Arcam Solo Movie + style speakers. Am I bonkers?

[admin_exported]

Hello

The wife's not a keen fan of large speakers, or speakers at all in most cases. But I've been quite taken with the Solo Movie for quite a while. The latest wheeze is to go for the 5.1 version and add on those Boston Soundwares in black (to sink in to the lounge decor).

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/boston-/soundware-xs/bost-acous-sw-xs-blk

Now, I realise the Arcam is a pretty high end piece of kit and these speakers are a budget option. In many ways I'd like to have a cheaper amp/player combo but don't see many options here. Plus I love the way Arcam kit sounds.

So, my questions is - if I go down this road am I going to be selling the Arcam short with these mini Boston boxes? Much as I'd love some hefty B&Ws I'm simply not getting away with that. At least not in this lifetime!! I am sure that many on here can appreciate just how tricky this is!

TIA for any help.

 

[bigboss]

Running the Boston Acoustics through an Arcam is an absolute overkill. You won't come anywhere close to achieving the best out of the Arcam. So I don't see any point in spending so much on the receiver.

Have you checked Monitor Audio Apex? It's certainly much much superior to the Boston Acoustics.

There are a few style speakers in the high end. What's your budget for the receiver & speaker combined?

 

[bigboss]

Just noticed that Arcam Solo Movie upscales videos to 1080i only, & not 1080p. Also it has only 2 HDMI inputs. You only need a Sky box & a blu-ray player to fill them up. Not the best future proof solution in my opinion.

 

[manicm]

Really, esp. if you have a LCD/Plasma telly, you'd want to get a Blu-ray system.

Get the Sony Blu-ray all-in-one box system reviewed right here at WHF. Comes with compact speakers and is cheap cheap as well.

Or if you have loadsamoola check out something like Denon's Cara - you bring your own speakers even at that price though! It can be configured as a 2 speaker system if you wish.