Soundbar? 2.1 set up? Advice!

DelBoy Trotter

Hi there,

I'm jumping the gun slightly with my question here as it will be January before I will be making any purchases, but there are so many options, I'm a bit lost so looking for a steer in the right direction!

Moving into a new house early next year. I currently have a bottom of the barrel JVC soundbar, and I want to get a decent audio upgrade for the sitting room.

• 4.2m * 3.7m rectangle room
• TV/audio will be set up on one of the longer walls with the couch directly opposite it on the other longer wall
• TV is a LG 55SM8600
• Inputs are a Xbox Series X, Sky Q box, and Nintendo Switch
• Budget will probably be about €400-€700

Ideally a 5.1 system would be great, but trying to keep the room looking as clean and uncluttered as possible. With this in mind, this will mean either a soundbar or a possible 2.1 set up. There will be a bit of room either side of the tv so could fit speakers and a subwoofer. Any recommendations? Would I get more bang for my book going the soundbar route or the 2.1 route?

Thanks!

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215486/soundbar-2-1-set-up-advice

Hi DelBoy Trotter.

Thanks for the post.

Ideally if you could stretch to the likes of the Denon DRA800 which is a 2 channel stereo amp but has HDMI inputs and also lots of other features for streaming, Bluetooth and even Airplay.

Priced up at 749 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-204271-denon-dra800h-black-network-stereo-receiver.aspx

You could also check out the Yamaha RN602, it drops the HDMI connections but has optical and also lost of features of streaming. Priced at 529 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-201953-yamaha-rn602-black-black-network-stereo-receiver.aspx

You could then add in speakers like the Spektor 1 priced at 209 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203101-dali-spektor-1-black-speakers-per-pair.aspx

Or the Elac Debut B5.2 priced at 249 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203865-elac-debut-b5-2-black-inc-6-year-g-tee-speakers-per-pair.aspx

If you wanted something lower in the range there is the Yamaha RS202 coming in at 299 Euro. Drop any streaming but still has Bluetooth on board.

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-202211-yamaha-rs202d-black-black-dab-bluetooth-stereo-receiver.aspx

You could pair this up with the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 (Walnut Only) priced at 119 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-12899-monitor-audio-bronze-1-walnut-walnut-speakers-per-pair.aspx

For a soundbar the starting point I would recommend would be the Yamaha YAS207 - 5 star reviewed and coming in at 349 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-202832-yamaha-yas207-soundbar-system.aspx

Again going up the range you could check out the LG SL8YG. This is a 3.1.2 soundbar and can play Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Coming in at 529 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-204267-lg-sl8yg-3-1-2-ch-high-res-audio-soundbar-with-dolby-atmos-and-google-assistant.aspx

At the top end of your budget there is the Yamaha Bar400 priced at 649 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203613-yamaha-musiccast-bar-400-soundbar.aspx

Of the bigger brother of the SL8 the SN9YG priced at 699 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-204699-lg-sn9yg-5-1-2-channel-high-res-audio-soundbar-with-dolby-atmos-and-google-assistant-built-in.aspx

Let me know your thoughts and if any have caught your eye.

DelBoy Trotter

Thanks for getting back to me Kenny. You've just made me even more confused 😂

The budget could be stretched a bit for something that catches my eye alright.

If I went separates, I do like the idea of not having a subwoofer sitting on the floor like you would have with the soundbar.

Pound for pound, at the same price point, would I get better sound quality out of separates over a soundbar?

Looking at the Denon DRA800H which you recommended, I noticed it only does stereo output. Is there an amp that could be used with just the two speakers starting off with, and then if I decided to go for surround sound down the road, could also do that?

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102876#Comment_118102876

Hi DelBoy Trotter.

In my opinion you will always get better sound from separates over a soundbar.

If you wanted a home cinema amp there is the excellent Denon AVRX2700 coming in at 789 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14159-denon-avrx2700-black-available-from-stock-dolby-atmos-and-dts-x-av-receiver.aspx

The starting point for an AV receiver would be the Yamaha 2071 priced up at 349 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203764-yamaha-htr2071-black-av-receiver.aspx

DelBoy Trotter

I do like the look of the Denon AVRX2700. For a 2.1 set up, could you recommend some speakers?

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103051#Comment_118103051

Hi DelBoy Trotter.

The 2700 is fantastic!!!

You could check out the Fyne Audio F300 priced at 199 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203654-fyne-audio-f300-black-black-ash-speakers-per-pair.aspx

Or maybe the Fyne Audio F301 coming in at 299 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-13442-fyne-audio-f301-black-black-ash-speakers-per-pair.aspx

And for the centre you could check out the F300C priced at 229 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-13663-fyne-audio-f300c-black-ash-6-year-g-tee-single-centre-speaker.aspx

Let me know your thoughts and I'll see what deal can be offered or if there are any other on our website that catch your eye I can check them for deals.

