I wanna 5.1 setup for movies and music!

indiegirl_2

As a novice to the home cinema front, I'm seeking advice (and I know you all love to give!) on the best setup for my sound system.

My current setup is thus:
Pioneer VSX-C301
Pioneer PD-F1007 (for all my bloomin' CDs.. and I think I'm going to have to buy another to daisy-chain it!)
Aiwa XD-DV370.

I'm after a 5.1 package but I'm a bit wary after reading around. I know some MSE's won't recommend a package per se (due to their inability to cope with music), so I'd be interested in your thoughts as to what sub, and which front & rear speakers.

Now the tough bit. I'm on a budget (isn't everyone?). I'm thinking a maximum of £200, but ideally less (a lot less if possible!).

I was pondering on some of these Missions, or these Tannoys, but I'd like to hear if anyone has any experience of them, and whether they're any good on the music front.

I know that my amp isn't going to blow me away, but I'm moving home in a few months (when my flat's finally built) and I'm going to be in a smallish lounge, so I don't need anything that'll blow the windows out (or annoy the neighbours!).

All suggestions gratefully received... thanks!

POLDO_DONK

Indiegirl, I’m not familiar with either the Tannoy or Mission speakers you mention. Both brands have good reputations and make reasonable products. Looking at the two, I would lean toward the Mission’s although it is very much a matter of personal taste.

As you say, I would not expect great music reproduction from either system. Is there any chance of listening before you buy? Do you have a nearby Richer Sounds that will let you do this? If so, you could listen to the Mission system and decide whether it was good enough for you. If you can’t listen beforehand, can you exchange the items after purchase? You could then take the speakers home and make a decision. If you’re happy then great and if not I would suggest that you return the system and exchange it for a pair of Hi-Fi speakers. Make sure that the speakers you get will work with your Pioneer. They will need to be efficient – the more ‘Db’s’ the better and the impedance /resistance should not be too low, certainly no lower than 6Ohm and preferably 8Ohm. The person in the shop where you buy your speakers should be able to advise you. If you go down this route you will forgo surround sound but have better stereo (particularly music) reproduction.

You could then add a centre and rear speakers as and when funds allow if you wish.



Poldo

indiegirl_2

Thank you! I think it's matching the Ohm's and really knowing what goes best with what. I've previously used an old set of hifi speakers at the front, and another old set at the rears... but they're appalling.. so I think anything could be better!

POLDO_DONK

Indiegirl, the amplifier section of your Pioneer is fairly modest. If the impedance (Ohms) of any speakers you get is too low it will put quite a strain on the amplifier. However, if the impedance is too high, while safer for your amp, it will limit the volume levels you get.

If the speakers you previously tried where similar to the ones I suggested above, there is another option available to you. You could purchase a stereo amplifier and a pair of stereo speakers. Then, take the audio output from your Pioneer into the stereo amplifier to which the Hi-Fi speakers are connected. This will provide an immediate improvement in sound quality.

You could at a later date then attach centre and rear speakers to the Pioneer to provide surround sound i.e. your Pioneer does the decoding and amplification for the two rear and the centre speakers.

I'm sorry if this sounds complicated, I'm just trying show the options you have available! :rolleyes:

You would certainly be able to buy a reasonable stereo amplifier and a pair of Hi-Fi speakers from Richer Sounds for your budget.


Poldo

indiegirl_2

No, that's not complex, I admit that when I bought the Pioneer I was being cheap and looking for something that would provide AV as well as being a receiver/amplifier in one. It does that, and it does the job well.

As I don't have a 5.1 setup at the mo, I was pondering on it. I'll get down to RS and see if I can have a listen to a few bits of their things.

If I'm not happy, I might amplify the amplifier, so to speak, and go down your suggested route (speakers first, then centre/rears later).

Thanks for your thoughts - from reading earlier posts, I suspected that you might reply first!!

vansboy

Have they got anything here for you https://www.richersounds.co.uk make sure you still preice check theire stock - 'cos you'll get a PrceBeat deal, if you can find cheaper!!

VB

POLDO_DONK

indiegirl wrote

If I'm not happy, I might amplify the amplifier, so to speak, and go down your suggested route (speakers first, then centre/rears later).

I'm sure if all else fails this will solve your problems. Not wishing to state the obvious, but for anybody considering this, just make sure you take the audio output from the 'line level' i.e. the phono sockets and NOT the speaker outputs of the first amplifier into the correct input of the second amp.....


Poldo

gromituk

Regarding fillinh up of multi-CD players, I would suggest ripping all your CDs to a hard drive, be that in an MP3 player or a PC.

Unless you live in a detached house, I'd be surprised if you need any more amplifier power than what you have - you'll only annoy the neighbours. Remember that perceived volume levels are logarithmic, which means that a 100W amplifier will not sound twice as loud as a 50W amplifier; in fact, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference unless you switched directly between them.