New TV and sound system

[shrub]

Thanks, shrub. A good audio system is very entertaining. You might want to try an upgrade to your speakers. Theophany from NZ are excellent.

I haven't listened to them but when I bought my current Tannoys I auditioned several speakers and loved the sound they gave with the rest of my kit. I've only had them a few years so it would be hard to justify replacing them although I am looking long and hard at a streaming music and the Cambridge Audio network player looks like it could be quite fun.

[Geeen]

I haven't listened to them but when I bought my current Tannoys I auditioned several speakers and loved the sound they gave with the rest of my kit. I've only had them a few years so it would be hard to justify replacing them although I am looking long and hard at a streaming music and the Cambridge Audio network player looks like it could be quite fun.

Send Wysper a PM. He can give you the skinny on Cambridge Audio

[MikeL]

Talking about sight and sound:
I bought a Sony Bravia 46" LED just before Christmas. Lasted 4 months before it was nicked, but has now been replaced with a new model with 3D capability. The original TV came with a free Bluray player (which wasn't nicked). I must admit I'm very impressed with the quality - a movie like 2001 Space Odyssey is amazing in HiDef.
Not so impressed with audio formats. A couple of years ago I was persuaded to buy a 7.1 surround system and have yet to experience the full benefit. Where is 7.1 used? Not on the DVDs or Bluray discs I have bought. In the end I disconnected the centre surround speakers and have reverted to 5.1.
Also not impressed with the multiplicity of surround audio formats. Very confusing. And probably within a couple of years my system will be outdated when a new standard comes along.

[Maki]

I haven't listened to them but when I bought my current Tannoys I auditioned several speakers and loved the sound they gave with the rest of my kit. I've only had them a few years so it would be hard to justify replacing them although I am looking long and hard at a streaming music and the Cambridge Audio network player looks like it could be quite fun.

For streaming music a PC and this http://www.musicstreamer.co.nz/ is brilliant.

[Maki]

Talking about sight and sound:
I bought a Sony Bravia 46" LED just before Christmas. Lasted 4 months before it was nicked, but has now been replaced with a new model with 3D capability. The original TV came with a free Bluray player (which wasn't nicked). I must admit I'm very impressed with the quality - a movie like 2001 Space Odyssey is amazing in HiDef.
Not so impressed with audio formats. A couple of years ago I was persuaded to buy a 7.1 surround system and have yet to experience the full benefit. Where is 7.1 used? Not on the DVDs or Bluray discs I have bought. In the end I disconnected the centre surround speakers and have reverted to 5.1.
Also not impressed with the multiplicity of surround audio formats. Very confusing. And probably within a couple of years my system will be outdated when a new standard comes along.

7.1 must be better than 5.1 because 7 is higher than 5, right? I still only have 2 ears and for the same price I have still not found any multi channel that can beat 2 channel for the same price. I do use my system mainly for music and only the occasional movie though...

[imdying]

Movies without surround sound is like two strokes without the smoke... almost pointless!

You'll have to look at your manual, the other two channels are either for presence or height, some systems will allow the extras inputs do both, one at a time. It'll upscale it as appropriate on 5.1 sources. It does add that something extra, but unless it's well setup and tuned for the room it's not something you need to rush out and do.

If you're just listening to music, then 2 channel is fine, but there is some music that sounds better with one of the various pseudo surround modes; late releases of Asi Se Compone Un Son for one sounds fantastic in THX Neural mode.

As with everything that relates to audio/visual and how you perceive it, just run with what sounds best to you. In other words, somebody might tell you you're doing it wrong, but if it increases your enjoyment (and you're the one paying the bills), then fuck em.

[Hoon]

Where is 7.1 used? Not on the DVDs or Bluray discs I have bought. In the end I disconnected the centre surround speakers and have reverted to 5.1.

Need to make sure the Bluray disc has the Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD labels on the cover. Newer movies are more likely to have it...especially action/scifi/animation ones. See here for a comprehensive list of which movies has what.

I've also disconnected my rears and use them as a 2nd channel to blast into the kitchen so the wife can still watch while cooking.

I still only have 2 ears and for the same price I have still not found any multi channel that can beat 2 channel for the same price. I do use my system mainly for music and only the occasional movie though...

Well obviously not for the same price as 8 speakers of same quality will always cost more than 2....unless you're comparing your 2 channel system to a 7.1 system of 1/4 the quality?

[Maki]

"Movies without surround sound is like two strokes without the smoke... almost pointless!"

It's really about what you are after. If you care about the sound fx coming behind you, then I guess 2 channel is not going to do it for you. If your main priority is high fidelity sound production your money may be best spent on 2 good speakers and perhaps a subwoofer and quality electronics rather than 5.1 speakers and processors.

For music any pseudo surround mode will tend to make the sound less realistic and sometimes downright annoying to my ears.

For some a discussion have a look.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1586979

""A few years ago, an audiophile friend of mine bought a high-end stereo tube amplifier. He's one of those guys with a huge collection of vinyl records. At the time, I'd never really heard a tube amp, so I was blown away by how good it sounded. But being more interested in movies rather music, I asked him if would be any good connected to a DVD player.

