Getting my first sound system together. Opinions / Suggestions required!

[LowFreq]

Hi guys,

I am trying to put a new soundsystem together for my flat. I have never had a good soundsystem before. But have listened to good systems of my friends, and would like to have one as well.

My system is going to be used mainly for everything - watching movies, listening to radio, music etc.. I am aiming at a 5.1 system, as there is no room behind the sofa to but speakers there and create a 7.1 system.

Front speakers are 4metres away from the sofa, I am planning to use "wall mounted" speakers for the fronts.

Eventually I am thinking to fit the current equipment, what are your opinions or suggestions if there is better stuff around.

Front speakers 2x Bowers & Wilkins FPM4
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Speakers/Theatre_Solutions/FPM_VM_Series/FPM4.html
Center front speaker 1x Bowers & Wilkins FPM5
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Speakers/Theatre_Solutions/FPM_VM_Series/FPM5.html
Rear Speakers 2x Bowers & Wilkins FPM4
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Speakers/Theatre_Solutions/FPM_VM_Series/FPM4.html
Subwoofer No idea yet, thinking to get something from REL Acoustics or Velodyne DD series, will the DD-15 be too big for such a small room?

Headunit Onkyo TX-SR876
http://www.avguide.com/review/tested-onkyo-tx-sr876-thx-ultra2-plus-certified-71-channel-av-receiver

End result should look something like this:

These are the suggestions and ideas I got from one other board, but would like to hear your opinions as well!

 

[InTheIndustry]

Hi guys,

I am trying to put a new soundsystem together for my flat. I have never had a good soundsystem before. But have listened to good systems of my friends, and would like to have one as well.

My system is going to be used mainly for everything - watching movies, listening to radio, music etc.. I am aiming at a 5.1 system, as there is no room behind the sofa to but speakers there and create a 7.1 system.

Front speakers are 4metres away from the sofa, I am planning to use "wall mounted" speakers for the fronts.

Eventually I am thinking to fit the current equipment, what are your opinions or suggestions if there is better stuff around.

Front speakers 2x Bowers & Wilkins FPM4
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Speakers/Theatre_Solutions/FPM_VM_Series/FPM4.html
Center front speaker 1x Bowers & Wilkins FPM5
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Speakers/Theatre_Solutions/FPM_VM_Series/FPM5.html
Rear Speakers 2x Bowers & Wilkins FPM4
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Speakers/Theatre_Solutions/FPM_VM_Series/FPM4.html
Subwoofer No idea yet, thinking to get something from REL Acoustics or Velodyne DD series, will the DD-15 be too big for such a small room?

Headunit Onkyo TX-SR876
http://www.avguide.com/review/tested-onkyo-tx-sr876-thx-ultra2-plus-certified-71-channel-av-receiver

End result should look something like this:

These are the suggestions and ideas I got from one other board, but would like to hear your opinions as well!

The picture you posted has the wrong speakers!!! That pic is from a Tannoy setup & is featured on their website & marketing material. The Tannoy Arena Highline 500. See here.... http://tannoy.com/ResidentialSummary.aspx#&&/wEXBAUDU0lkBQI1MAUEU1NJZAUCNTEFA0FWSQUBMAUBVAUBUxZ9iXtUD1XKS7JmXx0mVqGnkgmq . And the Tannoy 500 are currently one of my absolute favorite one wall products. The Totem Tribe series is excellent as well, but the Tannoy I like a little better and is less money. The 500 is a substantial speaker that is HEAVY and beautiful. Truly a unique presentation that is forceful, but articulate. I would highly recommend these over the B&W.

3rd I would look at Canton's CD series. These are also very well built, strong products.

4th, for a more conservative budget, the Jamo D500 THX Select2 on walls are super super nice and a bit less at $350/ea. The Jamo speakers, however, would mount under your screen.

Look into those if you'd like. Good luck!

 

[LowFreq]

Thanks for the info. Havent really heard about Tannoy much before, but they sure are nice looking and definetly cheaper than the B&W's. Dont know how they sound thought, as havent listened to them.

What do you think about the amp?

 

[AVRat]

That receiver will work just fine, but it's a few years out of date.

 

[LowFreq]

I saw that it's an old model, but could not really find anything more suitable for myself.
Any ideas or suggestions on new receivers?

 

[AVRat]

It would help to know what country you are in and how much you are willing to spend?

 

[GranteedEV]

4 meters is a solid distance from speakers. You might want to make sure you've got some mains that can get really loud so you're not compression limited. I like the idea of those THX rated Jamo speakers for that reason. Also consider looking into Emotiva and Atlantic Technology speakers, both designed to some extent by Vance Dickason.

As for a sub, whatever you get organise your budget to get multiples - 2, 3, or even 4, and a few brands to look into might be a Rythmik, SVS, HSU, Funkywaves, Seaton, and Emotiva. I think for that room sealed subs would work nicely but your best bet however is to discuss the room with each of these companies and discuss with each of them your room and budget. I wouldn't bother with Velodyne or REL personally. They both make excellent subs but they're not a very good value at all.

Whatever you get I highly recommend a dedicated sub EQ (or two) such as the Velodyne SMS-1, SVS AS-EQ1, or (Behringer FBQ2496 + calibrated Dayton mic + calibrated soundcard + REW).

 

[LowFreq]

Thanks guys, and happy new year! So the choice gets bigger and bigger, what a dilemma

My bugdet for the receiver would be 1000$ and I'm located in Europe!

 

[3db]

I wonder why you are looking into in-wall speakers as opposed to regular speakers. Four meters is a considerable distance away from the speakers. Can you place your speakers that far apart on the walls? When doing speaker placement with respect to the listening position, its best to start off with equalateral placement and then adjust to optimize sound. With in-walls, the only thing you can do is move the listening position. In-walls limits your flexability to change the room around should you want to where as regular speakers offer you freedom to do so. Just pointing out the limitations of in-wall speakers and room placement.

 

[InTheIndustry]

I wonder why you are looking into in-wall speakers as opposed to regular speakers. Four meters is a considerable distance away from the speakers. Can you place your speakers that far apart on the walls? When doing speaker placement with respect to the listening position, its best to start off with equalateral placement and then adjust to optimize sound. With in-walls, the only thing you can do is move the listening position. In-walls limits your flexability to change the room around should you want to where as regular speakers offer you freedom to do so. Just pointing out the limitations of in-wall speakers and room placement.

I believe he is meaning ON-Wall, good sir!

 

[InTheIndustry]

Thanks guys, and happy new year! So the choice gets bigger and bigger, what a dilemma

My bugdet for the receiver would be 1000$ and I'm located in Europe!

That is a healthy budget for a receiver to power speakers like what you are looking at. $800 - $1200 is a fair range. Pioneer Elite, Maranz, Denon, Onkyo. All are very good.

 

[LowFreq]

That is a healthy budget for a receiver to power speakers like what you are looking at. $800 - $1200 is a fair range. Pioneer Elite, Maranz, Denon, Onkyo. All are very good.

Thanks for the info guys. I had a read about the TANNOY's, but unfortunately cant decide without listening to them, and could not find a dealer which sells them in my country.

As you mentioned that the ONKYO model I found was rather old, I found another one which is: ONKYO TXNR808, but this receiver is 7.1, can anyone comment if it is also possible to implement it in a 5.1 system? Is it a good receiver, or would you get something else?

About the speakers I still think getting the 4 PCS of FPM4 (front and rear) and 1PCS of FPM 5 (center). Sub no ideas yet...