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AV Home Setups
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lindsay
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I have a 7.1 speaker setup with an AVR that is connected to TV, DVD Player, Skybox, Apple TV box. We used to use a soundbar. Our first soundbar was Bose but tbh it wasn't great, then a Wharfedale one which was very good, but I wanted to go for surround sound and so bought a fairly cheap setup from Richer Sounds (Onkyo) which has worked very well. I had to replace one speaker cable that was faulty, otherwise no issues.
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gman
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I believe Onkyo are well regarded. Does it have that auto speaker calibration thing that Denon etc do?
I've moved away from a soundbar as despite being a decent 3.1 type, the dialogue was still muddy. I'm slowly building up the AV system and already it's night and day with the dialogue.
Being the family living room I have to keep it "wife compliant"
, so Atmos ceiling speakers etc are a definite no-no. Even with the front floorstanders I had to apply careful consideration as claiming it would be eclectic didn't get past here! lolI'm not sure whether to end at 5.1 or continue on to 7.1, do you hear more from the surrounds or from the rear surrounds?
ecoleman
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I believe Onkyo are well regarded. Does it have that auto speaker calibration thing that Denon etc do?
I've moved away from a soundbar as despite being a decent 3.1 type, the dialogue was still muddy. I'm slowly building up the AV system and already it's night and day with the dialogue.
Being the family living room I have to keep it "wife compliant"
I'm not sure whether to end at 5.1 or continue on to 7.1, do you hear more from the surrounds or from the rear surrounds?
Have a look at the Yamaha Sound projector systems.
I changed from a 7.1 system to the YSP-2700 in 2017 when we moved into our current house. The room just wasn't right to place 7.1 speakers.
I find the sound to be very good and speech is clear as a bell.
lindsay
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The Onkyo calibration is automatic and easy to run - it essentially has a mike that you place in the middle of the room/listening area, and it runs through a test of all the speakers checking that they are working andf then auto-calibrating the balance.
We do notice the sound from the rear speakers, less so the upward projecting ones that are in front at the sides (combined front left/right and ceiling projection, separate speakers in one box each side). It's pretty good, although I do find speech a bit muffled - it might be my hearing, as my wife thinks it's ok.
We do notice the sound from the rear speakers, less so the upward projecting ones that are in front at the sides (combined front left/right and ceiling projection, separate speakers in one box each side). It's pretty good, although I do find speech a bit muffled - it might be my hearing, as my wife thinks it's ok.
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gman
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Cheers, but I wouldn't go back to a soundbar now.. That's a lot of speakers! lol
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gman
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Ah that sounds similar to the Denon setup then. I've got dialogue enhance set to maximum which helps a lot, especially through the centre speaker. So have you got those speakers at the front which also have the upwards firing ones on the top of them? We have a high ceiling so I'm not sure how that would cope, but I've always wondered how effective they would be.
Dialogue could be so frustrating sometimes with the soundbar, although I believe it's mainly to do with movies and the multiple cameras used, which makes it difficult to use boom mics etc. TV stuff was often far clearer.
Sky
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I've used external speakers on the TV since the early 80's and have always tried to achieve a good 'cinema' sound.
I currently use an old Onkyo amplifier with an even older Denon 7.1 surround system, but they are both now showing their age and need replacing. I think I'll probably buy a larger TV and a newer surround system next year.
I've tried a few soundbars over the years where I've been limited for space, but mostly they sound pretty naff when compared to separate speakers.
I currently use an old Onkyo amplifier with an even older Denon 7.1 surround system, but they are both now showing their age and need replacing. I think I'll probably buy a larger TV and a newer surround system next year.
I've tried a few soundbars over the years where I've been limited for space, but mostly they sound pretty naff when compared to separate speakers.
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gman
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Mr Perceptive
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Don't worry, years ago I had a visit to Meridian and heard their 7 x DSP8000 system with 861 Processorr and ona 140" projection screen, the projecter was 100K, and the whole system around £160K then, probably more now!
