Advice for TV audio

180583Dons

Active member
Feb 14, 2025
15
4
25
Hello,

So I've tried a couple of soundbars with my telly, and was very unimpressed, despite them both being well reviewed. Sony HT-S2000, and Hisense ax5125h. Both were returned.

Now, I really don't know what to do, and my costs are getting ever higher. Budget is now about £600.

I've saved some of my "best" choices on Amazon, so any advice would be very welcome.

Hdmi is great, but optical will work too... They're primarily for my TV, but I do listen to music sometimes too.

I have the Denon standalone system listed, because I wondered if there were better passive speakers out there, than the standard Denon units?

If I've forgotten any details, please do ask, and I would greatly appreciate any advice or personal experience. Thank you!

Here's a quick list of possible options:


Wharfedale Diamond 12.1


ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2


Denon RDCM41DAB


Kanto REN


Denon CEOL-N10


Denon D-M41DAB


ELAC Debut ConneX DCB41.


Cheers everyone
 
Last edited:
Hello,

So I've tried a couple of soundbars with my telly, and was very unimpressed, despite them both being well reviewed. Sony HT-S2000, and Hisense ax5125h. Both were returned.

Now, I really don't know what to do, and my costs are getting ever higher. Budget is now about £600.

I've saved some of my "best" choices on Amazon, so any advice would be very welcome.

Hdmi is great, but optical will work too... They're primarily for my TV, but I do listen to music sometimes too.

I have the Denon standalone system listed, because I wondered if there were better passive speakers out there, than the standard Denon units?

If I've forgotten any details, please do ask, and I would greatly appreciate any advice or personal experience. Thank you!

Here's a quick list of possible options:


Wharfedale Diamond 12.1


ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2


Denon RDCM41DAB


Kanto REN


Denon CEOL-N10


Denon D-M41DAB


ELAC Debut ConneX DCB41.


Cheers everyone
Are you saying you already have a Denon system?
 
No, it's just one on my list of possible options, especially as it wo so well reviewed.
You will get more bang for your buck with active speakers than amp + speakers. But the latter option has more potential for upgrade.

The Denon has lots of features, will you use them? If not there are better amps for the money, the may have better DACs and HDMI connectivity.

If you go for active speakers, take a look at Triangle AIO Twin, they are a little over budget, but very good, and can connect to just about anything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 180583Dons
You will get more bang for your buck with active speakers than amp + speakers. But the latter option has more potential for upgrade.

The Denon has lots of features, will you use them? If not there are better amps for the money, the may have better DACs and HDMI connectivity.

If you go for active speakers, take a look at Triangle AIO Twin, they are a little over budget, but very good, and can connect to just about anything.
Thanks for the advice. And thanks to all. I've now decided I'm getting a stereo setup, with active speakers. They must have a sub out (sub to be bought later) and HDMI arc.

Therefore, I think ive narrowed it down to a choice between klipsch the fives, and the Kanto Rens. Both HDMI arc, and both with sub out.

Any advice on these choices would be greatly appreciated, as would any other options you might think better. Cheers
 
Active speakers (with amps in both speakers, connected by analogue line in RCA phono plugs) normally cost much more than your budget. Only a couple of Adams Audio speakers are well within your budget. These near field monitors are well liked by audiophiles for their detailed sound.

Some passive speakers will have optional sub-woofer outputs. It would be better to spend that on a pair of stereo speakers that have the kind of bass you want than trying to match a sub to what ever speakers you have.

There are also powered speakers which offer wireless features, at least Bluetooth but some also wi-fi with uPnP and Airplay. Although they may not have good latency. Those with HDMI are likely to work well with a TV and are an alternative to a sound bar but unlikely to scale up to surround with centre, sub and rears speakers. Analogue active speakers with a receiver with line level outputs will scale up. You can also use a desktop PC with external HDMI debedder (splits 8 channel audio from the video graphics card or just the onboard sound card.

At your budget

Audioengine A5+ wireless £425.00, 50-22KHz
Audio Pro A28 £440.00, 45-20KHz
Adam Audio T8V £400.00 active, 33-50kHz
Triangle L01A £479.00, 56-22KHz
Adam Audio A5X £639.00 active, 50-50kHz
Klipsch The Fives £649.00, 50-25KHz
Triangle AIO Twin £699.00 , 56-22KHz
Wharfedale Diamond A1 £699.00, 55-20kHz

Budget for stands perhaps.

Advantages include not having to attempt to match amplifier to speakers. If you upgrade you can't do it piece by piece but if you upgrade the amp the speakers may not be good enough or if upgrading the speakers the amp will not cope. So you might have to upgrade everything anyway to get a small improvement

The active speakers (Adams Audio) don't include streaming or wireless (add a Wiim Mino if needed) but you can scale up to surround, don't have optical or HDMI input (use a digital to analogue convertor [optical to RCA stereo] , get a HDMI debedder like the CypAU-11SA-4K22 or an AV receiver/pre-amp with line level outputs) .
The Adams Audio A series (e.g. A4V, £628 pair) have DSP room correction.
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts