[wibbler]

I'd like to buy a surround sound system, but don't really have an idea what to go for!

I have:

Samsung LE40R51B TV - http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/sound-a...350578/details
NTL cable television
XBox 360
Computer with loads of MP3s

I would like at least a 5.1 surround sound system that will be used by all these devices - although connection to the computer isn't necessarily as important. Pricewise, I'm aiming for £400 or under, and hopefully it should look quite nice...!

Any suggestions?! I've been looking at the Logitech® Z-5500 Digital, but that seems to just do the XBox360...

Thanks for any help!

[-GONZO-]

If you go for a surround system that is just amp and speakers then you need to make sure its Dolby Digital and DTS compatible.
Also make sure it has different sound input options ieptical/coax as different devices have different outputs.
Ive had a Sony amp for years which only accepts optical lead, 5.1 seperate inputs and stand left and right.
So when the time comes for a new DVD player i have to make sure it has an optical out as most on the market these days only have coax out.
Another option for you could be to get a cinema surround DVD player package.
Try this link as it has some reviews of surround sound equipment.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/sound-a...systems/browse

Quote:

Originally Posted by -GONZO-

If you go for a surround system that is just amp and speakers then you need to make sure its Dolby Digital and DTS compatible.

Totally agree regarding DTS.

There are a lot of DVDs coming out that have the DTS audio option and DTS is so much better than straight-forward 5.1.

[jer1956]

You have to consider the room your using. Most small set-ups are designed as superior PC speakers, and for that they are more than adequate. But to fill a room with the Home Theater experience you need something designed for that job.

[mossy2103]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jer1956

You have to consider the room your using. Most small set-ups are designed as superior PC speakers, and for that they are more than adequate. But to fill a room with the Home Theater experience you need something designed for that job.

Yes, for the best HT experience in an average-sized room, reckon on 80-100 watts (RMS) per channel. That way there is enough "oomph" in reserve to handle the transients, without the amps runninmg out of steam, and meaning that you don't have to have the volume conytol turned way up (keeping distortion down, and thereby avoiding possible speaker damage).

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Last edited by mossy2103 : 26-12-2006 at 17:49.

[Glawster2002]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mossy2103

Yes, for the best HT experience in an average-sized room, reckon on 80-100 watts (RMS) per channel. That way there is enough "oomph" in reserve to handle the transients, without the amps runninmg out of steam, and meaning that you don't have to have the volume conytol turned way up (keeping distortion down, and thereby avoiding possible speaker damage).

I agree.

The one thing you can safely say about any system is you get what you pay for! I've always had a hi-fi system, in the real sense of the term; so when I added a surround sound system what I went for reflected my hi-fi, however my system was built up over many years!

The best advice I could give would be to go to an independant hi-fi dealers, such as Audio Excellence, Audio-T, or Severnoaks Sound & Vision, and ask for a demonstration of the sort of system you could build to suit your price range.