Suggestions for 5.1 setup

[mforlin]

Hello all,

I just started looking around for info on assembling a 5.1 setup and I have a few doubts, this looks like a good place to address them!

I am not aiming for super quality, but for a reasonably good system..didn't fix a price target yet because I first have to see the options.

[/b]

I currently use my (entry level) hifi for both music and tv:

- denon cd player DCD-485

- denon PMA-495R amp

- indiana line TH 341 floorstanders (entry level series from a quite well respected italian brand)

- Technics sl-1700 turntable

[/b]

I would like to try to assemble a 5.1 setup, while improving my current music listening setup also.

For this reason I thought of getting a good av receiver, a good set of front speakers, central and sub, and I was thinking of sparing some cash by getting some more budget surround speakers.

My main use case is music, both CD, vinyl, and live blurays. But I would like to get a decent effect on movies also..

[/b]

Is it advisable to mix and match speakers in a 5.1/7.1 setup, or does it cause issues in setup?

Can I for instance get good results by spending more on front+center than on the surrounds? Which would be some good options in this case?

Is this a viable strategy or am I better off with a decent budget 5.1 set?

thanks in advance for your help!

Marco

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Budget has to be central for any advice here. £500 or £10000? U cant expect much advice otherwise. The rears for 5.1/7.1 are less impoetant but it may be cheaper to buy a full package. Front three should match. For priority music u may need to spend 50/50 on receiver/speakers rather than a priority cinem system where u might spend less on receiver (40/60 maybe).

Hope these preliminary ideas help.

 

[Leeps]

"Is it advisable to mix and match speakers in a 5.1/7.1 setup, or does it cause issues in setup?

Can I for instance get good results by spending more on front+center than on the surrounds? Which would be some good options in this case?

Is this a viable strategy or am I better off with a decent budget 5.1 set?"

In a system you wish to use primarily for music, I feel it's more important to at least keep the drivers the same across all speakers. Same comments as Robin about budget really, but as an example Monitor Audio Radius offer a number of speaker packages with either identical surrounds (relatively petite satellites R90HD's) or with floorstanding left and right speakers (R270HD's) that use identical drivers to keep the balance of the sound identical.

Or if you'd prefer full-size speakers, Monitor Audio Bronze offer a mix and match approach to speakers (with stand-mount or floorstanding choices for the fronts and di/bi-pole speakers for the rears), but again, all the speakers use the same drivers so they work together nicely.

Also, what's the size and shape of the room you intend to place the system? Do you have wooden floors or carpets?

One option you could consider if budget is a little tight is to build your system over time. Receiver plus front 3 speakers, then rears and sub later. Although overall, you will save money if you buy the speakers and receiver from the same dealer at the same time. Many dealers offer package deals where you might save 20% of more compared to buying each component separately.

 

[mforlin]

Thanks for your replies, you're both right I should have set a budget earlier

I would say my budget is around 1000euros (£850)

I'll have a look at those system you suggested, given your consideration about drivers and the fact that packages are normally discounted, I might indeed just go for a full set.

One more question about mix/matching: what about the sub, could I consider saving on it a bit or should it also be of same make as other speakers?

Regarding my room:

it's pretty large (can't measure now sorry, will do this evening) with one carpet close to the tv, floor is made of tiles. Tv and hifi are positioned at the center of the short wall, which is around 3m.

Marco

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Can u get a matxhing centre for yr floorstanders ? Yr budget seems a little low for a full size (front floorstanders) package and receiver£.
Sub matching is not usually important. U could try a decent £500 reciever with yr current speakers and sub/rears. Use 5.1 since 7.1 will give little benefit below mid/high systems. Matching centre to fronts IS important but if your preference is muaic then I could live with a non matching centre.
All this is just my opinion. Others may disagree but it kinda reminds me of earlier days. I made a centre and rear speaker for my first 5.1 system and although my later and current systems are better (and £thousands more), I enjoyed the surround system for films for some years before upgrading.
Room acoustics can also have huge effect on sound. Hard floors & windows your enemy. Carpet, sofas & bookshelves your friend. Kinda depends how far u want to go, your budget currently and in the next few years & yr willingness to adapt yr room as a home cinema.
Confused? Arn't we all?

