Budget home theater set up

[Dude]

Hey guys,

I upgraded my TV recently and currently use a Samsung UE40H6400. Ever since my last holiday where I got to bear witness to some beautiful home theater gear, I have become fascinated by it. Additionally, I have a massive blu-ray collection which I would love to watch with good picture and sound.

Because of a lack of funds, however, I have two options.

1) Save up and buy the entire kit at once.

2) Buy better components one-by-one.

Ideally, I'd get an amplifier using Dolby Atmos technology, but I'm open-minded and can be drawn towards other options.

[Dude]

I also forgot to add, can you guys talk me through why I'd want certain items? How can I ensure I choose a good amp, for example?

[Pugs501]

can you post a panoramic of the Room you hope to set up in?

[Dude]

can you post a panoramic of the Room you hope to set up in?

I'll post a picture of where the TV will be soon. It hasn't arrived. But I will tell you what will go where.

[Pugs501]

I'll post a picture of where the TV will be soon. It hasn't arrived. But I will tell you what will go where.

well visuals go a long way

[Dude]

well visuals go a long way

There is a barely visible oak shelf to the right which will be shifted - that TV stand will be accompanied by another one of those to support the TV and whatever else there is. The TV size is 40 inch.

[Stagea]

Is this a bedroom? A small system would do just fine in such a room.

 

How much are you willing to spend? Atmos is nice to have, but a great 5.1 setup is worth more than a mediocre 9.2.8 configuration, in my opinion.

[Dude]

Is this a bedroom? A small system would do just fine in such a room.

 

How much are you willing to spend? Atmos is nice to have, but a great 5.1 setup is worth more than a mediocre 9.2.8 configuration, in my opinion.

This is a bedroom. It depends on which of the two options I go for. If I get a certain job I'm after then I could spend as much as £700, if necessary.

[Stagea]

This is a bedroom. It depends on which of the two options I go for. If I get a certain job I'm after then I could spend as much as £700, if necessary.

 

Check http://www.richersounds.com/ for a speaker set that's to your liking and match it to an appropriate AV receiver.

[swaylight]

I've literally just finished building up my 7.1 set up. 

 

I've noticed you've said you have a huge collection of blu ray films. if you look at the back of them you'll generally see they will only cater for Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby True HD and DTS Masters. 

 

I'm currently using a pioneer VSX-922 AV receiver which can reproduce all of the above audio formats. Is capable of having 7.2 if needed, boasts 7 x 150 watts channels. Also comes with apple air play if you have a iPhone or iPad. The sound quality is amazing and the pioneer is quite feature heavy in regards to having things to tinker with. Also this AV enables you to connected up to 7 devices (Computer, TV, Monitor, Cable (Sky/Virgin Media) errrr Consoles lol) plus anything else that takes your fancy. 

 

Now i'm not saying to go for the above, in fact it's an older model now, about 2-3 years. The new version upscale to 4K also.

 

Basically if you really want to get something good for home theater use. Get an AV receiver. Go to your local Richer Sounds, or Super-fi and test out some speakers. Everyone in this world hears things differently and has their own personal preference as to which speakers sound good.

 

For context i'm using some 16 year old wharfedales, but my god they still don't half pack a punch with sound and movies. But I've always been more into deep bass

 

To Simplify....

 

- Take a good look at at AV amp - this way you can add to it when need and will grow with you in the future (adding inputs)

- Go and listen to as many speakers as you can, and explain to them the type of sounds you like, what your music choice is.

- don't skimp out on speaker cable, you don't need to best stuff, but equally you don't want to buy cheap bell wire. 

- if you don't mind, go second hand for speakers. There are alot of good bargins out there. as we all know, people like the lastest tech so barely old speakers can go for peanuts compared to the RRP price. 

 

Oh just to mention. I have all mine in a bedroom. This does affect your overall experience as 5.1 and 7.1 really is designed for a bigger room. But as I mentioned a good AV will be around for quite a few years. So even if it sits in your bedroom like mine does. Your already prepared for when you move out

 

Any questions feel free to ask.

[swaylight]

Check http://www.richersounds.com/ for a speaker set that's to your liking and match it to an appropriate AV receiver.

 

Ha you beat me to it, because i felt like writing an essay lol

[MahtXL]

Hey guys,

I upgraded my TV recently and currently use a Samsung UE40H6400. Ever since my last holiday where I got to bear witness to some beautiful home theater gear, I have become fascinated by it. Additionally, I have a massive blu-ray collection which I would love to watch with good picture and sound.

Because of a lack of funds, however, I have two options.

1) Save up and buy the entire kit at once.

2) Buy better components one-by-one.

Ideally, I'd get an amplifier using Dolby Atmos technology, but I'm open-minded and can be drawn towards other options.

You wont be getting atmos for any sort of "budget" anytime soon. Its the newest top of the line sound being used in major cinema chains today along side the other 12.1 option (forgot its name) and the imax 12 channel. Honestly aim for 5.1 or 7.1 Dolby Digital Pro Logic II. if you want "budget"

[klh2000]

Hey guys,

I upgraded my TV recently and currently use a Samsung UE40H6400. Ever since my last holiday where I got to bear witness to some beautiful home theater gear, I have become fascinated by it. Additionally, I have a massive blu-ray collection which I would love to watch with good picture and sound.

Because of a lack of funds, however, I have two options.

1) Save up and buy the entire kit at once.

2) Buy better components one-by-one.

Ideally, I'd get an amplifier using Dolby Atmos technology, but I'm open-minded and can be drawn towards other option

 

 

I would suggest buying used if you want the most for your money. Only buy if you can listen beforehand. I just scored  5.1 wharfedale diamond 9 series system with a yamaha reciever for $400. 

[Zergom]

There's very few Atmos enabled movies, so that's probably not worth it. In fact, most titles are just 5.1. As everyone else mentioned, I would focus on getting a better AVR to start (I prefer Denon, but Yamaha is good too... Denon and Marantz are the same company and IIRC Yamaha, Integra and Onkyo are almost identical components as well).

 

When it comes to speakers, there are a lot of good affordable options out there; Fluance, Chane, SVS, HSU, Rythmik, Definitive even Klipsch often go on sale for good prices. Whatever you do, if you don't have the ability to check out a local showroom, bring your favorite music or movie to the showroom and crank it up.

[cragger89]

Go second hand. Last years flagship gear which is superb in terms of audio quality (I.e. the part which matters most) will cheaper than cutting edge stuff.

 

A very good, well installed 5.1 system will out perform a cheaper Atmos system with more speakers.

 

Sony ES/Denon/Yamaha/Pioneer are my "favourites" in terms of electronics.

[El_indian]

Zeos is a great source for all things audio: 

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/23d9ny/how_to_buildup_a_20_to_a_51_surround_sound_april/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/1x0k17/rules_of_audio_buying_setup_feb_2014/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/2wnwor/guide_stereo_systems_20_21/

 

has an amazing youtube channel: