Home theater Priority question

[PapaSlaughter]

I'm finally making the upgrade to 4K which means that I need to replace everything in my home theater. I currently have the PS5 and XBOX Series X I can use as a 4k player until I can upgrade. My first purchase will be the TV but I would Like input on the order I should buy the other items because I will be getting them 1 at a time over the next few months. I will be using tv audio until I get the sound bar.

TV - Sony x90L 75"
4k player - Panasonic UB820
Sound Bar - Sony A7000
Subwoofer - SW5
Rear speakers - RS5

I'm Thinking:
tv -> sound bar -> 4k player -> Sub -> Rear

Any input would be appreciated.

[dcx4610]

I'd go with the order you listed. I'd look at as an upgrade process. Get the TV, get better sound, get a player to watch movies, get better bass, get rear sound.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by PapaSlaughter

I'm finally making the upgrade to 4K which means that I need to replace everything in my home theater. I currently have the PS5 and XBOX Series X I can use as a 4k player until I can upgrade. My first purchase will be the TV but I would Like input on the order I should buy the other items because I will be getting them 1 at a time over the next few months. I will be using tv audio until I get the sound bar.

TV - Sony x90L 75"
4k player - Panasonic UB820
Sound Bar - Sony A7000
Subwoofer - SW5
Rear speakers - RS5

I'm Thinking:
tv -> sound bar -> 4k player -> Sub -> Rear

Any input would be appreciated.

I think you have a solid approach.....definitely get the TV first, and you picked a good one, which is key. 820 is a solid performer for 4K, and then add the audio pieces over time.

[roar]

I'd leave the blu ray player till last, you have a very competent 4K player already in your gaming systems. You are unlikely to see any differences imo.

[PapaSlaughter]

Originally Posted by roar

I'd leave the blu ray player till last, you have a very competent 4K player already in your gaming systems. You are unlikely to see any differences imo.

Thanks for this. I wasn't sure how much of a difference Dolby Vision would make.

[roar]

Originally Posted by PapaSlaughter

Thanks for this. I wasn't sure how much of a difference Dolby Vision would make.

People will tell you there is a difference, and they wouldn't be wrong, there is technically a difference, but my eyes struggle to see it, or at least my eyes struggle to think one looks noticeably better than another I suppose where as my ears I am confident will hear the difference with more base, assuming the sub I'm looking at reaches lower than the sound bar I have and my ears will ear the difference with added speakers as well.

You say all the components are coming eventually anyway, I'd just move the player to the bottom of the list is all. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts after everything plays out, keep us updated!

Edit: I love Vincents stuff and this video is admittedly dated. When he concludes that DV offers more Pop, depth and dimensionality in his conclusion I just kinda shrug my shoulders and say cool, that's why you're the professional and I'm the consumer. Both look bloody amazing, I just don't see these things while watching a movie in real world settings. Go with the sound

video

[CompleteCount]

When it comes to audio, even if you just pick up a rudimentary (or used) 5.1 receiver and inexpensive speakers (or a half-decent receiver/speaker system) it will blow most soundbars out of the water. Or maybe pick up the receiver and upgrade speakers as you go.

[PapaSlaughter]

Originally Posted by CompleteCount

When it comes to audio, even if you just pick up a rudimentary (or used) 5.1 receiver and inexpensive speakers (or a half-decent receiver/speaker system) it will blow most soundbars out of the water. Or maybe pick up the receiver and upgrade speakers as you go.

I had that type of setup before. I like the Sony integration with the sound bar and wireless setup. It wont be in a theater room, just a family living room.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by PapaSlaughter

I had that type of setup before. I like the Sony integration with the sound bar and wireless setup. It wont be in a theater room, just a family living room.

I have an Atmos setup in a dedicated home cinema - sort of a "get-away-from-the-family" room.

And a very understanding wife who loves watching films, too,

[PapaSlaughter]

I decided to not get the soundbar but the A9 spatial system instead. It ends up costing slightly less with only having to buy the sw5 subwoofer with it. Everything I've read leads to this being a better audio system overall.

