ONE BOX HOME CINEMA OR SEPERATES ???

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At the moment i have a pana 42inch plasma , virgin v+ box , sony ps3 (not slim) and a pana home cinema 5.1 system . Im using chord hdmi cables .

Im looking to upgrade my one box pana home cinema system but do i go the seperates route or the one box route again ? my dad has the pana bt200 bluray/ipod dock 5.1 system and loks and sounds good but im now thinking of going the seperates route like the denon 1910 av reciever or the new onkyo 608 and link it to the q aqustics 2000 series speakers ? the only thing im not keen on the av route is there large size !

I can then link my ps3 into the av unit as well as my v+ box and then 1 hdmi from the av to my tv ? my tv only has 2 hdmi sockets and at the mo i have my ps3 going to tv via hdmi (for bluray and games) and the v+ box going to tv via hdmi . the pana home cinema isnt used to play dvds as its not linked to the tv , its only used via qed phonos from tv to unit so that i get surround sound .

If i go for one box system again and i better getting a unit with hdmi in so i can run my v+ box into it as not many seem to have hdmi in , or would i be better running the ps3 into it instead ?

many thanks
 

Ronald Archiebald

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Lost,

A separates system, be it hi-fi or home cinema will always offer a superior performance to a one-box solution.

The components you are thinking about should do nicely.

Ronald
 

rendu

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I can not agree with the comments that separates will always be better performance than one box. Specially in the budget range I found many one box packages that will be more consistent and offer beeter performance. I have had separates for years and it is very frustrating to build yourself the right system. On the other hand the companies will make sure that the components that they put together in a one box will perform well and will offer the best overal system performace. Most of frustration that you read in this forums is related to separates not matching well together or performing as expected. I have several friends who have a good one box and they never had to change it. On the other hand I have not stoped changing things because I was never satisfied with my separates. Many times I wish that I had bought a one box instead.
 
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rendu:I can not agree with the comments that separates will always be better performance than one box.ÿ Specially in the budget range I found many one box packages that will be more consistent and offer beeter performance.ÿ I have had separates for years and it is very frustrating to build yourself the right system.ÿ On the other hand the companies will make sure that the components that they put together in a one box will perform well and will offer the best overal system performace.ÿ Most of frustration that youÿread in this forums is related to separates not matching well together or performing as expected.ÿ I have several friends who haveÿa good one box and they never had to change it.ÿ On the other hand I have not stoped changing things because I was never satisfied with my separates.ÿ Many times I wish that I had bought a one box instead.ÿ

For some people, the one box solution is perfect: easy to use and set up, plug in, play and forget about it...for others the fun is in the tweaking...the endless hours of improvement searching, fine tuning and personal system matching....it's up to the individual but for me, a one box solution would be like throwing in the towel and giving up the will to live ...lol
 
rendu:I can not agree with the comments that separates will always be better performance than one box. Specially in the budget range I found many one box packages that will be more consistent and offer beeter performance. I have had separates for years and it is very frustrating to build yourself the right system. On the other hand the companies will make sure that the components that they put together in a one box will perform well and will offer the best overal system performace. Most of frustration that you read in this forums is related to separates not matching well together or performing as expected. I have several friends who have a good one box and they never had to change it. On the other hand I have not stoped changing things because I was never satisfied with my separates. Many times I wish that I had bought a one box instead.

I cannot agree with you. Every person has his/her own listening preferences. Some prefer warmer sound, some brighter & some neutral. This flexibility is not offered by one box solutions. You're frustrated because you've got the option to change, while your friends with one box systems don't even have that option! Some dealers match the separates & sell them as a system. Even they will beat the one box solution hands down. By all means, go & buy the system put together by the dealer.

I've never changed my separates. I demoed 3-4 systems & decided this was for me. It is important to demo the combinations before buying a system. If you had done your homework properly, you wouldn't have been dissatisfied.
 
