Whats Your Audio / Home Cinema Setup?

[Dracwolley]

^the Wave, and Bose in general, are really good, but nowhere near worth the money. if the new wave were about $120 - $150 (roughly £75 - £90), then I'd instantly buy one. my family and i have received both the old (here) and the new Wave (here) as gifts, but i would never buy one myself. i enjoy them, but they're not worth it. The new double-stack wave is just completely absurd, don't even get me started.

as for my own sound system, it's completely underwhelming to look at (except for maybe the stack, just maybe), that's one of the things that makes it good. it's unassuming, but turn it up and people will definitely notice. it's broken glass, taken up floorboards in the story above, and made the neighbors call over and tell me to turn it down. in other words, it's amazing.

the full setup is:

Front speakers - Paradigm Performance Series 9SE Mk II (known as "Sleepers," and regarded by some as Paradigm's best speaker, typically sell used today for about $400 per speaker, most of these on sale are about 20 years old, had mine for about 15 years. bought for $200 each)

Preamp - ADCOM GFP-710 (5 audio inputs, frikkin awesome, MSRP $499 (no longer on sale), goes used today for about $600, most of these on sale are about 20 years old, had mine for about that long)

Amplifier - ADCOM GFA-5300 with MOSFET wiring (201 watts per channel into 4 ohms (at which the 9SEs run), lots of speaker protection, weighs a ton, but definitely does the job properly. typically go for $100 used today, MSRP 20 years ago is $499. only thing in my audio arsenal that somewhat lost its value, but it obviously works great for me)

the rest:

PS3, obviously!
Sony CD player
Sony tape player
Fisher turntable
FiOS! Current SpeedTest result is 19.49 Mb/s DL over WiFi 802.11b/g

Pictures:
the stack
speakers and crappy TV
R speaker, cover off

 

[Vasco]

Muahaha, just bought a $2k speaker system yesterday (it's good having a mate at JB who gets stuff for cost), only waiting on the bookshelf speakers for rears now . Quite a complete setup now I'm thinking, the TV could be a bit bigger though (40 inch Bravia). Excuse the ghetto TV speaker stand as well, it's the best I could do considering the size of that centre.

- Dali Concept 6 Fronts
- Dali Concept Centre
- Jensen QX85 Subwoofer
- Dali Concept 1 Bookshelf speakers (which I'm waiting on)
- Yamaha RX-V565 Receiver

 

[CDailey]

I havn't posted my current audio set up. I upgraded my old POS headphones to some Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80ohm.

 

[jedaye]

I'm all Sony.

Sony X-Series Bravia 40"
Sony DVD Home Theatre System
Sony PS3

I hope the PS4 has a model that comes with speakers so thats one less box and remote to handle.

 

[TB]

I hope the PS4 has a model that comes with speakers so thats one less box and remote to handle.

Too many remotes? Problem solved. My 880 is outstanding.

 

[hornet_burnout]

Too many remotes? Problem solved. My 880 is outstanding.

It must be. But $150 + $50 for the PS3 adapter

 

[TB]

It must be. But $150 + $50 for the PS3 adapter

Didn't stop me from buying both.

Except that is wasn't $200. More in the $150 range. And still well worth it to keep people (ie - inlaws) from screwing up my system when I'm not around.

 

[hornet_burnout]

Didn't stop me from buying both.

Except that is wasn't $200. More in the $150 range. And still well worth it to keep people (ie - inlaws) from screwing up my system when I'm not around.

LOL then it's worth every penny, I must admit

 

[Casio]

I'm all Sony.

Sony X-Series Bravia 40"
Sony DVD Home Theatre System
Sony PS3

I hope the PS4 has a model that comes with speakers so thats one less box and remote to handle.

Bravia Sync.

I have Sony TV, PS3, Amp, and control it off one standard TV remote.

