5.1 home cinema systems

[Laughing Mechanicus]

I am looking to replace the 2.1 PC speakers I currently use for my TV/games consoles (I know) with a 5.1 home cinema system. However I am having trouble choosing one, as I don't really know what to look for feature wise beyond the very basics. although there are innumerable models on offer it seems very difficult to find reviews of them that are actually useful and/or up-to-date.

I presume a few people here have such systems, if so: how did you go about picking your particular model from amongst the rabble? Are there any particularly good review sites you could recommend?

Another question is, how have you got your connections set up? Currently I have everything (Wii, 360, PS3 and laptop) plugged into my TV, with a single 3.5mm audio output from it to the speakers; should I change this? Do I need to have everything plugged into the home cinema system (in which case, I will need one with enough inputs)? If not, how best to connect everything? Both the Xbox and PS3 have optical audio outputs which presumably give the best quality sound, will most 5.1 systems have several optical audio inputs?

As said, I am mostly interested in hearing what methods/sources you lads used to choose your own setup and what kind of systems you have bought (all in one, separate systems?), as I have very little experience buying this kind of kit - however if you have direct suggestions for specific models (or makes) of 5.1 systems to look at that would also be useful. My requirements are simply wall mountable speakers, ability to connect the above systems (Wii via component cables; 360, PS3 and laptop via HDMI), remote volume control (!) and a budget of £200-£300.

There are of course other forums about more suited to answering these kind of questions, and I am reading those too, but I would like to hear some slightly less "enthusiast" opinions.

[Starglider]

However I am having trouble choosing one, as I don't really know what to look for feature wise beyond the very basics.

The basic choice is whether you want a computer style speaker set (e.g. with an amp integrated in the subwoofer box), or a proper hi-fi system. Then you can decide whether you want itty-bitty satellite speakers, decent bookshelf hi-fi speakers, or floorstander speakers. There are a huge variety of speakers of different qualities, but physics mean that you are never going to get really good sound out of tiny enclosures. You may or may not care about this.

I presume a few people here have such systems, if so: how did you go about picking your particular model from amongst the rabble?

Richer Sounds was having a closeout sale and reduced a pair of really good floorstander speakers by 70%. It was one pair per customer, so I drove to three different stores to get six of them for my 7.1 setup. No one seems to sell 18" active subwoofers in the UK for less than 1000 pounds, so I imported a pair of those from the US (you only get 10" and the rare 12" here, and those just can't handle the subsonics).

Another question is, how have you got your connections set up? Currently I have everything (Wii, 360, PS3 and laptop) plugged into my TV, with a single 3.5mm audio output from it to the speakers; should I change this?

Having a 5.1 setup is somewhat pointless if you're only going to feed it a stereo connection. If you buy a proper A/V receiver, it will have HDMI inputs for your 360 and PS3 and act as your audio/video switchbox. You can connect it to the TV with another HDMI cable or analog video if necessary.

Both the Xbox and PS3 have optical audio outputs which presumably give the best quality sound, will most 5.1 systems have several optical audio inputs?

Yes. Optical is sufficient for everything except high-end Blu-ray audio (e.g. Dolby TrueHD, DTS Master Audio), which needs HDMI. Frankly though you won't notice the difference on a normal 5.1 system anyway.

My requirements are simply wall mountable speakers, ability to connect the above systems (Wii via component cables; 360, PS3 and laptop via HDMI), remote volume control (!) and a budget of £200-£300.

this
4 of these
one of these
one of these

Ask for a system discount and you will get it for £300 However if you prefer something that comes in one box, or don't have any convenient shelves/speaker stands, maybe this?

[General Zod]

I picked up a $300 Sony surround sound system not too long ago, because I was sick of not being able to hear everything in Blurays. For the most part it does the trick but the menu is all driven off the receiver's LCD, and doesn't pop up on your TV screen so that might be an issue for some people. My big selling point is that it had 3 HDMI inputs and was less than $400. Incidentally, invest in some HDMI cables or you're not getting the most out of your consoles. You can get them for dirt fucking cheap off Amazon, I think I only paid like $2 apiece for mine. Ignore the audiophiles, because the cheapo HDMI cables will work just as well as hideously overpriced $50 Monster ones.

