Do I really need surround sound system?

[admin_exported]

Hi

Getting to the point where the buying a new tv is becoming all-consuming so am now thinking seriously about how to set it all up.

Already have a Rotel cd and amp system (CD-02, RA-02 and 1070 power amp) with Monitor Audio Silver 8 floorstanders which we'll be keeping. My wife isn't keen on having speakers 'all over the place' so I was thinking of simply connecting the dvd player (when we buy it) straight to the Rotel set-up and just having it in stereo as opposed to surround.

I don't have any doubts that the system will have enough drive, but will I be missing much without the full-on surround set-up? Also, am I likely to have to spend loads to get achieve the same kind of sound quality that I'll get through the Rotel stereo set-up?

The other thing under consideration is a Yamaha 40D soundbar as it pretty discrete - but again would I just be wasting my cash.

Was looking at something like a Kef system as they are quite discrete and the rears can be put on stands which MAY be acceptable.

Any thoughts/opinions?

Cheers

 

[floyd droid]

Give a little thought to how often a full on home cinema set up will get used. Ive recently unhitched my old dvd player and relevent plethora of speakers (ok it wasnt a multi thousands jobbie) because it was all just sitting there gathering dust for most of the time. So ive thrown caution to the wind and have a yammy soundbar turning up tommorow although not the 40D (id much sooner spend the best part of a grand on my music) so for on the odd occasion a dvd gets an outing with luck the soundbar will make a half decent attempt at surround sound. If it isnt so good,well heyho thats life. I did consider using the hifi route but at the end of the day thats my baby and mine alone !!!.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm - sounds like you have just the kind of set-up that I was initially thinking about! To be honest we don't really watch films that often with the sound turned up (kids asleep and all that) which is partly what prompted the question in the first place - would we just end up with a great system that never got used?

The hi-fi we do use pretty often so it seemed to make sense to use that to connect to the DVD except there is no way to connect a sub in that configuration.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with your soundbar...

Cheers

 

[floyd droid]

bambam101:
Hmmm - sounds like you have just the kind of set-up that I was initially thinking about! To be honest we don't really watch films that often with the sound turned up (kids asleep and all that) which is partly what prompted the question in the first place - would we just end up with a great system that never got used?

The hi-fi we do use pretty often so it seemed to make sense to use that to connect to the DVD except there is no way to connect a sub in that configuration.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with your soundbar...

Cheers

No probs bambam i will set a post for your attention in the near future. However if you like send me your email address to keith@staustellbay.wanadoo.co.uk and we could liase without loading up the forum with our personal twaddle !! I will leave that up to you i dont mind mate.

 

[Sliced Bread]

bambam101:
Hmmm - sounds like you have just the kind of set-up that I was initially thinking about! To be honest we don't really watch films that often with the sound turned up (kids asleep and all that) which is partly what prompted the question in the first place - would we just end up with a great system that never got used?

The hi-fi we do use pretty often so it seemed to make sense to use that to connect to the DVD except there is no way to connect a sub in that configuration.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with your soundbar...

Cheers

You can always add a sub via the High Level connections, by passing the speaker cable through the amp. It is not true 2.1 as the sub is not a seperate channel, but it will add extension to your current speakers.

 

[Sliced Bread]

bambam101:
Hmmm - sounds like you have just the kind of set-up that I was initially thinking about! To be honest we don't really watch films that often with the sound turned up (kids asleep and all that) which is partly what prompted the question in the first place - would we just end up with a great system that never got used?

The hi-fi we do use pretty often so it seemed to make sense to use that to connect to the DVD except there is no way to connect a sub in that configuration.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with your soundbar...

Cheers

You can always add a sub via the High Level connections, by passing the speaker cable through the amp. It is not true 2.1 as the sub is not a separate channel, but it will add extension to your current speakers.

 

[Binman]

I've got the same amp and cd player with B&W 602 speakers. I do like to watch films, but am quite content with listening to the film in stereo. The added expense and cabling for a surround sound set up has always put me off. Yes, it sounds amazing in surround, but i would not use it too often.

If you're not sure then dont bother, see how you get on with your stereo set up, if you're not happy then you can always add on later, rather than spending a packet now.

 

[Anonymous]

JohnNewman:bambam101:
Hmmm - sounds like you have just the kind of set-up that I was initially thinking about! To be honest we don't really watch films that often with the sound turned up (kids asleep and all that) which is partly what prompted the question in the first place - would we just end up with a great system that never got used?

The hi-fi we do use pretty often so it seemed to make sense to use that to connect to the DVD except there is no way to connect a sub in that configuration.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with your soundbar...

Cheers

You can always add a sub via the High Level connections, by passing the speaker cable through the amp. It is not true 2.1 as the sub is not a seperate channel, but it will add extension to your current speakers.

Run that by me again please? Not sure I understand and will doing this impact the hifi side of things - as in when I just play a Cd?

Cheers