Home theatre recommendations

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dlc

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Hi guys, a friend asked for some advice on buying a home theatre set for the living room and i've had a quick look around but can't seem to find anything decent to recommend? Maybe thats because im more passionate about audio and would buy more high end equipment. So I was wondering if anyone can recommend a system or give some comments on their own?

The price bracket we are looking at is R5k-R6.5k. I was only given the R5k go ahead but maybe we can get something better for not much more. The system will be hooked up to a Samsung Plasma in the living room. Looking for decent quality sound and probably some good bass from the subwoofer for movies. And blu-ray is also required. What is you guys take on the Sony component systems being sold by game, makro etc. Not sure why but i'm a bit wary of those sets?

looking forward to the comments.cheers
 
Sony have a package that has receiver with two HDMI inputs (with corresponding optical inputs for audio) with 5 speakers and active sub for about R5k. I think this is the set you're referring to. I thought about getting it myself but the height of the amp is a bit of a problem as will have to replace my entertainment unit as well for cooling reasons. Also doesn't have Bravia sync which is nice if you have Sony kit.
 
stevenv said:
Sony have a package that has receiver with two HDMI inputs (with corresponding optical inputs for audio) with 5 speakers and active sub for about R5k. I think this is the set you're referring to. I thought about getting it myself but the height of the amp is a bit of a problem as will have to replace my entertainment unit as well for cooling reasons. Also doesn't have Bravia sync which is nice if you have Sony kit.
Click to expand...

http://www.sony.co.za/product/ht-str500

Getting this myself. Best value for money entry-level component system with all the relevant connections.
 
That's the one I've been thinking of getting. I see it's available for R4,800 at Hi-Fi Corp. What if any are your cons about it?
 
PostmanPot said:
http://www.sony.co.za/product/ht-str500

Getting this myself. Best value for money entry-level component system with all the relevant connections.
Click to expand...

If you intent to use HDMI for video and audio, you may want to steer clear as the receiver does not support HDMI repeating.

It is however a good bet if you can make do with optical out, since there isn't really a decent component system at the price to rival it.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
It is however a good bet if you can make do with optical out, since there isn't really a decent component system at the price to rival it.
Click to expand...

Quite right: for a lot less than you'll pay for other "professional" AV setups, I can survive with extra cables :)
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
If you intent to use HDMI for video and audio, you may want to steer clear as the receiver does not support HDMI repeating.

It is however a good bet if you can make do with optical out, since there isn't really a decent component system at the price to rival it.
Click to expand...

Please explain further how this affects me. Will be using the included Sony DVD player, Samsung plasma, HD PVR and Mede8er.

The HD PVR and Mede8er must have full surround sound, will the 2 x optical ins on the Sony receiver suffice?

Appreciate your input.
 
stevenv said:
Quite right: for a lot less than you'll pay for other "professional" AV setups, I can survive with extra cables :)
Click to expand...

Guess this answers my question above. I too don't mind the extra cables. Just want HD PVR and Mede8er's sound in HD/5.1.
 
Basically it has three HDMI inputs. Two two have audio supplied by optical and one has audio by coax. When you switch sources on the amp, it uses the corresponding audio input. The only problem is if you have three sources and they don't match this 2-1 configuration for audio. That's the way I understand it from reading various online resources.
 
stevenv said:
Basically it has three HDMI inputs. Two two have audio supplied by optical and one has audio by coax. When you switch sources on the amp, it uses the corresponding audio input. The only problem is if you have three sources and they don't match this 2-1 configuration for audio. That's the way I understand it from reading various online resources.
Click to expand...

I would also understand it like that

Shouldn't be a problem for PostmanPot, HDPVRs have coaxial & optical outs, Mede8er has optical & coax and any decent DVD player should have at least optical

You wont get HD audio though, just surround sound with normal Dolby Digital & DTS
 
PostmanPot said:
Please explain further how this affects me. Will be using the included Sony DVD player, Samsung plasma, HD PVR and Mede8er.

The HD PVR and Mede8er must have full surround sound, will the 2 x optical ins on the Sony receiver suffice?

Appreciate your input.
Click to expand...
From what I can tell, the receiver has 2 optical ins and 1 coax in, so you should be able to get surround sound using those 2 devices, provided that they support optical/coax out.