Not being much of a movie buff, he only had a VHS player to try out (yes, VHS). So we plugged it in, and shoved in a tape. Again, it sounded really amazing... better than any other home theatre setup I'd heard at the time. Sure, it wasn't surround sound... but in a reasonably small room it really didn't seem to matter. And the lack of a sub-woofer didn't seem to be a problem.

Fast forward to today, and I'm looking at setting up my TV room and I'm instinctively looking for home theatre amp with surround sound. But with a bit of research on the net, I find a few people claiming that a good stereo system, carefully selected, might actually be better value for money. Buying two speakers instead of 6-8 means you can get higher quality gear for the same price. And similarly with an amp... a high end stereo amp will sound better for the same price than a surround sound amp.

Now, I'm an audio n00b.... but I keep thinking back to my experience with my mate's tube amp and wondering if it is true. Is it a case of quality over quantity?"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

To me 5.1 and 7.1 has been a triumph of marketing. Imagine selling 6 or 8 speakers and amplifiers instead of just two and the icing on the cake is the fact it regularly get's obsolete and needs to be updated! That is an excellent retail and manufacturing business idea. Something I don't bother chasing. I prefer the sound of music.

[Cayman911]

As long as its not Samsung you'll be happy.

my Bluray home theater system has gone back for the 4th time after being repaired 3 times and the idiots are now examining what's wrong that they cant fix. after replacing almost everything in it

[imdying]

If your main priority is high fidelity sound

For movies, my main priority is immersion, although I've ticked the high fidelity boxes too, I didn't see the point in choosing one or the other.

For music any pseudo surround mode will tend to make the sound less realistic and sometimes downright annoying to my ears.

Definitely, but for some tracks it's a magic enhancement.

To me 5.1 and 7.1 has been a triumph of marketing.

Go listen to a good setup

[wysper]

HDMI is a bitch.

Have to agree with this. It is the worst single thing to happen to the A/V industry since copy protection. It has created more headaches then anything I have experienced in the industry.

It's primary purpose is not to provide the end user with better sound and picture, it's primary purpose is to retain copy protection.

[Geeen]

"Movies without surround sound is like two strokes without the smoke... almost pointless!"

It's really about what you are after. If you care about the sound fx coming behind you, then I guess 2 channel is not going to do it for you. If your main priority is high fidelity sound production your money may be best spent on 2 good speakers and perhaps a subwoofer and quality electronics rather than 5.1 speakers and processors.

For music any pseudo surround mode will tend to make the sound less realistic and sometimes downright annoying to my ears.

For some a discussion have a look.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1586979

""A few years ago, an audiophile friend of mine bought a high-end stereo tube amplifier. He's one of those guys with a huge collection of vinyl records. At the time, I'd never really heard a tube amp, so I was blown away by how good it sounded. But being more interested in movies rather music, I asked him if would be any good connected to a DVD player.

Not being much of a movie buff, he only had a VHS player to try out (yes, VHS). So we plugged it in, and shoved in a tape. Again, it sounded really amazing... better than any other home theatre setup I'd heard at the time. Sure, it wasn't surround sound... but in a reasonably small room it really didn't seem to matter. And the lack of a sub-woofer didn't seem to be a problem.

Fast forward to today, and I'm looking at setting up my TV room and I'm instinctively looking for home theatre amp with surround sound. But with a bit of research on the net, I find a few people claiming that a good stereo system, carefully selected, might actually be better value for money. Buying two speakers instead of 6-8 means you can get higher quality gear for the same price. And similarly with an amp... a high end stereo amp will sound better for the same price than a surround sound amp.

Now, I'm an audio n00b.... but I keep thinking back to my experience with my mate's tube amp and wondering if it is true. Is it a case of quality over quantity?"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

To me 5.1 and 7.1 has been a triumph of marketing. Imagine selling 6 or 8 speakers and amplifiers instead of just two and the icing on the cake is the fact it regularly get's obsolete and needs to be updated! That is an excellent retail and manufacturing business idea. Something I don't bother chasing. I prefer the sound of music.

Go talk to Darrin at Soundline in Wellies. Hes a good sort with HEAPS of knowledge. I've installed systems he has spec'd and they do the business. Tell him Gene sent you.

[Geeen]

I FARKN HATE HDMI!!!!!!








Yes I had a bad day

[Maki]

Go talk to Darrin at Soundline in Wellies. Hes a good sort with HEAPS of knowledge. I've installed systems he has spec'd and they do the business. Tell him Gene sent you.

Thanks. Audio has been my hobby for more than 20 years so I would be surprised if "Darrin" knows anything worth knowing that I don't know. I have a carefully chosen and set up system that is mostly used for music and the occasional movie. I occasionally visit hi-fi shops and have a listen to the best they can set up and even though it may cost an order of magnitude more than what I have the gains are quite small if any.

I wish Darrin and you all the best, Gene but I am quite happy where I am.

[shrub]

To me 5.1 and 7.1 has been a triumph of marketing. Imagine selling 6 or 8 speakers and amplifiers instead of just two and the icing on the cake is the fact it regularly get's obsolete and needs to be updated! That is an excellent retail and manufacturing business idea. Something I don't bother chasing. I prefer the sound of music.

I have two lovely big loudspeakers that fill the room and a very strong amp and I have never wanted speakers anywhere other than in front of me. I guess the surround thing is great if you're into the hollywood blockbusters with a brazillian dollar SFX budget, but even watching stuff like Tron my kit does fine.