Home Theater Virgin

[Grinningcat_o3]

Basic inquiry here, I’m brand new to the home theater game. I used to be heavy into DVD’s back in the day, but once blu rays came about, I just got frustrated at the seemingly never ending technological upgrades and never embraced the blu ray era. This being said I just recently decided to enter the 4K UHD world as it seems to that me for many movies this is probably the best we’ll see them in our homes. Anyway, I recently sort of blindly invested in an LG CX OLED, Sonos Arc, and a ps5. I just want to make sure I’m getting the most of my setup and not doing something wrong, is anyone on this site running a similar setup for home theater viewing? Any tips if so would be appreciated. My main concern right now is my sonos arc, am I missing out on anything by going with a sound bar vs a receiver type system? Seems I can achieve 5.1 by investing in a pair of speakers and a woofer, but don’t think I can ever achieve 7.1. I could potentially return the Arc and get something else. Any input is appreciated, thx!

[idlebrain]

Congratulations with your new purchases. Separates are always sound better than the soundbar crammed with all the channels in one box. Having said that, soundbars came long way. There are some terrific setups from Samsung, Vizio & sony.

Never heard the Sonos Arc but if you are willing to go for separates, you can achieve 7.1 with the Sonos Arc budget.

Recently I helped 3 of my friends set up a budget system with Sony STR-DN1080 & Klipsch 5.1 system from costco plus two additional speakers. Everything came under $900 plus cables.
I am sure it will sound better than any soundbar in that budget. Good luck with your setup.

[hifiHigh]

A few questions:

What kind of viewing do you do? More or less movies, TV, video games, sports - music?
What is your primary space - living room or dedicated room?
Do you plan upgrades and/or future replacements - what's your budget?
Are you more into audio or video or equally both?

[Swissangel4616]

I have a:
denon Receiver 7.1 channel / Dolby Atmos (ca. 600 $)
Speaker: Teufel THX system 4 (5.1) plus 2 atmos (speaker) (ca. 1200 $)
UHD (Recorder/player - Panansonic) (ca. 1600 $ )

dont have yet: UHD/Oled TV 65" (still have 42" Panasonic HD TV from ca. 2007)

For me works this sound-system perfect.

[Grinningcat_o3]

Originally Posted by hifiHigh

A few questions:

What kind of viewing do you do? More or less movies, TV, video games, sports - music?
What is your primary space - living room or dedicated room?
Do you plan upgrades and/or future replacements - what's your budget?
Are you more into audio or video or equally both?

Main viewing is going to be 4K UHD blu rays. Also playing the ps5. I also have an apple tv for streaming content. My primary space is living room. I actually recently just fully upgraded the Sonos Arc by adding the woofer and 2 rear speakers to give me a truer 5.1 surround. The sound quality is great, my concern right now tho is the lack of DTS support, really kind of heartbreaking, I still get audio playback on blu rays, but I don't think it's a true DTS sound, but I love the wireless component and clean look of the Sonos setup. I'm definitely big into video but as of recent have started to have a greater appreciation for sound... I'm wondering right now if I should maybe trade in my Sonos setup for something else? I've spent probably around $2K all in on the Sonos setup and for no DTS support it definitely pains me.

[hifiHigh]

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

Main viewing is going to be 4K UHD blu rays. Also playing the ps5. I also have an apple tv for streaming content. My primary space is living room. I actually recently just fully upgraded the Sonos Arc by adding the woofer and 2 rear speakers to give me a truer 5.1 surround. The sound quality is great, my concern right now tho is the lack of DTS support, really kind of heartbreaking, I still get audio playback on blu rays, but I don't think it's a true DTS sound, but I love the wireless component and clean look of the Sonos setup. I'm definitely big into video but as of recent have started to have a greater appreciation for sound... I'm wondering right now if I should maybe trade in my Sonos setup for something else? I've spent probably around $2K all in on the Sonos setup and for no DTS support it definitely pains me.

The Sonos is a good system, heard good things about it for a soundbar/sub.
For me sound quality has always been the priority in a system...chances are if it sounds good in 2ch stereo a BR will sound equally as good. Just IMO.

There's no real way to recommend eqmt over the web - it's all so subjective. What works for myself may not work for you and vice-a-versa. Esp speakers!
That doesn't help really but ultimately you have to judge for yourself.
Specs and numbers on paper tell you nothing.

As far as DTS the choices are a different soundbar or go with a DTS/DD receiver and keep the Sonos. (There are several ways to hook it up).

I am not familiar with PS game systems so I have no idea what sound fields they process. Ihave heard the PS5 can process ATMOS and DTS.

As a last though you can try to sell your current rig and upgrade your receiver/speaker package with 5/7.2. It costs a little more but upgrades have a tendency to do that There are several components out there - you just have to shop and compare...and try to physically listen to them if possible.

Enjoy!

[Grinningcat_o3]

Originally Posted by hifiHigh

.

As far as DTS the choices are a different soundbar or go with a DTS/DD receiver and keep the Sonos. (There are several ways to hook it up).
.

Enjoy!

This interesting, so I could in theory get a receiver that is DD/DTS and then run my whole system through that? Kinda like that idea maybe.

[hifiHigh]

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

This interesting, so I could in theory get a receiver that is DD/DTS and then run my whole system through that? Kinda like that idea maybe.

It's possible. You may have to play around with connections. Both should have at least an optical digital connection. Your receiver can be the main control in your system or you can run individual HDMI's etc to each component...your call on that.

[Grinningcat_o3]

How do I know what exactly is happening when I’m listening to a DTS mix through my arc that has no DTS support? Does it just down mix to stereo? That’s what it sounds like.

[hifiHigh]

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

How do I know what exactly is happening when I’m listening to a DTS mix through my arc that has no DTS support? Does it just down mix to stereo? That’s what it sounds like.

This unit can downmix standard Dolby Audio & DTS-HD formats up to 7.1 and output the audio as stereo (LPCM 2.0) over HDMI, S/PDIF (optical and coaxial) as well as analog RCA connections.