If you intend to use HDMI, the receiver will simply pass the HDMI signal through to your TV without decoding the sound. With receivers that support HDMI repeating, the HDMI signal will still be passed through to the TV, but the receiver will decode the audio.

In essence I think you should be fine, however it might become a problem if you intend to add more devices (for example a gaming console) that you want surround sound from, as you would already have maxed out your connections if you include the DVD player.

The way I would build a component system is to obtain the components individually and add to it as you can afford it, starting with the front speakers, rears + centre and the sub last. If you're going to spend a fairly large sum on a system, why not future-proof it a bit? A fairly decent Pioneer receiver that does HDMI repeating can be had for R3-R4k.

A link that I used in my own search, which you may find useful:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40520
 
Last edited:
stevenv said:
For the idiots among us :) what's the difference between HD audio and Dolby/DTS?
Click to expand...

As far as I understand it surround sound comes in 4 formats: Dolby Digital & DTS (obtained thru optical, coaxial or HDMI cables), and then Dolby Digital HD & DTS HD which are uncompressed audio streams (only available via HDMI cables and generally sourced from Blu Ray discs)
 
Yeah, I was just reading up about it. I think that most receivers that support these formats are going to be way out of my price range anyway :) and I'm no audiophile so I think traditional surround sound is adequate!
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
From what I can tell, the receiver has 2 optical ins and 1 coax in, so you should be able to get surround sound using those 2 devices, provided that they support optical/coax out.

If you intend to use HDMI, the receiver will simply pass the HDMI signal through to your TV without decoding the sound. With receivers that support HDMI repeating, the HDMI signal will still be passed through to the TV, but the receiver will decode the audio.

In essence I think you should be fine, however it might become a problem if you intend to add more devices (for example a gaming console) that you want surround sound from, as you would already have maxed out your connections if you include the DVD player.

The way I would build a component system is to obtain the components individually and add to it as you can afford it, starting with the front speakers, rears + centre and the sub last. If you're going to spend a fairly large sum on a system, why not future-proof it a bit? A fairly decent Pioneer receiver that does HDMI repeating can be had for R3-R4k.

A link that I used in my own search, which you may find useful:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40520
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed reply. Food for thought definitely.

I don't suppose you would know of any deals on the cheapest receiver (with switching) + 2 front speakers, and perhaps a sub?

Or if you could point me in the direction of anyone that could help me out.

If anyone sees this and can help, please reply. :D
 
PostmanPot said:
Thanks for the detailed reply. Food for thought definitely.

I don't suppose you would know of any deals on the cheapest receiver (with switching) + 2 front speakers, and perhaps a sub?

Or if you could point me in the direction of anyone that could help me out.

If anyone sees this and can help, please reply. :D
Click to expand...
Switching is effectively the same as pass-through, you want one that does repeating.

I haven't really made the effort to visit physical stores as yet, but I do have a clearer indication as to what I want in terms of model numbers. The Pioneer receivers here all support repeating: http://avshop.co.za/catalog/default.php/cPath/51_111?osCsid=ad84ac2d782aca72b80605038c57ccfe

In terms of speakers, that store has Wharfedale Diamond speakers at about R2k for the two front speakers, and R2k for the sub. Personally I'll be going for the Jamo S416HCS+SUB 200 package at Dion Wired for R6300.
 
The problem is that for one that does repeating, the receiver will alone cost about R4k and then you can spend at least another R5k on 6 semi-decent speakers: total R9k. The Sony package in question has both for under R5k where the only problem is that audio needs to be supplied via separate cables. Granted there are only three inputs but I don't see myself having more than two consoles and DSTV or one console, DVD and DSTV (the latter being pointless if your console can already play DVDs).
 
stevenv said:
The problem is that for one that does repeating, the receiver will alone cost about R4k and then you can spend at least another R5k on 6 semi-decent speakers: total R9k. The Sony package in question has both for under R5k where the only problem is that audio needs to be supplied via separate cables. Granted there are only three inputs but I don't see myself having more than two consoles and DSTV or one console, DVD and DSTV (the latter being pointless if your console can already play DVDs).
Click to expand...
Yeah it does depend on your requirements. I'll need to connect an HDPVR, Mede8er, Xbox, BR player and maybe some other device that presents itself in future, so there is no option really. Just need to get off my ass and start shopping around :)
 
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