Home cinema sound 5.1 views please

Poppycat

I am getting a new LCD tv next week so after a 5.1 surround sound system to complement it. Not experinced with audio for tv much so if anyone has a system, does this look okay



Enjoy the 'big movie', big surround-sound experience in your own front room.

* 105W RMS surround-sound system
* 5.1 channel DVD player with AM/FM tuner
* Passive system resulting in easy installation and use

Compatible with: DVD/DVD+R/RW/VCD/CD/CD-RW/JPEG/CD-R/Picture CD

* Progressive scan
* Parental lock
* On-screen display
* Multi-language subtitles
* Built-in amplifier
* Composite video output/S-video output
* Y/Pb/Pr output
* SCART output
* 5 x 15W satellite speakers, magnetically shielded
* 30W passive subwoofer
* Speaker size: subwoofer 290 x 155 x 300mm, satellites 115 x 97 x 151mm


From Aldi next week.

I am setting up a pc to LCD eventually so it can play video,dvd,mp3,cd audio etc. So if all goes well I replace my hifi so can play above formats, just really need a radio and this looks the biz. Havent got a huge living room so doesnt require a powerful system, however hate distortaion. So guys what you think? or alternatively recommend a system less than £100.

Am I right in saying that the speaker arranged are two at front of tv, one in middle, large woofer anywhere and two behind. Cheers for any advice

POLDO_DONK

Poppycat, I must admit that I'm not a big fan of all in one home cinema systems. They profess (to my mind) to do too much for the money and end up doing little well. I believe that offering a DVD player plus a decent multi channel amplifier plus speakers for under £100 is just too optimistic.

My suggestion would be to keep your existing Hi-Fi and take the Left & Right stereo from any DVD player that you buy instead of this unit, to your Hi-Fi and enjoy stereo sound but of much better quality!

I find that all in one 'home cinema's' offer particularly poor music reproduction - but that is just my opinion! I'm not trying too put you off, I just hope your expectations are realistic and that make a eyes (and ears!) open decision.

Some time ago I offered my advice in similar thread a similar thread. This is the link-

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=92343

I hope some of my suggestions are useful to you.

If you do go ahead and buy it, connect up your new LCD via component (that's the Y/Pb/Pr output) if your new TV has them and enable the progressive scan for best picture quality.

As to the speaker set up - you are basically correct. You need a speaker to the left and right of the TV with the middle/centre speaker below (or sometimes above) your set, with the rear left & right speakers - to the er, rear left and right! In theory it should not matter where you place the subwoofer. In practice it will make a difference. Experiment for the best results. You will find that the closer it is to the wall or in a corner will increase the amount of bass you hear. However it may well then be too 'boomy'.


Poldo

trickdick

Poppycat

Like Poldo, I am not a huge fan of these "one box" systems. You'll never get the true cinema sound experience with such small speakers, but you dont have to spend that much more to get a far better system.

Whilst I'm not recommending them, Richer Sounds are doing a Panasonic system with 400watts rather than 100 watts, and costs about £160. With that sort of power, the surround speakers will give far better effects.

Additionally, I would point out that these systems are ok for films but truly awful for music.

That said its all a matter of personal taste - try and buy from somewhere that will demo the kit for you - you may have to pay a few pounds more, but at least you'll end up with something you can live with !



Happy hunting

Poppycat

Thanks for your advice guys its really helpful. I didnt realise they would be so bad to music, I was hoping with the added expense, I could get some space back where hifi is as its little used tbh, so rather have an all in one system. If it means paying more and getting a better system with good sound I rather do that but not at the expense of poor music. Cheers for the help.