Home Theatre setup questions

[qubaduck]

Hey there, I'm a home theatre newbie trying to put together an audio system to go with a new TV. Problem is, I have essentially no background in home audio, and I'm not sure what, or how, I can actually do what I'm thinking of.

The room I'm trying to set everything up in is awkwardly shaped and I've effectively given up on the idea of a 5.1 system on the grounds that I don't really have the space available to set one up. I figure my best plan of action is use 2 speakers, or potentially 2 speakers with a sub woofer instead, just to simplify things. My first question then, is can I do this without needing a separate receiver? My TV has a pair of right and left audio out connections on it, can I just use these? If not, what do I need in the lines of a receiver? Furthermore, I've got three different HDMI devices currently connected to my TV (PS3, A3 and a cable box) so how would i go about running the audio for all these devices through a receiver, should I need one? Thanks for the help, and sorry for being so ill-informed.

[Third Eye]

if you have room for a TV and a chair, you have room for 5.1 surround. Why bother doing anything at all if you aren't going to go that far. I'm waiting to afford a 7.1, cause 5.1 is good enough and I want more.

Take some measurements, post them, length, width, and whatever odd shaped corners you got. If you got a 6x4 room, you can have 5.1 surround.

Consider something many don't realize, those 2 speakers behind your head, or on both sides of your head, depending on your choice of placement, I(ultimate spot is behind you and on each side of your head, facing each other. mine are not that way, yet) are not as loud as the ones in front of you. They are there to add subtleties. Like when it's raining, your main focus will still be on the screen, yet the bit of noise that is emitted from the rear channels will increase the experience, without distracting you.

Many people wrongly think something is wrong, I did, and increase the output via the AV unit. Then when of them subtleties arrives, they jump and look back, like I did.

You need, essential, an AV receiver. You can get bookshelf speakers, many different styles and brands, so you can maximize your space. Look at biomechanoid999's post on pseudo budget, or something like that. He's getting a small yet seemingly powerful set of speakers, and they are inexpensive.

Provide the measurements, and I'll get you answers. I have a large room, yet it's narrow. this is why I went with bookshelf speakers, because I wanted the largest viewing area possible. the speakers hang upside down on the ceiling, leaving the floor area clear.

Don't apologize for being ill-informed, just get informed, ask questions and read. I have little knowledge when it comes to how the components work, and how they should perform. I'm learning more and more everyday. I'm sure someone here, once you provide measurements, can give you some real solid answers about the best configuration for your needs. If they can't, I can find someone who will.

I'm certain you can fit a 5.1 system in your room, unless your in prison. Are you? and even then....

[emacs]

My first question then, is can I do this without needing a separate receiver? ... My TV has a pair of right and left audio out connections on it, can I just use these?

a receiver is required.

Furthermore, I've got three different HDMI devices currently connected to my TV (PS3, A3 and a cable box) so how would i go about running the audio for all these devices through a receiver, should I need one?

connect the PS3, A3, and your speakers to the receiver. here are some receivers that would suit your needs:

Yahama RX-V661
Pioneer VSX-1016TXV
Onkyo TX-SR605

[qubaduck]

a receiver is required.



connect the PS3, A3, and your speakers to the receiver. here are some receivers that would suit your needs:

Yahama RX-V661
Pioneer VSX-1016TXV
Onkyo TX-SR605

Okay, it seems like all these options are 7.1 receivers with multiple HDMI in's on them. Why do I need a an 8 channel receiver though, when I'm thinking of running only two speakers? Is the issue more the presence of several HDMI ports, because then I fail to see the point in having multiple HDMI ports on my TV if i'm ultimately restricted by the number on the receiver, and besides that, I have three HDMI devices anyhow, so I'd have to run an HDMI switcher to use even these boxes. Furthermore, I really don't want to spend that sort of money on a receiver, nor do I feel I'll ever use the majority of it's functionality, so if I do indeed need a receiver to run my speakers from, what features do I actually need to find?

[Aareco]

Well you could try a Sony DAVIS10, its a 5.1 system the spealers ar the size of golf balls and it has a built in dvd player.
If your tv has a optical out you could just run a cable from your tv into the davis 10 and you would still recive 5.1 from your A3 and PS3.If your tv does not have a optical out you would have to run the optical from your player to the sony system and change it each time.

The davis is cheap in comparison to buying all seperates.
i heard one the other day and for the price its a good little system

[Third Eye]

I found the Sony DAVIS10 for $595 at B&H. I've done business with them before. No negative feedback to deliver.

This may be a way to go, as Aareco said, once you start pricing a receiver, and then speakers, you're at that price, then some.

I'd like to hear this unit.

[Monty HD]

Most people will tell you that you will end up keeping your receiver longer than you TV. I would definitely get an HDMI receiver to start with. Some currently do all the advance codecs but that is not necessarily needed as most BD and HD Player will decode these for you. I have 987 that allows 1080P/24p pass through and allows PCM (basically letting my HD DVD player and BD player do the encodes and pass a pure signal). It is an excellent receiver and you may find them on clearance. I saw one at Fry's for under $500 the other day. But I would definitely get HDMI and I would research your final picks through the AVS forums before you buy.

Speakers can be purchased online fairly cheap right now but you could wait on sales and do some research. As you are just getting into the Audio side I would also make sure to get a 7.1 receiver if you plan on keeping it very long. If you are looking to get in on the cheap consider a package deal but make sure you read the AVS forums. I would stay away from DVD/Receiver packages as they may be limited and a portion of the power is reserved for DVD playback. I have not heard of many that start with these packages sticking with them for any long term period. If you are like me I would start with a nice receiver and cheap speakers then upgrade the speakers later if you want too.