BenAndJerry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118091016#Comment_118091016

Hi Kenny - has the SN9YG gone up in price by €100 since October? Thanks

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

Hi BenAndJerry.

Unfortunately prices are up and down all over the place although more up then down.

There is a component shortage which has decreased production and caused some price increase across the board.

The 799 Euro is a good deal at the moment as it is also priced at £799 sterling.

BenAndJerry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118416758#Comment_118416758

Thank you - everything is going up!

How does this soundbar compare to the SP9YA? https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B093BW5QQL/ - do they offer the same functionality?

Thank you again

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118419902#Comment_118419902

Hi BenAndJerry.

To be honest, I'm not familiar with that version. It could be perhaps a European version. It does look to be the same from checking over the link provided.

I did have to translate it from French so as long as translator did a good enough job.

DelBoy Trotter

As is the case with almost all new builds at the moment, our house has been delayed by a few months, which is the reason I haven't been back to this thread since I originally started it. The positive out of the house delay is that the budget for this thread has grown a bit :)

I've got as far as deciding I want separates, rather than a sound bar. With that in mind, I'm thinking of going for the Denon 2700. Am I correct in saying there is a shortage of this amp at the moment and it's hard to get?

I'm thinking of going with the two front speakers and a centre speaker set up. I'd rather not have wires running around the sitting room for rear speakers at the moment. I presume there will be no issue with this?

In relation to which speakers to get, are the Fyne Audio F300 and F300C speakers recommended above the best speakers in the €400-€500 bracket? The only stipulation my other half has about the speakers is that they are black so they blend in with everything else in the sitting room!!

Will this amp and speaker set up work well with a cd player and vinyl player? Could you also recommend one of each please that would hook up to the amp? These two might have to wait until later in the year to purchase, but I'd like to get an idea of cost and what I'd like now.

Will the speakers come with speaker cable or will this need to be bought separately?

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118531575#Comment_118531575

Hi DelBoy Trotter.

From experience you will always get a better sound from separates.

The Denon ARVX2700 is an excellent unit and very well reviewed. They are in short supply along with everything else unfortunately. There is a chipset shortage which has caused havoc with production for all manufacturers.

We do however still have 10-15 left in stock but they are selling very fast and more stock will arrive in again.

Currently priced at 799 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14159-denon-avrx2700-black-dolby-atmos-and-dts-x-av-receiver.aspx

You can only use the 2 front and centre speakers and it will operate in a 3.0 setup. You will lose out on the rear soundtrack though if watching movies etc.... These can be added at a later date along with a subwoofer if you wish to complete the 5.1 setup

The Fyne range of speakers are also fantastic.

For the F300 and F300C in the Black finish for 342 Euro, that's a saving of 76 Euro.

Speaker cable would need purchased separately as it would not be included with either the amp or speakers.

I would recommend something like the QED Micro priced at 2.99 Euro. I can offer this at 2.49 Per meter.

I hope this is of help.

Kenny.

DelBoy Trotter

Hi Kenny,

Thanks for the quick response. At the moment, I am leaning towards the Denon 2700 with the F300 and F300C. But it has given me something to mull over in relation to only having the three speakers instead of five. Would I be better in not getting the centre speaker and getting a sub instead?

Can you also recommend a cd player and vinyl player to go with the amp?

Richersounds.ie: DavidS

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118531823#Comment_118531823

Hi DelBoy Trotter,

Thanks for getting back to us.

I think you might be better with a stereo pair of speakers along with a subwoofer. This will boost the bass and you'll still get a good sound through the stereo output. Down the line you would get a bigger upgrade in sound if you go for the centre with a pair of rears.

For a CD player I would go with a Denon DCD600NE to match with the amp:

https://www.richersounds.ie/p-204998-denon-dcd600ne-black-new-n-series-cd-player.aspx

The Denon AVRX2700 has a built in phono pre amp so you can go for any turntable. I would recommend one of the Project turntables, especially the Debut Carbon Evo which sounds great and has an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.

https://www.richersounds.ie/p-204966-project-carbon-evo-satin-black-turntable.aspx

Let me know what you think of these options!

Kind regards

David

DelBoy Trotter

Thanks for your help David. I had been looking at the Denon DCD600NE previously. I do like the look of it, even if it is more than I was planning on spending! In relation to the vinyl player, what you have suggested is way beyond my needs (and wallet!) at present. I'm completely new to vinyl, so will be happy with an entry level player (I should have mentioned this yesterday), something like the Project Primary E looks like it will do my perfectly, unless that is something else better in the same price range.

