Confusion - Setting Up First 5.1 System

[Aff]

Hi all and greetings from Australia

Looking at setting up our first decent 5.1 system after buying first 4k TV last week - we want something that's going to be good with movies (clear speech, not constantly having to turn it up and down depending on scene etc) and does music well. At the moment we're using an old HTIB system that came with rubbish speakers and this Yamaha amp - HTR-2067. We've talked about upgrading the speakers and the best I've found for our budget of $1k (AU) seems to be this set from Pioneer (Pioneer-SP-PK52FS.)

I can either buy the speakers individually or purchase it in a pack packaged with a Pioneer amp (VSX-330). So what I'd like to know is this:

1. Is my current Yamaha amp compatible with the Pioneer speaker pack? (Have tried to read up on this but the more I read the more confused I get so I figured it'd be safer to come to a community of people who I may be able to ask specific questions to)

2. Is the amp that comes with the speaker pack a significant upgrade on my Yamaha model? I've read that the main difference is the standard of the 4k pass through? How much would a better amp set me back and is it worth it to the quality of the sound output I'll get?

3. I've read that the sub isn't great on the Pioneer speaker pack (SP-PK52FS) so if I did go ahead and purchase it, would there be a better sub alternative (for a similar price) for either the Yamaha or Pioneer amp?

Any help on this appreciated - and take it easy, I'm a total noob ;-) Also I did try and make everything clickable but not allowed to post links until 5 posts in.

 

[everettT]

The speakers will work fine as they are a good value. The sub is definitely lacking as you mentioned.

As for the AVR you need to make sure it will at least pass all 4k signals to your display. If it where me I'd be looking at midrange AVRs in the 599 to $799 range.

What's your room size and is it open to other rooms?

 

[sterling shoote]

Hi all and greetings from Australia

Looking at setting up our first decent 5.1 system after buying first 4k TV last week - we want something that's going to be good with movies (clear speech, not constantly having to turn it up and down depending on scene etc) and does music well. At the moment we're using an old HTIB system that came with rubbish speakers and this Yamaha amp - HTR-2067. We've talked about upgrading the speakers and the best I've found for our budget of $1k (AU) seems to be this set from Pioneer (Pioneer-SP-PK52FS.)

I can either buy the speakers individually or purchase it in a pack packaged with a Pioneer amp (VSX-330). So what I'd like to know is this:

1. Is my current Yamaha amp compatible with the Pioneer speaker pack? (Have tried to read up on this but the more I read the more confused I get so I figured it'd be safer to come to a community of people who I may be able to ask specific questions to)

2. Is the amp that comes with the speaker pack a significant upgrade on my Yamaha model? I've read that the main difference is the standard of the 4k pass through? How much would a better amp set me back and is it worth it to the quality of the sound output I'll get?

3. I've read that the sub isn't great on the Pioneer speaker pack (SP-PK52FS) so if I did go ahead and purchase it, would there be a better sub alternative (for a similar price) for either the Yamaha or Pioneer amp?

Any help on this appreciated - and take it easy, I'm a total noob ;-) Also I did try and make everything clickable but not allowed to post links until 5 posts in.

For about $1200US, you could buy (5) JBL Control 5's and the matching sub for music and movie pleasure, which would please the most critical listener, in many environments for home theatre.

 

[Aff]

@everettT

The actual room itself is quite small but it's open to other rooms, the whole space is about 6m x 8m I'd guess, 2-3m height-wise as it's a sloping roof. So the Yamaha (HTR-2067) would run the Pioneer speakers (Pioneer-SP-PK52FS ) fine to begin with if I wanted to save up for a decent AVR? Or would it be worth nabbing the Pioneer AVR (VSX330) that comes with the speaker pack for the extra $100 or so? (I'll definitely get a new AVR at some point as from memory, my current Yamaha is only HDCP 1.4.)

Or if I don't get the speaker pack and ignore the Pioneer AVR, I can buy the speakers individually and get a different sub - any clue on what to look for there? As I said before, complete noob when it comes to purchasing but not silly enough to walk into local electronics store and blindly take the work of the sales assistant either - but as I live in a rural area, it's hard getting to specialist stores and most won't look at you with the budget I have.

@sterling shoote

Thanks for the tip - had a look but can't find anywhere that stocks in Aus.

 

[lovinthehd]

That VSX330 is a fairly basic Pioneer model, more a lateral move except for the 4k HDMI/HDCP features; I'd stick with your current one and look for something better later.

Don't know what subs you can get in Australia. Can you find SVS subs? I think they're distributed there.

