Sound Advice

[CastingStones]

Ok,

Ive got a Pan and ps3 (see below) live in the UK, have a budget of around £400, and I want a decent sound system for my TV. I dont really want wires going all round the room - its difficult to do that....

has anyone any advice as how to best set up a decent, but no amazing sound system.

This is the part I am nieve about.

Many thanks.

[Beta Man]

welcome....

Do you play Mick, or Keith in the cover band? (kidding of course)

What you'll want, is an Audio-video receiver capable of accepting PCM... look at the receivers commonly discussed here in the $300 range, I'm guessing that'd be about 210 pounds or so.... no sure.... then you'll just want some basic speaker wire, and affordable speakers.

Only problem, I don't know what you have available, at what price ranges, so giving a list of specific brands is kinda tough from here... sorry.

[Carlsberg19]

Check this out, this is my own set up and within your budget

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-DAVIS10...4842548&sr=8-1

Here is a review from Home Cinema Systems Magazine:

With speakers the size of golf balls, the Sony is as discreet as any home cinema you'll find - good news if your significant other is fussy about aesthetics - but the meaty power output and detailed sonics create a performance that belies the diminutive dimensions. Video upscaling runs to only "1080i" not "1080p" but that hardly matters when the picture it serves up is crisper than fresh snow. Style oozes from every surface of the sleek black sub and touch-sensitive, slot loading DVD unit. Media add-ons like DivX and MP3 Playback are spot on too, adding to the universal appeal. If you're not an avid SACD listener who's obsesses with "full HD", this is all but perfect

[CastingStones]

Thanks guys, thanks Beta - id probably be kieth!!!

Yeah I thort id need a reciever - I they really important? Sorry to thick here - but what exactly do the do? Are they like an Amp?

I was guessing £250 ($500) on one, and £300 ($600) on speakers...but I want discrete, easy to set up. I like the look of the sony ones there.

My wife wont go for big monster speakers...and I dont want to fill my livingroom with wires.

thanks - any more suggestions?

[Beta Man]

There are "soundbars" although something I wouldn't do myself, my brother is going this route in order to get "more sound" without adding wires all over the place.....

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Sur...4850690&sr=8-2

[CptGreedle]

I have heard that these new soundbars are pretty good, for what they are. They give the effect of surround sound without having lots of speakers. It just sits in the front and directs the sound around you. Something about the way people hear directional sound...
still, worth a look if you don't want satellite speakers and wires...

[prerich]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

I have heard that these new soundbars are pretty good, for what they are. They give the effect of surround sound without having lots of speakers. It just sits in the front and directs the sound around you. Something about the way people hear directional sound...
still, worth a look if you don't want satellite speakers and wires...

What they are doing is bringing back interaural crosstalk cancellation (made famous by Bob Carver - Sonic Holography and by Matthew Polk Stereo Dimmensional Array (SDA) Technology). Carver's method did it electroically, while Polk's method did it passively through the speakers themselves. Sound and Vision's latest issue has the new Def Tech soundbar - they gave it good grades...for a soundbar. They won't replace a 5.1 system, but if someone is limited on space - they can give a very convincinig illusion of space.

[Driver_King]

Alright, I can recommend a very good setup for your price range. Check out the Onkyo 805 in my sig. It's a fantastic receiver. Also, look at the Polk monitor speakers in my sig. You could get five of them and this sub to get an amazing value and sounding system. I'm not sure about international shipping for you though.

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Alright, I can recommend a very good setup for your price range. Check out the Onkyo 805 in my sig. It's a fantastic receiver. Also, look at the Polk monitor speakers in my sig. You could get five of them and this sub to get an amazing value and sounding system. I'm not sure about international shipping for you though.

Maybe just say...

