Spec me a sound system (£500) - Blu-ray Forum

Robert1986 · 01-05-2009, 10:48 AM

I am new to the whole home cinema thing. I have been doing fine with my HTiAB logitech speakers for around 7 years now but feel its time for an upgrade.

I have no idea what speakers, sub, receiver ect to go for. If you guys could point me in the right direction and help me spend my money wisley, I'd very much appreciate it.

Current speakers - Logitech Z680 5.1. Bought back in 2001.

My budget is £500.

Thanks.

mgrimsley · 01-05-2009, 11:00 AM

have you tried www.richersounds.co.uk as i found these to be helpful and quite cheap.

Johnny Vinyl · 01-05-2009, 11:08 AM

I don't really know what £500 would buy you, as I'm in Canada. I can however provide you with some companies to consider for various componants. These are based on what a lot of members here have purchased and report favourably on.

Receivers: Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Sony and Yamaha.
Speakers: Klipsch, Polk, Paradigm, Energy, Def-Tech to name a few.

An Onkyo/Polk combo seems to be a real favourite amongst many members here.

If I may be so bold, I would suggest getting a 7.1 Receiver and 2 Speakers to start with. Add a Centre Channel next and then either the 2 Rear Surrounds or a Sub-woofer. Build it slowly from the ground up, as you will be happier in the long-term.

Robert1986 · 01-05-2009, 11:15 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Building it up slowly sounds like a good idea. I guess I know what I'll be doing in 2009 then.

Just out of curiosity, how good/bad my current speakers? I have never listened to polk,Onkyo ect speakers before. Will I say a big improvement upgrading?

Johnny Vinyl · 01-05-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert1986

Thanks for the replies.

Building it up slowly sounds like a good idea. I guess I know what I'll be doing in 2009 then.

Just out of curiosity, how good/bad my current speakers? I have never listened to polk,Onkyo ect speakers before. Will I say a big improvement upgrading?

You'll hear a major improvement in sound quality Robert once you upgrade to a receiver/speaker combo. I can't speak for the ONKYO/POLK combo sound, as I haven't listened to such a setup in years, but it's an extremely popular one around here.

Robert1986 · 01-05-2009, 11:43 AM

Hows this for a start? Also, whats the most important thing in a home cinema? The receiver of speakers? Should I spend more on the speakers or receiver?

Onkyo TX-SR506 - £189.99

Would I be able to hook this Onkyo up to my logitech speakers?

Johnny Vinyl · 01-05-2009, 11:59 AM

I don't think the SR506 will do it for you. You're better off with the 606....

I've linked you to a sticky from DriverKing. You'll see a combo there under BUDGET SYSTEMS that may work for you.

But you are on the right track Robert!

In terms of what one should spend on the receiver vs speakers, it should always be more for speakers. A case in point is my setup. Here are the details:

Receiver: Paid $1,100
Speakers: Paid $3,400 (no sub)

A 3 to 1 ratio is not a bad allocation of funds. Hence my recommendation if you only have £500 to spend, to get 2 Front speakers to start with and build from there.

Robert1986 · 01-05-2009, 04:38 PM

So, my starter kit is looking like its going to be this.

Receiver - Onkyo 806 - £489.31
Fronts - Polk Monitor 60's

Future investments

Center - Polk CS2 - £253.48
Sub - Polk PSW111
Rears - ??? not sure any recommendations?

I will be building this up through 2009.

Thoughts?

aramis109 · 01-05-2009, 04:55 PM

For surrounds, the 30's, 40's or 50's are natural choices if you want to stick with Polk. I'd look into the CS2 center if possible- the CS1 is good but I think it matches better with the 60's.

I would look elsewhere for a sub, though.

*edit* Just saw you also added the RTi line. I would shoot for those if you can. Don't get me wrong, I love my Monitors, but why not shoot for the next line if you can?

Robert1986 · 01-05-2009, 05:01 PM

Thanks, I'll look into that.

One question, could I buy the receiver just now and use it with my current speakers? Would I notice any sound improvement by doing this?

Johnny Vinyl · 01-05-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert1986

Thanks, I'll look into that.

One question, could I buy the receiver just now and use it with my current speakers? Would I notice any sound improvement by doing this?

It certainly wouldn't sound any worse Robert! Get the receiver and know that you're on your way to better system once you add your fronts. It's the smart thing to do!

aramis109 · 01-05-2009, 05:21 PM

Actually those Logitech Z speakers are meant to be used all together with their subwoofer/receiver combo. I would check their impedence- if its not 8ohms, beware and check your receiver's specs.

