Help me build my Home Cinema

[BenLaw]

Just to say, at the start of this thread you were looking at a MA BX6 package (c £585) with Onkyo TX-SR608 (c £380). Total under £1000. You're now looking at a speaker package based on the RX2s (c £2200) with the Pioneer lx83 (c £1650). Total nearly £4000. Your choice, but you may want to take a step back, calm down and think what you need and what your realistic budget is.

[Edit: looked at BX6 pair of speakers by mistake, AV package available for c £1300 = total c £1700]

 

[BenLaw]

Especially when you said this in an earlier post:

abriffa:

I wish I had the money to buy the RX6 package... Hoever (besides the money) I don't think I need that kind of speakers in my room (13 x 13 feet). Would they be too much?

I know myself it's easy to get carried away, especially when you're getting advice / opinions from others. Just make sure you don't make any hasty decision you regret.

 

[Anonymous]

No that's not a problem tbh... I've been saving up a long time and since I am not the upgrade kind of guy I always want to buy the best that will serve me for some good years without the need to upgrade or touch anything.

Besides, my choices are kinda limited in my country and the only setups I can demo together are the Monitor Audios and the pioneer.

 

[BenLaw]

Fair enough

I'd demo both ranges if I were you, preferably at home. You might be able to arrange a home demo of MA speakers plus Pioneer amp on the basis you may only be buying the speakers. When you've decided, demo alternative receivers from elsewhere. And if you do prefer the Pioneer go back to the first place.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks,

All I can demo are the Pioneer and Onkyo though. No Yamaha here. And from what I read the Onkyo and the Pioneer are similar and will be good for my taste. I read of a lot of people pairing the RX range with the Pioneer range and they make it sound amazing. Will demo some this week or next week hopefully

 

[ear]

on some other site i read that the 5.1 set composed by bx5 and bx2 was really hard to drive and didnt put out much sound and much detail. the Bx6 could be better at this?

 

[Frank Harvey]

The BX2's and BX5's are about the same as far as driving them is concerned, having a fairly high sensitivity. It's only the BXFX that are a little harder to drive, but that won't be an issue for any AV receivers.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi David,

I sent you an email, just so you know and if you'd be so kind to reply

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

What HDMI cables do you suggest I get?

I need approximately 4:

1. TV to AVR

2, Sky HD to AVR

3. PS3 to AVR

4. HTPC to AVR

And also what speaker cables do you suggest I get for the LX83 and RX2 package?

 

[Frank Harvey]

Replied earlier

Will the speaker cable be limited to what you can get locally? Some of our customers have gone with Chord Leyline or QED original as they're not too thick, and not too expensive - others have gone for Chord Rumour.

As far as HDMI cables go, that's a hot topic! I usually steer clear of that one, but I'm the type who, whether I see/hear a difference or not, will go for a good quality cable just to make sure they're not letting my equipment down. I use Chord Active HDMI's.

Rather than comparing cables and doing A/B demos, I prefer to spend that time watching films.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks... No I won't buy them locally if there is not what I need here

There's a lot of Chord Company active... is it the Silver Plus? Can you send a link please to what hi fi page?

Also can't find the Leyline nor the QED original :/

Will I hear a difference with more expensive speaker cables? Same question goes for HDMI... sound and visual difference... will it be a lot?

Thanks

 

[bigboss]

abriffa:

The Samsung TV I am thinking of is the UE46C6510 (possibly the C7000 but don't need 3D tbh)

About plasma... I think I prefer LED cause they consume less power and I'm afraid about the burn in issue in a Plasma.

I've got the 32-inch C6510 & it's an excellent TV. The colours could look artificially bright but after some calibration, things improve.

But I must say that for outright picture quality with natural rendition of colours and good motion handling, I'm yet to be impressed by a non-plasma TV. Newer plasmas don't suffer from screen burn and consume less power than its predecessors. You'll pay about £10 per year more on your energy bills, which will hardly break the bank.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, bit since I don't understand anything about plasma...

Could you suggest a good one for me? Budget about £1500.. is that enough for a good one?

Thanks

 

[bigboss]

You have to look at all TVs regardless of technology & see what you prefer. LCD, LED & plasma all have their strengths & weaknesses. Just don't bother about technology when choosing a TV.

Do a side by side comparison. Can you give some more information to enable us to help you shortlist some TVs?

1) What's your viewing distance? What screen size are you looking at?

2) Is your room brightly lit during the daytime with large windows?

3) Do you want 3D?

4) How much of SD/HD viewing? Are you planning to play games on it?

 

[kinda]

Have you thought about a projector if it's cinema room.

You could have a very big and good picture for what you're spending. Fine for occasional daylight watching, but if you're doing most of your viewing in daylight probably better with a TV.

 

[Anonymous]

1. The room is 13 x 13 feet and with the sofa not so much against the wall.. viewing distance would be about 10 feet I think... (I want a 46" or larger tbh

2. I have a window in my room but I am getting blinds or w/e so no light whatsoever will enter the room during daytime. (or maybe only a little) Btw, need suggestions on what blinds or w/e to get cause I'm lost about this one.

3. 3D is not necessary however if the price is reasonable it would be a nice feature to have. But if a tv costs £1500 for example without 3D and another one costs £1500 with 3D but features that re more important aren't there, then the 1st one would be my choice.

4. I got a lot of SD movies (normal DVDs) about 3000. Will start downloading blu ray as well so a lot of HD viewing as well. Will also use the TV for games with my PS3. Will also use it for SKY HD and normal TV.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

kinda:
Have you thought about a projector if it's cinema room.

You could have a very big and good picture for what you're spending. Fine for occasional daylight watching, but if you're doing most of your viewing in daylight probably better with a TV.

The thing is since I am not using it only for movies and my room is only 13 x 13 I don't think a projector would be that good for me. I think a 46" or bigger plasma/LED would be better for my room.

 

[kinda]

I use a projector at about 3m and it's great. I use it for films mainly, the odd grand prix, football, or TV show. I supplement with a 26" LCD for more regular viewing.

Not for ebveryone, but very good.

 

[Anonymous]

abriffa:The thing is since I am not using it only for movies and my room is only 13 x 13 I don't think a projector would be that good for me. I think a 46" or bigger plasma/LED would be better for my room.

Any ideas about this? I hear Panasonic plasmas are excellent. What models should I be looking for? Is there an alternative to Panasonic?

Usage of the plasma will be games, movies, sky hd, normal tv

 

[bigboss]

Look at Panasonic V20/V30 & VT20/VT30 series', LG PK990/PX990 & Samsung C7000/C6900 series of plasmas.

 

[Anonymous]

First of all, thanks bigboss, will look into them.

Secondly, I have been told that rear speakers (like the rxfx I am planning to get) should be at least one metre away from the side wall when mounting them on the wall behind.

Now I cannot do that as the couch will be from the sidewall to the middle of the room and I want the rears behind the couch.

Is it better to get standmount speakers as rears instead? If yes, what should I get? I am planning to buy the RX2 package, but someone with a smaller room than mine is going to get the RX6 AV. So I was thinking if I should get the RX6 AV with RX1/2 as rears?

Any opinions please?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi again,

I drew a little schematic of my room and measurements.

Could you tell me where/if I need to improve anything or if the system is fine?

Thanks

 

[bigboss]

If you're not happy with the subwoofer performance, try moving it to behind the sofa in bottom right.