (19) or XH (20)
Sony UBPX800M2
Sony STR DN1080
Elac Debut B5.2 / B6.2
Elac Debut A4 Atmos
Elac Debut C5.2/6.2 Centre
BK Monolith Sub

Reason for Elac Debut 2.0 is cost and because they're front ported and will be close to the wall. I was poised for MA Bronze 2 setup but I heard these Elac Debuts the other month and was impressed, they were the smaller of the two as well.

 

[Yaayuh!]

I would say no because where would you put the sky box e.t.c. It would look messy unless you made a hole big enough to fit all cables through and stick a new side cabinet up in place of the unit on the left hand side.

AV stuff would be in a new unit where the existing unit is. I would run a channel in the back of the mantel that runs them off to the side from the TV, or something. The centre speaker will cover the two cables from the TV to the channel. Haven't completely thought it through, but could be done.

Glad to help.

I've heard nothing but issues with regards to the smart system and was less than impressed with it when I've had a play, with the LG and Samsung systems making it seems very 2nd rate. Also if you were going Sony then why not get the older XF9005, isn't the XG just a newer XF but with a much higher price?

The XG IIRC is slightly brighter and faster UI. But given the fact the streaming services will be run from the BD Player or PS, it's kinder irrelevant so you're right, might add the XF into the mix as well but need to see what the XH is all about.

I'll see what's around when I come to it though because I still need to make this decision and have to wait for the shops to open back up again... could be months.

 

[Yaayuh!]

Going by the poll, it looks as though replacing my TV with a 43" in the corner is the way to go. I can't go any bigger without needing to bring it forward in front of the fireplace and window, which will just look odd and be a pain with the curtains.

It's certainly a cheaper option though, but allows more money to be spent on hifi

Can't find the stand for the current TV, so at the weekend I'll mark out with tape on the wall above mantel where the TV would be and sit and test before I make up my mind.

Yes get that tv up above.
Then buy a Gucci belt and celebrate sitting on the corner sofa.

 

[Yaayuh!]

That's a really bad idea, 43" at 3.5m will be as immersive as looking at a Smartphone screen, then any speakers will be cramped together around a corner stand

Get a 55/65 above that mantel and ignore the poll posts. Those voting for the corner have the sense of those rushing to supermarkets and filling their trolleys with 188 toilet rolls!

I'm used to a 40" screen, so that 3" inches would make a difference as it is . But yes, generally agree. Going to masking tape up the wall this weekend as a test.

another issue (if its not an oled) with the high position is the off-axis viewing on an VA panel .... I'd be auditioning , with that in mind

you're going to be looking at top edge of screen at a ~ 1m/3m ~ 20degrees angle, which is within the albeit, sideways shift black+gamma angle on
https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/q60t-qled for example, by their criteria anyway.

The screen will be tilted some. But yes, will bear this in mind.

 

[Yaayuh!]

Measured and masked up just the height on the wall starting 7" up from the mantel (to cater for the centre) and it looks higher than I thought it would be. But arguably not too high but the initial 7" makes a difference for sure.

I need to ponder for longer.

Edit: I'm an idiot. I used the inc stand dimension. Which is 4-5" more than required. So a little better now.

 

[Yaayuh!]

This is all very much on hold since I got furloughed last week. So no spending whilst job security is at risk.

 

[Yaayuh!]

**UPDATE**

I did it and glad I did.

Upgraded to:

• 55” Sony XH95
• Panasonic DP-UB820 Blu-ray Player
• Sony STR-DN1080
• Elac Debut B5.2
• Elac Debut C5.2
• BK Elec P12-300SB-DF

Still considering the rears. Might cross that bridge when we do other work e.g. upstairs carpets and new sofas and chairs.

Obligatory potato pic:



Would I prefer not to have the TV above the mantelpiece? Of course, but I don't think it's too high, sort of on the limit though. I feel i've done the best I could with a bad situation with also playing with a tight budget, I managed to get the TV on Black Friday and everything apart from the sub and Blu-ray player were on deal at the time. It pays to do this gradually.

[FLAME SUIT ON]

 

[Yaayuh!]

I hadn't registered the darkening, on fireplace mantle, before ... is it more than decorative then ? ... or the flame suit comment is a pun.

It’s not been used this winter and not going to be used for the foreseeable.
I’m not going to get rid of the fireplace though as it’s a good feature for an old cottage, worth keeping if we ever decide to move.

Which reminds me, I’ve got a **** load of wood in the barn/garage. Might get something for the garden for chilly nights.

 

[Yaayuh!]

it looks like there's a fireplace in the way of your av/sound system. if you weren't gonna use the fire why not just put the tv in front of the fireplace

There’s a hearth and it’ll look worse than it does now. Also, I’ve just become a father, there’s something to be said about keeping it all up and out the way!

TV only goes above the mantelpiece if you're going to be watching The Chase nonstop

Never watched it

Looking good.

A tip from me, lay your L&R speakers down on their side, it will not only look more cohesive but should sound a bit better as the drivers/tweeters will all be on the same plane.

Thanks

Though I’ll trust the design as intended orientation. Especially given the beautiful soundstage of the Elac’s.

I'm going through the same dilemma at the moment so it's helpful to see it mounted.

My mantle is around the same height but far wider, and looks horrific, so I'm thinking about either ripping it out and getting a more modern mantle installed or building a fake TV wall around it.

If you don’t use the fireplace nor want to keep it for aesthetics/resale, then gut it out, fill it in, get rid and it’ll be far better IMO.