 

[PAPPACLART]

TV -Phillips 42PFL7603D
ONKYO TS-XR507
ENERGY TAKE CLASSICS 5.1
Sony 80GB PS3
Core 2 Duo Media PC

 

[wfooshee]

Been having a couple of minor issues with my system recently. Left speaker kept going silent intermittently, moving the receiver would bring it back for a while. Also the lower channels looked pretty bad on the TV (I'm still on extended basic cable, no box, using the TV tuner) and many of the others had occasional ghosts or herringbone, typical bad ground stuff. So, get on the floor, slide the TV out of its cubby in the cabinet (It's on its own stand, and the entertainment center is a cabinet to either side, with a shelf suspended between the cabinets) and start reaching for stuff behind the receiver. Long story short, I ended up getting fed up with what I found, and yanked it all out. Every patch, every component. Found one audio cable with the RCA connector dangling off the end of it, and of course the loose speaker wire. Also found a loose connection on the TV cable coming off my amp/splitter.

So, 9 stereo RCA cables, 3 single RCA cables, 3 S-video cables, 1 component cable, 1 PS2 A/V cable, 1 CAT-5 cable, and 3 RG-59 cables, all removed and reconnected.

And it's awesome!!!!!! Like a new system!!!!! All TV channels are clear, like I was sitting in the studio watching their monitors. A couple hours' work but well worth it.

BTW, my TV is an early HD-capable set, Hitachi rear-projection. Standard tuner, no digital tuner (so HD is monitor-only) and no HDMI (or even DVI) inputs. 3 composite or S-video standard-def inputs (1 on the front) and 2 component inputs. The set is 4:3, but automatically letterboxes when it goes to 720p or 1080i.

 

[craste]

Here are a few pics of my new set up which i've had for Christmas instead of me and the misses spending money on 'crap' for each other.

A Pioneer Kuro 5090, a QUAD Lite 5.1 system and a Pioneer AV Amp thing.

I purchased from Sevenoaks in Nottingham and originally used some Maplin speaker brackets to hold the speakers on the wall but they were not really man enough for the job as the speakers are quite heavy and after a few hours they dipped down on the P*ss.

The speaker brackets now are the Mission M30 ones and they are really strong.

With lots of help from my cousin we channeled the wall out using a grinder for all the cables and then just polyfillered over and then repainted.

The wall looks a bit bare so we are going to put some nice pictures doted around the wall to break it up a bit. I thought the TV looked too big to begin with but now when I'm sat infront of it watching a movie it's perfect and I love it.

I just had a big old CRT 'LG' TV before and have been threatening to buy a flat screen Tv for the last two years and decided to get the 5090.

I'm having the virgin HD box installed in a few weeks (so i can get a clear HDMI picture) as at the moment I've just got the 'normal' tv running off a single phono type cable so the picture is a tiny bit fuzzy - I didn't want to have to make enough space in the wall for a Scart lead as they are big and fat and old technology. The only cables i have in the wall are the HDMI, single phono type cable (currently providing the picture) and the power lead and of course the speaker wires.

I read all the reviews about the Kuro and its true the picture quality (even on the crap cable I'm using) is amazing - because the blacks are so good the picture looks so much better - on Blu ray its jaw dropingly good. I have been comparing the picture to other when we have been out and about visiting and when you see the ITV Christmas screen with the black background and the sparkly christmas tree they are currently using the blacks on other screens look slightly grayed out and flat in comparison.

The speakers are great too although I'm returning the subwoofer as it's humming - I called Sevenoaks and they said they will get it sorted so all good.

Do you think this looks good or would you of done something different?

 

[UnoMOTO]

Very clean install. Nice job!

 

[MatskiMonk]

Sweet system,

The Kuro 5090 is an excellent display - obviously not the easiest thing to come by these days though!

The Quad lite system is pretty good, humming subs are often the result of cheap sub leads FWIW.

The Pioneer amp is the thing I'd have the biggest question mark over. Both Denon and Yamaha are offering great amps that can be had for sensible money these days and IMHO are better than the Pioneer.

 

[Scaff]

The Pioneer amp is the thing I'd have the biggest question mark over. Both Denon and Yamaha are offering great amps that can be had for sensible money these days and IMHO are better than the Pioneer.

Depends on which Pioneer it is (the LX-72 is a great bit of kit), but I do personally prefer Denon myself.

The Quad set-up is a nice intro level range of speakers and I have to agree with MatskiMonk, check you sub-cable it sounds like it could be picking up interference (its also worth trying the sub plugged into a different power point and it could also be interference from the mains supply (depends what else is on the same spur).



Regards

Scaff

 

[GaryyC]

a little update?

