Advice on first home cinema system

[admin_exported]

I have a Panasonic TX-46G10B TV and have up to £600 to spend on a home cinema system. I would like something that has speakers that are not wall mounted, and if the quality is good enough, wireless. I have little experience in this area and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I can see wireless may be a problem at this price point but also bear in mind that wireless won't necessarily see a drastic reduction in the amount of cabling needed. Most wireless speaker still need some form of power supply, mostly a mains lead so in my view a step back in many ways as you have a thick cable to hide (mains lead) rather than a thinner speaker cable.

I'll leave it to the Homne Cinema experts to pad this out

 

[professorhat]

Let's get into a few specifics. Firstly, what will the system be used for? Are you just looking at a Blu-ray system, or do you want it to also do sound for your TV? Have you got Sky / Virgin / any other set top box which needs to be added, or do you think you'll get something like this in the future? Any games consoles? And would you want to use it for music too? If so, what balance are you looking it in terms of music playback vs home cinema?

Secondly, are you looking at an all-in-one system or a separates system? All-in-one's will give you pretty much everything you need in a box, so make things nice and simple to setup. However, they tend to be pretty inflexible if you ever wanted to upgrade or add anything else into the system. Separates on the other hand provide more flexibility (they tend to have a lot more inputs for sources) and allow you to upgrade one component at a time if you want to in the future. You should also find that a separate system sounds better than an all-in-one of equivalent value.

Thirdly and finally, if you're looking at separates systems, you'll find there's generally two different types of speaker package you can get - style packages consist of smaller speakers that will blend into your living room better, whereas traditional packages use traditional boxy speakers. Again, it's a matter of taste, but generally, traditional speaker systems will sound better than a style package of equivalent value.

That should be enough info to get us started!

 

[Anonymous]

Good questions Prof

I knew there would be some!

1. I would like a system to be used with Sky+ box and I also have a PS3. I am not concerned about music playback.

2. I am happy to have either a seperates or all in one system, whilst I am new to this I am reasonably tech literate.

3. I do not have a great deal of shelf space for small speakers, and would like floor standers. However, I don't think that my better half will be happy with large box type speakers, but I can work on that if necessary.

As far as wireless goes the power issue is a good point that I hadn't really considered, so no such thing as a truly wireless then really!

Thanks so far.

 

[professorhat]

In which case, I'd personally go with a separates system - you'll get more for your money and, if desired, you can upgrade components in the future without having to replace the whole system.

I'm going to assume your PS3 will serve as Blu-ray player? In which case, AV amp wise, the Sony STR DHR820 is a good bet - it's got everything you could need at the moment and for any future requirements (including support for 3D if you ever go in that direction). It can also be picked up from Richer Sounds for £250 - bargain!

Speaker wise, there are a few options. If you can convince your other half on bigger speakers, I'd look into maybe the Teufel Theatre 80 system which is currently £350 from their website (link). The upside is, for the money, this looks like a tremendous package, and you get a 12 week trial, so you can send them back if you're not happy within that time. The issue is, you'd also need stands for these (£44.99 each, so an extra £180 for all 4 surround speakers!) or wall mounts (£25.99 per pair, so an extra £52 for wall mounts for all 4 surrounds) and the delivery cost is £50 extra, so it's blown your budget by at least £100.

A little on the smaller side brings in something like the Canton Movie 125MX. These are also available for £300 from Richer Sounds, giving you £50 to look into stands or mounts of some kind for the speakers plus cabling. If you're buying all from the one dealer of course, you can look into a deal on these bits and pieces.

Finally, on the really small speaker front, you could look at the Boston Acoustics Soundware XS package (available for £200 from Richer Sounds). This will be nice and easy to integrate into your front room, and gives you some spare cash for some Blu-rays! However, physics does play its part with speakers, and you won't get quite the same performance from these as you will from the bigger speakers which are able to shift more air.

Certainly the above is by no means the be all and end all - there's plenty of choice around this price range and I'd recommend actually visiting a few dealers (Richer Sounds looks like a good bet) and trying to get some demos so you can listen yourself. But hopefully this gives you a good starting ground to look into.

 

[John Duncan]

I'd probably go to Richer Sounds and buy home cinema system 1 from here, and try and haggle over replacing the speakers with two pairs of Monitor Audio BX1s and a BX Centre, or ****** that and just buy system 4...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help so far guys. I like the idea of the seperates system and Sony/Teufel package looks pretty good, I might be able bear the additional cost! I'll have to work on the other half regarding the speakers though.

I was planning to use the PS3 as the Blu Ray for now, is that sensible or is a purpose made player much better?

Thanks to you both for the advice regarding Richer Sounds, I'll be paying a visit to Plymouth in the not too distant future

 

[professorhat]

I was planning to use the PS3 as the Blu Ray for now, is that sensible or is a purpose made player much better?

That's fine, though these days you can spend a £100 - £150 and get a much better Blu-ray player, the PS3 will work just fine as a starter for ten. Personally, I'd spend your current budget purely on the HC setup, then save for a Blu-ray upgrade later on (something like the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 would make a good future upgrade).

 

[Lee H]

FWIW, I use my PS3 for Bluray duty. There are upsides to it - it's wireless to the web (good for updates), it will handle a CD/SACD, I can use it (with the TV) as a giant photo frame and all in all, it's not a bad player.

