Calling on new amp, woofer, tv and speaker advice - please help experts....

[admin_exported]

I am just about to purchase new home cinema equipment for a room in my house, but any tips or advice would be appreciated - I have signed up to see what you recommend?

Amp - I am torn between the Onkyo 608 or the Denon 2311. For a budget of up to £470.00, what do you recommend?

Sub Woofer - I am thinking about the B&W 608, but will probably pay the extra for the B&W 610. For a maximum budget of £450.00, what do you recommend?

TV - I need a 46/47" screen so I was thinking the Sony 46EX713? For a budget of £900-£1000, what would you recommend?

Speakers - I am opting for in wall and in ceiling speakers. I was thinking 2x integrated wall speakers on either side of the TV, 2x integrated back ceiling speakers, then a centre speaker either in the ceiling above the TV or below the TV in the wall. Not many ceiling or wall speakers are reviewed, so I have looked at Kef, B&W and Monitor Aaudio. At the moment I am leaning towards Monitor Audios - 2x C265FX rear effect speakers, 2x W265 wall speakers and then another 1x W265 as the centre in wall or 1x C265-LCR as the centre in ceiling. Any advice would be appreciated

2nd Zone - Off the amp, I am also looking to run 2 or 3 speakers in another room. These are just for music. I have been told to either run 2x mono speakers or I could run 3x stereo speakers in a series/parallel config?

Overall - I would be open to advice on any of the above and anything I need to consider in relation to audio or quality limitations? Along with this kit I will be running a Sky HD+ box, BlueRay DVD and Games Console, so best audio is required within budget.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Anonymous]

The amp would be determine to some degree by what speakers you go with, the 2311 would go well with the B&W, the Denon or a Yamaha would suite the MA range IMO.

I used to have a 7.1 setup with Polk audio LCi80's and these where awesome as you could direct the tweeter on them to the listening position, a must for imaging on CI speakers. Your right though there are rarely any reviews, as the environment is such a big factor on the speakers performance. If you go down this route the back boxes would be a worth while investment.

Having just yesterday setup some MA Apex, if you could go that route they would sound better IMO.

As for the subwoofer, go for the ASW610 over the 608 it is awesome, but audition some others also from the likes of BK and MA to see which suits you best.

I've looked into the 46ex713, but reviews are hard to come by, so is a demo, and I'm a little concerned with the backlighting on Sony sets. If you can find one that you can return if you not happy with it that should be OK.

The main thing I woud suggest is getting a demo of as much as possible ( the CI speakers will be virtually impossible to demo though), when looking at the TV take your own discs, get hold of the remote and play with the settings, also take a disc that you are familiar with to listen to speakers / AVRs.

 

[Anonymous]

Markjaspi, your advice is appreciated and thanks for your response.

I think I am leaning towards the Denon 2311, B&W 610 and I will do a bit of further research around the integreated wall and ceiling speakers and the TV.

When the electrician conducted the room rewire, he allocated the speaker cable in the walls and ceiling in the first fix. I have not researched audio cable, but I have a feeling I may want to upgrade what is in. What do you recommend in terms of speaker cable without going mental on budget and will it make a worthwhile difference?

 

[scene]

Do you know what speaker cable is in the walls at the moment?

 

[Anonymous]

Knowing my spark and the fact I did not guide him on required cable, it is just the standard grey and black audio cable - nothing fancy. I am at a stage in which it is still possible to change, but not sure if it is worthwhile?

 

[scene]

Probably worth giving him a call to see what he fitted. "Standard grey and black audio cable" could be fine, if it's a decent weight, multi-core, OFC one

 

[Anonymous]

TV: Samsung LE46C650 you wont be sorry, 800.00 with a full 5 year warranty at costco, I love mine.

subwoofer, check out BK Electronics, or a ex demo Monitor audio silver series. also gold will be coming down as well due to new series. and they tend to hald prices.