Starting a new home cinema system with my old floorstanders

[Pete68]

Hello,

I am putting my HiFi in the kitchen as this is where I spend most of my time, I have an Arcam Alpha 9 system (pre/power combo and CD) and will be adding some bookshelf speakers to replace the Acoustic Energy AE 120 floorstanders.

I would like to use these floorstanders as a part of a home cinema set up as they are in great condition, sound great and have very little resale value. I am looking at the Sony STR-DH820 reciever as from the reviews it looks to be a good 'budget' reciever and I already have as a Sony TV and Blue Ray player, so the whole system should play well together (correct me if I'm wrong on this point).

So, whats next?

Can I assume that by utilising the AE120's I won't need a sub as they have the capacity to produce plenty of bass?

Is the best way forward to purchase some kind of centre speaker giving me a stereo image with something in the middle.

I will work out rear satellites at a later date but for now I just want to get started and make some first improvements.

Any help or advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete

 

[psurquhart]

If its all Sony then it will intergrate beautifully (I had 3 Sony products originally and it blends in so well as a package).

Cant help on the centre front but would recommend you get an AE centre to give your speaker set up the best balance acoustically - rears are not so fussy.

I also do not use a sub and my 5 speaker system sounds great - I have PMC floorstanders which have plenty of bass for me (one day I will add a sub but money is too tight at mo). Obviously a sub would make it all sound better but it still sounds excellent imo.

Dont skimp on cables either - you dont have to spend massive amounts - these should do the trick.

http://www.whathifi.com/review/audioquest-flx-slip-144

Hope thats of some help, I am sure others will give better advice but this is a start.

Your choice of av amp is a great starting point so you will be very happy.

 

[Pete68]

Thanks a lot for your reply, good to hear that the Sony products will all play well together. Will have a look at an AE centre speaker, seems the logical choice as I already have AE speakers. Thanks for the cable recommendation, nice price too.