Expanding audio for TV & non-TV music

[Chuck Cohen]

I bought a new Sony Bravia XR A95K OLED TV 6 weeks ago. If I thought streaming was revamping film and music, I didn’t understand what a great piece of engineering this TV is. I’m looking for a little guidance regarding creating a better sound environment (for watching quality movies & TV streams) without going to a full home theater. We have a large condo area (living room, dining area & kitchen). The only component I have aside from the TV is my “old” Velodyne wired subwoofer which I’d like to use.

I’m thinking that I might get the new Sony STR-AZ1000ES AVR with a couple of excellent non-powered, side speakers. Such would allow for better verbal sound from the TV’s built-in center channel function and better music from the side speakers. It would also allow for decent music from my iPhone or iPad without having to waste OLED screen hours.

If I’m thinking correctly, what two added speakers might folks recommend? I don’t want large physically overwhelming tower speakers. I’m thinking two good “bookshelf” style speakers on support tables.

Thanks much.
Chuck Cohen

 

[lovinthehd]

Budget for speakers? What Velodyne do you have? Any particular reason for the Sony avr?

 

[Bucknekked]

I bought a new Sony Bravia XR A95K OLED TV 6 weeks ago. If I thought streaming was revamping film and music, I didn’t understand what a great piece of engineering this TV is. I’m looking for a little guidance regarding creating a better sound environment (for watching quality movies & TV streams) without going to a full home theater. We have a large condo area (living room, dining area & kitchen). The only component I have aside from the TV is my “old” Velodyne wired subwoofer which I’d like to use.

I’m thinking that I might get the new Sony STR-AZ1000ES AVR with a couple of excellent non-powered, side speakers. Such would allow for better verbal sound from the TV’s built-in center channel function and better music from the side speakers. It would also allow for decent music from my iPhone or iPad without having to waste OLED screen hours.

If I’m thinking correctly, what two added speakers might folks recommend? I don’t want large physically overwhelming tower speakers. I’m thinking two good “bookshelf” style speakers on support tables.

Thanks much.
Chuck Cohen

Chuck
Welcome to the AH and I can pretty much guarantee there will be enough opinions on how to improve your TV sound that something should resonate with you. First off, congrats on the TV. That's a biggun'. We recently upgraded to the 85" size and my goodness what a fun thing that is.

Improving sound is a given. You can't get worse than the just the TV so its all an improvement.
My wife is hearing impaired so for us improving the center channel dialogue (where most of the sound that matters goes in a TV setting) is a top priority. If you want to stay slim and trim and go with virtually no extra boxes for electronics, a soundbar these days will still upgrade that center channel as well as the LR audio. There are several really good ones down in the soundbar thread in this forum. Lots of AH folks love to hate on sound bars but they have come a long way and will give you a boost. Minimal wires and it virtually disappears under the TV.

If you can stomach buying in to an AVR, then the sky is the limit for improvement. It complcates your wiring setup initially, but, once setup its going to give you the very best in sound options. You said you weren't looking to go full home theater and this can be pretty close. But you don't have to do anything other than L-C-R speakers and they can all stay tight to the TV area. The models and such are varied and without knowing your budget and how much Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) you have to deal with I will hold off.

Enjoy. Remember this can be fun and it doesn't have to be stressful.

THINGS EVERYONE WILL WANT TO KNOW
1 BUDGET
2 WAF factor: can you buy stuff you want?
3. Whats the TV setup (mounted on wall, sitting on a hutch, how is it positioned?)
4. Distance to where you are sitting

 

[Chuck Cohen]

Budget for speakers? What Velodyne do you have? Any particular reason for the Sony avr?

Budget: AVR ~ $1,000-1,200. The new Sony unit STR AV1000 ES looks good. My thinking is that Sony perhaps introduced this new line of AVRs to go with the XR line of TVs. Perhaps in subtle, but meaningful ways??
Speakers: Velodyne 3400R which I bought new years ago and had rebuilt by a top notch fellow here in LA.
Side speakers: 2 not towers, not powered, but quality bookshelf speakers maybe with included stands. Cost: maybe $1,600 for decent quality low end speakers from a good vendor?

 

[Eppie]

I have not had a chance to hear the audio from the A95K but one reason to go with the AZ-1000ES is the Acoustic Center Sync feature. For those that hear the dialogue clearly from the TV speakers, the ASC features lets the AVR work with the TV speakers on supported TVs. Not as good as a dedicated center speaker but for those that don't have the space for a center speaker it can be a viable option. You can try it out and if not to your liking you can add a dedicated center later.

$1600 is a healthy budget for 2 bookshelves. I would not consider that low end. Are you able to listen to any speakers locally and do you know what brands are available? It's best to listen first hand or use an internet direct company with a free trial. In that price range you can try the SVS Ultra (free return), KEF LS50 Meta, Polk L200 or R200, Monitor Audio Silvers, Arendal 1723 S THX (free return), Paradigm Premier 200B, MoFi SourcePoint 10 (when discounted but it's a large bookshelf). Quite a few options between $1000 and $1600 not to mention Martin Logan, Q Acoustics, Revel or Focal.

Wanted to mention the Hsu CCB-8 as it's a great compact speaker and under your budget. Single driver so you can stand them up or lay on their side and use 3 of them for L+C+R but they are out of stock until mid-July. A frequent forum member is very happy with these and they reviewed well.

 

[Chuck Cohen]

Is there any evolving combo speaker that includes ATMOS. We have a 7’2” ceiling. Is it worth trying to get height oriented speakers esp if there is such a combo unit?

 

[Eppie]

Is there any evolving combo speaker that includes ATMOS. We have a 7’2” ceiling. Is it worth trying to get height oriented speakers esp if there is such a combo unit?

If you are thinking of "bouncy house" speakers with the ATMOS speakers mounted in the top of the main L+R, there are not many fans of those here. Top mounted speakers tend to interfere with the main speakers and whether or not you like the result is hit and miss. Best result is a ceiling mounted speaker per the Dolby specifications for placement. Side surrounds are probably the next most important after your main speakers. If you can't do side or rear speakers then I would forgo ATMOS. That would be a 3.1.2 setup which may not even be supported by the AVR.