Robert1986 · 01-05-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis109

Actually those Logitech Z speakers are meant to be used all together with their subwoofer/receiver combo. I would check their impedence- if its not 8ohms, beware and check your receiver's specs.

Yea, I think you're right. I guess I'll get the 2 fronts with the receiver then.

01-05-2009, 10:48 AM	#1
Robert1986 Member Member since:Dec 2008 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:35	Spec me a sound system (£500) I am new to the whole home cinema thing. I have been doing fine with my HTiAB logitech speakers for around 7 years now but feel its time for an upgrade. I have no idea what speakers, sub, receiver ect to go for. If you guys could point me in the right direction and help me spend my money wisley, I'd very much appreciate it. Current speakers - Logitech Z680 5.1. Bought back in 2001. My budget is £500. Thanks. Last edited by Robert1986; 01-05-2009 at 11:00 AM.

01-05-2009, 04:38 PM	#8
Robert1986 Member Member since:Dec 2008 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:35	So, my starter kit is looking like its going to be this. Receiver - Onkyo 806 - £489.31 Fronts - Polk Monitor 60's Future investments Center - Polk CS2 - £253.48 Sub - Polk PSW111 Rears - ??? not sure any recommendations? I will be building this up through 2009. Thoughts? Last edited by Robert1986; 01-06-2009 at 08:43 AM.

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01-05-2009, 11:00 AM	#2
mgrimsley Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Swansea, Uk 4K collection:124 Blu-ray collection:344	have you tried www.richersounds.co.uk as i found these to be helpful and quite cheap.

01-05-2009, 11:08 AM	#3
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	I don't really know what £500 would buy you, as I'm in Canada. I can however provide you with some companies to consider for various componants. These are based on what a lot of members here have purchased and report favourably on. Receivers: Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Sony and Yamaha. Speakers: Klipsch, Polk, Paradigm, Energy, Def-Tech to name a few. An Onkyo/Polk combo seems to be a real favourite amongst many members here. If I may be so bold, I would suggest getting a 7.1 Receiver and 2 Speakers to start with. Add a Centre Channel next and then either the 2 Rear Surrounds or a Sub-woofer. Build it slowly from the ground up, as you will be happier in the long-term.

01-05-2009, 11:15 AM	#4
Robert1986 Member Member since:Dec 2008 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:35	Thanks for the replies. Building it up slowly sounds like a good idea. I guess I know what I'll be doing in 2009 then. Just out of curiosity, how good/bad my current speakers? I have never listened to polk,Onkyo ect speakers before. Will I say a big improvement upgrading?

01-05-2009, 11:43 AM	#6
Robert1986 Member Member since:Dec 2008 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:35	Hows this for a start? Also, whats the most important thing in a home cinema? The receiver of speakers? Should I spend more on the speakers or receiver? Onkyo TX-SR506 - £189.99 Would I be able to hook this Onkyo up to my logitech speakers?

01-05-2009, 11:59 AM	#7
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	I don't think the SR506 will do it for you. You're better off with the 606.... I've linked you to a sticky from DriverKing. You'll see a combo there under BUDGET SYSTEMS that may work for you. But you are on the right track Robert! In terms of what one should spend on the receiver vs speakers, it should always be more for speakers. A case in point is my setup. Here are the details: Receiver: Paid $1,100 Speakers: Paid $3,400 (no sub) A 3 to 1 ratio is not a bad allocation of funds. Hence my recommendation if you only have £500 to spend, to get 2 Front speakers to start with and build from there.

01-05-2009, 04:55 PM	#9
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	For surrounds, the 30's, 40's or 50's are natural choices if you want to stick with Polk. I'd look into the CS2 center if possible- the CS1 is good but I think it matches better with the 60's. I would look elsewhere for a sub, though. edit Just saw you also added the RTi line. I would shoot for those if you can. Don't get me wrong, I love my Monitors, but why not shoot for the next line if you can?

01-05-2009, 05:01 PM	#10
Robert1986 Member Member since:Dec 2008 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:35	Thanks, I'll look into that. One question, could I buy the receiver just now and use it with my current speakers? Would I notice any sound improvement by doing this?

01-05-2009, 05:21 PM	#12
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	Actually those Logitech Z speakers are meant to be used all together with their subwoofer/receiver combo. I would check their impedence- if its not 8ohms, beware and check your receiver's specs.

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