5.1 simulated sound from 2 speakers?

[seedybrick]

ok so i just got a bedroom xbr9.

Don't have room for a 5.1 setup or anything like that so i've been thinking about just getting 2 small bookshelf speakers.

so i'm looking for recommendations/thoughts about getting a system that simulates 5.1 surround.

all i'm seeing so far is the Bose CineMate but i'm not sure that's what i really want.

am i better off just getting a receiver that does this work and then buying 2 bookshelf speakers separately?

for some reason i thought there was a plethora of these type units that would allow me a decent surround field with 2 speakers but i guess there aren't as many out there as i thought?

-i'm lost....please guide me!
Ken

 

[lsiberian]

ok so i just got a bedroom xbr9.

Don't have room for a 5.1 setup or anything like that so i've been thinking about just getting 2 small bookshelf speakers.

so i'm looking for recommendations/thoughts about getting a system that simulates 5.1 surround.

all i'm seeing so far is the Bose CineMate but i'm not sure that's what i really want.

am i better off just getting a receiver that does this work and then buying 2 bookshelf speakers separately?

for some reason i thought there was a plethora of these type units that would allow me a decent surround field with 2 speakers but i guess there aren't as many out there as i thought?

-i'm lost....please guide me!
Ken

Honestly Bose is way overpriced. Almost any speaker made from a speaker maker has better sound than Bose systems. This is consesus among almost every person in this hobby.

If you are interested in simulated surround KEF makes a very good 5.2 series. Yamaha makes a nice sound bar. I'd be tempted to use one in a living room situation.

If you want full home theater solutions SVS, KEF, The speaker company, and many others have great solutions.

If you want just a nice pair of speakers. I suggest the Behringer 2030p they are the best pair out there in the reasonable price range.

They are studio quality speakers so you can imagine how nice music or theater will sound.

Plus if you do a couple easy mods you can make them even better.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, you are better off buying a receiver and 2 speakers. A surround bar will likely have a more immersive surround sound to it, but those rely on your room supporting the sound reflections. If you have a lot of furniture, the results may not be the best. I'd personally choose a quality 2 or 2.1 setup over a surround bar as 1) it will sound better in the same price range and 2) you can expand on it.

 

[lsiberian]

Yes, you are better off buying a receiver and 2 speakers. A surround bar will likely have a more immersive surround sound to it, but those rely on your room supporting the sound reflections. If you have a lot of furniture, the results may not be the best. I'd personally choose a quality 2 or 2.1 setup over a surround bar as 1) it will sound better in the same price range and 2) you can expand on it.

Agreed. Get the Behringers and a Nice sub from SVS.

 

[fredk]

I agree. Start with good bookshelves and a sub. You might be surprised though. A good set of surrounds will work even in a small room.

 

[markw]

Personally, I'd go for a decent two channel setup. I use a two-channel setup on the office TV and don't yearn for the other three channels too badly. A good two channel system trumps a poor multi-channel system, MNSHO.

But, if you really want a pseudo-surround sound with a minimal investment in real estate, the one-piece Yamaha DSP sound bars do a pretty credible job, if positioned properly and the room agrees with them.

 

[seedybrick]

geez i'm kinda torn here.

2.1 is simply stereo sound correct?
and so yall are saying that these soundbars etc. just really don't give you enough of a surround feeling to make them worth it?

and with a 2.1 i guess i'll need to get a receiver then?

idk....it just hurts to have a 1080p tv with digital outputs as well as a blu ray player and think that i'm not going to get much of a HT experience even though it's a bedroom setup.
with the center channel for dialougue and whatnot.....
hmm....

 

[bandphan]

geez i'm kinda torn here.

2.1 is simply stereo sound correct?
and so yall are saying that these soundbars etc. just really don't give you enough of a surround feeling to make them worth it?

and with a 2.1 i guess i'll need to get a receiver then?

idk....it just hurts to have a 1080p tv with digital outputs as well as a blu ray player and think that i'm not going to get much of a HT experience even though it's a bedroom setup.
with the center channel for dialougue and whatnot.....
hmm....

I use a 2ch setup in the BR and have no issues at all Ill be adding subs when my new ones are here, but havent really felt the need. Two good bookshelves and a small sub is good for a typical BR. You bought a premium display, add the gear to go with it. I personally cant stand sound bars