[charlemagne]

5.1 home cinema system

Basically what Starglider said. For good quality, ignore most "systems", especially those meant for use with a computer.

Just think of it as of a stereo setup, you just need more than 2 speakers and instead of a stereo amp or receiver, you need a 5.1 amp or receiver.

Also, even though ads will try to tell you otherwise, there is just no way to get as good sound out of little "invisible" satellite speakers as you would get out of proper bookshelf/floorstanding speakers.

In case you don't care about sound quality, ignore my comments

[Darth Wong]

5.1 is overrated. It's not a bad thing to have, but if you're working on a small budget, I'd much rather have two good-quality speakers and a decent amp than 5 shitty speakers with built-in amps.

[Starglider]

5.1 is overrated. It's not a bad thing to have, but if you're working on a small budget, I'd much rather have two good-quality speakers and a decent amp than 5 shitty speakers with built-in amps.

At this budget, it depends on the usage. At 300 pounds, a 5.1 system will be somewhat worse for listening to music (less so if you buy real speakers instead of matchbox satellites). Action movies will be fun but cheap subwoofers can't match cinema effects. PS3 and Xbox games will be substantially improved.

What is utterly pointless is one-box 7.1 systems at that price; I've seen them as low as 200 pounds, but the speakers are completely worthless (even moreso than cheap 5.1 systems) and the crappy receiver is usually incapable of interpolating the soundstage anyway (essential since there are very few 7.1 sources). Do not bother with 7.1 unless you have a four figure budget. If you are willing to spend the money though, it does make Ace Combat pretty awesome.

[weemadando]

I picked up a Logitech Z-5500 set last year on the cheap. It's proved to be a pretty reliable system with a lot of good qualities. I use it as my home theatre rig, and have no complaints for hte price I paid.

[Laughing Mechanicus]

Thanks for the advice guys - it definitely seems like it's worth avoiding the all in one systems with tiny satellite speakers; although buying the system in separate pieces is a little pricier the extra quality you get for that seems like it will be worthwhile. I should have mentioned of course that the system will be primarily used for playing games and secondly watching silly action films; music isn't something I would use it for.

@weemadando: I looked at those, they seemed good if a bit like glorified PC speakers; if you got them cheap I'm sure they are great, but around here they are approaching the same price as buying a 5.1 setup.

@Starglider: There is a Richer Sounds around here, so I will probably go there over the weekend and see if they have a setup similar to the one you suggest; you really think I could get such a heavy discount for buying it all as a system? Any bartering tips I should try ? And yeah, I bet Ace Combat sounds bloody nice on your system, not to mention how it looks; I recall you boasting you have a projector too (something else I am shopping for at the moment).

So assuming I go for a system in separate pieces; if I can stretch my budget at all which component should I try to spend the extra on to get the most improvement?

Also, this may be an odd question, but is it better to mount speakers on stands or directly to the wall? I have seen it suggested that stands give better sound quality, but I get the feeling this is probably something only audiophile with much more expensive set-ups will notice; regardless I will need to raise my speakers up in some way due to room layout.

[General Zod]

Also, this may be an odd question, but is it better to mount speakers on stands or directly to the wall? I have seen it suggested that stands give better sound quality, but I get the feeling this is probably something only audiophile with much more expensive set-ups will notice; regardless I will need to raise my speakers up in some way due to room layout.

I'd figure it greatly depends on your room's acoustics and the style of the speakers. I can't imagine there's any universal rule for this sort of thing.

[Starglider]

although buying the system in separate pieces is a little pricier the extra quality you get for that seems like it will be worthwhile.

Also; a lot of those crappy speakers come with permenantly attached cables that are way too thin. You don't need gold-plated silver core carbon fibre sheathed idiot audiophile cables, but using ultra-cheap doorbell wire does affect the sound. Plus you can upgrade bits of a separate system individually if they break or become obsolete.