[TripleHBK]

The fact that you own multiple gaming systems and are wanting to upgrade your disc player to a 4k drive leads me to believe that you should again reconsider a receiver. A receiver will provide better audio and far more customization options but more importantly, will provide a way to connect all that equipment to the tv with a single HDMI cord leading to a much tidier setup.

Sound bars are fine when connecting only 1 or 2 components, but if you are like me (and it sounds like you are) connecting multiple gaming systems, a subwoofer, a cable box and/or roku box,etc... than having those extra HDMI inputs will be well worth the cost. More than that, speakers can then be upgraded if desired to fit whatever sound/style you want for the room. Towers or bookshelves? Large or small? Mounted or on stands? The amount of flexibility this provides is worth considering as well.

I think you'll have a very competent setup given what you've picked out thus far, but for the money going with a receiver and speaker setup may prove better in the long run and actually be cheaper as well.

[Mr Walker]

Yeah, I'd go for a receiver as well. Plus proper speakers, soundbars are good for what they are, but....

[MarkHunt]

I made the mistake of treating the speakers as an extra piece of kit when I bought my 4K TV and chose the same manufacturer. However, over time I replaced the sound system with the Pioneer VSX-933 (VSX933) Home Cinema Receiver 7.2 with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, WiFi, Bluetooth, added some speakers in the walls and on the ceiling, and the difference is unearthly.

[Shane Rollins]

Assuming I have to do it piece by piece (which I most likely will),

1. Receiver (capable of Atmos and DTS:X)
2. Front three and Sub
3. All rear speakers
4. All remaining speakers
5. All the converters and adapters I need to play my old machines on a new TV (VCR, laserdisc, etc)
6. The TV itself (my current one has a burn, but I'll live with it for now)
7. A new 4K player (I'll live with my Samsung as long as I have to)

The only real tip I can give somebody else is don't spend more than you can afford to. The fact that I don't want to overwhelm myself is the reason I haven't started the upgrading process yet.

Also, make sure you upgrade most if not all pieces at once, so that your stuff doesn't become outdated in a few years. And make it good enough that you can be set for decades on end with your system, because you can't just keep upgrading every couple years.

Don't buy the cheapest stuff, it won't last. And don't buy the most expensive stuff, when you can get away with less. A good speaker system is somewhere in the $2,000 range, and a good TV can be had for under $1,000.

As for 8K TVs, while they are technically better than 4K TVs, most people (including me) cannot see the difference even on native 8K content, and the few who can see the difference can only do so from 1-2 feet from the screen. If you're not planning on a career that has you standing within two feet of the screen for hours on end, 8K TVs are not necessary.

Avoid soundbars and theater-in-a-box sets at all costs.

With the price of speakers, receivers, etc nowadays, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Hope this helps.

[PapaSlaughter]

I got rid of all my speakers, sub and av receiver earlier this year. I have alot of movies and My theater room has become my movie hoarding room. I have given up on the Idea of having a theater room and am moving to upgrading my living room. I don't want to go the av receiver route right now. I decided on the Sony spatial sound system the ht-a9 and the sw5 sub. I have ordered the TV and the sound system along with the sub. I will hold off on the 4k player and use my gaming consoles for a while.

[grape_jelly]

Originally Posted by PapaSlaughter

Thanks for this. I wasn't sure how much of a difference Dolby Vision would make.

Dolby Vision looks fantastic, and I absolutely see a difference between my UB820 and my Series X/PS5 which I'd been utilizing prior for 4k UHD.

The UB820 also uses its own upscaling technologies for 1080p bluray and DVD which when coupled with the upscaler on your television can deliver fantastic results.

Also, it should be pointed out that the UB820 also has dual HDMI out which allows you to plug one cable from the player into the television and another directly into your AVR. This helps avoid any potential hiccups in your chain for higher resolution audio like Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio.

If you're going to be burning expendable income in this hobby, it's satisfying to know you're getting optimal performance - no matter how 'minor' some differences may seem

[spudeus]

That has been my experience with the UB820 also - it improves my library of BRD and DVD movies as well as serving as the UHD player.

I personally don't think I could swap out my separates for a soundbar - audio is half the experience and although soundbars may have improved over the years it would feel like a step back, imho.