So i purchased this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-HT-...=UTF8&qid=1396723740&sr=8-1&keywords=ht+f5550 recently, but its not working too great, either sound crackling, or random desyncing of audio/video. Have tried multiple combinations of output sound from my xbox one and its either of the 2. So im hopefully getting that one returned and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? Needs 5.1 Surround HDMI/Digital Inputs HDMI Output ~1000W or Bigger Not needed but nice to have Wifi built in Bluetooth build in Ability to stream from PC Budget £350 (could maybe go a little higher) Cheers people.
If you have the space you might be better off sound quality wise looking for one with bigger speakers in the surrounds, so they can reproduce all the sounds between the bass and the high end properly.
The nice to have bits are a bit strange, not sure exactly what you're after. My suggestion would be to forget about the wattage, it's really not that relevant. And 1000W is ridiculous. My current speaker setup (2.0) takes 100W max per channel, and the amp supplies max 35W per channel. Honestly, I've never got it up to full volume, but it would be seriously uncomfortable if I did. For £350, forget about all the nice to haves, and focus on getting a decent AV Receiver (that will take care of the HDMI inputs and outputs) and a half-decent set of 5.1 speakers. You really won't get a lot for that budget though, just to warn you. My personal inclination would be to get a good quality AV receiver, and rather than blow what remains of the budget on a low-quality 5.1 system, see if I could pick up a pair of quality, but cheap, second-hand speakers to act as 2.0. There are always a few flying about on AVForums. Then over time you could add in the surrounds by purchasing if and when you have the option. IMO, it's much better having a good pair of 2.0 than a poor quality set of 5.1. And, if the 2.0 are big enough then I'm not convinced that the sub makes a massive difference - not at this price level. Best thing might be to head into a Richer Sounds if you've got one nearby (looks like it's Edinburgh or Glasgow), or a similar specialist HiFi shop and get an idea of prices and options. I would steer well clear of all-in-ones if you can, much better to customise.
Have a look at this set: http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/home-cinema-separates-bundle-deals/pah011682 it is within budget and is quit good for the price. Sent from Bittech Android app
Yeah that's as good deal. I recently picked up some Boston Soundware XS SE for £170 and a Yamaha RXV-373 for £130, and its AMAZING for the cash.
the tannoys are great for a budget setup. Used to have FX version brilliant sound. Ive now moved up to floor standing speakers
Be advised that the Richer Sounds package does not include a BR player. They do however have several nice ones for <£100.
Sorry to ump in on this, but I currently run a Logitech Z5500 setup. will the pioneer/tannoy be a significant upgrade? TBH I love my Z5500's but never averse to better sound. I have 500gb of Flac files here waiting to be exploited by a decent setup.
If you want to listen to FLAC audio, then generally you shouldn't be listening to it through a 5.1 setup (unless you are going to blow £800 or more for something like the QAcoustic 2020i's)
@Guinevere - Yea, I knew this yet I always forget when i start looking at thing like this! Thanks for the reminder. @Ian - No need for DVD/BR, the xbox can do that and tbh i have 0 blue rays anyway and no 3d tv (missus cant see 3D) @MShunter - that looks very good deal, have heard pioneer can be pretty good. @Snootyjim - I guess I just want them LOUD! if it helps my setup is Sky -> Xbox One -> 5.1 System (samsung atm) -> TV (Samsung) With the 5.1 also having an Optical input coming from the Xbox 360. So at least an HDMI In/Out, I could probably do 2 optical in as the xbox one has an optical output also, but would obv need 2 optical inputs on the 5.1 system. Oh I should add, a remote control also no point having everything but the sound controlled by remote. Cheers for all responses, think I will check Richer Sounds.
You won't be disappointed, they know what they're selling (unlike Curry's etc). I've been buying from them since before DVD came out!
I should have mentioned, I have quite a few 5.1 DVDA recordings too. They blow 'normal' sound out of the water. Dark side of the Moon on 5.1 truly is something to behold. It's as if they knew this tech would be invented sometime. Revolutionary stuff indeed! I usually listen to the stereo stuff on the Z5500's through the stereo setting though, or the mock surround settings. They are surprisingly good for music.
I have to say it was a slight spur of the moment thing that I bought the Samsung one, I should have been patient and asked here first.
I feel that I should point out here that I think my Onkyo 608 is one of the best pieces of tech I've bought. Its got about 7 HDMI ports out the back and loads of other inputs + an audio out which can output on its own or the same if you have a zone two (like a bathroom). I have a set of Boston little cubes which sound amazing especially given how small they are, I did want the Q-Accoustics, but they didn't work in my room really and the missus put her foot down. Hooked up to it I have the TV optical out, an Xbox, a PC, the Sonos, a Blueray player and the Wii plus it has radio build in, and I have to say, its amazing how often you swap between the different ports. I have the audio out running to the Sonos, so if I want I can have the TV sound running through the Sonos though the house. I also occasionally run my headphones on a really long cable through it so that I can watch films late at night if the missus is asleep, which I find quite handy too. I still get good loud sound, and she still gets a good night sleep. What more could you ask for? Basically my point is that IF you can wait/afford a decent Home Cinema amp GET IT, it will be the best decision you make.
Well its on hold for the moment, PC World are going to have it looked at. To clarify the system was having issues with audio sync/quality. With my setup I have a few different audio output from the xbox one. (sky can only output in Stereo or Dolby Digital) From memory these are- 5.1 Uncompressed Dolby Digital DTS 1 option results in 0 audio desync, however crackling in the sound. the other 2 result in some desync (around 400-500ms) the other results in severe desync (500ms+) I think the DTS output is the one that has the crackling. I have been through every setting in the xbox/sky/samsung receiver and cannot fix it. The desync is not constant either, when you first turn on the system generally everything is fine, but after a while the desync gets worse and worse. Anyway, im hoping there is a fault and I can refund it, otherwise I may be stuck with it.
update - I have discovered the customer service hell that is Currys/PC World, after calling the number provided for chasing up my repair, my missus is put through to Samsung in some far away land to have the woman on the phone talk down to her quite terribly. Giving up on that we phone the normal PC World number on our receipt better luck here as transferred to the store. Also inbetween these calls my missus contacted them via Facebook, this resulted in promises of getting the store to let us know what is going on that day. Speaking to store direct also resulted in us being told that they had to chase up Samsung anyway. This was on Weds and although no word back from the store, my missus is in email contact with someone regarding it. It seems they may have lost it, but that deal linked above appears to have gone up in price then again pay day soon
Update- So currys mucked up, they told my missus they have a 28 day policy so if the repair is not done in 28 days its auto refund/replacement, they called on the 30th day so we told them too late, refund. Went out and got this http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/home-cinema-separates-bundle-deals/pah011464 (incase the deal changes its a Yamaha RXV375 and Tannoy TFX 5.1 Speakers). Quite impressed with it, thanks again for all the advice. One last thing as some of you guys seem more clued up than me, any hints on help to set it up correctly? I have done the YPAO thing but im sure i remember reading somewhere its not brilliant. Or any forums similar to this where I can get help? Have looked through the manuals and a lot of it tells me how to access features but does not really explain what things are.
I don't really think you should need to do much. IIRC the only real "setting" that my AV receiver had was to add in delays to account for the distance between you and the speakers (i.e. accounting for how the speed of sound is slower than the speed of electricity) but it seemed a bit pointless.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/sony/strdn840/sony-strdn840 i have this amp with the tfx 5.1 speakers and i love it
