Xbox One 5.1 surround sound advice/help

Crackpotcarey

Crackpotcarey

Crackpotcarey

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Joined
2 Jul 2014
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11
hi,
first I just want to say I'm new here (obviously) but have recently frequented these forums in the search for a solution to my dilemma. I'll cut right to it:

I'm looking at buying a new 5.1 surround sound system primarily for the use of gaming on the XB1, with additional use for movies. I rarely watch official Blu-rays, primarily using netflix/amazon streaming.

Recently I've acquired a new (relatively old model) laptop which has hdmi output and I sometimes use this to my TV for watching downloaded films etc. I also have a new tablet and smartphone too, which I'll be looking to controlling my laptop with along with the Xb (via smartglass).

Ideally I'd like to keep costs to a bare minimum but definitely under £500. I was looking at a full separate speaker, sub, receiver idea (such as denon or yamaha) but the cost is relatively high. I've been looking at microlabs (as a friend has some solo 6c for stereo and is pleased with the value) but I believe I will need 2 hdmi in and 1 out if I'm right in the set up method.

I've also been looking at using a chrome cast into the XB, and a programme /app such as Plex to allow me to watch my downloads etc, eliminating one hdmi input need on the 5.1 system, greatly reducing cost price. Although I'm not seeing any benefits to the actual chromecast itself other than the fancy menus Plex brings (if at all on the XB)

Basically I'm looking for any information/advice on how to modernly setup a nice little media center having surround sound for both laptop and XB with the possibility of switching channels. by this I mean having audio out of pc for music or when streaming live sporting events from Web, while visually watching the Xb screen.

Also any advice or insight into the 5.1 surround sound system to purchase would also be welcome. But I'm in no way an audiophile, so throwing £500 at a setup rather than a £200 option because the mid highs are clearer, would not really be a persuasive argument for me. Atm, I listen to my music via a bluetooth portable speaker (Hardon/karden onyx studio) so I can't really say I know a lot in sound.

Again the main drive for me is audio for gaming and budget, followed by movies then music. I appreciate your time for reading this and any advice or input/opinion you have to offer, or even describing your own setup and how it works for you. I will list the models/spec of each componeness below.

Thanks again in advance

TV: Toshiba 40bv700b (not smart nor dolby support but visually great)
Laptop: Placard Bell easynote P5ws6 (hdmi out but no optical)
Phone/Tab: both Sony Xperia Z2 (android kit kat)

I'm going to mounting my TV to the wall of my square(ish) bedroom, approximately 9ft wide, opposite my bed/chair, if this helps.
 
For £500, I'd probably be looking at getting an AV receiver and speakers.

Have a look at Richer Sounds, http://www.richersounds.com/product...-separates/home-cinema-separates-bundle-deals, if you go instore, they're normally very helpful with picking the right things. They'll be able to demo systems to you as well so you'll know and hear what you're buying.

My Yamaha amp is set up with 6 HDMI inputs (Sky, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PS3, PS4), then that's connected to my TV and 7 speakers. Having it all in one makes it very simple to switch between inputs on the amp.

If your TV has ARC (audio return channel), then you'll be able to put the TV's audio back in to the speakers too by just having a HDMI cable between the TV and amp, but it depends on if you watch freeview on the TV.
 
I have a surround sound setup, but rarely use it for gaming.

Instead I find the headphones far more suitable. Given price is an issue for you, you want to investigate buying a set of expensive headphones, or at least road testing a set of expensive headphones against a cheap surround sound setup.
 
Fr0dders said:
I have a surround sound setup, but rarely use it for gaming.

Instead I find the headphones far more suitable. Given price is an issue for you, you want to investigate buying a set of expensive headphones, or at least road testing a set of expensive headphones against a cheap surround sound setup.
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Yeah I was considering using headphones again, as this is all I had when I used my 360 couple of years back. I think they were turtle beach, cost me around £170 I believe, and I was quite pleased with them as they were perfect for when my gf was asleep :)

But I'm not sure on what's available for the one at the moment and I'm starting to think speakers would be more socially acceptable; wouldn't go down well if I have company over and put on a pair of headphones when watching a film :s although I might look into getting both if my budget will stretch. Any recommendations?


DaveyD said:
For £500, I'd probably be looking at getting an AV receiver and speakers.

Have a look at Richer Sounds, http://www.richersounds.com/product...-separates/home-cinema-separates-bundle-deals, if you go instore, they're normally very helpful with picking the right things. They'll be able to demo systems to you as well so you'll know and hear what you're buying.

My Yamaha amp is set up with 6 HDMI inputs (Sky, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PS3, PS4), then that's connected to my TV and 7 speakers. Having it all in one makes it very simple to switch between inputs on the amp.

If your TV has ARC (audio return channel), then you'll be able to put the TV's audio back in to the speakers too by just having a HDMI cable between the TV and amp, but it depends on if you watch freeview on the TV.
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Yeah I think this is my only option Tbh, and looking more in depth and at richer sounds website, I think the best budget price would be the Yamaha rxv375 receiver combo'd with the tannoy tfx 5.1's for £350. Both have solid reviews/recommendations across the board and are pretty darn cheap.

I was originally looking at microlab speakers, possibly the fc730 or h600 (which may have been discontinued or need to be imported) as their stereo speakers sound good and I like the wooden finish :P anyone have any experience with these?