My God thats such a nice setup.
Must...Replicate!

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Here are a few pics of my new set up which i've had for Christmas instead of me and the misses spending money on 'crap' for each other.

A Pioneer Kuro 5090, a QUAD Lite 5.1 system and a Pioneer AV Amp thing.

I purchased from Sevenoaks in Nottingham and originally used some Maplin speaker brackets to hold the speakers on the wall but they were not really man enough for the job as the speakers are quite heavy and after a few hours they dipped down on the P*ss.

The speaker brackets now are the Mission M30 ones and they are really strong.

With lots of help from my cousin we channeled the wall out using a grinder for all the cables and then just polyfillered over and then repainted.

The wall looks a bit bare so we are going to put some nice pictures doted around the wall to break it up a bit. I thought the TV looked too big to begin with but now when I'm sat infront of it watching a movie it's perfect and I love it.

I just had a big old CRT 'LG' TV before and have been threatening to buy a flat screen Tv for the last two years and decided to get the 5090.

I'm having the virgin HD box installed in a few weeks (so i can get a clear HDMI picture) as at the moment I've just got the 'normal' tv running off a single phono type cable so the picture is a tiny bit fuzzy - I didn't want to have to make enough space in the wall for a Scart lead as they are big and fat and old technology. The only cables i have in the wall are the HDMI, single phono type cable (currently providing the picture) and the power lead and of course the speaker wires.

I read all the reviews about the Kuro and its true the picture quality (even on the crap cable I'm using) is amazing - because the blacks are so good the picture looks so much better - on Blu ray its jaw dropingly good. I have been comparing the picture to other when we have been out and about visiting and when you see the ITV Christmas screen with the black background and the sparkly christmas tree they are currently using the blacks on other screens look slightly grayed out and flat in comparison.

The speakers are great too although I'm returning the subwoofer as it's humming - I called Sevenoaks and they said they will get it sorted so all good.

Do you think this looks good or would you of done something different

Very nice! I'm sad about the Kuro supply issue, as the dear lady is tentatively signing off on a replacement for our gen 6 Pioneer set. Pioneer amps are getting good reviews at the minute, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm running a Denon at the minute, but am toying with replacing it with an Audiolab pro/power or a Pioneer LX92. The dear lady doesn't know about that bit yet!

The one change I'd make to your system is to throw out Virgin Media and get Sky. Sky's IQ is much much much better than Virgin's. I've had both. Sky's range of HD programming is much better too, and you can ignore all the fluff they'll come out with about On Demand programmes. If it's at all possible, the absolute best thing you can do right now is to tell Virgin you've made a mistake and then call Sky in.

 

[bevo]

Sweet system,


The Pioneer amp is the thing I'd have the biggest question mark over. Both Denon and Yamaha are offering great amps that can be had for sensible money these days and IMHO are better than the Pioneer.

You really can't beat the pioneer elite AVRs with the ice amps unless you plan on spending over 5 grand. After researching AVRs more I wish I had gone with one of the pioneer elites instead of my denon. I could have gotten much more power and options for another 150$. Don't get me wrong I like my denon and all, but I really wish I had gotten pre outs because my speakers could use some more power to them. Over at AVS forums they love the pioneers and people seem to be getting rid of their denon and onkyo receivers.
I'm very happy with what I've got for now though, but if I end up building a house in a few years the only thing I'll probably keep is my sub(SVS pb 13 ultra) and maybe my towers. One things for certain though a pioneer AVR will be what I build the system around.

 

[F1GTR]

Here's my portable audio setup:

iPod Classic 160GB -> ALO Audio cables -> Sennheiser HD25-1 MkII's.

Sounds sweet.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Recently we bought a Sony BRAVIA 46" KDL46W550 TV, and now we want to purchase a proper 5.1 setup for it. We've been looking at a set of dedicated Yamaha speakers, YHT-292 which we can purchase for a tad over $500. We heard the speakers in action and it sounds quality, but is there any other set of speakers around the same price which can compare? There's plenty of sets for around $300 but we're not sure about the quality as they're not dedicated and come with a DVD player, which could mean the quality could be less.

 

[Legendary]

Why not buy a true sound system, 7.1's? If you have made the move to a bigger TV wich wont be replaced why not buy a nice bigger sound system?