I used to run a Meridian system (Processor/Amps) along with Shahinian Speakers, it was very immerserve, but that system went when divorce happened, these days just use a Naim Muso
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gman
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A Jag I previously owned had the Meridan Surround System and what a beauty it was. Even my current B&O isn't as good. I really do rate them.
Mr Perceptive
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I had a 568.2 Processor and 2 x 559 Amps each in Bridged Mode (approx 1kW per channel) and a 558 also running in bridged mode. Shahinians (I had Obelisks at the front and Arcs at the rear) are very power hungry and like lots of current - scary when played loud, but amazingly clear and undistorted. Obleisks go well below 20Hz so no need for a sub-woofer!
I have a friend who runs a similar system but with Dynavector Amplification and even bigger Shahinians, thats quite impressive.
A simple motto is big picture requires big sound, and big sound deserves a big pricture
The Muso though is surprisingly good as a soundbar!
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I've never really bothered with anything more than the manufacturer's standard sound system in a car and have just accepted what comes with it. Some have been crap, but some very good - especially the one in my last BMW.
The best though (by far) is the Harman Kardon Logic7 HD system I have in my current car (Range Rover Sport).
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Used to have a very nice Yamaha 5.1 system but when I ditched Sky, I lost the correct feed to the amp. Now got a Yamaha sound bar which does a much better job than the TV's speakers and is more than adequate for my hearing these days.
Can only agree with gman WRT the sound system in Jags. Not only a comfortable place to sit but an excellent stereo too!
Can only agree with gman WRT the sound system in Jags. Not only a comfortable place to sit but an excellent stereo too!
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gman
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What AVR model KEF speakers are you currently rocking?
Denon AVR-1604. KEF Q15 (FL+FR), Q95C and 2 KEF Eggs for the rears + a KEF Model 20B Sub.... Decent enough sound for me and never felt the need to update
I also use KEF eggs with an old Rotel amp for my PC audio....
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gman
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Nice. I think with so much steaming 5.1 these days I really need to get my surround ones sorted.
Paulie-W
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I've had a 5.1 for ages now (Kef kht 3001), and recently changed the avr and front three speakers and SW, due to moving up to Norwich. Awkward layout so had to keep two of the eggs for side/rears. Oh I managed to snag a new TV too, as the wife liked an oled we saw
LG TV, Denon avr and MA front three
This thread really should have som pics...
LG TV, Denon avr and MA front three
This thread really should have som pics...
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Back in 2010, I bought a Sony HTK250 system (4 wall, subwoofer and central speaker) and paired it with my then CRT 32" Panasonic. I redecorated the room, sinking the speaker wires (aftermarket) into the walls. I was very pleasantly surprisd by the sound. I replaced the Panasonic with a 50" LG Plasma in 2012. I cannot fault the combination, watching the 2012 Olympics, it felt as though you were there. It really comes alive with DVD's, particularly action films and is excellent for just playing music.
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gman
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I've had a 5.1 for ages now (Kef kht 3001), and recently changed the avr and front three speakers and SW, due to moving up to Norwich. Awkward layout so had to keep two of the eggs for side/rears. Oh I managed to snag a new TV too, as the wife liked an oled we saw
LG TV, Denon avr and MA front three
This thread really should have som pics...
Yeah, I couldn't decide for ages whether to stick with LED or move to OLED, but it was starting to look like I would need to get the latest top of the range LED to get to somewhat comparable quality as OLED, so I went OLED. I think until micro LED becomes affordable then it'll be OLED from now on for me.
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gman
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It must be about 8 years now when I upsized the 32" LED to a 50".. I originally got a Sony because I liked their picture treatment, but the fairly new Android OS kept restarting the TV, so I got it replaced for the Panasonic which I also found had a bit of a cinematic look to the picture treatment. I got a bit of grief for the size difference, but now I upsized again to a 65" and again initially had resistance... but it doesn't take long for her to start liking it! lol
Paulie-W
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I got lucky with my change to OLED. Was walking around a store, and they had a big beast on the wall, playing some demo stuff... Wife said "oh we've got to get one like that". I said about price, and she didn't care lol But I did tone it down to mid range, and only 65"
Mr Perceptive
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I got lucky with my change to OLED. Was walking around a store, and they had a big beast on the wall, playing some demo stuff... Wife said "oh we've got to get one like that". I said about price, and she didn't care lol But I did tone it down to mid range, and only 65"
My wife was all for a cheap model until I got the salesman to demo the 65" Sony (which incidently has excellent sound from the off (multiple speakers projecting through the screen apparently) - it was done deal and I got the TV I wanted
When I had the big AV system though I had a projector and a 102" screen, as I said before big picture needs big sound!
