Replacing my aging surround sound setup.

Edit · Feb 1, 2011

Since my Yamaha amplifier has started to give up the ghost, and all of my speakers are looking a bit dated, I'm looking at replacing my surround sound system.

I'm not really up to speed on my audio equipment, so was after a quick opinion from any of you lot that know what you're talking about.

I was thinking of an Onkyo TSXR508:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/onkyo/txsr508/onky-txsr508-blk

And a set of Pioneer speakers.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/pioneer/shs100/pion-shs100

Opinions?

Brand86 · Feb 1, 2011

Looks nice, personally though I just got an all in one system and I think for most purposes it's great in terms of quality and value.

Unless you have a massive room the capability of a £200-300 system should be plenty!

Tom · Feb 1, 2011

HTX 22HD

ro55o · Feb 1, 2011

Tom said:
HTX 22HD

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/onkyo/htx22hdx/onky-htx22hdx-blk

As Tom mentioned. Looking at getting this to replace mine. Can always get the 5.1 upgrade as well if 2 speakers aren't enough. For me 2.1 is a much better solution.

Edit · Feb 1, 2011

That's only a 2.1 system, I'm looking for a surround sound system.

Like the idea of it being upgradeable too.

Tom · Feb 1, 2011

Its a surround sound system.

TheEvilGiraffe · Feb 1, 2011

I have that amp, bought it in Dec. Connected to a pair of KEF iQ5SE ~£400 on RS for a pair.

I'm a proper audiophile... These give bass that will make the walls shake and that's a fair sized room too. Mid and high end, totally crystal clear. Wonderful TBH.

Get a pair for the front, some little ones to do the rear end and a decent centre and you're away. Obviously depends what your budget is mind

JonnyK · Feb 1, 2011

i have a set of logitech z5500 computer speakers that I use for surround sound and for the price, I think they are awesome IMO!

conneh · Feb 1, 2011

Monitor Audio RS6s and Cyrus 8 amp. Amazing.

realnumber 1 · Feb 1, 2011

I'd highly recommend speakers.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/tannoy/sfx5.1/tann-sfx5.1-blk

They EX5.1's have consistently got good reviews over the years. I have some and they sound amazing for the money although I have changed the wire to QED micro bi wire sliced in half and swapped the sub for a bigger better one (because my brother gave it me!). Best speakers out there for that sort of money when paired with a half decent amp, much better than an all in one system imo...

review here but loads more if you google them.
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/pc-speakers/260398/tannoy-sfx-5-1

realnumber 1 · Feb 2, 2011

Just found this very good review for them that read when I was looking. That was using the smaller center speaker and older sub and it even goes as far as to say it's better than the Bose Acoustimass of the time

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/tannoy-5-1-fx

Edit · Feb 2, 2011

I hae had a bit of a look around and been through loads of reviews, and think that I'll be popping down to RS in the morning to pick myself up:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/1-box-home-cinema-systems/onkyo/hts6305/onky-hts6305

Does everything I want it t, with the added benefit of an iPod dock thrown in.

TheEvilGiraffe · Feb 2, 2011

Do you listen to music or is it 99% going to be used for films / TV ?

Nothing beats a fine pair of floorstanders for music.

realnumber 1 · Feb 2, 2011

TheEvilGiraffe said:
Do you listen to music or is it 99% going to be used for films / TV ?

Nothing beats a fine pair of floorstanders for music.

Depends how much your paying... and it wouldn't be surround sound with out satellites

TheEvilGiraffe · Feb 2, 2011

I know, I know... Most AV amps have 5.1 / 5.2 / 7.1 / 7.2 outputs... Mine's running just a fine pair up front at the moment. Satellites come later. I've spent FARRRRRR too much in the last few months !

Time to sell the OH.

realnumber 1 · Feb 2, 2011

realnumber 1 · Feb 2, 2011

TheEvilGiraffe said:
I know, I know... Most AV amps have 5.1 / 5.2 / 7.1 / 7.2 outputs... Mine's running just a fine pair up front at the moment. Satellites come later. I've spent FARRRRRR too much in the last few months !

Time to sell the OH.

Lol fair play. Thats one of the MAIN reasons why people buy smaller packages, the other half....

Keydogg · Feb 2, 2011

Tom said:
HTX 22HD

I definitely would not get this over a 508 + speakers. The 6305 is a decent solution and does pretty much what the 508 + speakers you picked would do, and is fully upgradable so I would go with that!

Edit · Feb 2, 2011

Keydogg said:
I definitely would not get this over a 508 + speakers. The 6305 is a decent solution and does pretty much what the 508 + speakers you picked would do, and is fully upgradable so I would go with that!