Also as a curveball, I've seen a Yamaha yht199 package for £180 but can't find any reviews on this package. I'm guessing it's pretty basic but it might do me if I get headphones too?

Thanks again for the replies and I appreciate any further input
 
Will you actually place the 5 speakers well ? (IE have good space/room layout for it?)

If not, get a 2.0/2.1 system and it will still be a massive improvement.

As for AV, get a seperate AV amp and seperate speakers, none of this cheap all in one tat.
 
Well I have a square ish room, aprx 9ft wide by 11ft long, with a slight out dent in one corner (for the water heater next door) I was thinking of having the sat speakers in each corner (obviously) at approx 2/3 to 3/4 upbthe wall either on mounts or shelves. Possibly angled down.

My left rear would be slightly (1.5ft) further to my left than the front left speaker. My TV in the center of the wall with my bed and chair opposite (chair closer to the left speaker slightly than the right) to attempt some form of happy medium.

Not sure if this helps with my layout. I originally thought of just 2.1 or soundbar as this is often recommended for smaller rooms but thought by the time I'd try and make my audio set up more future friendly
 
Crackpotcarey said:
Yeah I was considering using headphones again, as this is all I had when I used my 360 couple of years back. I think they were turtle beach, cost me around £170 I believe, and I was quite pleased with them as they were perfect for when my gf was asleep :)

But I'm not sure on what's available for the one at the moment and I'm starting to think speakers would be more socially acceptable; wouldn't go down well if I have company over and put on a pair of headphones when watching a film :s although I might look into getting both if my budget will stretch. Any recommendations?




Yeah I think this is my only option Tbh, and looking more in depth and at richer sounds website, I think the best budget price would be the Yamaha rxv375 receiver combo'd with the tannoy tfx 5.1's for £350. Both have solid reviews/recommendations across the board and are pretty darn cheap.

I was originally looking at microlab speakers, possibly the fc730 or h600 (which may have been discontinued or need to be imported) as their stereo speakers sound good and I like the wooden finish :P anyone have any experience with these?

Also as a curveball, I've seen a Yamaha yht199 package for £180 but can't find any reviews on this package. I'm guessing it's pretty basic but it might do me if I get headphones too?

Thanks again for the replies and I appreciate any further input
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Get yourself a mixamp pro - works with both the Xbox One and PS4

After that you can plug in any headphones you like. The world is your oyster. Turtle beach stuff is just the start of proper console headphones.

If you search for astro mixamp on here there's loads of threads. common choice is the sennheiser PC360 if i recall.
 
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Thanks for the input. I'm definitely looking into headphones as an option now but will probably just end up getting both:p

Searching the forums for input on headphones too and I'm going to try and work them into my budget, which may in turn get bumped up if I wait till next payday so I'm going to try and refrain from rushing into anything. Might increase the speakers to monitor audio vectors av (around £300) as I'm seeing great reviews on these. And maybe increase the amp to the Yamaha rxv500?

I'm not sure I'd really notice the difference between the two set ups though as I said before, I'm a bit of a noon in this department.

Headphones are swaying between Panasonic HTF600 (cos they're cheap and would help budget go towards speakers) and the sennheiser HD558/598.nor possible the Fidelio X1's. Or the AD700's :D I can't decide.

General consensus is shouting that an astro mixamp is the way to go to truly explore the depths of virtual surround sound but if I go with the cheaper £350 5.1 set up, I may stretch to a good Dac/amp.

Anyone any further input?
 
After further research I think I'm going to get a headphone set up first as I'm starting to think 5.1 in my room is going to be a little difficult to achieve (position and direction of the speakers).

I have an old cheap and nasty 3.1 system that might tie me over when watching films until I can invest more time and money into a better 5.1 set up.

This only has rca inputs. So would the best way to simply output from my TV's headphone socket (the rca output doesn't seem to work when using hdmi source for my Xbox/laptop, only for tv channels) rather than an optical (from Xbox) to rca converter? Especially if I'll be needing the optical out (Xbox) for a mixamp.

Hope I'm making sense and not missing something (other than being a cheapskate)
 
Your best bet is to maybe budget for a reasonably priced HDMI amp, something from richer sounds that was expensive 2 seasons ago.. But is now on sale at clearance prices.

That way getting audio to your amp is easy. HDMI from source to amp, another HDMI from amp to tv.

Something like this with your existing speakers would be a good start.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/denon/avrx500/deno-avrx500

That leaves £400 for a mixamp and headphones
 
I just picked it cos it was cheap, had HDMI and was from a decent name. The Yamaha will be fine also.

Don't buy into the BS from what hifi, that mag is just paid advertising. By and large unless you have a mega expensive setup, all amps will sound the same when using the same speakers.

Just buy what's cheap and has the features you want, from a reputable name so it has good build quality.
 
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Fr0dders said:
I just picked it cos it was cheap, had HDMI and was from a decent name. The Yamaha will be fine also.

Don't buy into the BS from what hifi, that mag is just paid advertising. By and large unless you have a mega expensive setup, all amps will sound the same when using the same speakers.

Just buy what's cheap and has the features you want, from a reputable name so it has good build quality.
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Thanks again for the input, no doubt that will save me from wasting money. Which will allow me to invest it in other areas like better speakers or towards building a custom pc ;-)
 
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