Smart tv & receiver advice needed please

[Joajmacd]

Hi, have a just converted the cellar with wiring for surround sound speakers etc and planning on putting a smart tv in to connect via our wifi for Amazon prime etc. however I have an old set of pioneer 5.1 speakers that I would like to use (S-HTD1). We got them together with a 5 DVDs combo AV but this failed long ago and I have kept the speakers ever since.

So question is, what tv is advised (mid range) around 40"

do I need an AV receiver to drive the speakers or can modern tv's do this now

if I need an AV, what would be advised.

really appreciate the guidance.

 

[bigboss]

1) Look at Samsung H6400. What's your actual budget?

2) No, modern TVs do not have an amplifier built in to drive passive speakers.

3) I do not think you can use your Pioneer speakers & subwoofer as it's a home cinema in a box system. Can you post some pictures of the back of your subwoofer, so I can confirm if this is the case?

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

You can probably continue to use your home-cinema-in-a-box speakers but you need to check the impedance is in the 4 to 8 ohm range as most receivers won't cope with anything outside this range (but check your receiver before you buy).

Home-cinema-in-a-box systems usually have all the amplifiers inside the subwoofer case, not in the head unit, and your subwoofer will have to go. An inexpensive sub can be had for around 100 Pounds.

If you're happy with 5.1 there are plenty of budget choices, but make sure its:

(a ) HDCP 2.2 compliant - the new anti-copying codes

(b ) HDR compliant - the new colour spectrum spec

(c ) has 4K pass-through and / or 4K upscaling, otherwise you'll get 1080p at best, no picture at all at worst.

(d ) has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound codecs.

Personally, in your case, I'd go for a 7.2 receiver, add a subwoofer and some "proper stereo" front speakers and a decent centre speaker as well, use your ould surround-sound-in-a-box speakers for the surround sound channels.

And I'd look at Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, and Marantz brands. Others will no doubt chime in with others.

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

PS plenty of bargains to be had on a certain well-known auction website, don't forget, and Amazon do their own clearance specials on returned (buyer didn't like) items as well.

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

Oh yeah.

I'd recommend Samsung Smart TVs - we've got six of 'em in our house, 4 x 4Ks and 2 x 1080p.

You get far better performance from the higher-up numbers, i.e a 7500 is going to be better than a 6400, generally, but, of course, you pay more for the newer models than you do for last year's leftovers.

Also, if you can, wired ethernet is far better than wifi. You only need run one ethernet cable from your main modem / router / switch, then you can connect a second 4, 5 or 8-way switch off the end of that wire, connect all your devices to that switch.

And if it's a cellar and you haven't plastered in the ceiling yet, consider overhead speakers for Atmos. Far better than upward firing. If push comes to shove and you can live with the wires across the ceiling, so be it. If they're in a cavity (e.g between the rafters of the floor above and the celing of the cellar, try to box them in so all the sound is reflected downward into the room. Same goes for in-wall speakers.

 

[Joajmacd]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. The sticker on the back of the Sub Woofer says 100W max power & 8ohms impedance and it only has two simple push wire connections, the kind you feed the wire into while pushing down on the tab (sorry, not very technical on these).

Can't seem to upload an image either

Cheers, AJ

 

[Joajmacd]

Thanks for the reply, All the speakers state they are 8ohms so they should be OK?

Also, the Sub Woofer does not seem to have any special connections to the standard speakers and it doesnt feel like it has anything other than the speaker inside (although haven't opened to check).

Have been happy with the 5.1 but never listened to 7.1 so may well need a trip to the local Stereo store on the weekend.

Will also keep in mind the recommendation on the TV - thanks for that.

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

8 ohm speakers will be just fine.

as for the sub, if it's a passive one (no internal amplifier), you could have problems driving it as most receivers are set up to drive active ones. If it has a single RCA socket on the back, same as the ones on the back of a CD player, for example, it's got a built in amplifier so no problems. If it's got speaker cable connectors only (as you seem to be describing) you could have problems, however. If you can't post a picture post up a make and model number and we can all look on line.

 

[Joajmacd]

Hi, only cable connectors so clearly a passive sub woofer. Was a very old (13+ yrs) system.

Is it worth seeking out an old av receiver? Or is money better spent going for a fully new setup?

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

I would tend to avoid older re eivers as the newest codecs seem to be here to stay. HDMI 2.?, HDCP 2.2 and HDR are all going to be must haves, if not now, very soon.
If you're looking to save a few quid, ex demo, open box or Amazon warehouse deals are good, you just need to shop around. And of course a wad of crispy tenners is always more likely to get a further discount or somefreecables than a credit card.
On the sub front, look for a used active one on that well known auction website. As long as it's active there's really no need to match brands with your speakers despite what anyone says, just go for a big'un.