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Anonymous

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I have just gone from a sony dav-dz660 all in one box system which i thought was good to a

Sony dh800

Mission m33i fronts

Mission mc2c center (I think i have the model number wrong)

Mids monitor audio br2

Rears monitor audio br1

sub wharfedale ssw150

and well the difference is nnight and day its the best decision i have ever made. The new system sounds clearer and less muddied the centre gives me better audio on voices and I can now hear what people are saying. I went for an amp that decodes hd audio and hd master etc and for that alone its worth going for seperates it also makes upgrading easier as I am now in the proces of selling the missions and buying monitor audio. Bass response iss tighter and its better ith music too just be aware that you will need to factor in cables etc I must have spent at least £60 on speaker cable alone and that was on the cheap.

There are neater solutions like the KEF eggs and an amp if you like style systems just add an amp. I am finding though I am getting geeky about setting up my system now
 

rendu

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bigboss:

rendu:I can not agree with the comments that separates will always be better performance than one box. Specially in the budget range I found many one box packages that will be more consistent and offer beeter performance. I have had separates for years and it is very frustrating to build yourself the right system. On the other hand the companies will make sure that the components that they put together in a one box will perform well and will offer the best overal system performace. Most of frustration that you read in this forums is related to separates not matching well together or performing as expected. I have several friends who have a good one box and they never had to change it. On the other hand I have not stoped changing things because I was never satisfied with my separates. Many times I wish that I had bought a one box instead.

I cannot agree with you. Every person has his/her own listening preferences. Some prefer warmer sound, some brighter & some neutral. This flexibility is not offered by one box solutions. You're frustrated because you've got the option to change, while your friends with one box systems don't even have that option! Some dealers match the separates & sell them as a system. Even they will beat the one box solution hands down. By all means, go & buy the system put together by the dealer.

I've never changed my separates. I demoed 3-4 systems & decided this was for me. It is important to demo the combinations before buying a system. If you had done your homework properly, you wouldn't have been dissatisfied.

Well, you definetly are nobody to tell me whether I have done my homework properly or not.

Maybe you have a shop and you can spend hours trying all kind of combinations with the different equalization settings but, most people do not have that possibility. At the most you can go into a local store and try a couple of speakers with a similar amp. In most cases they will never set you up a 5.1. for testing. In all the shops I have tried they have only allowed me to test in stereo. In most cases they will not allow you to take speakers home for testing and definetly not the amps.

Do not look at me, you only need to look at the posts to see that the frustration is there and it is very difficult to match a system. You can build our own car and take wheels there and motor here and doors somewhere else but, normally the engeneers of the cars now better than us, poor mortals how the right parts will make out the most. The engeneers and sound experts will know better what speakers match with which amp and what subwofer for that price. It is about synergies and yes you can get a all in one system to match your taste whether it is bright, boomy or whatever other preference you may have.

It is an opinion based on personal experience during 10 years to try to give another view to the person who started the post. I respect your oppinion and others and I definetly not going to critisaze what you have done. Respect is the word.
 

professorhat

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rendu:Maybe you have a shop and you can spend hours trying all kind of combinations with the different equalization settings but, most people do not have that possibility. At the most you can go into a local store and try a couple of speakers with a similar amp. In most cases they will never set you up a 5.1. for testing. In all the shops I have tried they have only allowed me to test in stereo. In most cases they will not allow you to take speakers home for testing and definetly not the amps.

In all seriousness, you're going to the wrong stores. Although I respect that, in South London, I am spoiled for choice on local stores, unless you live in a very remote area, there would normally be at least one local AV dealer who will have the facilities (and the decency!) to allow you to fully test a surround system built from different separate components.