Prof is right, a standalone will be better, but I take the view that my TV won't really justify spending the extra on another box right now.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the further advice. I will stick with the PS3 for now and go for the best kit I can afford for now. Looking at the Richer Sounds site I noticed that the ONKYO TXNR509 is available for only £40 more than the SONY STR-DH820 and it has networking capability.

Is it worth the extra?

 

[nopiano]

Thanks for the further advice. I will stick with the PS3 for now and go for the best kit I can afford for now. Looking at the Richer Sounds site I noticed that the ONKYO TXNR509 is available for only £40 more than the SONY STR-DH820 and it has networking capability.

Is it worth the extra?

If you need the extra functionality, then maybe, but I'm not quite sure what benefit you would get.

I've heard the 820 and it is superb for the money. Maybe if you were spending £500, then the Onkyo 609 would be a better bet.

If you are still planning to go to Plymouth RS, then ask for Tim. I think he's the Acting Manager. He's a very nice guy and knows his stuff. Sometimes, the 'deals' with particular speakers might mean you get the Onk for the same price as the Sony. Do try to hear both, if you can.

 

[duaplex]

Everyone's fav question on What Hifi You have some great advice and by the sounds of it you are on the right track looking at the Sony and the Onkyo. Get yourself a demo and see which you prefer

Richersounds have demo rooms around the country, just ask and they can point them out to you.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, purchase immenent, will report

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, purchase immenent, will report

 

[Anonymous]

Personally I don't think it's worth considering another player.

I went the "better player" route, and that now sits gathering dust after I got a 2nd PS3. It's as good as the Panny for Blue Ray, and better for DVD. It has as good upscaling as I've seen for normal money (and it's fast, unlike my old panasonic)

So system 4 from Richer sounds, looks perfect if you can knock of the unnecessary player and get it in budget.

 

[Anonymous]

My fault I know, but because I was slow off the mark the Teufel Theater 80 speakers have gone up to £429! Typical. Does anyone have any advice about speakers for around £350

 

[Anonymous]

My fault I know, but because I was slow off the mark the Teufel Theater 80 speakers have gone up to £429! Typical. Does anyone have any advice about speakers for around £350

 

[Anonymous]

I was looking at the Teufel Cinema 80 system but because of my indecisiveness the price has gone up to £429. Is this system still worth the additional cost or is there another good set of speakers for around £350

 

[Anonymous]

The Wharfedales have god reviews, either the 9.1 or the 10.1 sats which is part of the diamond range. Superfi at mo has the Award winning Wharfedales SW150 sub and X2 9.1 speakers for an amazing (£20 saving) £229.99, and for an extra £99.99 another pair of them or opt for the Diamond 10.SR for £89.99, THE 10.1 ARE £169, there’s even the Dipole 10.DSR at a bit more too. The centre I can’t find any reviews on however there’s the 10CM but there are better. At Richer Sounds there’s the Canton Movie 125mx at £299.95 LAST FEW just click check availability and seems to be a few around. The Tannoy HTS101 has great reviews too and with Banana inputs for speakers, but £50 over the budget £399.99 @Peter Tyson (40 metres of 42 Strand Speaker Cable included), Richer Sounds same price but at exceptional av.co.uk there the same price but you have the option of 6 or 12 month interest free if you pass the terms + conditions and a 5 year warranty. The Q-Acoustics 2000 Series is £499 again with the same 6 month/12month option but not extended warranty from the same place, superfi have open box one online @£449. Also there’s the award winning Wharfedales DX1 HCP FOR £399.99 SUPERFI HAS a 2 YEAR WARRANTY. If you were thinking of getting the BX2's there cheap here at the mo http://www.vickers-hifi.co.uk/retail/monitoraudio.html#sale

As mentioned before my post the Boston acoustics have good awards however if you have thick speaker cable they won’t fit the ports or in the hideaway fixture at the back (I have Chord Carnival Silver Screen and when I tested them I would have to trim my cable down and they wouldn’t fit in the back where the hideaway bit is. But the cheapest I've seen them is Richer Sounds at £199.99 (delivery charge not included) £239 from Audiovisual but £147 worth of cable free http://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/category/406/boston-acoustics-speakers/

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/search.doSearch.cfm?search=WHARFEDALE

http://www.froogle.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/canton/movie-125-mx/cant-movie125-mx-blk

http://www.exceptional-av.co.uk/product.php?fdProductId=627&gclid=COOBtJim_asCFYob4Qodv2IAlA

Hope this helps and good look finding what you need, Ade.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I went to Richer Sounds today and spent more than expected (no surprise there for me!) I now am the proud owner of the Onkyo TX-N609 amp and KEF KHT 1505 speakers. I am looking forward to setting this system up, and will be no doubt be seeking advice on how to do it properly.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I went to Richer Sounds today and spent more than expected (no surprise there for me!) I now am the proud owner of the Onkyo TX-N609 amp and KEF KHT 1505 speakers. I am looking forward to setting this system up, and will be no doubt be seeking advice on how to do it properly.

 

[Anonymous]

Well have the system set up and I must say it sounds amazing! I am a total novice when it comes to this type of stuff but having persevered and used Onkyo's excellent website I think I have it all going OK.

Any top tips from anyone out there?

 

[Anonymous]

Well I seem to have the system set up now after some perseverance and help from the Onkyo website, and all seems good. I must say that it sounds fabulous, very pleased with the choice.

Any top tips anyone?