Home cinema / Hi-fi setups

[tigersaw]

One thing I've noticed recently that never gets a mention is audio/video sync. With LCD displays there is a small video delay for processing overhead, but compensated by intenally delaying the audio to the speakers. However, using an external sound system defeats this delibereate delay, and causes a minor lipsysnc issue, which most people ignore, but nevertheless is annoying. Some systems allow you to re-introduce this delay, some dont.
My personal choice for sound systems is yamaha, they seem to have taken this seriously, and they make some class bits of kit.
For my lounge I'm trying to avoid wires and speakers everywhere, looking at getting one of the one box jobbies - those with 22 odd speakers in. Not as good as a proper system, but a simple and acceptable compromise. Currently using a £40 mordant short (?) pc system plugged into the tv line out.. very cheap and cheerfull but fills the room with quality sound, just lacks the surround element.

Personally I'd avoid any 1 box solution. They never really have the sound quality of a good 5.1 speaker setup with seperate DVD and processor etc...

Also it makes upgrading stuff harder... with separates you can upgrade things bit by bit, e.g DVD player to Blu-ray etc....

How much space have you got too?? Generally bigger speakers offer better sound, i.e. floor standers...

Something like - http://www.lambda-tek.com/components...&prodID=B57319

Then with a yamaha process with what money you got left.

And as a generally rule you should spend 10-15% of your budget on cabling.

[glade]

Haven't got too much space. I was impressed that the small Kef Eggs made such a good sound!

Fortunately I work for a wire & cable manufacturer so can source some good wire!!

Seems to be a case of listen to as much as possible, and do a lot of research.

Another vote for Richersounds, they have always been very good to deal with.

I have one of these in the cupboard, not being used:
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/revi...ySTR-DE475.php

You could make me an offer, not really wanting that much. Problem is postage - might as well be selling a huge rock!

You could do a lot worse than the Kef Eggs. There were some great deals available a couple of months ago as they were upgraded to the new glossy black ones. If you can bag some older silver ones you might get them cheaper

[Viney]

Originally Posted by glade

I do like the ideA of just getting a 1 box solution, but how do you judge the quality. The bloke in the shop was very dismissive of them

They always will be. He wants to sell you lots of stuff.

I like my audio (Although the bank manager doesnt) but i have a one box system, well ts seperate to the DVD player. Its a little sony system, and to be honest, its pretty damn good.

I watched a programme a few years back that done blind tests on these things. They had a cheap sub ?200 system (1box), a midrange 1 box system (?400ish) and a top of the line TagMclaeren ?30k system, and the pannel judged the midrange as being the best. At the end of the day these systems do the job. So take you budget and get the best you can afford, and for the love of god, stay clear form richer sounds, they are more hassle than they are worth!! I have never got a working piece of equipment from them and nor has 3 of my mates. Always trouble.

Its a tough one to call this, the separated will always have the edge on sound quality and are more flexible in the long term but they can be a real pain to set up in the first place To be totally honest its your own preference i have friends who spend hours getting the sound just so but personally have always found a good one box solution to be best for most folks, pioneer and denon make some pretty nice kit that sound as good as all but the very best of separates.

ps, i work in sales and if you get an honest sales person they will tell you similar otherwise you will spend a fortune on kit you might not ever need.

pps. +2 on richer sounds, great place to get honest advice (dont work there in case your wondering)

I personally wouldn't listen too hard to any advice from Richer Sounds!!

Most of the products they try their hardest to sell - belong in some way to Richer Sounds!!!

They own the rights to Cambridge Audio and many others they stock!
They also have a habit of buying non-UK products and selling them here (grey/parallel importing)... All very well but the UK product from most manufacturers is subtly (or very) different fromother models - especially so with Yamaha! It also causes issues with waranties.

They're fine if you know exactly what you want or listen carefully and don't listen too hard to their advice and are happy with cheap prices & cheap service... I bought bits of my first system there but soon moved onwards & upwards!

I now own a business selling & installing Home Cinema, Home Automation & Multiroom audio, so you may say I'm biased - fair play - everyone's entitled to their opinion... I just make a living from my experience & opnion!

As ever - if an offer looks too good to be true - it probably is!

Separate systems are indeed better - many reasons for this and several of which have been mentioned.
Spend as much as you can afford on the products that you think are best for the money not just different! Bear in mind how long films are and how much time you'l get to listen to anything in a dem room - it might sound very clear in the dem room but after 70 minutes of a film (or near the end of your second film, even!), it might get harsh or wearing on you!
Also bear in mind that things sound different in different rooms as well as in different positions in the same room!
Any system will also sound much better with professional setup.

HTH