Whole New Hi-Fi System Selection...

[BringItBroski]

Hi All,

I'm about to construct a whoel new Hi-Fi system and am looking for some suggestions, I need everything. I basically need: Amplifier/Receiver - Front Floorstanders [Pair] - Nice Bassy Subwoofer - Punchy Rear Bookshelfs [Pair] - Good Centre Speaker.

I'm kind of new to all this and am lookign to spend around £800, preferably less. So far The following have caught my eye - Yamaha RX-V377 - Mission MX3's/Mission M33i's - Wharfedale Diamond SW150 - Mission MX1's - Mission MXC1. I've been advised that it is preferable to have most of the speakers as the same brand, how much does this impact performance? What other alternatives can be had for similar amounts of money?

Lastly, what woudl be the best way to connect Spotify to this set-up? By PC?

Basically I need tons of help and advice and I think you're all the experts so any help would be geratly appreciated!

Thanks,

Ben

 

[jonathanRD]

Hi Ben, welcome to the forum. Do you just want to listen to music or do you want to watch films too? It's just that you have mentioned Spotify and a pc, but not a CD player or bluray player.

If it's just music - say from Spotify, for your budget you could get an av receiver that can stream Spotify to one set of hifi speakers. Another option if you wanted to use your computer would be a 2 channel amplifier with a set of hifi speakers but you would need a dac (either in the amp or stand alone). If you want to watch films too, thats when you would need more speakers and subwoofer.

Please explain a bit more about what you want to do and this will help us give more informed advice.

 

[BringItBroski]

cheers jonathanRD,

It'll be mostly for music, if I ever need to watch films I'll get a Blu-Ray player although for now I could just use the speakers from the PS4 - TV. I'm interested in the idea of a amp with Spotify streaming. Really, although I appreciate your advice, I want a set-up with 5.1 speakers, even if just for music and then to have the flexibility of being able to watch films if needed.

Cheers for any furtehr advice,

 

[CarlDW]

Your budget would go a lot further if you initially went for a simple 2-channel system, especially if you don't mind ex-dem or 2nd hand equipment. Some would argue that it would sound better, too.

In time you can add additional speakers/sub as you see fit - from your post it's for music first, movies second?.

If you want to go 5.1, then Richer Sounds do some good deals on 5.1 packages (AVR and speakers) and some amps now include Spotify. Looking at slightly older models (i.e. last years) can also mean you get a better amp within your budget.

Personally I would keep all of the speakers from the same manufacturer as they will all be voiced the same and should have tonal similarities.

 

[jonathanRD]

OK - if you want an amp with Spotify streaming you need to check which model does that - the RX-V377 is not internet enabled, so no streaming services, internet radio or DNLA. It is possible to stream from your computer into the RX-V377 but you would have a look at the specs of the next models in the Yamaha range to see which can stream Spotify directly, as that would be a neater solution, unless you are sitting at your computer. Have a look on the Yamaha website.

For a 5.1 system ideally you need matching speakers (brand/model) all around, but definitely the front left, right and centre.

Have a look at some bundle offers online to see what is available for your budget.

The other alternative (which I took) is to build the system in stages eg get the receiver and front 3 speakers first - this options takes longer but you are likely to get a better setup that you are less likely to want to upgrade.

 

[davedotco]

The best way to get Spotify into a system like this is to get 'Spotify Connect' onboard the receiver. The "Connect" bit is important as it gives the best sound quality from Spotify and means you can control your music direct from the Spotify App on your phone or tablet. This is a huge plus, both in terms of sound quality and ease of use.

Look for recievers that have this, try Pioneer or Yamaha.

As for the rest, I would not use a 5.1 for music, so have no suggestions.

 

[Laurens_B]

I would strongly recommend to look at a 2.0 or 2.1 set-up. I don't think you can buy a very decent 5.1 set-up for that kind of money, while you can get quite a decent 2.0 set-up, which I think would give you much much more pleasure in listening to music, and probably better "theater" experience as well when watching movies, because good front speakers > cheap 5.1.