Help with a sound setup please
Discussion
Hi all, first I should explain that I have zero prior knowledge of sound systems so, if there is any advice forthcoming, please keep it simple!
I am in the process of renovating a large victorian townhouse and while the floors, ceilings and walls are all being pulled apart I thought it would be a good time to install a surround sound setup (sorry if that's no longer the correct term!) but I have no idea what all should go in.
The only experience of a previous set up is an off the shelf system that came with a dvd player some years ago; as you'll have gathered in not an audiophile but it seemed to work ok. That was a couple of houses ago and since then I've just used the built in tv speakers which seem to be rubbish and I had a go with a soundbar that also didn't seem brilliant.
The room I'm hoping to set up is
I am in the process of renovating a large victorian townhouse and while the floors, ceilings and walls are all being pulled apart I thought it would be a good time to install a surround sound setup (sorry if that's no longer the correct term!) but I have no idea what all should go in.
The only experience of a previous set up is an off the shelf system that came with a dvd player some years ago; as you'll have gathered in not an audiophile but it seemed to work ok. That was a couple of houses ago and since then I've just used the built in tv speakers which seem to be rubbish and I had a go with a soundbar that also didn't seem brilliant.
The room I'm hoping to set up is
Have you got any idea of a budget? What you're willing to / able to spend will dictate what solutions are available to you.
When we were moving into our Victorian house, we had the floors up and did the cabling for a 5.1 system and 2.0 system. That way cables were hidden away etc.
If you're after something that will be your first rung on the ladder for home cinema I'd really suggest getting some figures in your mind on what you want to spend and then see what you're able to achieve.
When we were moving into our Victorian house, we had the floors up and did the cabling for a 5.1 system and 2.0 system. That way cables were hidden away etc.
If you're after something that will be your first rung on the ladder for home cinema I'd really suggest getting some figures in your mind on what you want to spend and then see what you're able to achieve.
Thank you for your reply. To be honest I haven't considered a budget - I wouldn't really know where to begin. I suppose the honest answer is that I don't want to pay a huge amount (especially given what the renovation is costing!) but would like something better than the built in tv speakers so that I can actually make out dialogue for a change 
Budget will play a big part, but ideally you'll want a 5.1 system with an AV Receiver of some sort. These do come in packages, and obviously the more you spend the better the kit will be to a point. Diminishing returns to happen above certain levels for me though.
I would recommend not going too cheap, and almost future proof yourself to a point by buying better equipment at the start, rather than buying cheap then having to upgrade in future. For example, I'd get an AVR that is 4k capable even if you don't plan on going 4k right away.
Options are endless. Do you want speakers that are floorstanding, wall mounted, hidden etc?
AV Receiver will take all your sources (sky, playstation, firesticks) as inputs, and then output them all to your TV/projector, and the sound to your speakers.
Also, what size of room will play a part aswell. No point having tiny speakers in a huge room etc
I would recommend not going too cheap, and almost future proof yourself to a point by buying better equipment at the start, rather than buying cheap then having to upgrade in future. For example, I'd get an AVR that is 4k capable even if you don't plan on going 4k right away.
Options are endless. Do you want speakers that are floorstanding, wall mounted, hidden etc?
AV Receiver will take all your sources (sky, playstation, firesticks) as inputs, and then output them all to your TV/projector, and the sound to your speakers.
Also, what size of room will play a part aswell. No point having tiny speakers in a huge room etc
Edited by justin220 on Sunday 23 May 08:04
Rotaree said:
Thank you for your reply. To be honest I haven't considered a budget - I wouldn't really know where to begin. I suppose the honest answer is that I don't want to pay a huge amount (especially given what the renovation is costing!) but would like something better than the built in tv speakers so that I can actually make out dialogue for a change
You could do worse than making an appointment at your local Richer Sounds - chat through the options, see what they can offer and for what price. One option will just be a soundbar - as others have said, go to Richer Sounds and try some out.
The next level is to put wiring in for a true surround sound set up.
A typical 5.1 set up looks like this
SCREEN
Front Left _______ Centre _________ Front Right
Rear Left Rear Right
Subwoofer
Depending on the location of everything you'd need to run speaker cabling for 6 speakers in a 5.1 set up. The cable need not be expensive (Richer sounds have a good selection)
The next level up is a 7.1 set up with additional left and right speakers between the front and rear speakers.
It's not difficult or expensive to run the cables and it's certainly worth doing now whilst the floors are up etc.
Consider running HDMI and network cables as well.
A proper surround set-up cannot be beaten - I remember watching Top Gun for the umpteenth time but the first time with a decent surround set up. It was outstanding.
I bought my first surround system from Richer Sounds and upgraded it over the years- buy well and it will last a good while.
The next level is to put wiring in for a true surround sound set up.
A typical 5.1 set up looks like this
SCREEN
Front Left _______ Centre _________ Front Right
Rear Left Rear Right
Subwoofer
Depending on the location of everything you'd need to run speaker cabling for 6 speakers in a 5.1 set up. The cable need not be expensive (Richer sounds have a good selection)
The next level up is a 7.1 set up with additional left and right speakers between the front and rear speakers.
It's not difficult or expensive to run the cables and it's certainly worth doing now whilst the floors are up etc.
Consider running HDMI and network cables as well.
A proper surround set-up cannot be beaten - I remember watching Top Gun for the umpteenth time but the first time with a decent surround set up. It was outstanding.
I bought my first surround system from Richer Sounds and upgraded it over the years- buy well and it will last a good while.
Edited by Miserablegit on Monday 24th May 13:56
If you are renovating, the one thing you dont want to do is design and cable up a system that then becomes to costly when you have over spent on everything else.
If you want to send over a floor plan of the house or just the room, i am happy to do a basic markup of what and where i would put things to give you maximum flexibility when you are ready for it.
Do this quite a bit for PH selfbuild and renovators, the. At least you can get the property pre-wired without committing to hardware until the end of the project.
V
If you want to send over a floor plan of the house or just the room, i am happy to do a basic markup of what and where i would put things to give you maximum flexibility when you are ready for it.
Do this quite a bit for PH selfbuild and renovators, the. At least you can get the property pre-wired without committing to hardware until the end of the project.
V
Thank you all for your replies, they've been very helpful. It sounds as though a trip to Richers will be on the cards (even if it is a 140 mile round trip!) but in the meantime I'll take VEX up on your kind offer and get a plan up when I can get down to the house or find our latest plans for the measurements.
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