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Monday, December 31, 2012
Top 5 Do's: Design your own 5.1 Component Surround Sound System
Here's how I got from almost purchasing a soundbar to designing and installing my own 5.1 surround sound component system.
I was so close to buying a soundbar - one with really high reviews for sound quality - but the best reviews for all soundbars would begin with something like "a true surround system purchased at the same cost would sound much better" . The reviewer would then go on to discuss the pros and cons for that soundbar.
So, before dropping a wad on a high-quality soundbar, I began investigating "Home Theater in a Box", aka HTIB systems. It was an easy step to take - I could buy everything I need for a surround system in one 'box' - all the decisions made for me. I even found some systems with really great Amazon reviews. But, once again, I'd come across a reviewer that would mention how the system was no match for a component system. With a component system I could upgrade/add components in the future and would have higher-quality overall, resulting in a system that would sound better at a lower cost.
Ugh... but I am no audio expert... so could I really figure out how to put a system together. Turns out, I could and I did. Here's how:
1) Decide on a budget: The highly-rated soundbar system I was considering was $1500.00, the highly rated HTIB system I was considering was $699.00. I decided to try to keep things less than $1000.00. Maybe your budget is less or maybe more, but here's a tip - buy high quality stuff no matter what you do - instead of buying a less- than-decent 5.1 system, create a more-than-decent 2.1 system and add to it when you have additional budget. View this system configuration post to get a visual on what I mean. This link at Dolby I found very helpful on understanding what speakers do what.
2) Choose a receiver: Do a search on Amazon.com for surround system receivers and look for one that is highly rated and that is roughly 1/3 of your budget. When you get a few models that look good, do a general search on them to find additional reviews or see what forums are hot/cold on your surround system receiver. My receiver came in at around $399.00, but included speakers I decided were good enough for my L/R rear surrounds. TIP: Your receiver does not necessarily have to match the brand of your TV, your speakers or your subwoofer - I bought a Yamaha receiver and Polk speakers (with the Pioneer speakers included with my receiver).
3) Choose your speakers: Do Amazon.com searches and find highly-rated candidates for further general search & forum review. My center channel, subwoofer and L/R front speaker pair were all about the same cost - coming in at about 1/5 of my budget each. My rear speakers were included with my receiver - but still highly rated. TIP: Your speakers and subwoofers do not necessarily have to match the brand of your receiver.
4) Buy quality speaker cable and banana plugs (optional) for installation. I bought some highly-rated RCA 14 gauge speaker wire.
5) Before you buy - download the manual for the receiver you selected and peruse it for appropriate inputs and outputs to match your TV, DVD player and speakers. Doing this will help you confirm your receiver choice.
Do a little shopping around on the net to find a good price at a reputable dealer - here is what I came up with:
1 x ($399.95) YAMAHA RX-V473BL 5.1-Channel Network AV Receiver $399.95
1 x ($189.99) Polk Audio PSW Series PSW505 12" Powered Subwoofer Each $189.99
1 x ($149.99) Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center Channel Speaker (Black) Each $149.99
1 x ($00.00) Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers Pair $49.99 (incl. w/ receiver)
1 x ($197.96) Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black)
My total including speaker wire & banana plugs came in around $950. I think I ended up with a decent quality system that fit my budget, was fun to design and has a future in terms of upgrading.
I was so close to buying a soundbar - one with really high reviews for sound quality - but the best reviews for all soundbars would begin with something like "a true surround system purchased at the same cost would sound much better" . The reviewer would then go on to discuss the pros and cons for that soundbar.
So, before dropping a wad on a high-quality soundbar, I began investigating "Home Theater in a Box", aka HTIB systems. It was an easy step to take - I could buy everything I need for a surround system in one 'box' - all the decisions made for me. I even found some systems with really great Amazon reviews. But, once again, I'd come across a reviewer that would mention how the system was no match for a component system. With a component system I could upgrade/add components in the future and would have higher-quality overall, resulting in a system that would sound better at a lower cost.
Ugh... but I am no audio expert... so could I really figure out how to put a system together. Turns out, I could and I did. Here's how:
1) Decide on a budget: The highly-rated soundbar system I was considering was $1500.00, the highly rated HTIB system I was considering was $699.00. I decided to try to keep things less than $1000.00. Maybe your budget is less or maybe more, but here's a tip - buy high quality stuff no matter what you do - instead of buying a less- than-decent 5.1 system, create a more-than-decent 2.1 system and add to it when you have additional budget. View this system configuration post to get a visual on what I mean. This link at Dolby I found very helpful on understanding what speakers do what.
2) Choose a receiver: Do a search on Amazon.com for surround system receivers and look for one that is highly rated and that is roughly 1/3 of your budget. When you get a few models that look good, do a general search on them to find additional reviews or see what forums are hot/cold on your surround system receiver. My receiver came in at around $399.00, but included speakers I decided were good enough for my L/R rear surrounds. TIP: Your receiver does not necessarily have to match the brand of your TV, your speakers or your subwoofer - I bought a Yamaha receiver and Polk speakers (with the Pioneer speakers included with my receiver).
3) Choose your speakers: Do Amazon.com searches and find highly-rated candidates for further general search & forum review. My center channel, subwoofer and L/R front speaker pair were all about the same cost - coming in at about 1/5 of my budget each. My rear speakers were included with my receiver - but still highly rated. TIP: Your speakers and subwoofers do not necessarily have to match the brand of your receiver.
4) Buy quality speaker cable and banana plugs (optional) for installation. I bought some highly-rated RCA 14 gauge speaker wire.
5) Before you buy - download the manual for the receiver you selected and peruse it for appropriate inputs and outputs to match your TV, DVD player and speakers. Doing this will help you confirm your receiver choice.
Do a little shopping around on the net to find a good price at a reputable dealer - here is what I came up with:
1 x ($399.95) YAMAHA RX-V473BL 5.1-Channel Network AV Receiver $399.95
1 x ($189.99) Polk Audio PSW Series PSW505 12" Powered Subwoofer Each $189.99
1 x ($149.99) Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center Channel Speaker (Black) Each $149.99
1 x ($00.00) Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers Pair $49.99 (incl. w/ receiver)
1 x ($197.96) Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black)
My total including speaker wire & banana plugs came in around $950. I think I ended up with a decent quality system that fit my budget, was fun to design and has a future in terms of upgrading.
Common Surround Sound Configurations
Quick view of some surround system configurations. Compiled from a user manual for the impressive Yamaha RX-V73.
Restricted budget - smaller room - don't have the space? Buy fewer (but high-quality) components - start with a 2.1 system and grow it into a surround system when you come across more budget and more space.
My center channel and front-left right channels are too close together because I lack the space... maybe I should have gone with a 4.1 system until that space came available?
Check out this link at Dolby on what roles each speaker plays.
Check out my post on the Top 5 Things to consider when designing your own Surround Sound System.
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