As far as those JBLs go, they're pro audio models, did you check with appropriate dealers for such? They're available on Amazon here in the US...

 

[Aff]

Thanks for the reply @lovinthehd

I've had a brief look for SVS - can't find anything anywhere near my price range listed in Australia. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places? It's hard where I live and things are usually very expensive here anyway. We don't even have Amazon in Aus. I'm happy to travel or order online but if I order to Pioneer speakers individually I have a budget of around $400 left for a sub. Am I going to be able to do better for the $400?

I've looked into JBL and the ones mentioned above aren't listed on the JBL Aus website and Google searches come up short for that model too. The only model I can seem to find in my price range is the JBL Control X?

Generally I'm looking at ordering from places such as Kogan or JB Hifi here in Aus. I can't really order from places like Amazon overseas as the postage just kills us.

I wonder what other options are around than the Pioneer for the budget I have, any ideas? Appreciate all the help everyone.

[Edit] And also it's a relief to know that if I do have to end up going with the whole Pioneer speaker pack that my current amp will be able to deal with that.

 

[lovinthehd]

Minimum price for an SVS sub here in the US is $500. That's sort of a starting point for better subs budget-wise. DIY could be a way to go but cost savings usually come in with using at least two subs with a single amp. Might be worth checking the used market? What do they want for the Pioneer sub? Here the 8" goes for about $150, and just saw the 10" for $500 on Amazon (and I really wouldn't recommend either generally, but we have lots of choices here in the US for subs).

 

[Aff]

It says that that it's the 12 inch version when I go the model number into the Pioneer site. It's selling for $299 AU. For an extra $100, I'm not sure I can do better from looking around.

 

[lovinthehd]

It says that that it's the 12 inch version when I go the model number into the Pioneer site. It's selling for $299 AU. For an extra $100, I'm not sure I can do better from looking around.

What is the model number? All I find are car models...

 

[Aff]

S-MS3SW - It's listed on the Pioneer Australia website and also Kogan dot com dot au where I'd purchase from.

 

[Aff]

https://www.pioneeraudio.com.au/search?type=product&q=S-MS3SW

https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/pioneer-bass-reflex-powered-subwoofer-200w-s-ms3sw-pioneer/

 

[lovinthehd]

It appears to be marketed in your part of the world rather than the US (mostly India and Australia pop up). Doesn't dig very low at 27hz (if that's even a -3dB point, they don't specify) but I'd like to see some definition to their specs or some 3rd party testing....but might be one of your better choices for the $.

 

[Aff]

There was a really in-depth review of it here and like you they suggest a SVS sub but I've checked those and they're at least $800 a pop here in Aus.

Seems that I'll go with the whole speaker set then. I can't find much info at all on the JBL Control 5's and from what I've read, this set is the best I'm going to do for my $1k budget that will work with my current AVR.

I'll leave it for a while and see if anyone else has any other suggestions (always open to suggestions) but otherwise I'll pull the trigger over the next couple of days and give it a go.

Thanks for you help

 

[sterling shoote]

The JBL Control 5's are marketed by JBL Professional. Just Google JBL Pro and scroll to AU for dealers. Dealers will be folks serving recording and broadcast post production markets. Don't let this distribution method disturb you, the Control 5's are ideal for home theatre. It would require about a $15,000 investment in speakers to realize minimal gain. www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/control-5#.WzTVYfZFxjp

 

[Aff]

Thanks @sterling shoote

I've found 3 suppliers for Aus. I doubt I'll be able to get them for the price I want as they're not listed on the websites of the suppliers at all. I'll flick a couple of emails tomorrow and see what I get.

Those speakers and sub will work with my current AVR - correct? https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/htr-2067/index.html

 

[mtrycrafts]

...(clear speech, not constantly having to turn it up and down depending on scene etc) ...

Welcome to AH

Some of that issue is due to the way the speech was recorded and placed on the soundtrack. At time the music almost drowns it out and the soft talk and whispers are not boosted. May want to make notes which move this issue is in, volume level, and the time so you can check with the new speakers.

 

[sterling shoote]

Thanks @sterling shoote

I've found 3 suppliers for Aus. I doubt I'll be able to get them for the price I want as they're not listed on the websites of the suppliers at all. I'll flick a couple of emails tomorrow and see what I get.

Those speakers and sub will work with my current AVR - correct? https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/htr-2067/index.html

The Control 5's are passive; thus, they are powered by your AVR. I can not imagine any AVR not being able to drive the Control 5's, since the speakers are a very efficient ported design.