 

[TheCracker]

Recently we bought a Sony BRAVIA 46" KDL46W550 TV, and now we want to purchase a proper 5.1 setup for it. We've been looking at a set of dedicated Yamaha speakers, YHT-292 which we can purchase for a tad over $500. We heard the speakers in action and it sounds quality, but is there any other set of speakers around the same price which can compare? There's plenty of sets for around $300 but we're not sure about the quality as they're not dedicated and come with a DVD player, which could mean the quality could be less.

If you can get them in Australia, the Jamo A102HCS5 get highly rated and should be within your budget.

 

[RouWa]

I recently ugraded my wheel (DFP -> G27) and my Playseat (first generation -> Evo/Alcantara):

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4439/bup1920.jpg
(large size, therefore no image-tag)

The projector (Mitsubishi HC6000) lamp and the ceiling lamps have a different color temperature, so the colors on the big screen are not correct. The projector picture is much better with the ceiling lights turned off. There is nothing worse than other light sources if you use a projector. With the ceiling lights turned off, you have to use very long exposure times (bulb, 30 - 120 seconds) if you want to see the room and not just the big screen.

 

[Turbo Lag]

If you can get them in Australia, the Jamo A102HCS5 get highly rated and should be within your budget.

Cheers Cracker, I'll have a look into it. The only problem with Australia is availability and the fact that we can't purchase anything online.

 

[Vasco]

Recently we bought a Sony BRAVIA 46" KDL46W550 TV, and now we want to purchase a proper 5.1 setup for it. We've been looking at a set of dedicated Yamaha speakers, YHT-292 which we can purchase for a tad over $500. We heard the speakers in action and it sounds quality, but is there any other set of speakers around the same price which can compare? There's plenty of sets for around $300 but we're not sure about the quality as they're not dedicated and come with a DVD player, which could mean the quality could be less.

I have Dali Ikon Concept 6s for my fronts, they're pretty damn awesome so I'd definitely recommend them! They are sold in JB Hi-Fis.

 

[UnoMOTO]

Before

After

Considering I may never get to finishing the basement, I figured I make My set up look a bit better.

 

[Shoogar]

I have a small TV just for my room. It's a Sony. I have a great set of Logitech speakers, with Sub-woofer, and two treble speakers. I mainly plug my iPod into them, but it sounds great through my TV.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Cheers Cracker, I'll have a look into it. The only problem with Australia is availability and the fact that we can't purchase anything online.

Yep apparently it does come here, at a price of $800 which is way over the budget unfortunately.

I have Dali Ikon Concept 6s for my fronts, they're pretty damn awesome so I'd definitely recommend them! They are sold in JB Hi-Fis.

Again these are too expensive for the budget, as we're not really going to spend more than $600 for speakers.

Thanks for the help though. 👍

 

[hornet_burnout]

I recently ugraded my wheel (DFP -> G27) and my Playseat (first generation -> Evo/Alcantara):

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4439/bup1920.jpg
(large size, therefore no image-tag)

The projector (Mitsubishi HC6000) lamp and the ceiling lamps have a different color temperature, so the colors on the big screen are not correct. The projector picture is much better with the ceiling lights turned off. There is nothing worse than other light sources if you use a projector. With the ceiling lights turned off, you have to use very long exposure times (bulb, 30 - 120 seconds) if you want to see the room and not just the big screen.

Nice... being a projector fan and ex-user, I like it. A LOT. But shouldn't you be playing closer to the screen? Having to move the head adds realism, and with 1080p you won't be looking at little squares as I did when I tried my old BenQ with the PS3. Argh...

 

[Anghammarad]

My aging system consist of:

Panasonic PT-AE 700 projector
Marantz SR7500 A/V-Receiver
PS3
iMac running Plex
Dynaudio Audience 72 Fronts
Dynaudio C122 Center
Mordaunt-Short surrounds (can't recall the modelnumber, they are wallmounted bipoles)
Audio Pro Ego Sub
Euroscreen 90" Framed screen

The projector is almost five years and I am just waiting for it to fail so that I can buy a new one with 1080P. Have my eye on the Mitsubishi HTC 5500. I have ripped all my DVDs and Blue Rays to the iMac and watch them through Plex. It's really good to be able to store all the disks elsewhere.