Excellent sound quality in a system is enough for most people with neighbours

[Snooker]

I just thought I would give you my thoughts on hi-fi and cinema surround systems, yes you can buy a Naim Atom with some Kef LS50 speakers and have an outstanding system along with a proper cinema surround sound system with wired speakers, but you would really need a separate dedicated room especially if you are in a flat or have neighbours directly attached

But if you want an excellent sounding system for both hi-fi and cinema sound and live in a small flat with neighbours etc, then the Denon Ceol N9 (Newer N12) with Kef Q150 (Newer Q1) speakers and the all in one Yamaha SRC20A soundbar both fit the bill, there is apparently a rule roughly 80/20 you can get 80% odd of sound quality for only 20% of the cost, this applies to any product (80% odd quality for 20% the price)

At the end of the day for most people who do not have a dedicated room and are close to attached neighbours, systems like mine are all you need, and the most important thing to go along with a decent system is a very good source recording for both music and films, that's it and then be happy with what you have, you don't have to spend loads of money to get an excellent sounding system

 

[Witterings]

I don't think you need a separate dedicated room and I'm pretty sure 95% + of people don't have one ... I personally like having a surround sound system and a separate amplifier with HT Bypass for HiFi though.

With reduced cost of modern day competition, as you say, you don't need to spend a lot of money to achieve a good overall sound .... especially if you don't mind buying 2nd hand.

I have a budget setup in my work area with some old / pre China made Wharfedale 9.1's and at one stage was using an old, old .... cheapish Yamaha surround amp that the rear channel had failed and it sounded amazing.
I did change the amp in the end for an SMSL AO200 just to free up space .... the Yamaha amp sounded better though and definitely had more control.

 

[Snooker]

In a nutshell,

If you have neighbours and not an isolated room then you can not really have your really expensive system on loud enough to enjoy it to its full potential applying to both hi fi and a proper surround sound system with wired speakers, therefore you might as well just get an excellent sounding system for much cheaper cost instead which you can have at a reasonably loud volume and hear its full benefit

 

[Gray]

In a nutshell,

If you have neighbours and not an isolated room then you can not really have your really expensive system on loud enough to enjoy it to its full potential.

Not just expensive hi-fi.
Unless its owner is an inconsiderate person, no decent hi-fi reaches it's full potential where attached neighbours are part of the equation.

I think it's an unavoidable fact (certainly for me) that speakers only start to approach their full potential when played too loud for attached neighbours - and I'm not talking about ridiculously loud.

Of course people will tell you their speakers sound good at low levels - maybe they do, but (within amp/speaker limits) they'll always sound better louder (assuming those people like the music they're playing).....I wish it wasn't true.

 

[Snooker]

The point is at the end of the day, why have a really expensive hi-fi if you can not get full benefit due to volume restrictions because of neighbours, you might has well stay with one much cheaper which will sound excellent (but not outstanding) at volumes which are not too loud for neighbours, as you only really appreciate the difference if an expensive hi fi is turned up really loud, I also think that expensive hi-fi opens up more at really high volumes

 

[Jasonovich]

If neighbours are the issue and your enjoyment of the music is restricted, spend little on speakers.
Instead allocate your funds, towards a good headphone amp and headphones.

 

[abacus]

Just add EQ (Most AV Receivers have it) and follow the Fletcher Munson curves if you cant have it at loud volume.

Bill

 

[matthewpianist]

Some equipment is totally unsuitable where low volume levels are required. I had a pair of Spendor A1s a few years ago, and they needed to be pushed quite hard before they came 'on song'; at lower levels they actually sounded pretty poor, even with a Rega Elex-R behind them. Quad 11Ls were the same, though to a lesser extent.

I have come to believe that it is only worth going so far, unless you're looking for very high volumes and, as you say, most of us aren't - either out of respect/practicalities, preference or both. I'm a 70dB to 75dB max listener most of the time, and often lower than that, and although I do need a sufficiently strong power supply to handle the dynamic swings of orchestral music (which something like a CEOL or Marantz MCR doesn't have), I don't see any point in having more power than I need.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

The point is at the end of the day, why have a really expensive hi-fi if you can not get full benefit due to volume restrictions because of neighbours, you might has well stay with one much cheaper which will sound excellent (but not outstanding) at volumes which are not too loud for neighbours, as you only really appreciate the difference if an expensive hi fi is turned up really loud, I also think that expensive hi-fi opens up more at really high volumes

Good /expensive hifi systems are not all about loudness, a good source a good amplifier and speakers will give you enhanced detail resolution, deeper, fuller bass, vocal timbre and tonality will be more accurate along with excellent dynamics and soundstage width and depth that a budget system could not match.....and not at ludicrous volume levels, it sounds to me Snooker that your trying to convince yourself that high-ish end hi-fi is pointless unless you have a huge isolated space...not so in my honest opinion and I live in a flat with neighbours, I don't play music excessively loud or at stupid times of the day and still manage to get great pleasure from my system, it's not a inexpensive system but nor is it of the highest end kit,
I will say this though, speaker choice is critical if you live in compromised conditions.

 

[Gray]

If neighbours are the issue and your enjoyment of the music is restricted, spend little on speakers.
Instead allocate your funds, towards a good headphone amp and headphones.

Good for the early hours of the morning I find.
But I wonder how many people can say they prefer headphones to speakers, given the choice 🤔

 

[Jasonovich]

Good for the early hours of the morning I find.
But I wonder how many people can say they prefer headphones to speakers, given the choice 🤔

And guilt free listening!
I think speakers and headphones are different beasts, both hit home in different ways.

My Hifiman's have incredible resolution and they give you that spaciousness you only find in speakers, and that lovely intimacy, you are in your zone!

Yes, I do understand why people would prefer speakers but a good mid to top end planars bridges that gap. 🙂