Buying a 5.1 surround sound system

[Haopengyou]

I am going to buy a surround sound system and, as usual, I do not have the $$ to buy the quality that I want. I am thinking about either:
buying a nicer amp and cheaper speakers at first, then upgrading the speakers as I get more $$

or

Buying nicer speakers and a cheaper amp, then upgrading the amp as I get more $$


Also..I am not sure if this question will make sense (I am probably showing my ignorance) of the 5 speakers in a 5.1 which ones are "more important" while watching a (listening to) a movie and which are more important while listening to music? Is it possible - useful - to have 2 subwoofers?

[yoda313]

You can get a .2 system but those are pricier.

You should also consider whether or not you want 7.1 for bluray.

I would invest more in the amp as opposed to the speakers. That is where the most expense lies. You can always get used speakers but if you want a great amp and want it new you should put your money there first. You can get by with lower spec speakers until you can upgrade them.

It doesn't make sense in my mind to get killer speakers only to upgrade the amp later. You should get the hardware (the brains) as good as you can in your budget and then work on speakers later.

Also consider whether or not you may go 3d in the future. If so make sure the receiver is hdmi 1.4 compatible. That is what you need for 1080p 3d.

[redwudz]

For a surround sound system, the center channel provides most of the spoken dialog. The right and left stereo provide the sound effects, music. The subwoofer supplies the low frequency 'rumble'. The two rear speakers provide ambiance and background sounds. Positioning them is critical for best effect. Most amps have a test program to aid in set up.

I use regular stereo speakers for the left and right channels. I've had these for several years. I upgraded the center channel to a newer speaker a few months ago. The subwoofers are fairly new, about a year. I have two 10" ones. The rear channel speakers are small units I got with a surround sound package that included speakers and the surround sound amplifier.

Another option for saving money is to look for a used 5.1 amplifier. There are plenty on the market from Craigslist or E-Bay because of upgrades to 7.1 systems. Make sure the amp has optical and coaxial audio inputs as these are the most common for newer systems. Power outputs of 100W per channel are good.

The speakers you can obtain individually as there are a lot of variation as to size, cost and quality.

The newer systems are commonly 7.1, which just means two more speakers. You may or may not notice any difference in sound quality over a 5.1 system, depending on the amp and the audio that you are feeding it.

[bbanderic]

I just bought the new Pioneer VSX-820-K receiver:

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-820-K-Audio-Video-Receiver/dp/B0039XQL2G/ref=sr_1_1?...7463432&sr=1-1

This receiver is all set for 3D (HDMI 1.4), which I'm really not interested in and decodes all the HD audio. I stayed with a 5.1 system as I really don't need two more speakers in my room, plus as of right now the vast majority of Blu-ray's are 5.1. Whatever receiver you buy make sure it decodes all the HD audio and has HDMI in/out.

[Haopengyou]

Thanks! With 5.2 surround sound, would it make sense to put the second sub in the rear of the room?

[yoda313]

That would be one way to go.

In my 5.1 system I have my sub in the rear. Mainly because I have glass in the cabinet where my tv and stereo is in the front of the room. When I did have the sub in the front it rattled too much and I was worried about breakage (or at the very least irritating vibrating on low rattling sequences disrupting the movie experience.

I don't have a .2 system but if you have the space you might also try a side by side experiment. You might be able to place them on the opposite sides of the room.

Kinda like this

tv

sub sub

rear


It would just be a matter of experimentation.

[Spdngblt56]

@Haopengyou,

I'm assuming that the picture of your motherboard with the S/PDIF optical ouput adaptor that I posted here: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/320571-Sound-cards-for-dummies?p=1985115&viewfull=1#post1985115 helped you find find it?

[redwudz]

Subwoofers are non-directional, so placement isn't much of an issue. I have my two 10" SWs stacked on top of each other behind my standing main speakers, mostly because they are out of sight that way. But anywhere in the room will work about the same. Close to a wall or in a corner should give you the best boost.

If you do use two subs, check the phasing of the speakers. Most subs will give you that info in your manual, then it's just a matter of flipping a switch on them for the best bass. If the speakers interfere with each other, that will decrease your bass response.

[Haopengyou]

@Haopengyou,

I'm assuming that the picture of your motherboard with the S/PDIF optical ouput adaptor that I posted here: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/320571-Sound-cards-for-dummies?p=1985115&viewfull=1#post1985115 helped you find find it?

Yes, it did! Thanks