New surround sound system

[admin_exported]

I have been looking for a new setup (budget £300) to connect my Xbox 360 to and I have narrowed my search down to this yamaha AV 61 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-AV61-Speaker-System/dp/B000RJ12AG and this Sony http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-DAV-DZ260-5-1ch-Theatre-System/dp/B0015S394U

From reviews i have seen the Yamaha has better sound quality but the sony has a 1080p output. I dont have a 1080p tv but would I be better off to go with the sony for future compatibility.

Also would I be better to save up and buy a seperates system with something like the onkyo 605 as my receiver.

 

[professorhat]

From what I can see, the Yamaha is just a speaker and amp package whereas the Sony has a built in DVD player which upscales to 1080p via HDMI. So, neither the Sony or the Yahama will upscale your Xbox to 1080p whichever box you get and, if you wanted an upscaling DVD player, you could buy the Samsung DVD-HD870 (I think available for under £50 on Amazon now) which I'm willing to bet would be far superior to the one built into the Sony.

So to answer your question, out of the two above, I'd go for the Yamaha (and add the Samsung if you want 1080p upscaled DVD). Obviously though, you know you're going to get a much better sound from the Onkyo and a separate 5.1 speaker package - it just depends how disciplined you can be to save for this!!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Professor... but now I keep changing my mind.Now I am looking at the same yamaha as above and this Sony http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/541205/art/sony/ht-ddw890-home-cinema-sys.html What would your opinion on these be. Thanks

 

[professorhat]

Hmm, can't really comment on either of them really as I haven't heard them - was just going by what you said about the Yahama sounding better before! On the one hand, the Sony has the HDMI inputs, but can't decode the newer Hi-Def formats. The Yamaha though has 5.1 channel inputs and also looks to be more "upgradeable" of the two since it has traditional speaker binding posts whereas the Sony looked to have its own connections...