What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?
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Separate your music system from your surround sound system.
If you never seriously listen to music, get any cheap 5.1/7.1 receiver you can find, add any speakers you like, get a decent powered subwoofer, and go on about your day. All should be easily attainable at the $1500 level at "need inexpensive" quality.
Speaker placement is key when using cheaper components. Don't let "where furniture already is" keep you from proper surround imaging.
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@scottalanmiller said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@scottalanmiller said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@scottalanmiller said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
For movies and such, I use a receiver, because it's about simplicity and sound quality isn't important. I still want it to sound good, of course, but there is zero concern about accurate repropduction. I just want it to sound pleasent (e.g. shake the room.)
Yeah, that's where I am at. I rarely listen to music these days. Almost exclusively podcast. I only have music in the car (horrible place to listen to accurate music) when the wife is with me, or my normal podcasts have been listened to already.
Music at home is reserved for when I am cleaning the house, and it's just background noise.I use an Alexa for that
What do you know, even though my receiver does have AM/FM, I never use that, only use Alexa and her mostly crappy speaker.
It's pretty good for what it is.
And they have some pretty decent premade play lists as well.
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@rojoloco said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Separate your music system from your surround sound system.
If you never seriously listen to music, get any cheap 5.1/7.1 receiver you can find, add any speakers you like, get a decent powered subwoofer, and go on about your day. All should be easily attainable at the $1500 level at "need inexpensive" quality.
Speaker placement is key when using cheaper components. Don't let "where furniture already is" keep you from proper surround imaging.
nah, I let room dynamics do that.
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@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Started in another thread, several people like their componentized setup for audio.
I think most who have even dabbled in audio know that to get great sound you frequently have to separate the components out to different devices, I was going to make a list, but I realize that I'm so uneducated in this field I can't even make a list that won't be laughed at.
So onto my question - for a typical consumer of home TV/Movies what do you guys like? Let's go with a budget of $1500 for all audio gear (pre/amp/processor/speakers, cabling, etc).
Unlike what most salesmen tell you(the same in IT), the quality comes from the source devices, not the speakers. At your budget you can hardly go wrong if you buy quality sources. What will be your most used source?
Stream tv?
watch blu-ray movies?
listen to music? -
@rojoloco said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Separate your music system from your surround sound system.
If you never seriously listen to music, get any cheap 5.1/7.1 receiver you can find, add any speakers you like, get a decent powered subwoofer, and go on about your day. All should be easily attainable at the $1500 level at "need inexpensive" quality.
Speaker placement is key when using cheaper components. Don't let "where furniture already is" keep you from proper surround imaging.
agree. music and movie watching are two different things. so need to plan your components on what you do most.
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@jmoore said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Unlike what most salesmen tell you(the same in IT), the quality comes from the source devices, not the speakers. At your budget you can hardly go wrong if you buy quality sources. What will be your most used source?
Stream tv?
watch blu-ray movies?
listen to music?Roku or Amazon TV.
The cable box gets disconnected tonight.
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As per the OP, we can drop music from this discussion.
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@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@jmoore said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Unlike what most salesmen tell you(the same in IT), the quality comes from the source devices, not the speakers. At your budget you can hardly go wrong if you buy quality sources. What will be your most used source?
Stream tv?
watch blu-ray movies?
listen to music?Roku or Amazon TV.
The cable box gets disconnected tonight.
how often do you just listen to music without any tv?
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@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
As per the OP, we can drop music from this discussion.
ok got it
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@jmoore said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@jmoore said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Unlike what most salesmen tell you(the same in IT), the quality comes from the source devices, not the speakers. At your budget you can hardly go wrong if you buy quality sources. What will be your most used source?
Stream tv?
watch blu-ray movies?
listen to music?Roku or Amazon TV.
The cable box gets disconnected tonight.
how often do you just listen to music without any tv?
What amounts to basically never.
When I do, it's from the Amazon Echo (pretty horrible speaker for listening to music - but then I'm running the vacuum and cleaning, so it's just background noise anyhow).
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@jmoore said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Started in another thread, several people like their componentized setup for audio.
I think most who have even dabbled in audio know that to get great sound you frequently have to separate the components out to different devices, I was going to make a list, but I realize that I'm so uneducated in this field I can't even make a list that won't be laughed at.
So onto my question - for a typical consumer of home TV/Movies what do you guys like? Let's go with a budget of $1500 for all audio gear (pre/amp/processor/speakers, cabling, etc).
