How to set up a good 5.1 system

[Automission]

So I would like true 5.1 HD, and a great sound quality. Like over 1000w output would be good. So what do I need? Some receiver thing? If you can link me to examples of what each item is, that'd be great.
As for speakers, can I get five of the same speakers, then just connect them to the corresponding connections for front, rear, etc?

I'd also like some how to's on setting it up via HDMI connections rather than optical, as I hear HDMI is better for it. Basically, I'd like all the know how explained, cables etc. Thanks.

[aramis109]

Start here. Go to local big box chains, hi-fi stores/etc and listen to some to get an idea of what you like and what you want to spend.

Come back with some thoughts and a budget. HDMI audio is as easy as plugging in a cable, but it requires the correct type of receiver and equipment on down the line.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Start here. Go to local big box chains, hi-fi stores/etc and listen to some to get an idea of what you like and what you want to spend.

Come back with some thoughts and a budget. HDMI audio is as easy as plugging in a cable, but it requires the correct type of receiver and equipment on down the line.

Damn, beat me to it.

[plowmanjoe]

well what do you already have?

to get hd sound you need a blu-ray player, a receiver that can do lossless, and speakers.

give this link a read through: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=40821

[Beta Man]

I'd recommend ignoring "wattage" And just focus on listening to different speakers.

[Automission]

I've got a Blu ray player, but my current speakers are a standard set which came with a DVD player. I have a budget of well..almost anything, would probably be willing to go up to £2000. I figured a good Wattage also meant clearer sound.
But yeah, I was sure I was told a HDMI connection works better than optical when it comes to analogue speaker setups. Okay, I'l read the link now.

EDIT: Okay wow, that's far too much information. So basically i need four tower speakers for front and rear, one for centre, and one for bass. Or four for rear, so I can have 7.1? I also need an analogue Receiver which has at least Three HDMI inputs and outputs for all my devices, yes? Then the cables and that's it, right?

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Automission

I've got a Blu ray player, but my current speakers are a standard set which came with a DVD player. I have a budget of well..almost anything, would probably be willing to go up to £2000. I figured a good Wattage also meant clearer sound.
But yeah, I was sure I was told a HDMI connection works better than optical when it comes to analogue speaker setups. Okay, I'l read the link now.

EDIT: Okay wow, that's far too much information. So basically i need four tower speakers for front and rear, one for centre, and one for bass. Or four for rear, so I can have 7.1? I also need an analogue Receiver which has at least Three HDMI inputs and outputs for all my devices, yes? Then the cables and that's it, right?

Need four towers? No, you can go all bookshelf speakers if you want to, or mix and match. It's up to you. Same with 5.1 vs. 7.1. You also don't need an HDMI receiver with three HDMI unless you have that many HDMI components.

[Mr. HiDef]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'd recommend ignoring "wattage" And just focus on listening to different speakers.

haha thats what I was thinking people are so used to seeing HTIB systems marketing alot of watts and they thank thats what u need

[Automission]

So the Watt output doesn't matter much to sound quality?
I also need it to have three HDMI inputs/outputs, as I have three devices. Though I could settle for two and just switch one in and out when I change devices.
I'd also like all my speakers to be roughly the same, as I would imagine having four different speakers would cause the sound to be unbalanced. Speaking of which, how hard is it to correctly tune them for distance from the seating, etc?

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by Automission

So the Watt output doesn't matter much to sound quality?

I have a receiver with 50 watts on 7 channels. It sounds better than my old receiver with 110 watts per channel.

[Automission]

Really? So do you recomend I just ignore it then, or just not stress about it so much? also how does this receiver look? http://www1.dealtime.co.uk/xPO-Yamaha-RX-V1700 I notice it doesn't say it has True HD under the dolby settings, but it doesn't need to support that does it, only the output device does, right?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Automission

Really? So do you recomend I just ignore it then, or just not stress about it so much? also how does this receiver look? http://www1.dealtime.co.uk/xPO-Yamaha-RX-V1700 I notice it doesn't say it has True HD under the dolby settings, but it doesn't need to support that does it, only the output device does, right?

I "Believe" that model will decode the latest audio codecs (HD-MA etc)

as far as the HDMI inputs/outputs you need, just get this

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

You could spend a lot less on a receiver too, and still get all of the HDMI in/outs you need by adding a switcher.

I'd spend at least 75% of your budget on speakers, and the other 25% on the receiver.... that's just my rule of thumb (I think I spent about 80-85% on speakers... not sure)

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Automission

So the Watt output doesn't matter much to sound quality?
I also need it to have three HDMI inputs/outputs, as I have three devices. Though I could settle for two and just switch one in and out when I change devices.
I'd also like all my speakers to be roughly the same, as I would imagine having four different speakers would cause the sound to be unbalanced. Speaking of which, how hard is it to correctly tune them for distance from the seating, etc?

