Home Cinema

normal

Try http://ws1.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=PANA-SCHT330-MR . It does most things to a decent level for the money. Remember to take care setting it up so the sound is balanced from all sides and I think you'll be happy for what you want.

follyfoot

faz7875 wrote:

Go with Pioneer as they make their own stuff, competitively priced and the standalone gear is tuned so that sounds ok with music. anything that can handle DTS Discrete or 7.1 will be good enough for a year at least.

what is dts discrete and 7.1?

Bendybops19

Go to any Richer Sounds, my partner and i have just got a Sharp one (sorry i dont know which one exactly!) and it is BRILLIANT!


http://ws1.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=SHAR-HTM700


They have got hugeeeeeeee sales on there, and they are a really good shop with good guarantees. Really helpful people

follyfoot

i had been in a richer sound last week without realising. they did tell me to do some research before buying and not to necessarily go for branded names. Will try croydon one - although is there a bigger one in London? I guess my next decision is trying to decide which one to buy along with a TV. thanks for the comments

normal

There's quite a few in London, all the stores are a similar size. But the homepage is https://www.richersounds.com and you'll find all the stores.

follyfoot

I went into RicherSounds in Bromley and they suggested the following system: Pioneer RCS55 (Multi region DVD recorder package system). does anyone have any experience of this all in one? also what is the disadvantages/advantages of having all the speakers on the same side of the room? I quite like it because i dont have wires going everywhere and i was advised not to bother buying a wireless system. I am assuming that i can buy speaker stands? is it possible to buy a record player and attach it to an all-in-one? I still have vinyl i would like to listen to. also how do i transfer my VHS to DVD?

faz7875_2

follyfoot wrote:

what is dts discrete and 7.1?

Dolby Digital - Standard 5.1 (Front Left and Right, Front centre, rear left and right and subwoofer) digital surround sound. Entry level, soon to be obsolete.

DTS - Superior 5.1 digital surround sound ast the sound is created at an higher spec to Dolby Dig

Dolby Digital EX - standard 5.1 sound through a 5.1 system but a "matrixed" 6th channel is created for the rear centre in a 6.1 set up. This extra channel is artificial in every way and sounds it too. Naff really.

Dts discrete or DTS ES (the same thing just the official name but you may see both) - True 6.1 audio where sound is correctly split into 6 channels (front right and left, front centre, rear right and left and rear centre and subwoofer) This is currently the highest available quality digital surround sound. This is only supported on certain discs such as Lord Of the Rings 4 disc special editions. Sounds like normal 5.1 DTS on 5.1 systems.

7.1 - similar to 6.1 but you have 2 rear centres (right and left) rather than 1.

The problem with these systems if they are going to replace a stereo as they are not as musical. Pioneers are good all rounders, Marantz is better with music than movies, denon - awesome with movies but bin it if you want to play a cd or radio. Stay away from japanese manufacturers (e.g Sony etc) if you intend to go near it witha cd (pioneer is an exception as their stuff is made in the uk and the higher spec models are tuned in air studios for musicality.

With your budget, probably better going for an all in one but be warned that they are rubbish at music, mainly due to tiny speakers - they rely on the subwoofer for bass reproduction. Full size speakers are better (for both movies and music) but obviously take up more room and don't look as good (to some people).

The RCS55 looks ok, the speaker configuration that you saw was probably how the shop put it out, on the web it shows as a true 5.1 system. Only reservation is that the inclusion of a dvd recorder makes me doubt the sound quality (never heard it i must admit). One rule to remember - for ever function/gimmick included deviates from the sound quality at that price - eg an all in one dvd player/5.1 for 300 quid would probably sound better as more money has been "spent" on sound quality.

You could try a combination of pioneer vsx 515 and yamaha nsp 240 (if in stock) as this would cost £280 might be able to get a pair of stands also with the change from £300.

Best thing to do is take some DVDs to the shop and arrange an audition (good idea to phone ahead to book) and try it. A good DVD to try is Blade in the club scene at the beginning. Also good is lord of the rings (special edition). Take at least one dts dvd and try it on both Dolby and dts to compare.

follyfoot

faz7875 wrote:

The RCS55 looks ok, the speaker configuration that you saw was probably how the shop put it out, on the web it shows as a true 5.1 system. Only reservation is that the inclusion of a dvd recorder makes me doubt the sound quality (never heard it i must admit). One rule to remember - for ever function/gimmick included deviates from the sound quality at that price - eg an all in one dvd player/5.1 for 300 quid would probably sound better as more money has been "spent" on sound quality.


do you mean that the back speakers should be on the facing wall?

given your comments I am not sure if the all-in-one is best for me? What i am looking to do is replace what i have and more. I want to be able to play my records, CDs, radio, dvds, vhs and watch tv - but prepared to compromise if i have to

faz7875_2

follyfoot wrote:

do you mean that the back speakers should be on the facing wall?

given your comments I am not sure if the all-in-one is best for me? What i am looking to do is replace what i have and more. I want to be able to play my records, CDs, radio, dvds, vhs and watch tv - but prepared to compromise if i have to

A picture of how the speakers should be placed can be found at http://www.pantherproducts.co.uk/Articles/Audio/surround_sound.shtml it is half way down the page.

As to the comments about which set up is best for you, as i said before, go to richer sounds and ask for an audition (they will be quite happy to do this unless they are really busy, i can assure you). Try the set up that you mentioned and the one that I said and also tell them what you are after and they may come up with a suggestion and/or deal. Nobody can tell you what sounds good. Only you can do that.

follyfoot

Hi faz7875, this particular pioneer system as far as RicherSounds (and a shop in Thurrock), are concerned have its speakers all placed at the front and they sit on top of each other and the user can rotate them. this one was recommended because i did not want all the wires that come from having speakers at the back and front.