There is a Richer Sounds around here, so I will probably go there over the weekend and see if they have a setup similar to the one you suggest; you really think I could get such a heavy discount for buying it all as a system?

Yes. Depends on the branch manager, but the listed system deals are often treated as suggestions.

Any bartering tips I should try ?

Ask if they have any stock on clearance; they nearly always do. This is particularly relevant for speakers, because they are subject to the same branding and product cycles as electronics, but speaker quality has been improving very slowly. The RRP on my speakers was originally 700 pounds a pair; they were reduced to 200/pair simply because product cycles forced the manufacturer to replace them with a rebadged/reskinned 'new' version (which is actually technically identical).

I recall you boasting you have a projector too (something else I am shopping for at the moment).

Projectors are ideal for gaming as long as you can reasonably expect to have the room to yourself; I got my first one in 1997 and have never looked back.

So assuming I go for a system in separate pieces; if I can stretch my budget at all which component should I try to spend the extra on to get the most improvement?

Well, if you get good hi-fi speakers for both the front and rear channels, you can put off getting a subwoofer, because the bass will be ok without one.

I have seen it suggested that stands give better sound quality, but I get the feeling this is probably something only audiophile with much more expensive set-ups will notice

Yes. Positioning in the room makes much more of a difference than the mounting details; certainly you don't need isolation spikes etc for blowing stuff up in console games. When you get the system, try it in a few different positions before screwing it into the wall.

[Darth Wong]

Experience tip: many audio stores sell used components on consignment (that's where another customer sells it through the store). I have always been leery of buying used speakers because they are such a dynamic device and it's hard to tell whether it's been over-driven in the past, but a used amp from a decent brand name is a pretty safe bet, and a good way to save money. You're getting it through an audio store where the clientele tends to take better care of their stuff, too. I have a used Onkyo receiver in the basement that I bought that way, and it's been ultra-reliable.

[Braedley]

In addition to Mike's post, always try to listen to the system (especially el cheapo HTiaB systems) before purchasing. Crank it until you just start to hear distortion. If this isn't at least a decent amount louder than what you'll listen to it at, then pass on by. I've passed on more than one system for this reason, and I still have yet to find a system that sounds good and fits within my budget.

[charlemagne]

I'm not convinced that this is a good method to "test" a system. Show rooms aren't living rooms, they're usually much bigger and spacier. The room you'll place the system in will probably be much smaller and have walls near the speakers.

Also, lol at "loud = good"

[Starglider]

I'm not convinced that this is a good method to "test" a system. Show rooms aren't living rooms, they're usually much bigger and spacier.

The hi-fi shops I've been in don't do demos on the shop floor, they have separate listening rooms, which usually are about the same as a living room.

Playing at higher volumes to reveal the distortion is a good idea. For 5.1 systems with asymmetric speaker setups, try disconnecting the front speakers to see what the rears and center sound like on their own. Unfortunately at this price you aren't going to get a good subwoofer, but you can try and steer clear of the awful ones.

[charlemagne]

Ok yeah, hifi studios are another matter of course. I just didn't make the connection between "el cheapo system" and hifi shop, because "serious" hifi shops won't carry stuff like that.

[Braedley]

And that's the point. This quick test allows you to root out the shitty systems. It's not to differentiate between 2 good systems. 2 good systems will be differentiated on features and price, not typically sound.

[Stark]

Since a decent HT setup costs so much and I have no 5.1 sources beside a console, I just bought a pair of '5.1' wireless headphones. It gives enough spatial awareness for games, but obviously lacks the punch of real HT, but is much cheaper, integrates voice chat and doesn't annoy my girlfriend.

Thanks Hav!

[Laughing Mechanicus]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I ended up stretching my budget a little and bought a Onkyo TX-SR308 receiver and a set of 5.1 Tannoy speakers with an active subwoofer for £450 together.

Having spent Saturday getting it all neatly set up I have now watched some films and played some games on it and I am very pleased with the result. Not only is the sound quality a massive step up, but the receiver handles source switching far more pleasantly than my TV did.

[charlemagne]

Sounds like a good buy! Have fun!