Could you recommend a sub to go with the amp without breaking the bank?!

Richersounds.ie: DavidS

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118534407#Comment_118534407

Hi DelBoy Trotter,

The Project Primary E is a great turntable as well. You can't go wrong with the Projects, I'm slightly biased though as I have an old Debut Carbon!

For a sub I would go with the Bowers and Wilkins ASW608 - it's £349 and a great price for how good it it:

https://www.richersounds.ie/p-204449-bowers-wilkins-asw608-black-subwoofer.aspx

Let me know what you think of this option!

Kind regards

David

DelBoy Trotter

After a good bit of thinking, I've decided I'd like to get the 5.1 set up as soon as we get the keys to the house, and then add the CD player and turntable later in the year when funds allow.

In relation to the amp, the Denon 2700 is winning this hands down. However, the speaker and subwoofer has had me more confused. I've done a lot of reading, and it seems the Q Acoustics 3000 range gives the best bang for my buck/budget! With this in mind, I have been looking at this package. This leaves me with a question and one concern!

Firstly, would it be possible to change one pair of the 3010i speakers for a pair of 3020i speakers and pay the difference?

And secondly, I cannot wall mount my rear speakers, so they will need to be placed on stands. But the problem is, that my couch is 98cm high, so I will need a tall stand for these. Do you stock anything that tall that would suit these speakers? If I can't get stands to suit, I may have to look at small rear satellite speakers with stands like these

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118709440#Comment_118709440

Hey DelBoy Trotter.

Thanks for coming back to me.

You could change out one pair of the 3010i for a pair of the 3020i. Difference in price is £80 as there are no deals currently on the 3020i.

The discount on the 3010i drops them down to around £159.

I would not have any tall stands that would fit the 3010i speakers unfortunately. Q Acoustic make their own stands for these the FSI priced at £119 which are only 68.2cm in height.

You could go for the other option of the peerless stands and change out the Q Acoustics pack for something else?

Perhaps like the Cambridge Minx 5.1

https://www.richersounds.ie/p-14349-cambridge-audio-min12-5-1-black-av-package-5-1-av-speaker-package.aspx

Let me know your thoughts.

DelBoy Trotter

Thanks Kenny. Ideally I'd like to keep the normal bookshelf speakers for the front and centre speakers at a minimum.

I will see if I can find stands suitable for the 3010i speakers for the rear, and if not, I will look at changing the rear two speakers. Leave it with me, and I will be back onto you!

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118712465#Comment_118712465

No problem at all DelBoy Trotter.

Just drop me a post or PM when you are ready.

DelBoy Trotter

Hi Kenny and David,

After a lot of delays, we are in the house. This has given more time to think about exactly what we want out of this system, how we want it to look, and also very importantly....how much we have to spend! We've decided on a separates 5.1 system. This will be used for watching tv, sport, movies, listening to music via a turntable, CD player and streaming, and also playing games on the Xbox and Switch.

Amp: Denon 2700

Sub: Q Acoustics 3060S (black)

Front speakers: Q Acoustics 3020i (black)

Centre speaker: Q Acoustics 3090Ci (black)

Rear speakers: Monitor Audio Mass II (white)

CD player: Denon DCD600NE

Turntable: Already owned

Extras: Speaker cable (white), sub cable, mounting brackets for rear speakers

While we would like bookshelf speakers for the rear, the room isn't really big enough and we'd like this system to look as neat as possible which is why we've chosen white satellite speakers which will blend in as much as possible with the rear wall. This is also why we want white speaker cable (most of it will be hidden), but for the bit of it that will be on show, white will blend in better. Our budget is now €2000.

Firstly, can you confirm if there is anything better for the same price point as what I have outlined above?

Secondly, we would be happy to leave out the CD player at the moment, and spend the extra money on upgrading any/all of the speakers and also the sub if you could recommend something that would be worth the upgrade?

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119419478#Comment_119419478

Hi DelBoy Trotter.

Thanks for the post and sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

The system out lined about will be a great setup. The 2700 is top notch and pairs well with the Q Acoustics.

Denon 2700

Sub: Q Acoustics 3060S (black)

Front speakers: Q Acoustics 3020i (black)

Centre speaker: Q Acoustics 3090Ci (black)

Rear speakers: Monitor Audio Mass II (white)

CD player: Denon DCD600NE

For the above items I can offer a bundle deal at 1729 Euro delivered.

For the the wall bracket the 3000WB I can offer at 18.99 Euro each.

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-201533-q-acoustics-3000wb-single-bracket.aspx

For the sublink there is the Cambridge 7.5m which I could offer at 19 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-10538-cambridge-audio-aud100-7-5m-subwoofer-cable-subwoofer-interconnect.aspx

For a white speaker cable I would recommend the QED Micro which I could offer at 1.89 Euro per meter

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-11552-qed-performance-micro-speaker-cable-per-metre.aspx

Let me know your thoughts.