 

[Leeps]

"Matching centre to fronts IS important but if your preference is music then I could live with a non matching centre."

Sorry Robin, nothing personal buddy, but I have to disagree on this one. This assumes that you'll be playing stereo music through only the main left and right channels (in which case you'd by quite correct), but my preference is playing stereo through all available channels (on my receiver, the setting is called "Extended Stereo", I think other manufacturers call it by a different name). I really feel this improves the enjoyment to music listening through an AV receiver, but not having the same drivers on all speakers could scupper the desired effect.

I'd be inclined to audition a few systems so you know what the end result will sound like, then go something like this.

1. AV receiver - at about 2/3 your budget. There are some good discounts around on Yamaha Aventage A810 / A820's (the A830 is the current model)

2. (When you're ready) - The front three speakers - say Monitor Audio BX1's or BX2's for main left and right channels, and the BX centre. This'll take you up to around your current stated budget. At this point you'll be enjoying a cracking system in its own right. Yes, it will be improved with the rears and sub, but I don't think you'll feel too short-changed at this point.

3. (When you're ready!!) - The BXFX speakers for the rear channels.

4. The BX (or a different model) subwoofer.

This is just a suggestion based on Monitor Audio simply because I'm more familiar with their model range and they do offer quite a good range from quite affordable to eye-wateringly expensive depending on your budget.

Yes you culd purchase an off-the-shelf all in one system from the likes of LG, Sony and Onkyo for similar money to steps 1 and 2 above, but I wouldn't like to play music much through a system like this. In fact I'd much prefer to have steps 1 and 2 above to the 5.1 all-in-one equivalent for the same money.

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Leeps. No argument at all. Except my preference with music is 2 channel. That preference is probably dependant on equipment, room acoustics, type of music and ear'oles. If the system you suggest is on budget then it seems solid advice. Yamaha/MA is popular although some may suggest Dali, MS, Q-Acoustics or others but I am not sure of their prices. As a temporary measure the OP could pick up rears s/h and even maybe a sub with an aim to complete his setup later.

PS. Will try extended stereo again sometime just for fun.

PPS The bx5 is the nearest floorstander tho. Bx1&2 are standmount.

 

[mforlin]

Thanks so much for all the inputs, really appreciated! There's quite some food for thoughts..

Having never tried extended stereo, I have no idea if that would be a preference or not for me, however I'd like to try it and have the option.

However I clearly see the benefit now of having same drivers on all speakers, since I would be interested in using the system also for multichannel music.

The stepwise approach looks very reasonable, so I will definitely look in that direction, even though I already know that I will start a fight with myself because of the temptation of extending the budget and doing all the steps at once

I'll let these thoughts settle in my mind and I'll have a look at MA and similar alternatives, and I'll get back in some time with more questions (or results... )

thanks again, cheers

Marco

 

[jonathanRD]

I'd be inclined to audition a few systems so you know what the end result will sound like, then go something like this.

1. AV receiver - at about 2/3 your budget. There are some good discounts around on Yamaha Aventage A810 / A820's (the A830 is the current model)

2. (When you're ready) - The front three speakers - say Monitor Audio BX1's or BX2's for main left and right channels, and the BX centre. This'll take you up to around your current stated budget. At this point you'll be enjoying a cracking system in its own right. Yes, it will be improved with the rears and sub, but I don't think you'll feel too short-changed at this point.

3. (When you're ready!!) - The BXFX speakers for the rear channels.

4. The BX (or a different model) subwoofer.

The above is basically what I did - bilding up the system as and when I could afford it. I had the luxury of using a seperate system for Hifi, but if I did not, I agree with Leeps suggestion to go 2/3 av receiver to start along with the front three speakers.