Look at my sig lol

[CptGreedle]

What do you think about THIS subwoofer...
I am looking around for a center speaker, a subwoofer, and 2 front standing speakers...
This was one of the ones I was looking at. Also, I am looking THIS for the center. Are there any other suggestion for a center speaker in the $100 range? I was hoping for one less than 7 inches tall... this one is a tad taller than i wanted...

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Alright, I can recommend a very good setup for your price range. Check out the Onkyo 805 in my sig. It's a fantastic receiver. Also, look at the Polk monitor speakers in my sig. You could get five of them and this sub to get an amazing value and sounding system. I'm not sure about international shipping for you though.

I don't think he can get the Onkyo 805 in the U.K. within his budget.... but I could be wrong....

I still think that's too much $$ towards the AVR, when paired with those speakers..... but then again... I'm the broken record here I think those speakers, with the 606 or 605 would work fine for him.

[Driver_King]

If that doesn't work, get this.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

What do you think about THIS subwoofer...
I am looking around for a center speaker, a subwoofer, and 2 front standing speakers...
This was one of the ones I was looking at. Also, I am looking THIS for the center. Are there any other suggestion for a center speaker in the $100 range? I was hoping for one less than 7 inches tall... this one is a tad taller than i wanted...

I say no for the sub and yes for the center. It's always better to have a voice matched center.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I think those speakers, with the 606 or 605 would work fine for him.

The 605 or 606 are great receivers too. I was just thinking that the power required to power all towers like that is hard on the receiver, which could cause clipping.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

What do you think about THIS subwoofer...
I am looking around for a center speaker, a subwoofer, and 2 front standing speakers...
This was one of the ones I was looking at. Also, I am looking THIS for the center. Are there any other suggestion for a center speaker in the $100 range? I was hoping for one less than 7 inches tall... this one is a tad taller than i wanted...

That is a very good center for your price range, I say that as an owner. Audition it first though, Circuit City should have it. I hear that sub is a little weak, but for 100 dollars it looks pretty good. The Polk Monitor line is a very good budget speaker line. I have been nothing but pleased with mine.

[Driver_King]

For the $150 range, he can do much better.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

For the $150 range, he can do much better.

Cool! Have you heard that sub? Where can he/I audition it at? When it says "150 Watt Amp", is that RMS or max?

[Driver_King]

I haven't heard the sub nor do I know where you can audition it. You might be able to just order it and return it for your money back from Parts Express. I've heard many positive reviews for it too. I think 150 watts means RMS. I'm not positive though. Don't be obsessed over the wattage though. I'm sure it's powerful enough to shake your windows. I guarantee you it's better than my 10" Onkyo sub that's 250 watts.

[CptGreedle]

OK. I have decided to start with the center speaker. I have gone and auditioned a Polk Audio center speaker, and I have to admit, for dialogue it sounds awesome!
So here are the ones I am looking at within my price range that were all close in quality to each other (at least for me).
What do you guys think I should go with:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cen...xp_grid_pt_0_1
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mon...=1CH533NMZUI7P


Which is worth it more?

Also.. the guys at tweeters have a great deal this month... where you can get a Polk Audio floor standing speaker the RTi10B for $479.99. Oh, and it's buy one get one free. So that is per pair!
Is that worth it? Or are there better for less out there?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

OK. I have decided to start with the center speaker. I have gone and auditioned a Polk Audio center speaker, and I have to admit, for dialogue it sounds awesome!
So here are the ones I am looking at within my price range that were all close in quality to each other (at least for me).
What do you guys think I should go with:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cen...xp_grid_pt_0_1
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mon...=1CH533NMZUI7P


Which is worth it more?

Also.. the guys at tweeters have a great deal this month... where you can get a Polk Audio floor standing speaker the RTi10B for $479.99. Oh, and it's buy one get one free. So that is per pair!
Is that worth it? Or are there better for less out there?

pair of RTi10 for $480 is a great deal considering Polk has the MSRP at $1200 a pair! ...also they recommend using the CSi5 as the center channel, but I think you could get away with another center as long as you stay in the CSi family.