This is my thinking. Also, it has zone 2 audio, meaning that I could set up my pair of floorstanders and use those separately to the satellite speakers if I understand correctly.

TheEvilGiraffe · Feb 2, 2011

^ Not quite ....

Go into RS. I've been into many around the SE of Eng, and Wales when at Uni.. they all appear to have knowledgable staff in. They'll give you the best advise about what they sell.

Wouldn't go anywhere else TBH.

:approve:

BruceTea · Feb 2, 2011

Ive got the Onkyo 607 (as I didnt think 3D compatibility would be important - dick!) paired with some Boston Acoustic Soundware XS 5.1 speakers - absolutely love the setup.

Keydogg · Feb 2, 2011

Edit said:
This is my thinking. Also, it has zone 2 audio, meaning that I could set up my pair of floorstanders and use those separately to the satellite speakers if I understand correctly.

Yes, you can do that but bear in mind you can only have 2.1 sound in Zone B so you lose all the satellites, not just the front two.

Ja5on · Feb 3, 2011

Ive got a sonos 250 bundle, Kef IQ 50s jsut going to pick up an amp for it tomorrow and IM sorted. My living rooms an odd shape and having speakers all over the place isnt really what I want, so the 2 Kef speakers will do me

chimpsinties · Feb 3, 2011

I've got the Onkyo 608 (£350 atm) and the Canton Movie CX80 (£150 if you can find them) 5.1 speakers. I can't fault them at all. They sound incredible and they're so small and discrete. Hopefully getting another 2 speakers to make up to 7.1 high soon.

Sash · Feb 3, 2011

TheEvilGiraffe said:
I know, I know... Most AV amps have 5.1 / 5.2 / 7.1 / 7.2 outputs... Mine's running just a fine pair up front at the moment. Satellites come later. I've spent FARRRRRR too much in the last few months !

Time to sell the OH.

Ahem...

Back on topic... the set up my dear OH has sounds immense, so too was the cost...

Oh and sweetheart that reminds me, if you sell me I'm taking the BluRay player its currently connected to back... :rasp:

martynh · Feb 4, 2011

ro55o said:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/onkyo/htx22hdx/onky-htx22hdx-blk

As Tom mentioned. Looking at getting this to replace mine. Can always get the 5.1 upgrade as well if 2 speakers aren't enough. For me 2.1 is a much better solution.

+

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/onkyo/sks22x/onky-sks22x-blk

= 5.1

clancy · Feb 5, 2011

i would recomend a DENON 1910 or similar model over the onkyo amp. sooo much more versatile for if you ever need to upgrade add things etc etc, aswell as being a better unit in my opinion. you can get good prices on them aswell, think my local place has a sale on some at the minute. ill find a link. http://www.weymouthhifi.co.uk/website/denon/2010/avr1911.htm

isnt as good as the 1910 however is still an amazing unit for the price.

those pioneer speakers however i would steer well clear off. i would recomend ( if running on a budget currently) buying 2 very good front speakers and not getting a sub yet. 2 decent front speakers will do the job of a small sub anyway. i personally have wharefdale 5.1, extremely good speakers, to be honest the sub isnt that necassery for everyday use. http://www.weymouthhifi.co.uk/website/wharfedale/2009/wharfedale_10_1.htm

they are the speakers im currently running and they are outstandingly good, far better than anything i have previously used, can strongly recomend

chimpsinties · Feb 5, 2011

clancy said:
i would recomend a DENON 1910 or similar model over the onkyo amp. sooo much more versatile for if you ever need to upgrade add things etc etc, aswell as being a better unit in my opinion. you can get good prices on them aswell, think my local place has a sale on some at the minute. ill find a link. http://www.weymouthhifi.co.uk/website/denon/2010/avr1911.htm

isnt as good as the 1910 however is still an amazing unit for the price.

those pioneer speakers however i would steer well clear off. i would recomend ( if running on a budget currently) buying 2 very good front speakers and not getting a sub yet. 2 decent front speakers will do the job of a small sub anyway. i personally have wharefdale 5.1, extremely good speakers, to be honest the sub isnt that necassery for everyday use. http://www.weymouthhifi.co.uk/website/wharfedale/2009/wharfedale_10_1.htm

they are the speakers im currently running and they are outstandingly good, far better than anything i have previously used, can strongly recomend

More versatile? what? The Onkyo will have just as many inputs if not more and I doubt you'll ever use them all.

