Surround sound for Blu Ray and Sky+HD

danster · 12-12-2008, 05:45

Hi guys,

I have Sky+HD and the Samsung BD-P1000 and I've had both for a couple of years. At first I didn't want surround sound due to how ugly the speakers look...but I've decided I want to experience the awesome sound!

The problem is, even though I would like the best sound I don't have a clue how to get it! I hear PCM, TrueHD, DD 5.1 etc which don't really make much sense to me!

So, can the technically minded please advise a surround sound system which will mainly be used for Blu Ray movies?

Cheers

niall campbell · 12-12-2008, 08:02

amp choices

http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_m...detail&Pid=388 denon £400

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/TX-SR606.html onkyo £400

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...Y-STRDG820-BLK sony £250

you need as many HDMI inputs as possible and HDMI 1.3 with Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX, and DTS-HD Master Audio as well

danster · 12-12-2008, 09:12

Excellent, thank you

So, I need an AMP aswell as the speakers?

chrisjr · 12-12-2008, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by danster

Excellent, thank you

So, I need an AMP aswell as the speakers?

You could just buy a set of speakers if you like. Keep the neighbours happy as you won't be making any noise

You ned an amplifier to perform several functions.

Select which source (DVD or Sky + whatever else you may buy in the future) you want to listen to.

Decode the digital audio into the signals to feed the speakers.

Covnert these signals from digital to analogue format

Produce a shed load of volts and amps to send down the speaker wires and really p**s off the neighbours

And on a more serious note, some idea of the size of the piggy bank you plan to raid to pay for all this kit would help. I mean you can get cheap and nasty systems for under a £100 or spend thousands.

But for a halfway decent system you could easily be looking at a figure in the range 300 to 600. Maybe up to a grand. That is for amplifier and speakers. I see Niall has only linked to amplifiers, no speakers, so you would need to add a few hundred on top of his figures for the complete package.

danster · 12-12-2008, 11:49

lol! Ok, thanks

I originally had the Sony RHT-G800 which was one of those TV stands with built-in virtual surround sound. For £800 it enhanced the sound but that was about it! Complete rip off!

Thankfully, I got rid of it and I'm now in pursuit of proper surround sound. I'm willing to spend upto a grand, but it'd have to be totally worth it.

I'm interested in the Onkyo that Niall recommended, but what speakers can I use with it? Can you recommend any?

chrisjr · 12-12-2008, 12:22

Richer Sounds do the amp in a package with these speakers...

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...-KHT1005-2-BLK

Plus a free DVD which you may not want. KEF tend to make some pretty fine speakers.

Another option might be these...

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...ANN-SFX5.1-BLK

Again Tannoy know a bit about making speakers

But you might be better off actually visiting a dealer and having a listen to a few sets. What I find an acceptable sound may not match your preferences. So I would never recommend buying speakers "deaf" as it were. Pretty much vital you have a listen. Especially as you are spending the thick end of 7 or 8 hundred. Better to get it right from the start and avoid wasting a load of cash on something you find you can't live with.

danster · 12-12-2008, 12:57

Awesome, thanks

I'll test the speakers out, but I've just ordered this amp: http://www.digitaldirect.co.uk/onkyo...05-silver.html

I guess I better hurry and buy the speakers before it arrives!!

Many thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!!

chrisjr · 12-12-2008, 13:05

Hmmmm......

While those speakers will certainly work with that amp they are a bit under powered. As far as I can see the 705 is 160W per channel while the speakers are 100 or so. That is OK as long as you don't crank the volume up to 11 !

It is also a 7.1 system whereas the speakers are 5.1 (two speakers short) but I have no doubt it will work perfectly happily in 5.1 mode so that shouldn't be a concern.

But ideally you should be looking at a higher power rating for the speakers, closer to the output rating of the amp to prevent damaging the speakers at high volumes. Which is likely to cost a bit more.

Deacon1972 · 12-12-2008, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by danster

Awesome, thanks

I'll test the speakers out, but I've just ordered this amp: http://www.digitaldirect.co.uk/onkyo...05-silver.html

I guess I better hurry and buy the speakers before it arrives!!

Many thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!!

It's £429 at Play.com.

Agree with Chris, you really need better powered speakers.

The 705 is 160 watts @ 6ohms, 8ohms speakers around 100-120 watts will be fine.

Have a look at Richer Sounds, AV Land, HiFi Bits and Superfi.

paulr2006 · 12-12-2008, 13:38

If you can push your speaker budget a little more these are an excellent speaker & sound superior to the smaller kefs (Drive units are 100mm instead of 75mm).

The Amp. will be fine in 5.1 mode, it's designed to work this way without a problem. I use the Kef 3005 speakers with my Onkyo 875 which is 200W RMS per channel with no ill effects, the volume you will achieve prior to blowing your speakers is well beyond a comfortable listening level. Also a good feature on the Onkyo allows you to pre set the initial switch on volume so even if little fingers crank it up when off it will switch on to whatever volume you have set in the menu (So no turning the speaker cones inside out!).

