Help for an amature audiophile

Baron Floyd

Howdy,

I recently got a new place that came pre wired for SS, so I have 5 points around the room that have nice blank plates over them, I removed one yesterday all set to start looking into the best type of set-up for me and quickly discovered that while I'm very handy with all things PC related I have no clue whatsoever about setting up a proper audio system.

Once the plate was off I'm left with a little square that has two white wires resting in it. I'm presuming these are the same in the other sockets, no clue what type of wiring it is (but its deffo for a surround system)

so my question is this, EVERYTHING! I'm looking for advice on nice wall mounted speakers (brand wise) and also a pointer to a self help site that will let me learn the nuts and bolts of getting this all set up...and anything else i might need to know?!?!

many thanks in advance

viperirl

What budget do you have in mind and how big is the room?
Are you looking for floorstanders at the front or a small satellite system or do u want ALL speakers wall mounted like you said?
Will the system be primarily for movies or music or both?

I'm only familiar with high end stuff but if you answer those questions above then plenty of others here will chip in with their recommendations.

Baron Floyd

hey, well I want them all wall mounted, the room is pretty large but the speaker points encompass an area of about 20 -25 Sq meters-ish,

I'm going to want a set up that I can use with a PS3 and a BRAVIA KDL-32L4000, as far as budget goes I'm looking at spending in and around 300 for the lot (5.1 ideally) but more if the solution is right, I know I'm not going to get the best system in the world for that but it will most definitely do us.

Baron Floyd

hmmm, another thread has this system mentioned it looks perfect (to my amateur eye) i was wondering...so I hook my PS3 directly into this set up, will I then be able to pass the HD video output back to the telly through the HDMI out port?

never mind I read the manual and it looks like its the solution I'm looking for, anyone got any experience with this unit?

cdb

Personally I think a separates system is the way to go. The advantages of a separate amp and individual speakers far outweigh the costs involved.

For a start the sound is going to be far far better than that from an all-in-one setup - assuming you buy a decent amp & speakers that is.

Then you have greater flexibility that separates give you. Initially in terms of choice then in the future with being able to upgrade individual components.

You might have to increase the budget or it could be worth having a look at the amps and speakers for sale on adverts.ie. I've bought a lot of stuff from here over the years and some of it is excellent value.

Check out these recent ads for homecinema amps:
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=96446&cat=50
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=85974&cat=50
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=96616&cat=50

and speakers:
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=91920&cat=50
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=94083&cat=50
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=95455&cat=50

Anyway, these are just a few examples. You can always start with the basics, a pair of front speakers, and build it from there. Some helpful sites for reviews and advice:
http://whathifi.com/
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/

These won best buy awards:
http://whathifi.com/Review/Jamo-A102HCS5/
http://whathifi.com/Review/Sony-STR-DG820/

If you like messing about with pc's you are going to love messing around with home cinema

Rew

I just got a an Onkyo 606 Amp and Monitor Audio Radius HD package from Richersounds. Haven't got it all together yet but im expecting it to be pretty decent. All in it was about 1200 quid. Richersounds are selling off stock of the older Monitor Audio Radius stuff ATM so you could do something similar for less.

The Pontiac

The Sony STR-DG820 as mentioned above is a serious amp for the money. Check out the long thread http://www.avforums.com/forums/integrated-av-amplifiers-receivers/883199-str-dg520-str-dg720-str-dg820-str-dg920-discussion-thread-part-2-a.htmlon . This thread is part two. Might be worth checking www.superfi.co.uk for speaker packages or pick up secondhand.Second hand speakers are less risky than other components.