Most decent receivers will have an auto calibration where you take an included microphone and place it in your listening area. The receiver will then play some test tones and make various calculations to account for speaker distance and angle, and any acoustical flaws in your room. From there you can go into the receiver set up menu and make any changes or tweaks to suit your personal preferences.

[Automission]

Ah I see, so you reckon a cheaper Receiver with the same functions, but less ports? As for the switcher, I'd need to manually flick a switch on it each time I changed devices, right? I don't mind that for my rarely used device, but for the two I constantly use, it'd become quite tiresome.
Think I might settle for a Receiver with Two HDMI in and outs still. Good to know about the auto calibration for the Receiver too, thanks.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Automission

Ah I see, so you reckon a cheaper Receiver with the same functions, but less ports? As for the switcher, I'd need to manually flick a switch on it each time I changed devices, right? I don't mind that for my rarely used device, but for the two I constantly use, it'd become quite tiresome.
Think I might settle for a Receiver with Two HDMI in and outs still. Good to know about the auto calibration for the Receiver too, thanks.

With your budget, you should be able to find a receiver with enough hdmi inputs for your needs. I have the Onkyo 606 which is a great budget/bang for your buck receiver. It has 4 hdmi inputs and is only running about $350 these days.

[Automission]

I assume it does all the functions I require, 7.1, True HD, etc? Yeah looks like it. That solves the problem of my Receiver then! Now for speakers. Stupid question, but I assume all speakers have the right fittings for the cables to connect the two?
Also, do the speakers I buy need to be below the Wattage supported By the receiver? If it's over it's amount will it blow them or what?

Gees, I feel so silly and stupid right now.

[Uniquely]

Yes it does, and it is one to seriously consider; but I was using it as an example that there are plenty of receivers out there that will have enough hdmi ports for you.

I'm not sure about the dollar to pound conversion or if electronics are much more expensive over there; but you'll really just want to start shopping the web and looking for receivers in your price range that have all the specs you want/need. Then if at all possible go and hear those receivers. If that is not possible, read absolutely as many reviews as possible on the ones you narrow it down to.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Automission

I assume it does all the functions I require, 7.1, True HD, etc? Yeah looks like it. That solves the problem of my Receiver then! Now for speakers. Stupid question, but I assume all speakers have the right fittings for the cables to connect the two?
Also, do the speakers I buy need to be below the Wattage supported By the receiver? If it's over it's amount will it blow them or what?

Gees, I feel so silly and stupid right now.

You don't need to worry about wattage..... pretty much any speaker you'd be interested in will be able to be driven by the receiver, and not damaged by it...... There are exceptions, but they will either be WAY out of your price range, or little computer speakers that you won't want to look at anyways.....


They'll all take standard speaker wire...... SO...

that being said, you should try to look at speakers you can find in your area.... I'd guess Monitor Audio, B&W, and KEF should all be obtainable by your budget, and also they're all UK companies.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Automission

I assume it does all the functions I require, 7.1, True HD, etc? Yeah looks like it. That solves the problem of my Receiver then! Now for speakers. Stupid question, but I assume all speakers have the right fittings for the cables to connect the two?
Also, do the speakers I buy need to be below the Wattage supported By the receiver? If it's over it's amount will it blow them or what?

Gees, I feel so silly and stupid right now.

Actually, if anything you want to provide your speakers with more power than the wattage rating. Under powering speakers is far more likely to blow them than over powering them. Although with a good system, it's pretty hard to blow speakers. You'd more likely blow your ears first

Speaker connections are pretty universal unless you start getting into all in one systems (which you don't want to do.) There are three main ways to connect speakers. By stripping the ends of the speaker wire and using bare wire, attaching spades to those bare ends, or attaching banana plugs to those bare ends. Most quality speakers and receivers will support all three of those methods so it's really a matter of personal preference.

For curiosity sake, have you looked up the Onkyo 606 at any UK dealers to see what the price is in pounds? It would be more helpful in making recomendations to know what kind of price differential we are looking at.

[Automission]

A first look price I found is £390 for it. Not too bad, so around that range. In reply to you saying better to over power your speakers, since the onkyo has 130 Watt, I want speakers with a wattage lower than that?
I noticed that The onkyo has what appears to be simple plug and play sockets for cables, as it were. I'm guessing the end that attaches to the speakers needs stripping down, but what are spades and banana plugs?
I assume one does better quality, so which would that be?