Dipping my toes again!

[ajayleo]

So I used to be into home audio during and shortly after college. As life got busy, somehow pulled out of the detailing of this world and took the easy way out with ready to buy set ups like a Yamaha AVR etc. But core hobbies never die, so back here. I from Mumbai, work in the media broadcasting world, love music and watching content. Current set up is a LG C3 OLED 65 paired with a JBL 9.1 soundbar in the living room. While this set up works alright for movies, my love for high quality music audio has compelled to build a more of a purist set-up for the bedroom, and that’s what I am here to learn, discuss and execute. I’ve ordered a LG A3 55 OLED and looking to build a set up which focuses on high quality music and is equipped with AirPlay 2 as I stream the music wirelessly. Any suggestions would help

 

[Dhruv.Arora]

A quality streamer with Pre amp, Power Amp and Speakers would be my recommended starting point. What are you looking to spend, size of the room etc will of course come into play.

 

[ajayleo]

A quality streamer with Pre amp, Power Amp and Speakers would be my recommended starting point. What are you looking to spend, size of the room etc will of course come into play.

Thanks for giving some direction.

Room size is 12x12.
Budget I’d like to keep under 1L INR.

Also what’s the difference between a pre-amp and a power amp, would I need both?

I could be wrong but Initial research tells me something like a Wiim Amp with Elac B 5.2 speakers would be a decent combo.

 

[Bhaskar Jyoti Talapatra]

Hi , if you want to listen to music then get an integrated amp/ power amp , a preamp (if you want to buy a power amp) , a pair of passive speakers, a decent streamer since you are into streaming. If you don't want many boxes , you can get a decent pair of active speakers which have streaming capabilities and enjoy your fav music. But whatever you have planned to get please do audition and then take the decision. While choosing your amp , get the speakers first then buy your amp according to the necessity of your speakers.
Regards

 

[ajayleo]

Hi , if you want to listen to music then get an integrated amp/ power amp , a preamp (if you want to buy a power amp) , a pair of passive speakers, a decent streamer since you are into streaming. If you don't want many boxes , you can get a decent pair of active speakers which have streaming capabilities and enjoy your fav music. But whatever you have planned to get please do audition and then take the decision. While choosing your amp , get the speakers first then buy your amp according to the necessity of your speakers.
Regards

That’s insightful. Thanks a bunch. ProFX did suggest a pair of KEF active speakers with streaming built in.

 

[sachinchavan 15865]

I’ve ordered a LG A3 55 OLED and looking to build a set up which focuses on high quality music and is equipped with AirPlay 2 as I stream the music wirelessly.

Why TV for high quality music listening? I’d suggest you delink the two. Get a soundbar for the TV in your bedroom and a proper separates system for your music listening. As Bhaskar suggested, you can go for active speakers depending on your budget (as separate amp in the bedroom might be too much of clutter unless you can hide the equipment and the cables). Get ones with streamer DAC built in, but they might cost more like the options from KEF. Or simply add a streamer-DAC to the actives. When you decide on the speakers, do consider the room size. Given that it’s a bedroom, the sound shouldn’t become overwhelming. Get something that you can keep at 10-11 am volume dial position to listen comfortably. Any lower, and you’d start losing on the dynamics.

 

[arj]

If you have a budget of 1 L, as suggested above, a powered speaker makes a lot of sense.

Check this out https://hifimart.com/product/elac-debut-connex-adsum-dcb41-ds-powered-speaker/
A simple streamer like WiiM or any other (Even APPLE TV) is all you need and it also takes a HDMI input from your TV but it can also play with bluetooth from your phone.

You can even connect a basic TT if you really want to in the future as it has a Phono.

 

[sachinchavan 15865]

If you have a budget of 1 L, as suggested above, a powered speaker makes a lot of sense.

Check this out https://hifimart.com/product/elac-debut-connex-adsum-dcb41-ds-powered-speaker/
A simple streamer like WiiM or any other (Even APPLE TV) is all you need and it also takes a HDMI input from your TV but it can also play with bluetooth from your phone.

You can even connect a basic TT if you really want to in the future as it has a Phono.

I just happened to check the features on this. What a value/money proposition it is for a small room!

 

[ajayleo]

Any suggestions on where I can sample Elac speakers in Mumbai?
Also is there a specific brand (w model) that you guys would suggest for a wall mounted set up? Short on space so don’t really have the space to keep stuff on the floor or a table. Thanks!

 

[arj]

With the Elac you do not need an amp and at 4-5 Kg each am sure they can be easily wall Mounted on a shelf at some expense of sound quality

I am not sure of too many active speakers which can be wall mounted and if you buy Passive you will need an amplifier to be placed somewhere and speakers to be wired from there.Keeping 2 stools with these speakers on it might just be better.

The Manepan MC1 can be hung on a wall. but then budget space and money for an amplifier with at least 50-60 W and a subwoofer in the future. Also not available in india.