12-12-2008, 05:45	#1
danster Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Posts: 152	Surround sound for Blu Ray and Sky+HD Hi guys, I have Sky+HD and the Samsung BD-P1000 and I've had both for a couple of years. At first I didn't want surround sound due to how ugly the speakers look...but I've decided I want to experience the awesome sound! The problem is, even though I would like the best sound I don't have a clue how to get it! I hear PCM, TrueHD, DD 5.1 etc which don't really make much sense to me! So, can the technically minded please advise a surround sound system which will mainly be used for Blu Ray movies? Cheers

12-12-2008, 08:02	#2
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	amp choices http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_m...detail&Pid=388 denon £400 http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/TX-SR606.html onkyo £400 http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...Y-STRDG820-BLK sony £250 you need as many HDMI inputs as possible and HDMI 1.3 with Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX, and DTS-HD Master Audio as well

12-12-2008, 09:12	#3
danster Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Posts: 152	Excellent, thank you So, I need an AMP aswell as the speakers?

12-12-2008, 09:25	#4
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by danster Excellent, thank you So, I need an AMP aswell as the speakers? You could just buy a set of speakers if you like. Keep the neighbours happy as you won't be making any noise You ned an amplifier to perform several functions. Select which source (DVD or Sky + whatever else you may buy in the future) you want to listen to. Decode the digital audio into the signals to feed the speakers. Covnert these signals from digital to analogue format Produce a shed load of volts and amps to send down the speaker wires and really p**s off the neighbours And on a more serious note, some idea of the size of the piggy bank you plan to raid to pay for all this kit would help. I mean you can get cheap and nasty systems for under a £100 or spend thousands. But for a halfway decent system you could easily be looking at a figure in the range 300 to 600. Maybe up to a grand. That is for amplifier and speakers. I see Niall has only linked to amplifiers, no speakers, so you would need to add a few hundred on top of his figures for the complete package.

12-12-2008, 11:49	#5
danster Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Posts: 152	lol! Ok, thanks I originally had the Sony RHT-G800 which was one of those TV stands with built-in virtual surround sound. For £800 it enhanced the sound but that was about it! Complete rip off! Thankfully, I got rid of it and I'm now in pursuit of proper surround sound. I'm willing to spend upto a grand, but it'd have to be totally worth it. I'm interested in the Onkyo that Niall recommended, but what speakers can I use with it? Can you recommend any?

12-12-2008, 12:22	#6
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Richer Sounds do the amp in a package with these speakers... http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...-KHT1005-2-BLK Plus a free DVD which you may not want. KEF tend to make some pretty fine speakers. Another option might be these... http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...ANN-SFX5.1-BLK Again Tannoy know a bit about making speakers But you might be better off actually visiting a dealer and having a listen to a few sets. What I find an acceptable sound may not match your preferences. So I would never recommend buying speakers "deaf" as it were. Pretty much vital you have a listen. Especially as you are spending the thick end of 7 or 8 hundred. Better to get it right from the start and avoid wasting a load of cash on something you find you can't live with.

12-12-2008, 12:57	#7
danster Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Posts: 152	Awesome, thanks I'll test the speakers out, but I've just ordered this amp: http://www.digitaldirect.co.uk/onkyo...05-silver.html I guess I better hurry and buy the speakers before it arrives!! Many thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!!

12-12-2008, 13:05	#8
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Hmmmm...... While those speakers will certainly work with that amp they are a bit under powered. As far as I can see the 705 is 160W per channel while the speakers are 100 or so. That is OK as long as you don't crank the volume up to 11 ! It is also a 7.1 system whereas the speakers are 5.1 (two speakers short) but I have no doubt it will work perfectly happily in 5.1 mode so that shouldn't be a concern. But ideally you should be looking at a higher power rating for the speakers, closer to the output rating of the amp to prevent damaging the speakers at high volumes. Which is likely to cost a bit more.

12-12-2008, 13:30	#9
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by danster Awesome, thanks I'll test the speakers out, but I've just ordered this amp: http://www.digitaldirect.co.uk/onkyo...05-silver.html I guess I better hurry and buy the speakers before it arrives!! Many thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!! It's £429 at Play.com. Agree with Chris, you really need better powered speakers. The 705 is 160 watts @ 6ohms, 8ohms speakers around 100-120 watts will be fine. Have a look at Richer Sounds, AV Land, HiFi Bits and Superfi.

12-12-2008, 13:38	#10
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	If you can push your speaker budget a little more these are an excellent speaker & sound superior to the smaller kefs (Drive units are 100mm instead of 75mm). The Amp. will be fine in 5.1 mode, it's designed to work this way without a problem. I use the Kef 3005 speakers with my Onkyo 875 which is 200W RMS per channel with no ill effects, the volume you will achieve prior to blowing your speakers is well beyond a comfortable listening level. Also a good feature on the Onkyo allows you to pre set the initial switch on volume so even if little fingers crank it up when off it will switch on to whatever volume you have set in the menu (So no turning the speaker cones inside out!).

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Surround sound for Blu Ray and Sky+HD