Looking for advice on a new home theatre set up

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I currently have Logitech Z-5500's and though I am very pleased with them for the price. I am now looking for an upgrade. I have considered the Onkyo 609 as the AV AMP and intend to buy it from richer sounds with the 5 year warranty because I do not trust these AV Amps with their failure rates, plus if I don't use it I can gain back the money which isn't bad.

However, I was looking at buying the Q Acoustics 2000i because they seemed pretty good for the money. However, I did want to buy from them all from the same shop (I live in Nottingham) and ideally in store rather than online because I don't want the hassle of waiting for couriers and if any problems occur, I can quickly sort it out.

But Richersounds do not sell Q Acoustics and I rang them up and they said Q Acoustics aren't that great (yeah, ok) and Monitor Audio are better (maybe, i do not know) but I would like some independant advice because obviously they will have their own agenda in place - to make me buy from their store which is perfectly understandable but it means I need to take their advice with a pinch of salt.

I think there is another retail store in the city called "Forum Hi-fi", I have not ever heard of them before but they do seem to be an official Q Acoustics stockist so I guess I could ask to have a demonstration there and then go to Richersounds right after to compare the two.

Maybe I should bring something like The dark knight to see how audio is like? I don't actually have many blu-rays to check out and I guess I can't just rip from HD audio from the net and put it on a DVD disc as I am sure it is not supported.

Anyway, what should be looking at in particular? Peter tyson seem to have a good offer on at the minute with the Q Acoustics 2000i with £60 loyalty card and some speaker cable etc but it just is that it is a courier and I am not entirely sure...

I am totally lost a bit. Would much appreciate it if you could give me any advice, I do not want to spend a fortune - I kind of just pushed for £600 speakers for the Onkyo as I originally was going to get Boston Acoustics 5.1 XS or Wharedale HCX-1 (or something like that) but I really wasn't sure about the Amp being more than the speakers.

Many thanks,

Hanman

 

[Anonymous]

I am the same person as above, it just took over 4 hours to get the details sent to my gmail so I shall respond with this username to those who are kind enough to reply.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi and welcome, the 609 is a good choice BTW, the 2000i is an excellent choice for the price, however, monitor audio do make some awesome speakers, so it's dependant on which ones. I guess at that price range the vectors would be the range RS are suggesting. Theses are both speaker sets, I would suggest you try to demo the AVR with both.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi thanks for the reply

I was thinking maybe bringing in my own blu-ray to properly test it out, is that a bad idea or not? I thought that because unless you hear the same thing you can't really tell too well? Unless there is a standard demo disc that mostly any of them use.

P.S AVR = Audio Visual... range?

 

[BenLaw]

Yes, it is an excellent idea to bring your own test disc/s. Otherwise it is difficult to compare with your current setup. If you have several discs which test out different things, great, if there's one in particular you're used to tho, also fine.

AVR = audio visual receiver.

Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to have DTS-HD on a DVD Disc? I am not sure even if I burnt a segment from a movie whether the system would even allow it because DVD probably has DTS / DD as maximum.

 

[BenLaw]

Take whatever you will be using at home - I assumed you have a blu ray player as you have some blu rays, but if not take DVDs. Feel free to take *your* source to any demo, you are getting closer to replicating how things would be at home.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi again,

Yeah, well PS3

Additional: More information I am gaining the more I am beginning to notknow what I want to do. I may change to superfi instead. However, I noticed the kef is only £100 more and my cousin was saying how much better it is, sub being 200w instead of 140w for example than the Q Acoustics.

Is it definately worth the money? I think Superfi have it for £699.95, which I can probably just about afford if I push it a lil.

 

[BenLaw]

If you're talking kef eggs v Q Acoustics 2000i my personal inclination would be to go with the QAs as I would prefer full size (non 'style') speakers. But you and any other half may prefer something a bit more discreet. The only way to be sure sound wise is by listening to both (don't feel bad about demoing in 2 shops and only buying from 1, that's life). If you're worried about the sub you can always try a different one or upgrade later.

The ps3 is fine as a blu ray player.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, I listened to both today and was not wow'd by any of them. Maybe I shouldn't have bothered with The Dark Knight? We saw the intro sequence.

The only difference I noticed was the subwoofer, Q Acoustics was more in your face and the Kef was more subtle. I do not really like the KEF design myself now. I just don't know about the big hefty centre speaker with the Q Acoustics, I didn't realise it was so big...

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm.. I don't even know if I should bother with them mentioned above. Them boston acoustics look so small and descrete, when I did the demo in store he kept the same volume (55) I presume the smaller speakers would be not as loud but does that really matter?

Also, does anyone know if Superfi is talking any sense with Richersounds' warranty when they say that Superfi use some company that Onkyo like whilst Richersounds just gets loads of spares and gets their in house people to do a job sometimes of which isn't always great in comparison to Superfi's people?

Can anyone tell me anything about boston acoustics, Q acoustics and Kefs warranty as regard to whether they will send people out? Or whether I got to ship items back before they consider it for repair?

Cheers.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

What about 4 x Dali Zensor 1s, plus sub and centre at Richer Sounds http://www.richersounds.com/productlistmanu/ALL/DALI

Edit: Should have read the postings better, probably a bit over your budget.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Yeah I was looking at really around £700 max. However, I was wondering. Q Acoustics 2000 is £399.90 and Q Acoustics 2000i for £595. In reality it is £130 odd quid more expensive because I get a £60 loyalty card, is it worth the extra money?

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I received a pair of 2020i's and the 2000ci centre today, which have replaced my Mordaunt Short MS20i Pearls and 1000ci at the front of my 5.1 system.

They're definitely very very good, but I haven't heard the 2010's, so I can't do straight comparison.

They also have plenty of bass, so it might be worth trying 4 x 2020i's, and a 2000ci centre without a sub at first, then add a sub later.

Listening to Depeche Mode's "Songs Of Faith And Devotion", bass really is deep, better than my MS20i's which are highly regarded musically.

Less than £400 for the 5 speakers from Peter Tyson's at the moment

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/speakers/qacoustics/index.shtml

Then still £300 to add a sub at a later date if you want.

Also, remember that you do have a cooling off period when buying online, and Peter Tyson's have a good repuatation, so nothing really to lose.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Many thanks for the helpful reply. I have already bought the 2000i cinema package now as Matthew tyson graciously allowed me to use my £60 loyalty card with my order which was very helpful to me. I guess as an upgrade later I could always turn my 5.1 into 7.1 and put my front speakers to be my back ones.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

No problem. Hope you're happy with your new set up, I'm sure you ill be.