 

[Analogous]

There is a guy in your city making a big mistake
You can even go and listen to it before deciding.

https://www.olx.in/item/tvs-video-audio-c1523-klipsch-the-fives-powered-speakers-in-kandivali-west-mumbai-iid-1781547086

 

[rwnano]

I wouldn't buy a powered speaker. In my view amplifiers produce a lot of heat and having them in a confined space reduces their lifespan as it would occur in an active speaker which has a single all in one chassis

 

[arj]

I wouldn't buy a powered speaker. In my view amplifiers produce a lot of heat and having them in a confined space reduces their lifespan as it would occur in an active speaker which has a single all in one chassis

Not really true..I assume this is a personal opinion or experience from something not very well designed ?

This same issue applies to your TV and Car receiver as well which are all in enclosed spaces. The only issue with Actives is that the flexibility of amp-Speaker variations go out but the benefits of a dedicated amplification more than overcomes that.

BTW This can also be converted to passive if the need arises but for this cost this is a not a value one can get from passives especially with space being a premium.

 

[rwnano]

Not really true..I assume this is a personal opinion or experience from something not very well designed ?

This same issue applies to your TV and Car receiver as well which are all in enclosed spaces. The only issue with Actives is that the flexibility of amp-Speaker variations go out but the benefits of a dedicated amplification more than overcomes that.

BTW This can also be converted to passive if the need arises but for this cost this is a not a value one can get from passives especially with space being a premium.

1. Yes.
Also the companies who make good speakers are specialists.
Same for amplifiers.
All in one chassis is mixing up the issue

 

[Fiftyfifty]

Hi Ajay

You mentioned KEF active speakers. It's a great choice coming from a good brand + active + good reviews + built-in streamer + least no. of components + around your budget ballpark. I haven't personally heard them but think they would be worth auditioning for a bedroom setup such as yours:

KEF LSX II - Wireless Streaming Speaker (Pair)

Buy KEF LSX II - Wireless Streaming Speaker (Pair) in India with Free Shipping, GST Invoice, EMI Option and Official Warranty from The Audio Co.

theaudio.co

 

[Nitin K]

1. Yes.
Also the companies who make good speakers are specialists.
Same for amplifiers.
All in one chassis is mixing up the issue

Separate components are good in general for dedicated listening especially where troubleshooting is concerned should they malfunction.
But what Arj and Fiftyfifty have suggested are excellent options especially with a streamer/amp built in and when space is a premium and for casual listening.
Regarding durability nothing can be said about anything and then there are the Bose/Sonos all in ones which have lasted for years with many happy customers. There may be a decent warranty for the Kef's.

 

[DB1989]

Also is there a specific brand (w model) that you guys would suggest for a wall mounted set up? Short on space so don’t really have the space to keep stuff on the floor or a table. Thanks!

Regarding actives, the Q Acoustics M20HD are an excellent option which can be wall mounted. Q Acoustics will also sell you their matching wall mounts to which which they can be secured. They have a very simply and handy DSP switch which allows you to toggle how far you have them from the wall and it works pretty darn well. It has Bluetooth (which again sounds excellent) but no Wi-fi so you can't use Airplay directly. However, this can be easily resolved by adding a Wiim Mini streamer or you can directly connect the speaker to your TV using an optical Toslink cable.

 

[arj]

1. Yes.
Also the companies who make good speakers are specialists.
Same for amplifiers.
All in one chassis is mixing up the issue

Not at all true I am sorry .While this problem can occur but only with really shoddy pieces of engineering and not with companies like Elac who have wonderful engineering. A simple website check will tell you they do make their own amps as well. you can click here to see the amp they are most probably using

A half decent speaker manufacturer gives the amp module design to proper audio design comanies to the spec they want and take ointo account the space into the design.

Regarding actives, the Q Acoustics M20HD are an excellent option which can be wall mounted

Very good option here too.

Hi Ajay

KEF LSX II - Wireless Streaming Speaker (Pair)

Buy KEF LSX II - Wireless Streaming Speaker (Pair) in India with Free Shipping, GST Invoice, EMI Option and Official Warranty from The Audio Co.

theaudio.co

Wonderful speaker and would have been my top recommendation as well if not for it being slightly above budget. But this is easily with the best WAF as well.

 

[balavignesh002]

AirPlay 2

I tried airplay option with Sony TV from Mac, sq is not to my expectations. While wav files played directly from the tv is good.

 

[Yogesh]

For separates, 1L would get you an entry level system...


1. Wiim Pro Plus

2. Norge Concerto Gold 1000 Integrated Amp

3. Indiq Diamond Mishra

Options for 1 - Wiim Mini + Entry level DAC
Options for 2 - Discrete Dynamics Amp from Aniket, Dennon 600/Marantz 6007
Options for 3 - Wharfedale 12 series, Elac 6.2/6.3, QA 3020/3030