View Full Version : What do I need for my first surround sound set-up? How does intergrated differ?
I'm not at all technical but have had a Videologic DTS system for about 8 yrs which is currently on the blink - I want to replace it with my first proper bad-ass set-up...none of this intergrated **** (all-in-one packages) as I'm told they arent that great? Should I get my speakers, amp decoder, receiver etc seperate from eachother? :?:
And what exactly do I need? I have obviously a DTS enabled DVD player. On top of that I guess I need:
Speakers
Sub-woofer
Amplifier
Decoder (is this same as a receiver?)
Receiver (is this the same as a decoder?)
I think most modern DVD players have a DTS decoder built in? I'm not looking for anything TOO expensive or super bad-ass, can anyone recommend anything on Amazon as that's what I've been looking at.
You'll typically need an av amplifier/receiver plus a surround speaker package (generally 5.1 i.e. 5 satellite speakers plus a subwoofer). You can either buy it as an all-in-one (often with an integrated dvd player), or separates - budget will naturally play a major part. Obviously an entirely separates system does give you more flexibility and will be more future-proofed. One issue with all-in-ones is that the speakers tend to be tailored for that specific system, so if you decide later you want to upgrade one component you'll find you can't without starting from scratch. It's important therefore to think about what sources you might want to use it with in the immediate future. If it's just a dvd player then fine but all kinds of other sources output various forms of surround these days; Sky/Cable, games consoles, HTPC's etc.
By the way, an av receiver is just an av amp with some kind of radio tuner built in so you don't need to think of them as doing a different job as such; they're designed to take the input, decode whatever format it's in (DTS or Dolby Digital are the basic surround sound formats - Dolby Prologic II can be used with 'stereo' sources) and then output each channel to the required speaker. Because they have their own internal decoding, they bypass any internal decoding the dvd player itself has - again it's far more flexible that way especially when adding additional sources. If you're planning on using an existing dvd player, check what connections it has. Chances are you'll find it has an optical digital or coaxial digital output (sometimes both). You can use either to hook up to the av amp part of the system with a single cable.
Price-wise, systems start with the likes of the Sony HT-DDW790 (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=9&url=http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/541204/art/sony/ht-ddw790-home-cinema-sys.html) or Logitech Z5500 (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006HBCL8/thedvdforums-21) (- the Z-5400 is a better and less expensive option should you still be able to find one).
Beyond that you have the likes of the Sony HTSS-1200 (http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/4143) which is a more future-proofed option as it can handle LPCM surround over its hdmi inputs - it's useful with the likes of a PS3 as a source, for example. Other packages worth investigating (providing budget allows) are those such as the Denon DHT1356XP (http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3553) - although the latter is sold as a package, it's basically a combination of the Denon AVR-1306 standalone av receiver and the SYS-56HT 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers.
If you'd prefer stand-mounted rather than wall-mounted speakers then you might want to look at an option like the Sony HTSF-1300. Otherwise you can buy separate stands from the likes of Argos (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=28) or Play.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=2&url=http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/1027537/Sona-HCS-2-Surround-Sound-Speaker-Stands/Product.html).
Robert
:) Thanks for the detailed info, I'll look into it all.
One thing though - How much better is the sound quality from an all-in-one to seperates? Are there all-in-ones that are just as good as seperates?
I'll only be using it for my DVD player to watch movies and "future proofing" wont really apply to me as once I buy the package i'll just stick with the speakers. The Denon "DHT1356XP" looks most appealing to me out of that lot but whats the difference between that and the "Denon DHT1356" (ie. what is the "XP" part)?
Sound quality is one thing that's hard to quantity as naturally it depends a lot on your perception. But given it's price, I feel safe in saying that the Denon is excellent value for money. The full model number is DHT1356XP; not sure that the XP part stands for anything as such, but you would have to ask Denon.
Robert
Thanks again . :notworthy
BTW, I found it on Amazon (Direct Link) (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BVGWH8/thedvdforums-21)
Bear in mind, the one listed on Amazon (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8) is an 'as new' version which comes from Germany. It's worth paying a bit extra I think, to get a new one with a UK guarantee. Either that, or go to your local dealer and haggle. :)
Robert
Hmmm, yeah I saw that but the thing is they ship to Ireland which is where I am and I'm having trouble finding retailers that will do that for a brand new set-up. I cant find any dealers online who ship to Ireland. :(
Superfi do (- linked to in the previous post); the ship to both northern and the republic of Ireland, although naturally you no longer get free delivery. You could also try contacting Denon direct for details of dealers who might stock it and that are nearer to you. Even if they're a bit more expensive you might not have such expensive delivery charges.
Robert
Oh yes, so they do, didnt spot that! Thanks again :thumbs: I'll try and look up some online reviews before I go ahead with it.
If you search for that model number on AVForums.com, you'll find quite a bit of discussion on it. It's often discussed alongside the Yamaha AV61/63 and Sony HT-DDW890 packages. The Sony has hdmi video switching and bigger speakers, but one less coaxial digital input and is slightly cheaper. The Yamaha package is very similar to the Denon one, although again one less coaxial digital input for surround use.
Robert
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