2.1, 3.1 or 5.1? Budget about 500 - 1000 euro, Netherlands (1 Viewer)

Kurt79 · Feb 3, 2015

We're looking for a new HT system to replace an old Sony HTiB. We've got a TV STB (HDMI), PC (HDMI) and might get a new DVD/BD player in the future. The fronts will have to be on the TV cabinet and my girlfriend doesn't like anything the size of bookshelf speakers (of course). We watch TV, series, movies and listen radio. What should we be looking at?

Is 5.1+ surround still recommended over 2.1 or 3.1?

The Energy Take Classic 5.1 looks like a new speaker set, what amplifier / receiver would be recommended for it? What other speaker sets would be recommended?

Thanks in advance for the advice

Dave Upton · Feb 11, 2015

Kurt,

5.1 surround would be my minimum recommendation if you are re-investing. What is the maximum speaker size you would consider?

I really like two systems in particular that you can pair with the AV Receiver of your choice:

1) Paradigm Millennia - http://www.paradigm.com/products-current/collection=shift/model=milleniaone-ct/page=overview

2) KEF E-305 - http://www.kef.com/html/us/showroom/home_theatre_speakers/ESeries/fact_sheets/Systems/E305/index.html

You should be able to get one of these, and an AV Receiver for under 1000 EUR.

Dave

Kurt79 · Feb 11, 2015

5.1 is only (mostly?) for movies isn't it?

We don't have a solid maximum size (yet), but our current speakers are (don't laugh) Sony SS-TS71s

The KEFs look nice, but they cost 900 euro: http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/334949/kef-e305-%28zwart%29.html

Same for the MilleniaOne CT: http://www.amazon.com/Paradigm-MilleniaOne-CT-Multimedia-System/dp/B00C6AMDDO

I forgot to include, space for a receiver is limited to, so I guess we've got to look for a slimline one.

What's your opinion on the Energy Take 5.1?

Al.Anderson · Feb 11, 2015

5.1 is only (mostly?) for movies isn't it?

If you mean movies vs music, then yes.

But if you're differentiating movies and TV, then no; there are a lot of TV (and streaming) 5.1 audio programs.

Kurt79 · Feb 17, 2015

We've got Sennheiser RS 170 headphones which we'd like to permanently connect to the receiver (at the back). We've heard this isn't always possible, is this true? What features would this require?

Kurt79 · Feb 17, 2015

Al.Anderson said:
If you mean movies vs music, then yes.
But if you're differentiating movies and TV, then no; there are a lot of TV (and streaming) 5.1 audio programs.

What kind of TV programs are like this? I think our STB only outputs stereo, but I'm not sure.

Dave Upton · Feb 18, 2015

Most STB's have an optical output or HDMI output that can carry the standard Dolby Digital 5.1 signal. Usually this is just an option you enable in the STB menu.

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