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Paulie-W
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Oh nice moveMy wife was all for a cheap model until I got the salesman to demo the 65" Sony (which incidently has excellent sound from the off (multiple speakers projecting through the screen apparently) - it was done deal and I got the TV I wanted
When I had teh big AV system though I had a projector and a 102" screen, as I said before big picture needs big sound!
Always helps to the wife happy lolWell of course. Id love a dedicated room, but as it is. It has to be (relatively) family complaint.
I've had a 5.1 for ages now (Kef kht 3001), and recently changed the avr and front three speakers and SW, due to moving up to Norwich. Awkward layout so had to keep two of the eggs for side/rears. Oh I managed to snag a new TV too, as the wife liked an oled we saw
LG TV, Denon avr and MA front three
This thread really should have som pics...
Me and MrsFiend have a house over in Thailand and I did look into buying a Kef system in Thailand but the price was extortionate compared to the UK.... So I acquired 4 Kef 2005 Eggs and added a 3001 centre and over the course of a couple of trips smuggled them over to Thailand.... Haven't actually built the system up yet but I'll buy a decent subwoofer out there and have a Marantz slimline AVR I can use to drive the system....
Paulie-W
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I went for the BK DF300. Nice little Matt/Satin finish, and just about right for me. So many subs are shiny piano dust magnets, and wood effect doesn't fit for me.
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gman
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The BK XLS300-DF and the SVS SB-1000 Pro are the two I'm looking at. Should be more than enough power and besides I've got neighbours to consider.
It's really more about taking the pressure off the fronts and freeing them up. That little extra bit of low frequencies will be nice as well.
Paulie-W
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Very good prices on that SVS at the moment (£549). Tough choice, but that price, plus 6y guarantee would clinch it for me, I think.
Don't get me wrong though. I love my little BK
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Paulie-W
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Somewhat related subject.... Remotes. My harmony elite has failed, and am getting by with the Amazon cube remote for now, but have my eye on a sofabaton X1s
Basically to control BD, TV and aforementioned Cube.
What do you guys use?
Basically to control BD, TV and aforementioned Cube.
What do you guys use?
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gman
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I've had a Harmony remote as well, but now the Samsung TV remote controls everything.
Paulie-W
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I guess we just get lazy, with the "Activities" nowadays.
cosmicma
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iv'e had a surround system for a good few years now along with what i would consider a fairly decent hifi
the obvious route was to integrate them together the centre and rear speakers are driven by a denon AV and the front speakers driven with a Krell amp which is fed via the denon AV through pre out
the front speakers are Kef reference model 4's , centre speaker is a Kef Reference 200c , rears are Kef eggs and a Kef sub
the system is getting on a bit now but it still sounds pretty good
the obvious route was to integrate them together the centre and rear speakers are driven by a denon AV and the front speakers driven with a Krell amp which is fed via the denon AV through pre out
the front speakers are Kef reference model 4's , centre speaker is a Kef Reference 200c , rears are Kef eggs and a Kef sub
the system is getting on a bit now but it still sounds pretty good
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Neilc28
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I’ve had multiple setups over the years, my favourite being an onkyo Tx-nr809, that amp sounded sublime! However I’ve now let it all go and just use the inbuilt Atmos speakers in my LG TV, they do the job pretty well for what they are tbh.
I had a fling with Sonos (bar, sub + sats, but honestly I thought it was overrated, and my remaining Sonos kit is on the verge of being binned as the app and reliability is truly shocking.
I had a fling with Sonos (bar, sub + sats, but honestly I thought it was overrated, and my remaining Sonos kit is on the verge of being binned as the app and reliability is truly shocking.
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