[TheWrathofBambi]

GO FOR 5.1!!!! its always dissapointing to see someone jump into better sound and not even thinking about actuall surround sound. 2.1 is just so..... pointless you wont be getting much better sound than tv speakers besides the base wich is something i dont think people realize... I live in an apartment, with a pretty medium size living room, yet i still managed 7.1, so its not impossible. 5.1 is great for small rooms, i even hooked up a 5.1 setup for my mom in her bed room. So just think about it. if your gonna spend all that money go for the gold!

[emacs]

Okay, it seems like all these options are 7.1 receivers with multiple HDMI in's on them. Why do I need a an 8 channel receiver though, when I'm thinking of running only two speakers?

you have a PS3 along with an A3 player presently configured for only stereo audio output. both devices provide a rich multi-channel audio experience and it's a shame, presently, that enjoyment has never been realised. limiting yourself to 2.0 audio is denying half what the PS3 and A3 provides.

[forumwriter]

Hey there, I'm a home theatre newbie trying to put together an audio system to go with a new TV. Problem is, I have essentially no background in home audio, and I'm not sure what, or how, I can actually do what I'm thinking of.

The room I'm trying to set everything up in is awkwardly shaped and I've effectively given up on the idea of a 5.1 system on the grounds that I don't really have the space available to set one up. I figure my best plan of action is use 2 speakers, or potentially 2 speakers with a sub woofer instead, just to simplify things. My first question then, is can I do this without needing a separate receiver? My TV has a pair of right and left audio out connections on it, can I just use these? If not, what do I need in the lines of a receiver? Furthermore, I've got three different HDMI devices currently connected to my TV (PS3, A3 and a cable box) so how would i go about running the audio for all these devices through a receiver, should I need one? Thanks for the help, and sorry for being so ill-informed.

My suggestions would be as follows.

1) Purchase a receiver capable of switching your 3 HDMI devices. If you wish to save a little here, get a receiver such as the Onkyo 605. This will allow you to connect your two players via HDMI and your set top box via component for video and optical for audio.
2) Purchase a matching 3.1 speaker set. Many people forget that in a home theatre setup, the centre channel is very important and having a matched set provides a uniform sound field.

Comments?

[qubaduck]

Hey, thanks for all the feedback, but a 5.1 system really isn't practical for me. The TV my room sits in is really open plan with couches set up in such a way that there's both no room for rear channels, and too far apart to sit speakers next to or behind them. Trust me, I'm looked into it, and a 5.1 system just isn't going to work in that room, which is why I'm looking at other options. The three channel and a sub idea is more what I'm thinking of doing, but I'm still up in the air about what to do with a receiver. Thanks for everyone help thus far though.

[emacs]

The three channel and a sub idea is more what I'm thinking of doing, but I'm still up in the air about what to do with a receiver.

in which case, purchase a lower-end receiver, an HDMI switch (if necessary) plus a pair of fronts, centre channel and subwoofer. good brands include PSB, Definitive Technology, Klipsch, Polk Audio and Energy.

those components mentioned above are members of the audio portion of your home theatre. typically, audio accounts for half the cost of an entire home theatre.

[TheWrathofBambi]

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8...ture002xb6.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6...ture003ai3.jpg


This is my living room. I doubt yours is much smaller than that, and i still managed 7.1 with all small speakers.

[twf]

I hear what you're saying, qubaduck, but lemme tell you a little story. I'm a home theater newbie as well and in much the same boat as you are. Back in 2000 or so I bought one of those little Sony 5.1 home theater systems. The surround sound speakers didn't even come out of the box -- I didn't have space for them, nor was I interested in hearing what 5.1 would sound like.

Last year I took the plunge and bought a 7.1 Onkyo HT-SR800 system (receiver plus speakers). (I didn't buy it for the 7.1 audio system -- I frankly didn't care -- but for the price and what the receiver can do.)

So at that point I *reluctantly* took out the surround speakers and plugged them in and went through the automatic calibration. (The rear surround speakers are still in the box.) And I was simply *blown away* by what I was hearing: rain, crowd noises, musical cues, bullets whizzing from left to right. (Almost as astounded as when I saw high-def for the first time.) You won't enjoy the movie any less without 5.1, but it sure as heck *enriches* your viewing (and gaming) experience.

The trouble was that I still didn't really have the space, plus (most importantly) all those wires are rather unsightly crossing the living room. So every time I watch something in 5.1, I simply carry the (light) speakers and put them to either side of the couch. Once the movie's over I put the speakers back by the TV. (I may end up doing the same thing for the rear speakers, if I can clear my bookshelf.) Sounds tedious, but it's worth it. I don't know what your living situation is, but someday you may move into a new place with enough space, and...

So, yeah -- go for the 5.1 / 7.1 systems. I have a bunch of friends who've ended up replacing all their components in the last ten years or so, but their trusty receivers always stay.

[GregLee]

Trust me, I'm looked into it, and a 5.1 system just isn't going to work in that room, which is why I'm looking at other options. The three channel and a sub idea is more what I'm thinking of doing, but I'm still up in the air about what to do with a receiver.

We don't trust you, apparently, and, like the others, I think you should get a 5.1 or 7.1 receiver. However, if you're really not going to have surround speakers, I'm not sure I see the point in a receiver. You could get a 2.1 system, with powered speakers, intended for use with a computer, and hook them up to your TV's audio out connectors. That would probably be a worthwhile improvement on your TV's sound system.