Home Theatre/Living Room audio system

[steffen_anywhere]

Hi all,

 

so I have been asked to look for a good home theatre sound setup for the family's living room. As of now, we use some old 5.1 all in one DVD/Receiver combo with only the two forward left/right speakers and the sub attached (in 2.1 mode so to speak). It does offer decent sound. Cables are what made the back speakers, and thus the 5.1 experience a no-go...

 

We only very rarely watch movies with 5.1 audio (DVDs). Most of the time, the system acts as a normal stereo to play music. So now the question is: Is a new, better, 5.1 system (with wireless back speakers) a good option, or is it a waste of money. Budget is potentially rather big (500+ €) if there is something that is worth buying in our case.

 

Personally, I told my dad to stick with the old system since we wouldn't use a new one as much as to justify the cost. However, I'm still looking into something in case there's an option that surprises us by being a great deal.

 

He's not too picky about audio quality. It needs to 'sound good', obviously.

 

TL;DR:

What is your experience with semi or completely wireless home theatre sound systems? I also don't wanna buy a 2000 dollar Bose system...

[ELSknutson]

well after watching the Sonos reviews I think i would lean for that because it sounds awesome 

[steffen_anywhere]

well after watching the Sonos reviews I think i would lean for that because it sounds awesome 

-snip-

 

Input options are a bit limited for...well 1400 dollars. I'm used to operating stage PA systems and not having any sort of analogue input is sadly a dealbreaker... I do agree that they're pretty damn cool tho. Designed to "just work", but just not the right thing for us.

[ELSknutson]

If I were you I would go to best buy and test some of there options you will get what works for you. 

[CyberneticTitan]

"We only very rarely watch movies with 5.1 audio (DVDs)."

 

If that is the case then it might not be a good investment. If you're listening to stereo, there has to be an option somewhere to mirror that same signal to the rear speakers.

 

However I can recommend the Vizio S4251w-B4 for a cheap semi-decent receiver-less surround set-up. This will NOT decode DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD if you are viewing BluRay. It does support 640kbps Dolby Digital and 768/1536kbps DTS.

[steffen_anywhere]

If I were you I would go to best buy and test some of there options you will get what works for you.

I live in Germany, but same idea, different store... [emoji3]

[Stagea]

Hi all,

 

so I have been asked to look for a good home theatre sound setup for the family's living room. As of now, we use some old 5.1 all in one DVD/Receiver combo with only the two forward left/right speakers and the sub attached (in 2.1 mode so to speak). It does offer decent sound. Cables are what made the back speakers, and thus the 5.1 experience a no-go...

 

We only very rarely watch movies with 5.1 audio (DVDs). Most of the time, the system acts as a normal stereo to play music. So now the question is: Is a new, better, 5.1 system (with wireless back speakers) a good option, or is it a waste of money. Budget is potentially rather big (500+ €) if there is something that is worth buying in our case.

 

Personally, I told my dad to stick with the old system since we wouldn't use a new one as much as to justify the cost. However, I'm still looking into something in case there's an option that surprises us by being a great deal.

 

He's not too picky about audio quality. It needs to 'sound good', obviously.

 

TL;DR:

What is your experience with semi or completely wireless home theatre sound systems? I also don't wanna buy a 2000 dollar Bose system...

 

If you don't like wiring stuff, you can build a nice 2.1 system with $1400.

 

That'd get you a good sub, receiver, bookshelf speakers and stands. It should sound a lot better than most wireless units (unless you're comparing it to a big bucks system).

[cragger89]

Just buy an "old fashioned" stereo amplifier and run your sources through that - with a pair of nice bookshelf speakers. If you missed the bass reinforcement you might be used to with your current 5.1 rig, you could add a subwoofer at a later date. 

 

Sound bars are a good option, but music is usually better through a pair of proper speakers. The Sonos stuff although good is just too expensive for me - but then I am not having to deal with a moaning wife whenever she sees my equipment rack full of separates.