One good thing about the Denon (that I feel is missing from the Onkyo) is the display. It has a little diagram that shows you what sound is coming in i.e. stereo, 5.1 etc so you can switch the sound setting accordingly. The Onkyo doesn't have it. You have to use the On Screen Display. Not too bad, just a little niggle and something I miss from my old Pioneer AV amp.

Saying about buying 2 good speakers then upgrading as time goes by isn't very good advice if you ask me. If you're buying a surround sound amp, you want surround sound now, not in 6 months time. You'd be better getting a reasonably priced 5.1 speaker set then upgrading that in the future if you feel it's worth it. To be honest You'll probably be quite happy with many of the cheaper setup's. After all how big is the room you're putting it in? 15' x 10'? Most 5.1 sat/sub sets will blow a hole in a room like that

)

Just go along to a hifi shop and have a listen to their setup. If you're shopping at RicherSounds they'll usually set up the demo room for you. They'll probably try and sell you the Onkyo608 and the Tannoy 5.1 speakers. You could probably get that lot down to £500 and I'm sure you will be more than happy with it.

Keydogg · Feb 5, 2011

chimpsinties said:
More versatile? what? The Onkyo will have just as many inputs if not more and I doubt you'll ever use them all.

One good thing about the Denon (that I feel is missing from the Onkyo) is the display. It has a little diagram that shows you what sound is coming in i.e. stereo, 5.1 etc so you can switch the sound setting accordingly. The Onkyo doesn't have it. You have to use the On Screen Display. Not too bad, just a little niggle and something I miss from my old Pioneer AV amp.

Saying about buying 2 good speakers then upgrading as time goes by isn't very good advice if you ask me. If you're buying a surround sound amp, you want surround sound now, not in 6 months time. You'd be better getting a reasonably priced 5.1 speaker set then upgrading that in the future if you feel it's worth it. To be honest You'll probably be quite happy with many of the cheaper setup's. After all how big is the room you're putting it in? 15' x 10'? Most 5.1 sat/sub sets will blow a hole in a room like that )

Just go along to a hifi shop and have a listen to their setup. If you're shopping at RicherSounds they'll usually set up the demo room for you. They'll probably try and sell you the Onkyo608 and the Tannoy 5.1 speakers. You could probably get that lot down to £500 and I'm sure you will be more than happy with it.

This man speaks sense. The versatility of an Onkyo AVR will be exactly the same as a Denon one.

Just don't buy that Onkyo HTX-22HDX because although it will sound pretty good it will have no versatility at all.

mantis946 · Feb 8, 2011

JonnyK said:
i have a set of logitech z5500 computer speakers that I use for surround sound and for the price, I think they are awesome IMO!

+1 These things can induce commas with there bass, think OCUK also have them on offer too

1x Optical connector
1x 3 way 2.5m commuter connector
1x coax connector

Keydogg · Feb 8, 2011

mantis946 said:
+1 These things can induce commas with there bass, think OCUK also have them on offer too

1x Optical connector
1x 3 way 2.5m commuter connector
1x coax connector

They can induce commas?!?!?! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Meh, still don't think you can compare them with an Onkyo system which has:

2 x Optical
1 x Coaxial
4 x HDMI (3 in, 1 out)
3 x Component (2 in, 1 out)
5 x Composite (4 in, 1 out)
HD Audio Decoding
2 Zone speakers

etc

Kam. · Feb 8, 2011

I just run everything through my Blu ray surround sound system. Quality is good enough for casual listening though I do miss my 160watt Jamo speakers...

mantis946 · Feb 8, 2011

Keydogg said:
They can induce commas?!?!?! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Meh, still don't think you can compare them with an Onkyo system which has:

2 x Optical
1 x Coaxial
4 x HDMI (3 in, 1 out)
3 x Component (2 in, 1 out)
5 x Composite (4 in, 1 out)
HD Audio Decoding
2 Zone speakers

etc

Yes, an army of grammar leaps out of each speaker and gently but effectively massages your gentleman area... or so I've heard

Keydogg · Feb 9, 2011

Edit · Feb 10, 2011

I went into Richer Sounds last week and picked up an Onkyo package, it's the HT-S6305 including the iPhone dock, for £400 and paid a bit extra for the warranty. They couldn't have been more helpful, excellent customer service.

Moved into my new place and have everything pretty much set up. Just got to get a dish installed outside, and get the surround speakers mounted on the wall which I will sort out tomorrow morning.

Mocked up into position and I've got to say it sounds amazing. I'm really impressed.

I will take photos of my setup once it's all finished and post them on here

Got to say, it's a massive step up from the system I was running!

Keydogg · Feb 11, 2011

Good man Edit! I'm sure it sounds awesome

Replacing my aging surround sound setup.

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