Of course, if you don't have that luxury, things can be very tricky but, if you are serious on your home cinema and want to get a separates system, I'd say it's worth taking a day trip to somewhere like London (or your nearest big city with a choice of stores) to specifically audition items. However, for many people this is a lot of effort and may not even be possible. And for them an all-in-one system is a perfect choice - many of them are excellent. But for budgets over £400 - £500, I'd argue that a well matched separates system will always outperform an all-in-one of the same budget personally - it's just a matter of how important that performance increase is worth to you over the convenience of buying an all-in-one.
 

lobby

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I agree with Profesorhat, if your really going to be serious then seperates is the way to go.Yes it can be tricky to set up and you will need alot of patience but it's worth in the end. I opted for an Onkyo 606 and Quad-lite speakers and have really enjoyed the experience, lucky for me my system didn't feel to hard to set up, but you can always get the suppliers to send some one round to help you.i enjoyed setting up my system and try not to look at to much new technology as i dond't want to get the upgrade bug.Your descision what ever you opt for needs a demo to make sure your happy with your purchase, most leading companies will offer a demo in full 5.1, just needs to be booked in advance. Buying from the high street also has advantages especially for future purchases, and deals and free cable bundles are sometimes offered.Right back to your system first check the size of your room, small sats system may struggle to fill the room, big traditional speakers may be too over powering secondly choosing correct system sats ot traditional dpending on taste. Once youv'e choosen your speakers do some research on amps, some preform much better with certain amps. then when you come to a finally list go and audition. Good prices on the Denon 1910, 2310 at the moment Q Acoustic 1010i's at £299 , Boston Acoustics, and Jamo 102 are good small sats the QA 2000 range great finish and look and MA br's are good value if you want a slightly bigger traditional speaker. Let us know your thoughts.
 

professorhat

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lobby:most leading companies will offer a demo in full 5.1, just needs to be booked in advance.

An excellent point I forgot to make - always telephone the store in advance and book a demo in. If you just turn up, many places may not be able to offer you a demo as (a) it takes time to set these things up and there might be a lot of customers when you're there / only one member of staff available therefore they can't both set the demo up and mind the shop and also (b) someone else might be having a demo already and there may be others who have booked in meaning you could be disappointed. This is especially important therefore if you have to travel some distance to your local dealer.

It also ensures they will have the kit you want to audition in stock and ready to go for you when you turn up, so you can make the most of your time there.
 
rendu: Well, you definetly are nobody to tell me whether I have done my homework properly or not.

Like it or not, but it's true. Otherwise you would've been happy with your separates system.

rendu: Maybe you have a shop and you can spend hours trying all kind of combinations with the different equalization settings but, most people do not have that possibility. At the most you can go into a local store and try a couple of speakers with a similar amp. In most cases they will never set you up a 5.1. for testing. In all the shops I have tried they have only allowed me to test in stereo. In most cases they will not allow you to take speakers home for testing and definetly not the amps.

Do not look at me, you only need to look at the posts to see that the frustration is there and it is very difficult to match a system. You can build our own car and take wheels there and motor here and doors somewhere else but, normally the engeneers of the cars now better than us, poor mortals how the right parts will make out the most. The engeneers and sound experts will know better what speakers match with which amp and what subwofer for that price. It is about synergies and yes you can get a all in one system to match your taste whether it is bright, boomy or whatever other preference you may have.

It is an opinion based on personal experience during 10 years to try to give another view to the person who started the post. I respect your oppinion and others and I definetly not going to critisaze what you have done. Respect is the word.

As said by Prof & lobby, if you are serious about a home cinema system, then you will spend time demoing the different systems. Otherwise, you'll end up mismatching your system (like in your case). If you're not bothered about matching systems & don't have the time to demo, then a separates is definitely not for you. But if you take the time & make a bit more effort to demo different combinations, you will be rewarded for years to come.

If your local AV dealer refuses the demo, look elsewhere. Specialist dealers are aware of this need for buyers to demo many systems for a long time before arriving at a decision. That's why they're not your local Currys.

I called my dealer in advance & booked the demo room, & told him exactly what I want to demo. He was more than happy to comply with my requests.
 

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