DelBoy Trotter

Thanks for getting back to me Kenny. I should have mentioned that I only need wall brackets for the Monitor Audio Mass II (white) speakers. The front three speakers will be on my tv unit.

If we were to leave out the CD player at the moment, and spend the extra money on upgrading any/all of the speakers/sub, what could you recommend?

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119423812#Comment_119423812

Hey DelBoy Trotter.

The Brackets for the Mass speakers come in at 25 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203345-monitor-audio-masm-black-speaker-wall-mount-single.aspx

If you dropped out the CD player you could indeed upgrade the front speakers and centre.

You could go for the larger 3030i coming in at 389 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14012-q-acoustics-q3030i-carbon-black-speakers-per-pair.aspx

You could switch the Q Acoustics over to Monitor Audio and go for the Bronze 100

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-204721-monitor-audio-bronze-100-black-speakers-per-pair.aspx

And Bronze C150

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-204730-monitor-audio-bronze-c150-black-single-centre-speaker.aspx

So for:

Denon 2700

Sub: Q Acoustics 3060S (black)

Front speakers: Bronze 100 (black)

Centre speaker: Bronze C150 (black)

Rear speakers: Monitor Audio Mass II (white)

I could offer at 1592 Euro delivered.

Let me know your thoughts.

DelBoy Trotter

Is there a better sub available than the Q Acoustics? I don’t mind if it’s a bit more expensive.

I will measure my tv unit this evening to ensure everything will fit where planned.

We live in Dublin. If we had our choice down to maybe two speaker, would a demo be possible if we took a spin to Belfast?

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119424163#Comment_119424163

Hey DelBoy Trotter.

There would be no issue at all in offering you an instore demo.

For an upgraded sub you could check out the Q Acoustics QB12

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14010-q-acoustics-qb12-subwoofer-carbon-black-subwoofer-carbon-black.aspx

Mission LX10

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14601-mission-lx10-sub-black-subwoofer.aspx

Or even the B&W 608

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-204449-bowers-wilkins-asw608-black-subwoofer.aspx

Let me know if any of these subs catch your eye.

DelBoy Trotter

Thanks Kenny. I will have a decent look at the above over the weekend. For the rear speakers, is there anything better than the Monitor Audio Mass II? They obviously will need to be white, and have white brackets too!

Richersounds.ie: Kenny

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119427613#Comment_119427613

Hey DelBoy Trotter.

If you are looking small and compact then the Mass are pretty much our go to.

To get better in around the same size you would need to jump up to the Monitor Audio Radius 45 priced at 230 Euro per pair

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203752-monitor-audio-radius-45-satin-white-speakers-per-pair.aspx

Or even the bigger brother the Radius 90 at 399 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203750-monitor-audio-radius-90-satin-white-speakers-per-pair.aspx

Dali make the Oberon On wall but again there is a price jump up to 574 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203683-dali-oberon-on-wall-white-on-wall-speakers-per-pair.aspx?swapstore=1

If you could fit them you could use the Q Acoustics 3010i priced at 185 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-203266-q-acoustics-3010i-white-speakers-per-pair.aspx

Or with the Monitor Audio range the Bronze 50 priced at 279 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14095-monitor-audio-bronze-50-white-speakers-per-pair.aspx

White brackets are available for the about where needed.

DelBoy Trotter

Kenny, would it be possible to book in for a demo for this Saturday afternoon? I will be travelling up from Dublin for the day for the demo. What exactly will I able to demo? Just the front speakers?

Do you have the REL HT1003 sub in stock in black?

Richersounds.ie: John

Del-Boy,

no problem booking a demo, you can either do it using our booking App:

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19808512

Or just send us a DM and we will set the dem room aside for you..

We are out of stock of the HT1003 locally and in our main warehouse, we have the T-Zero and the T7x available in local stock and HT1205 / 1508 available from our main warehouse - We also have the Monitor Audio Bronze W10, Silver W12, Gold W12 , Fyne Audio F3-12, Dali E12 F / Dali E9f , Cambridge Audio X201 / X301, B & W ASW608 / ASW610 and plenty of other Subs available for demo, you won't be stuck for choice ;)

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew

DelBoy Trotter

Hi John,

I have just booked in for a demo at 2:30 on Saturday. Let me have a look at other subs, and see what I like the look of, and then I will get onto yourself and Kenny and see what is in stock, what is available for a demo and what sort of deal can be done ;)! I would ideally like to buy amp, sub, 5 speakers, 2 wall brackets and a CD player, and have a fair idea what I want for most bits so fingers crossed we can work something out :)