New setup

[Gingerbread Man]

I posted a few threads on here and the AVforums with regards to getting a 5.1 setup sorted. Thanks for the help, I'm quite pleased with it so far after having the rears setup for less than 24 hours. One thing that I have discovered while looking at forums and reviews is that like most things in life, there are many differing opinions to what should and shouldn't be done.

I'm 90% there, but I'm still needing a few bits to finish off the setup. Most important is my search for a sub woofer to complete it. I've herd that a ground firing sub is the way forward?

Also, I'm running off basic speaker wire which came with my all in one surround sound system that I brought many moon ago. The cable length isn't really long enough to the back left speaker, so I need to get some new anyway. Any recommendations on this, or shall I just get new for the back left? It's similar to 1mm twin and earth cable in beefyness. I should get a beefier cable for the sub correct?

The front speakers are sat on the carpet, is it worth spiking these to the concrete underneath or is it not worth my time. Once again, I've herd pro's and con's to this so I'll probably get mixed answers.



Anyway, here goes for my first setup, sounds alright to me, but then again, I've not much to compare it to!

Denon 1910 amp.



Mordaunt Short 902's for my front left and right.



Mordaunt Short 302's for the back left and right. Smaller version of the 902 due to space requirements.



Mordaunt Short 304 centre.

[Xerstead]

Gingerbread Man said:

I posted a few threads on here and the AVforums with regards to getting a 5.1 setup sorted. Thanks for the help, I'm quite pleased with it so far after having the rears setup for less than 24 hours. One thing that I have discovered while looking at forums and reviews is that like most things in life, there are many differing opinions to what should and shouldn't be done.

I'm 90% there, but I'm still needing a few bits to finish off the setup. Most important is my search for a sub woofer to complete it. I've herd that a ground firing sub is the way forward?

Also, I'm running off basic speaker wire which came with my all in one surround sound system that I brought many moon ago. The cable length isn't really long enough to the back left speaker, so I need to get some new anyway. Any recommendations on this, or shall I just get new for the back left? It's similar to 1mm twin and earth cable in beefyness. I should get a beefier cable for the sub correct?

The front speakers are sat on the carpet, is it worth spiking these to the concrete underneath or is it not worth my time. Once again, I've herd pro's and con's to this so I'll probably get mixed answers.

If you have kids around go with the down firing sub, much more resistant to prying fingers. AVForums is the best place I know to advise of the audio differences.
(Most) Subs have their own amp built in and get their input from a single phono cable fed from your main amplifier. It's not a beefy cable as such but a decent one will sound better.
Some will reccomend the same lengths of the same cable for all the speakers but I'd just only get as much as is needed leaving some slack in case you do need to move things around a bit. If you're using the cheap 'bell' wire I'd reccomend upgrading it all. Ask about it when buying the sub, you may be able to get a discount to close the deal.
Good luck, A proper sound setup makes a big difference

<ETA> You said that the front speakers are sat on carpet. Are they on speaker stands or just sat on the carpet? They should be around ear level from your viewing position.

Edited by Xerstead on Saturday 27th March 18:44

[Gingerbread Man]

Xerstead said:

Gingerbread Man said:

I posted a few threads on here and the AVforums with regards to getting a 5.1 setup sorted. Thanks for the help, I'm quite pleased with it so far after having the rears setup for less than 24 hours. One thing that I have discovered while looking at forums and reviews is that like most things in life, there are many differing opinions to what should and shouldn't be done.

I'm 90% there, but I'm still needing a few bits to finish off the setup. Most important is my search for a sub woofer to complete it. I've herd that a ground firing sub is the way forward?

Also, I'm running off basic speaker wire which came with my all in one surround sound system that I brought many moon ago. The cable length isn't really long enough to the back left speaker, so I need to get some new anyway. Any recommendations on this, or shall I just get new for the back left? It's similar to 1mm twin and earth cable in beefyness. I should get a beefier cable for the sub correct?

The front speakers are sat on the carpet, is it worth spiking these to the concrete underneath or is it not worth my time. Once again, I've herd pro's and con's to this so I'll probably get mixed answers.

<ETA> You said that the front speakers are sat on carpet. Are they on speaker stands or just sat on the carpet? They should be around ear level from your viewing position.

Edited by Xerstead on Saturday 27th March 18:44

I had my eyes on some floor standing speakers which would have been fine location wise (for me anyhow!). But as you say the fronts should be around ear level but the Missus isn't too keen on the front speakers. I did have them on the TV table but they got moved.

It sounds alright really.