How to setup a 5.1 while retaining ability to play pristine stereo?

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Vivek Punjabi said:
Thanks, but i need something thats good for music and the cost can be upto 40k
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I thought I'd PM you, but this is not very badly OT, so we can continue I guess. superczar can request it be pulled into another thread if there's an issue.

I've frankly not heard many HTs in the price range that would be good for music.

I've also not felt the need for 5.1 except for surround gaming. Low-powered setups are very poor at creating a surround effect, IME. The decent 5.1 setups start at around the 2L mark, and go up from there. Movies in stereo don't sound too bad - what they lose in immersion they make up for in SQ. However you do feel the need for a sub at times (I don't, my speakers go really low).

If you need:

1. Movies + music

2. Small speakers

3. Low budget (below 70K)

You're gonna have to sacrifice one of the above. Can't have all three. Of course depends on your taste.

I would lean towards a Denon or Marantz receiver and a set of PSBs or the much spoken of Wharfedales. But then you're nudging 70K anyway.

Your budget can accommodate an entry-level Marantz and a 5.1 set from Yamaha (yuck!) or Sonodyne (not too bad, but not great). As you know I'm not much into brands and haven't been listening to the new stuff in the last two years, but IMO the fundamentals remain the same and it's not likely there'll be a killer combo.

As always, the answer is to go out and listen to as many setups as you possibly can.
 
Continuing with this topic - but deviating slightly. Would like to have your opinion on upgrading to a denon 5.1 amp from my existing 2 channel to add a subwoofer to the 2 channel setup.
Will this affect the stereo output / sound response of the main L+R towers in any way? I am enjoying good stereo sound, but had a thought of adding a sub to enhance the LF. My 2 ch amp does not have a provision to add a sub.
 
you can add a sub easily with a 2 channel amp

A powered sub can either be connected via thew pre-out on you 2 ch. amp

or you can pass-thru the speaker cables via the sub
 
We'll be waiting to hear from you.

superczar: have you been able to consider any of the options, or do we need more food for thought?
 
Sangram, Have decided to take one baby step at a time on option C

First we add the sub....

I am going to audiition the following subs this weekend

- Polk Audio PSW 110 (very fair pricing from ProFX)

- Polk Audio PSW 125 (very fair pricing from ProFX)

- Klipsch Synergy sub 10 (moderately overpriced at Audiopeople)

- Definitive Tech Pro 800 (overpiced at Audiopeople)

As for the subsequent steps, I am planning to get a mid-range Center (have heard Monitor Audios match up well with Phase Techs), cheapo surrounds and a one step over cheapo AVR

Any comments?
 
how about the second hand route ?

i remember seeing a DefTech (or was it KEF?) 8 inch sub at the second hand shop Gmano pointed me to in Ritchie.
 
sub... the only ones I'm familiar with are the ones with bread, cheese and meat, TBH.

As long as the center and front are tonally matched or at least complementary, you'll be fine. Get to a guy who has a good return policy.

Use the AVR only for the center and surround, and the amp for stereo. Some volume matching and juggling will need to happen but in a couple of days you should be able to settle down and watch movies instead of volume levels.

All the best.
 
sub... the only ones I'm familiar with are the ones with bread, cheese and meat, TBH.
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In fact today I was going bonkers about the amount of fat in my lunch

So I'll go grab the bread/chees/meat variety sans Mayo for dinner tonight

i remember seeing a DefTech (or was it KEF?) 8 inch sub at the second hand shop Gmano pointed me to in Ritchie.
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Good reminder greenie

I wonder if anyone has the phone # of that guy
 
- Polk Audio PSW 110 (very fair pricing from ProFX)

- Polk Audio PSW 125 (very fair pricing from ProFX)

- Klipsch Synergy sub 10 (moderately overpriced at Audiopeople)

- Definitive Tech Pro 800 (overpiced at Audiopeople)
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couple of more options

Wharfedale SW 150

Wharfedale PC-12
 
Ummm..So I am halfway done

I got hold of a Marantz SR6300 AVR that feeds the front Pre-out to the Integrated PM-17 amplifier

(thus flipping to plain stereo is as easy as switching on source direct on the AVR)

I also got hold of a Polk DSW Pro 500 Sub that will be fed by the LFE on the AVR or the pre-outs on the AV receiver

The center is still an open question though I have been different models from Polk, Jamo and KEF but havent found anything to my liking that also tonally matches with the Phase Tech V12 (front floorstanders)

In addition, I am also dedicating one room as the AV room and am planning to move the entire setup there this weekend

The room is arnd 13.5 X 10.5 and the attached pic shows what we have in mind



The room has a hard tile floor and I'll be placing a rug in front of the floors

So any suggestions on the center?

and also on the planned layout of the room?
 
LOL just get the phasetech center and be happy :P. Nothing else will match tonally. Surround u can get some cheapo shitz.
 
I'll need to wait a couple of months for the phasetech then

The sole dealer (the cinema Focus) here is asking for 25K for the matching centers (US RRP is $300)..there's no way I'm paying a 200% premium

Having said that, I don't want to wait either which is why I am wondering what will match up

I borrowed a Jamo Center from an acquintance but it's sticking out like a sore thumb :(

As for the surrounds, I have a ~10 year old pair of these Aiwa bookshelves (?) :rofl:

Amazon.com: Aiwa SXNA94 Bookshelf Speaker System (Pair): Electronics

They seem to be doing a good job as surrounds

BTW even though nothing is matched or balanced as yet, i just tried out a couple of movies, and it's awesome fun watching a HD flick with DTS :devil2:

authenticity of reproduction be damned when it comes to movies :devil: and good old stereo is available with a single remote click

a) Switch Integrated amp to a different line-in which takes the analog out from the M-Audio for 2 channel stereo with only the floorstanders..the avr is bypassed altogether

b) Switch AVR to source direct which takes the optical out from the M-audio and feeds it to the sub and Integrated amp for times when I need a little added punch

c) Switch AVR to AC3/DTS mode which takes the optical passthrough from the M-audio for 5.1 movies
 
Where have you guys disappeared?

Zhopsy/Greenie/Chaos/Sangram/Anish/Batli

Pass on your suggestions , I have to get this done n over with this weekend

I'll be too lazy to make any changes later
 
Hehe czar looking at that room, the back wall is too close to the front speakers with just 7ft of clearance. I'm more or less certain that unless you heavily damn the room, its gonna be very very boomy. I suggest you rotate the setup 90 degrees, put your TV/audio rack beside the wardrobe and pull the floorstanders a bit in front. I also suggest that the surrounds be behind the couch with a bit of toe in. Sub can be placed depending on whatever location sounds the best.
 
aren't surrounds be supposed to put on the sides ?

oh wait , i thought the table was the couch. there is no room behind the couch at all. Wont the reflections be a bit too direct ?

+1 for the 90degree rotate thingie.

PS: where are the windows/curtains / other stuff that might absorb sound ?
 
I'd have loved to the entire setup in the living room but for the fact that there is no way I can install an AC there

You Bangy guys wouldnt realize it but watching a movie with great sound effects and sweating it out in the glorious Chennai summer simultaneously isnt exactly an inviting proposition ;)

Setting it up 90^ wouldnt be an easy task but I should perhaps try it out....

What abt a diagonal placement?
 
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