2.1/3.1/5.1/soundbar - confused...plz help!!

[aadi007]

Hi All,

I had started a thread sometime back searching primarily for a soundbar or a simple 2.1 system. But, then after reading a lot of stuff here and on the internet, I am all the more confused.

My primary requirement is to improve my TV sound - mainly for movies, a little bit of music.

My budget is around 35K-40K(max).

My biggest constraint is that at this point I can't do wiring for the rear speakers. Otherwise, I would have bought Onkyo 3500 or 4505 by now as I liked both the systems in the demo.

So, with that in mind, what are the options I have -
1> Buy an Onkyo 3500 or 4505 and use it as a 3.1
2> Go for 5.1 system with wireless rear speakers like Sony 990W
3> Buy a simple 2.1 system like Onkyo LS3100 but is it worth 30K?
4> Buy a Soundbar with a wireless subwoofer.
5> But a simple AVR like Denon 1513 and a pair of bookshelves and a center...don't think it will fit in my budget and then need to take care of space and aesthetics as well.
Personally, I don't like bright sound and prefer a bit of bass.

Please suggest ...I hope to finalize in a week or so as I have been delaying this decision for months and I can't stand my TV's awful sound any more.

 

[just4kix]

I understand your constraint. Many of us face the same dillemma. But believe me that going wireless is not the best way to go. You end up spending a lot on a compromised system. With a slight bit of innovation and cleverness, the wiring can hidden. Use of dummy pelmets or casing-caping running at 6" from the floor hidden behind furniture, etc. are some options. Of course the best option is concealed wiring but that is highly disruptive in a currently living condition.

If I was in your place, I would rather choose quality over compromise. But other than that, your option (1) is also good for the interim. You can later on do the alterations required for rear speakers.

 

[elangoas]

Hi All,

I had started a thread sometime back searching primarily for a soundbar or a simple 2.1 system. But, then after reading a lot of stuff here and on the internet, I am all the more confused.

My primary requirement is to improve my TV sound - mainly for movies, a little bit of music.

My budget is around 35K-40K(max).

My biggest constraint is that at this point I can't do wiring for the rear speakers. Otherwise, I would have bought Onkyo 3500 or 4505 by now as I liked both the systems in the demo.

So, with that in mind, what are the options I have -
1> Buy an Onkyo 3500 or 4505 and use it as a 3.1
2> Go for 5.1 system with wireless rear speakers like Sony 990W
3> Buy a simple 2.1 system like Onkyo LS3100 but is it worth 30K?
4> Buy a Soundbar with a wireless subwoofer.
5> But a simple AVR like Denon 1513 and a pair of bookshelves and a center...don't think it will fit in my budget and then need to take care of space and aesthetics as well.
Personally, I don't like bright sound and prefer a bit of bass.

Please suggest ...I hope to finalize in a week or so as I have been delaying this decision for months and I can't stand my TV's awful sound any more.

Relax buddy...Everyone goes thru this who is in search of quality audio....Don't be desperate & fix on soemthing juz because you spent more time....

I understand that you have a constraint for surround speakers....So either you are looking for 3.1/2.1 setup....

Plz tell us what are the components that you own, room size & source for watching movies... We can recommend based on that...

 

[aadi007]

Thanks for your replies and understanding my constraint.

Right now, it is not possible for me to do wiring for surround speakers. May be, some time later in the future I can think of it but not in the immediate future.

My room size is 16*14 with one side open leading to the dining space.

My viewing distance from TV is around 12'.

I do not own any A-V equipment apart from a Samsung LED TV and Airtel HD DTH box.

My primary use is going to be playing movies (HD Rips) through USB. I plan to purchase a Bluray player shortly. I do not need any fancy features just good quality sound for my budget.

Given my requirements and constraint, please suggest what would be the best setup for me? I am tilting more towards option <1> - i.e. buying Onkyo 4505/3500 and using it as a 3.1..

Please suggest

 

[elangoas]

Thanks for your replies and understanding my constraint.

Right now, it is not possible for me to do wiring for surround speakers. May be, some time later in the future I can think of it but not in the immediate future.

My room size is 16*14 with one side open leading to the dining space.

My viewing distance from TV is around 12'.

I do not own any A-V equipment apart from a Samsung LED TV and Airtel HD DTH box.

My primary use is going to be playing movies (HD Rips) through USB. I plan to purchase a Bluray player shortly. I do not need any fancy features just good quality sound for my budget.

Given my requirements and constraint, please suggest what would be the best setup for me? I am tilting more towards option <1> - i.e. buying Onkyo 4505/3500 and using it as a 3.1..

Please suggest

If you are planning to build a good HT, then refrain from HTIB's (Onkyo 4505/3500) or any other brand HTIB's...

Hope your max budget of 40K is excluding Bluray player....You may consider Media player like WD/ Asus O Mini / Seagate ( 5- 7K) if you have an external HD...The flexibility it offers is superb....It can play any type of media files you throw @ it..Mkv/Avi/VOB/MP3/FLAC/WAV to name a few...

You may consider any brand AVR for 25K Max.. (Onkyo / Yamaha / Denon / Pioneer / Marantz).....