Unlike what most salesmen tell you(the same in IT), the quality comes from the source devices, not the speakers. At your budget you can hardly go wrong if you buy quality sources. What will be your most used source?
Stream tv?
watch blu-ray movies?
listen to music?yeah, top things are the room, then the amps, way more than the speakers, wires, or attentuator. Everything matters, as it is all in line, but a good amp can make cheap speakers do miracles.
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I once put $15 KLH plastic speakers in a well set up room powered by 150W Marantz solid state monoblocks, it was all set up perfect, very high end system, with the cheapest little plastic Walmart special speakers. And the sound was amazing. It really did a great job.
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Also, you want amps that are way more powerful than the rating of speakers, not less. Underpowered amps are the biggest cause of damage because they distort.
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@scottalanmiller said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Also, you want amps that are way more powerful than the rating of speakers, not less. Underpowered amps are the biggest cause of damage because they distort.
yeah, this I've been told before.
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Look for deals on refurb receivers online. Having last year's model won't be a detriment and you'll save a lot. Be sure to go for at least 40-50w/ch so you can actually have a cinematic experience.
I have a Harmon/Kardon receiver that is about 7-8 years old now. Sounds good, but the display took a dump. Still works, but I'm actively looking for something new.
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@scottalanmiller said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@jmoore said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Started in another thread, several people like their componentized setup for audio.
I think most who have even dabbled in audio know that to get great sound you frequently have to separate the components out to different devices, I was going to make a list, but I realize that I'm so uneducated in this field I can't even make a list that won't be laughed at.
So onto my question - for a typical consumer of home TV/Movies what do you guys like? Let's go with a budget of $1500 for all audio gear (pre/amp/processor/speakers, cabling, etc).
Unlike what most salesmen tell you(the same in IT), the quality comes from the source devices, not the speakers. At your budget you can hardly go wrong if you buy quality sources. What will be your most used source?
Stream tv?
watch blu-ray movies?
listen to music?yeah, top things are the room, then the amps, way more than the speakers, wires, or attentuator. Everything matters, as it is all in line, but a good amp can make cheap speakers do miracles.
Decent, mid level amp plus badass sub = sonic happiness. Shit speakers are fine, even a shit amp, but don't skimp on the sub. That's what rattles your booty and makes it feel real.
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@rojoloco said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@scottalanmiller said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@jmoore said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
@dashrender said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
Started in another thread, several people like their componentized setup for audio.
I think most who have even dabbled in audio know that to get great sound you frequently have to separate the components out to different devices, I was going to make a list, but I realize that I'm so uneducated in this field I can't even make a list that won't be laughed at.
So onto my question - for a typical consumer of home TV/Movies what do you guys like? Let's go with a budget of $1500 for all audio gear (pre/amp/processor/speakers, cabling, etc).
Unlike what most salesmen tell you(the same in IT), the quality comes from the source devices, not the speakers. At your budget you can hardly go wrong if you buy quality sources. What will be your most used source?
Stream tv?
watch blu-ray movies?
listen to music?yeah, top things are the room, then the amps, way more than the speakers, wires, or attentuator. Everything matters, as it is all in line, but a good amp can make cheap speakers do miracles.
Decent, mid level amp plus badass sub = sonic happiness. Shit speakers are fine, even a shit amp, but don't skimp on the sub. That's what rattles your booty and makes it feel real.
It's also what sends the wife to the divorce lawyer.
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Here's what I currently have.
https://i.imgur.com/0YCG7XC.png
I picked up last year when I got my new 4K TV. I wanted a received that I knew would pass 4K video through without issue.
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I've had issues since day one switching between inputs - mostly between the cable box and the Roku. Since I'm ditching cable, there shouldn't be much switching anymore. I have an Amazon TV, but don't use it, and don't see any need to use it.
That said, I'll probably load them both up again and see which one appears to provide a better picture. Also watch my bandwidth usage to see if one is using dramatically more than the other (heard that Amazon video devices might be doing a ton of pre-caching and eating a down of download bandwidth).
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@scottalanmiller said in What do you like for a non expensive audio setup for surround sound TV/movies?:
I once put $15 KLH plastic speakers in a well set up room powered by 150W Marantz solid state monoblocks, it was all set up perfect, very high end system, with the cheapest little plastic Walmart special speakers. And the sound was amazing. It really did a great job.
yep, but all salesmen will try to sell speakers first
