Home Theatre System

[Kanoe]

Not exactly the ideal time to be looking with a global crisis going on but have been wanting to look at replacing my old (10yr plus) setup at home and could use some advice / information to help get started as I know next to nothing about this stuff.

Currently we have a DVD upscaler that also acts as an audio receiver for other items (TV, Set top box, Xbox One S) that connect to it via digital coax / optical and the receiver can decode DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 and it came with the speakers, Front Left, Center, Front Right, Subwoofer and then Rear Left, Rear Right that have a box that connects wirelessly (2.4GHz) to the receiver.

At the time we got it we didn't have a lot of wifi equipment but they interfere with it something chronic these days.

So am looking for a setup that can take multiple inputs and supports DTS:X and Dolby Atmos decode so to achieve this I need an A/V receiver that takes HDMIs in (as there is no support for DTS:X and Atmos over optical) and can support 4k60 HLG, HDR10 and Dolby Vision passthrough to TV.

I am not overly fussed if the receiver comes with speakers (potentially makes things easier) or not but if not a good set of matched speakers with a speaker config of Front Left, Centre, Front Right, Subwoofer, Rear Left, Rear Right (rears wireless if poss cant run cables round under floor or up walls) and 2x Atoms speakers (the type that fire up, couldn't get away with in ceiling mounted speakers as the wife would kill me as only refurbed the living room a year ago) [Note: not sure if this config is referred to as 5.1.2 or just 7.1 or something else]

The budget isn't limitless but I am not sure where I should start with this stuff so any information would be welcome to start researching.

I am not looking for a soundbar arrangement, I think they have there place in the world but this isn't it.

[MagicWok]

I've been a fan of Onkyo for a while, both for the cost/feature set and quality. I bought my father the TX-NR626 7 years ago and it has held up really well in the time since. I've been eyeing up the Onkyo TXNR696 for my own personal set up recently, and it would seem to tick all the boxes you've mentioned. https://www.richersounds.com/tv-home...696-black.html

Hope that helps your research!

[jimbouk]

If it wasn't for lockdown I'd say pop into Richer Sounds and see what they say! I've got rear speaker wire running under the carpet in places (mostly goes neatly between the wall and grip) or hiding behind furniture. If you've got solid floors then you can get small trunking that will sit next to/on top of skirting boards. Potential options. Clear speaker wire is fairly discreet as well. But then I did drill lots of holes in the walls for network cables

I've got a PS4 for blueray duties and manage to get 5.1 out most of the time to the amp via optical compressed (still need to sort out sync). How big is the room? You might not need a sub if you get reasonable front and centre speakers than can handle full range, and 5 speakers might be plenty.

[Kanoe]

Wood floors, solid walls with no cavity and the wife would not go for trunking as it would have to go up and around a folding door so wireless would be ideal.

[Kanoe]

So whats the main differences between A/V recievers that cost like £200 and £1000? Oftern apart from the number of input / outputs i cant seem to find much difference?

Is there a case to say that if i find a model that supports the Videos Passthrough features and the audio standards i'm after go cheap as possible and put the rest towards speakers?

Speaking of which, where do you starrt with speakers cause the options seem even more!

[Smudger]

Well, you can start with an amp/speakers bundle, here: https://www.richersounds.com/tv-home...-packages.html
The more you spend on an amp, the more channels/hdmi ports/outputs you get, plus hopefully better sound quality.

One way to get round the wireless rears thing is to get an amp with MusicCast/HEOS or similar, so middle-ground Yamahas and Denons. There's probably an Onkyo/Sony equivalent, but I don't know for sure.

I'd give Richer a call, they're working, and gradually opening shops, but even if your local one isn't open, you can get in touch with the manager/staff on the phone or e-mail, and explain your needs.

[Spudbynight]

So whats the main differences between A/V recievers that cost like £200 and £1000? Oftern apart from the number of input / outputs i cant seem to find much difference?

Is there a case to say that if i find a model that supports the Videos Passthrough features and the audio standards i'm after go cheap as possible and put the rest towards speakers?

Speaking of which, where do you starrt with speakers cause the options seem even more!

I know this is probably too late for the OP but I wanted to add something here. Higher prices on AV receivers will normally get you two things, features and sound quality. With regards to features, you normally get something like Dolby Atmos introduced into higher end receivers and then manufacturers introduce it lower down their range with subsequent models. With most features, you need to decide if you will actually use them. Having a receiver that will drive 11.2 audio setups is pointless if you are only going to plug in 5.1 speakers.

With regards to sound quality this is very subjective. Personally I can tell the difference between a £2000 receiver and £200 receiver. I struggle to tell the difference between a £2000 one and a £1000 one. Older models from higher end audio companies can be worth checking out. Sevenoaks clearance can be a real source of bargains. A friend of mine got a receiver from them a few years ago. I forget the brand but it had been about £2000 at launch and he got it for about £350. It was light on features but the sound quality was leagues ahead of anything else in that price bracket.

[Kanoe]

Cheers, the fact that lockdown meant Richersounds was shut meant I didnt really make much progress on this.

In terms of features, Atmos is a must, looking for a 5.1.4 speaker set up, 4k HDR passthrough is another key feature and sounds good but that might come down to the speaker choice as much as the reciever.

[Smudger]

It might be worth letting us know your budget.

The entry-level amps from most manufacturers will do 5.1.2 for basic Atmos, for 5.1.4 you might be looking higher up in the ranges. Pretty much all of them will pass through 4k HDR/DV but only a few will pass through HDR10+ at the mo.

[Techfan1991]

If Atmos is a must for you, I recommend Klipsch 7.2.2. The sound really does come from everywhere. The first time we used it, we watched a Jurassic Park movie and the experience was incredible!