For speakers stick to BS since you are on a budget....

Consider Sondyne Sonus 1501 BS (11K) + Center C2401 (6K)...So 17K, you are done with 3.0 setup.... These are the only speakers that i can think in your budget....

If you like/look any other brand of speakers, be ready to shell out atleast 50% more....

This will give you far better performance than any HTIB systems & keep you satisfied....

Let us know what works for you...

 

[prosenjit]

option 5 seems fine to me
25k avr
15k for booskshelves
buy centre and sub wooefr later
no rears for you..

dont compromise in quality...

 

[aakashr]

+1 to prosenjit

option 5 would give you the best sound. If you dont want surrounds so be it............you will still get good sound from the fronts, centre and subwoofer which you can add speaker by speaker.

AVR + 2 BS for fronts for now..............add the centre and sub later.

 

[aadi007]

Ok, in that case - please suggest AVR and speakers within my budget (35k)

I was thinking of Denon 1513 (22K) or Denon 1312 (16K)
Please suggest some decent bookshelves within my budget.
For bookshelf speakers, I need to have stands as well..right? What's the cost of those? Or, if those cost a lot, does it make sense to buy floorstanding speakers?
What about Polk audio Tsi200 (BS) or Tsi300(FS)?

 

[prosenjit]

1513 and 1312..whwre are you getting the price?
not in india i think
stand is not needed now..
there are many ways..will discuss later..
first avr and speakers
yes at your budget polk tsi is good..also consider sonodyne/wharfedale 9(if avilable)

 

[aadi007]

Those are the prices available without warranty from a person in Hyderabad..if we want bill and warranty, it will be 10% more.
Actually, Denon 1312 is available at 15K. Its very tempting.

I plan to go to profx shortly to demo polk speakers with denon avr.

What are the other ways to fit the BS? Can those be just placed on the TV unit about 4-5' apart? please tell

 

[elangoas]

Those are the prices available without warranty from a person in Hyderabad..if we want bill and warranty, it will be 10% more.
Actually, Denon 1312 is available at 15K. Its very tempting.

I plan to go to profx shortly to demo polk speakers with denon avr.

What are the other ways to fit the BS? Can those be just placed on the TV unit about 4-5' apart? please tell

Wall mount...

 

[aadi007]

^^ Wall mount is ruled out...
The sonodyne ones will not work as they are available in silver color...don't kill me for saying this! Won't go with the room and can't make wifey unhappy ;-)
Where are the Wharfedale 9 series available?

 

[elangoas]

^^ Wall mount is ruled out...
The sonodyne ones will not work as they are available in silver color...don't kill me for saying this! Won't go with the room and can't make wifey unhappy ;-)
Where are the Wharfedale 9 series available?

Not a problem buddy...Colour is a personal choice.....

BTW which Sonodyne speaker are you talking about which is Silver in colour...

 

[prosenjit]

hahaha..
nobody will kill you..
home misnitry approval is the first and foremost job in HT set up..here and internationally also...
so its okay

as you mentioned your need is cinema mainly
why not onkyo avrs..fantastic for cinema..you can ask the shop owner if he has onkyo or not...

otherwise 1312 and 1513 both good...budget permits go for higher one..thats common rule

for speakers yes polk-denon is good combo for cinema..
tsi200 and cs10 willl be 26k..without discount..
rtia1 and csia4 will be 32k....without discount..

2nd one is worth the extra difference..see your budget and decide..profx offers emi btw
still you listen to otrher brands..

 

[prosenjit]

placement of bs..
please post a screenshot of your room.
suggestion will be to the point

 

[aadi007]

^
Thanks guys for the replies...I am so happy with such prompt and useful responses.

I was referring to Sonodyine Sonus 1501 V3 speakers - Sonodyne Sonus 1501 V3 Bookshelf Loudspeaker

I have been to the Onkyo showroom here to demo LS3100, 3500 and 4505...Which onkyo AVRs are you referring to? I think Yamaha AVRs are also good - but they are good for music I guess.

 

[prosenjit]

the models you mentioned are onkyo complete ht set ups...just like denon 1312xp or onkyo 3400
avr models are like 309,313,515 etc..
yes yamahas are also good
audio is actually very subjective..
generally yes yamahas are good for music..onkyos for cinema..denon balanced..

they are in open grill condition so you see silver colour..normally there is black grill..
like this
Welcome To Sonodyne

 

[aadi007]

^^ I understand that...
I do not know what AVRs are included in 3500/4505 etc...
Can anyone tell me what AVR models are included in Onkyo 3400/3500/4505?

So, for movies, Onkyo 309/313 might be a better bet than Denon 1312/1513?
I will enquire for those AVRs and check the price and availability

 

[aadi007]

some updates...

Onkyo 313 receiver is around 24-25K, denon 1513 similar price, Yamaha 373 is costlier. SO, its between Denon and Onkyo. denon 1312 is available at 15K...what features I will be missing compared to 1513?

Polk Tsi speakers are not available. The Profx guy said that some new series is expected by June mid.

 

[aadi007]

GUyz,
What are the suggestions in this budget?
Is Sonodyne the only option?