Dear WHF,
My wife and I have just started a major extension to our home and we're both excited about the changes we'll be making. However, whilst I am particularly eager create a decent home cinema set-up, my wife (not unsurprisingly) doesn't share my enthusiasm. So much so, that I may have to make some compromises.
First problem. Speakers. She didn't like the look of any of the large speaker systems, or even the style speaker pakages from KEF and B&W. The discrete Q Acoustics QAV 5.1 speaker system seems a good compromise and the price is right. With its soundbar-type LCR arrangement, this will perhaps not provide a perfect 5.1 experience, but I'm confident that it will be a good step up from my Yamaha soundbar. We will be using the system mostly for TV and movies, but music is also important. Is this a good choice or are there better discrete alternatives in the same price range? I've looked at some in-wall and in-ceiling solutions but I'm concerned that they may not provide good enough surround sound, unless I spend a lot more money.
My second decision is which AV receiver to buy. I'm currently working in the Middle East and have not had a chance to run any auditions. There seem to be several contenders in my price bracket. Namely the Denon AVR-1910, the Sony STR-DA2400ES, or the older Yamaha DSP-AX863SE. They have all received excellent reviews, but I'm not sure which will be best suited to the QAV? Indeed, what are the really meaningful differences in performance and specification between them? I have a lot of Sony equipment, so will the Sony be the best bet? I do like the XMB interface.
My third conundrum is around operation. With all this new kit, I'm concerned my wife will be overwhelmed with remote controls and will mess up the settings trying to perform the simplest of functions and then throw the controls at me in frustration. I have decided to be proactive and search for a universal remote solution. As a gadget fan, I'm quite attracted to the Logitech Harmony 1100, but it's very dear. Especially as I will need to pay extra for the separate Logitech IR and bluetooth repeater units required to control the AV gear and PS3 which will be hiding in a dedicated storage unit. Is it really worth paying a premium for the 1100, versus the older 1000? Can you recommend some other options?
Any advice you can give is highly appreciated. And by the way, please keep the good work up on the magazine, it really is an enjoyable read.
Sorry for such a long letter, but I didn't have the time to write a short one.
Many thanks and best regards,
Daniel Rynehart
My wife and I have just started a major extension to our home and we're both excited about the changes we'll be making. However, whilst I am particularly eager create a decent home cinema set-up, my wife (not unsurprisingly) doesn't share my enthusiasm. So much so, that I may have to make some compromises.
First problem. Speakers. She didn't like the look of any of the large speaker systems, or even the style speaker pakages from KEF and B&W. The discrete Q Acoustics QAV 5.1 speaker system seems a good compromise and the price is right. With its soundbar-type LCR arrangement, this will perhaps not provide a perfect 5.1 experience, but I'm confident that it will be a good step up from my Yamaha soundbar. We will be using the system mostly for TV and movies, but music is also important. Is this a good choice or are there better discrete alternatives in the same price range? I've looked at some in-wall and in-ceiling solutions but I'm concerned that they may not provide good enough surround sound, unless I spend a lot more money.
My second decision is which AV receiver to buy. I'm currently working in the Middle East and have not had a chance to run any auditions. There seem to be several contenders in my price bracket. Namely the Denon AVR-1910, the Sony STR-DA2400ES, or the older Yamaha DSP-AX863SE. They have all received excellent reviews, but I'm not sure which will be best suited to the QAV? Indeed, what are the really meaningful differences in performance and specification between them? I have a lot of Sony equipment, so will the Sony be the best bet? I do like the XMB interface.
My third conundrum is around operation. With all this new kit, I'm concerned my wife will be overwhelmed with remote controls and will mess up the settings trying to perform the simplest of functions and then throw the controls at me in frustration. I have decided to be proactive and search for a universal remote solution. As a gadget fan, I'm quite attracted to the Logitech Harmony 1100, but it's very dear. Especially as I will need to pay extra for the separate Logitech IR and bluetooth repeater units required to control the AV gear and PS3 which will be hiding in a dedicated storage unit. Is it really worth paying a premium for the 1100, versus the older 1000? Can you recommend some other options?
Any advice you can give is highly appreciated. And by the way, please keep the good work up on the magazine, it really is an enjoyable read.
Sorry for such a long letter, but I didn't have the time to write a short one.
Many thanks and best regards,
Daniel Rynehart