Hi,

I'm after upgrading my current sound system for my TV/Blue-ray. I've had a Samsung DVD/speaker set-up for ages, I went to play a CD the other day and it sounded very drab...

I'm after getting into the world of separates and looking around for a decent AV Receiver and speakers to compliment.

I currently have the following kit in my front room...

Panasonic 46" Plasma 1080p - 2x HDMi's

Xbox 360 - Optical/HDMi

Playstation 3 - Optical/HDMi

Sky HD - Optical/HDMi

Wii - Comp.

I've been looking around for AMP which I can plug everything into, I've been looking around on various sites and this seems to fit my budget and needs :- http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/sony/strdh800/sony-strdh800

However, I'm really not sure what I'm looking for and need some decent speakers as well. Anyone recommend some kit? Looking to spend ~£200 on a amp and maybe a little less than £200 on speakers (Would prefer to get some decent 2.1s first)

Thanks.

Mark

Edited 24 October, 201015 yr by foey

How much room do you have for speakers, floorstanders or bookshelf?

How much room do you have for speakers, floorstanders or bookshelf?

Quite a bit each side of the TV. The front rooms not overly big but its very simple. Currently the samsung speakers are floor standing and have loads of room around them.

Your speaker budget is a bit tight, but if you could stretch it to £250 then these might fit the bill.

They got some pretty good reviews for a budget 5:1 speaker package.

I have always found Sony amps a bit "light" in the bass, I would go in and have a listen before buying, and also try the cheaper Yamaha. I have an older Yamaha and it is quite good, although not as punchy as my old Rotel 840BX Stereo amp.

If you can raise the money, go for the Kef's they are amazing value, the same set was about £900 a year or so ago.

Having said that, Samsung arent known for their HiFi speakers, so anything would probably be an improvement!!! Are they spiked?? Geting a good solid connection to the floor can make a big improvement, even to mediocre speakers.

I would also recommend the Yamaha Amps, and also that you look at AVForums, they are very good and you can get lots of info and help on there.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/index.php

Your speaker budget is a bit tight, but if you could stretch it to £250 then these might fit the bill.

They got some pretty good reviews for a budget 5:1 speaker package.

I have that set of speakers hooked up to an onkyo 507 amp and they are absolutely cracking for films/games.. pretty much the best budget setup you can get..

The only minor thing about them is if you like to listen to alot of music.. if you do, get bigger front speakers like the 1050i - they still slot happily into the 5.1 setup but give a better sound for normal stereo listening.

I agree, if you listen to a lot of music get bigger front speaker. Listening to music on most small home cinema speaker systems is not nice, and it can be all boom and nothing else. I have a yamaha amp, its now hardly used for 5.1 at all and is now used for just music, so I have changed to some bigger speakers and it sounds far better.

The only minor thing about them is if you like to listen to alot of music.. if you do, get bigger front speakers like the 1050i - they still slot happily into the 5.1 setup but give a better sound for normal stereo listening.

That's exactly the setup I have.

The 1050i's are impressive performers for the price.

Hi,

I'm after upgrading my current sound system for my TV/Blue-ray. I've had a Samsung DVD/speaker set-up for ages, I went to play a CD the other day and it sounded very drab...

I'm after getting into the world of separates and looking around for a decent AV Receiver and speakers to compliment.

I currently have the following kit in my front room...

Panasonic 46" Plasma 1080p - 2x HDMi's

Xbox 360 - Optical/HDMi

Playstation 3 - Optical/HDMi

Sky HD - Optical/HDMi

Wii - Comp.

I've been looking around for AMP which I can plug everything into, I've been looking around on various sites and this seems to fit my budget and needs :- http://www.richersou...0/sony-strdh800

However, I'm really not sure what I'm looking for and need some decent speakers as well. Anyone recommend some kit? Looking to spend ~£200 on a amp and maybe a little less than £200 on speakers (Would prefer to get some decent 2.1s first)

Thanks.

Mark

If you're interested I have a set of eltax 5.1 speakers bought from Richer Sounds about 2 years ago unused in the loft whihc i used to run on a sony amp, they are really good speakers, and used to provide decent sound quality in a 7x5m living/dining room in my old house. I'll get you photos/model numbers etc if you're interested

Also, If I were you I would download the manual for the Receiver from the sony website to make sure that it doesnt use the HDMI audio input as the default audio input. If it does it will mean that your skyHD box won't output in 5.1 as it will only output multi channel audio via optical out. I'm not sure about the xbox but the ps3 won't need an optical connection

If the eggbox has HDMI then no optical output is needed.

the only optical connection i use is from the TV back to the amp for the tuner

If the eggbox has HDMI then no optical output is needed.

the only optical connection i use is from the TV back to the amp for the tuner

not necessarily, SkyHD boxes only output 2.1 through HDMI, if you want 5.1 you need to use optical, and if your receiver takes the HDMI audio input in preference to the optical then you have to use a workaround to get the surround sound.

not necessarily, SkyHD boxes only output 2.1 through HDMI, if you want 5.1 you need to use optical, and if your receiver takes the HDMI audio input in preference to the optical then you have to use a workaround to get the surround sound.

Yes that is true... although i dont have sky

Do you know if this issue has been fixed with the latest big-drive sky boxes?

Yes that is true... although i dont have sky

Do you know if this issue has been fixed with the latest big-drive sky boxes?

no, unfortuantely not