Out of nowhere my Grandparents came around this morning to tell me that they have bought a new TV. This is for my Nan who is seriously partially sighted. Anyway, theyve gone for a big plasma TV but didnt realise that the speakers built into the TV were as poo as they are.
Ive explained to them the benefits of a 5.1 system; especially one with prologic and they are onboard as long as I can find a simple to use system.
I thought I would just get them a simple 5.1 amp similar to the one I bought my parents last Christmas. Its just a standalone amp that takes digital/analogue audio inputs and lets you select which source...
...well I cannot find anything similar on the market today. The cloest possible matches have built in DVD players (which I want to avoid).
Can anyone suggest anything ? I guess upto £200.
Must have:
Digital Input (or 6 channel analogue for DVD)
Stereo Input (for TV)
5 speakers + sub
Must NOT have:
Integrated DVD player !
Any help would be fantastic, just remember its for my grandparents :D
After a quick glance, slightly over budget but likely to be pretty good:
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3600
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3396 << HD ready too.
or are these too much for your grandfolks?
Have a look around computer based ones too, usually you can change the cables if the TV has a suitable sound output. Although I havent seen a TV with 5.1 output personally as yet :/
I have used an audio amp and a pair of speakers on virtually every set I have owned to good effect though. The present LCD not included as yet.
Very few of those tend to do Pro Logic though, and most are quite crappy.
I also am looking for similiar speakers. Have digital and optical output from the TV, have never used either on other TVs as had prologic with phono connections and cant find anything in the tv documentation as to the type of jack used in the digital connection - would it be a standard 3.5mm stereo? If it is then could split signal and use with these which nimrod could do as well.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126902/show_product_gallery
Thanks for any suggestions.
Quote from: Clockd 0NeVery few of those tend to do Pro Logic though, and most are quite crappy.
Im well aware of that, Im using a pair of reasonable headphones rather than the cheap 5.1 speakers I have :D
Cheers for the suggestions, Id completely forgotten about that Pioneer 360 system. I might have to shop around and see if I can get that at a better price as that would be ideal.
TauSeti, a friend bought those speakers this Christmas and had to send them back as they were quite honestly sh*te. Both eBuyer and Aria have similar sets but tbh Id be wary of anything that costs less than £50.
Ive just stumbled across this Sony system @ Amazon for £170:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-HTDDW790-Cinema-System-Theatre/dp/B000RFBITK/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1199697610&sr=8-1
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=HT-DDW790&productsku=HTDDW790.CEK&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=TechnicalSpecs&imageType=Main&category=HCS+Cinema+Surround+Kit#tab
Its got a limited set of input options (1 optical, 1 coax + 4 stereo) but looks like it could be the answer.
Why not get a good 2 channel setup, do they really need the 5.1?
Theyve got used to having peusdo surround, theyve had it for 10+ years.
And Ive found that Pioneer system avaliable from a Tottenham Court Road shop for £150 but I am not sure what the shop is like...some of those shops on Tottenham Court Road are v. dodgy :S
http://www.askdirect.co.uk/uview?call=ask.productSearch&id=9027
Thats a bargain.
Pay by credit card and youre laughing either way to be honest.
Ordered them, at that price Ill hook them up to my PC if they dont want them :)
Let us know what they are like when theyre all set up and if they are as good as is made out :)
Wow, speedy delivery and it all comes in a mahosive box :D
Im going to crack it all open a bit later and hook it up here to make sure it is working. Im quite impressed that it comes with a MIC for doing an auto balance setup !
...well see what the rest of it is like later :D
Sorry to drag this thread back but are they any good?
Sorry, Ive been meaning to post but Ive been busy :(
They sound very good. I am very impressed but...
The entire system is really designed for use with a 360; the remote control is all about the 360. To switch to a non-360 source you have to slide down a cover on the remote.
Oh and you can only use 1 of the optical inputs if you dont have a 360. The amp expects a 360 to be connected to the 360 input. So if like me you are just plugging in an external DVD player, you have to the use the "digital" input. This means that on the remote pressing DVD does nothing as the unit expects you to be using the 360 as the dvd player, so you have to slide the little drop down cover and pick "digital" input.
All that said I think it is quite a nice system and for a 360 owner looking for a cheap 5.1 setup, this is very good at £150. For a non-360 owner, Id be tempted to look at other solutions especially if you need 2 or more digital inputs.