Steve Perriam

ok, bit of a n0000b when it comes to this sorta stuff.

finally bought a big 32" nicam widescreen tv in the sales.

now contemplating a reasonable home cinema setup.

currently only got a ps2 which i use for dvd's.

dont really wanna spend to much.....too many holidays with she who must be obeyed to pay for

should i buy an all in one package.....seen a few panasonics / sonys etc locally....

or save more cash and go for separates ?

cheers

rb5037

You said sony

Tou also said you didn't want to spend too much

I've got the sony dvd/amp combined model 880.

Was £8/900 iirc last summer.

Had the prev model 800 too.

If that is your bugget then i would recomend them highly

BLACK V5

Go for a good av amp then buy sub & speakers seperately there much better than the crap you get in kits.
Try somewhere like richer sounds. Normally atleast half the price of most hifi shops. Should be able to get a good set up for well under 500 quid.

hades

Depends entirely on what you want and how much you have to spend. Things like the Sony DAV systems are pretty good for what they are - a DVD with amp, sub and speakers for something like £200 from Richer sounds. Unsuprisingly, they aren't a patch on something like a £500 AV amp with £500 6 speaker set-up running from a £200 DVD, and that wouldn't be in the same league as the £55k active 5.1 speakers that I saw ATC making when I happened by their factory.

As sensible middle ground, you can get the Accoustic Energy Aego5 set-up (processor, amp sub and speakers) for about £500 - just feed it digital data from a £100 DVD player (or even, I assume, the PS2). Very good sounding for the money, very small and stylish, quite wife friendly!

Whichever, go and have a look and a listen, pick what sounds and looks right for you on your budget.

logiclee

Another vote here for seperate amp and speakers. I've been into HC from the early days of Pro-Logic and importing Laser Discs for £50 a film

Don't really know how much I've spent over the last 15 years but I would say over £20k on Films and gear.

The all in one systems are OK but not a patch on a half decent seperates system.

Have a look at http://www.richersounds.com they usualy have some good deals.
You may also want to pic up a couple of HC mags such as Home Cinema Choice which are full of discount retailers.
Don't pay Dixons/Curry's prices.

Cheers
Lee

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I'm after a surround system too, but I'm also on a budget.

I've listened to a quite a few "all-in-one" systems, and I've never really been that impressed. (btw I've seen Aego 5's for sale at £200)

So I think for me the seperates route is the way to go.

Personally, I'm debating on buying a high end(ish) AV amp/reciever, and use it as a hi-fi as well. So I can re-build my old pair of floorstanders (currently with SEAS drivers), and I have a pair of wharfdale Diamond 7's which would make good rears. That just leaves me with need to buy a centre speaker, and maybe a rear speaker if it's 6.1

Just not sure if this kettle of mixed and mis-matched speakers would work ok or not

But hey... you can do it cheaper...he he - I found this on "how Stuff Works" DIY Dolby Pro-Logic!

Steve Perriam

cheers guys.

cant make up my mind whether to spend <£300 on an all in one system i've seen around town locally so i've at least got something (albeit basic) to start me off with or to wait a bit and buy a reasonable set of separates.

atm the budget is <£500.

if i wait a few months i could invest circa £1000. assuming this is enough for a separates setup worth the money?

i've picked up a couple of home cinema choice / what tv / hifi etc etc type mags to give me some ideas.

Suresh

I am convinced by the Jamo kit I have seen for sale. Gets top reviews too!

http://www.whatvideotv.com/cgi-bin/d...?reviewid=3208

Will be buying this and a widescreen crt in the next few weeks.

Suresh

Dr Hu

I bought an all-in-one kit to 'start me off' - wish I had'nt as I ended up selling it (for a fraction of what I paid for it) and going the seperates route once I was hooked.....

You will always have a little voice nagging in the back of your mind.... does the sub sound any good - would it sound better thru good speakers etc etc...

Got me in the end....

Steve Perriam

yep, after reading home cinema i'm now thinkin i mite as well save a bit more cash and get some separates....

that means lots more questions of wot i need / makes to buy / everything gotta be the same make ? / does tv make influence the choices ?

help !

stevev_ukturbo

Steve,

if your looking for a good 'all in one' unit you can go a hell of a lot worse than this kenwood unit

kenwood RD DV7

review

i got mine late last year and it cost me about 350 - 400 i think, the sound and picture quality is top notch.

im trying to find a link to a UK site at the moment and will post when i do so.

Steve