Going from Stereo Sound to Surround Sound, please help

[ravenus]

I posted this in another topic but no replies hence am making a new thread, please help me out:

For the past few years I have been using a stereo system with Norge 2060 amp + Mordaunt-Short Avant 902i bookshelf speakers. Now I am getting the urge to have a surround system that will be of use for movie and concert watching.

My home entertainment area is quite compact: 8 ft is distance between TV/Speakers and couch and 4 ft is max possible distance between front speakers placed on top of shelf with the TV. I feel that my current bookshelf speakers will be adequate as fronts. Please recommend me center and rear speakers that will match my requirement. I'm not opting for a sub-woofer right away because I feel the bass coming from my current speakers is adequate for me, no need to rattle the windows or rouse the neighbors. Also please recommend a reasonable receiver that will be good for stereo music and have HDMI input for my HTPC with blu-ray drive for surround audio in movies. Denon 1312 is a possibility, let me know if other suitable options exist for me.

I assume such a system should be obtained within 50,000 (not including cost of fronts). Also what kind of wiring should I go for, and what sort of supports I should have for center and rear speakers?

 

[elangoas]

I posted this in another topic but no replies hence am making a new thread, please help me out:

For the past few years I have been using a stereo system with Norge 2060 amp + Mordaunt-Short Avant 902i bookshelf speakers. Now I am getting the urge to have a surround system that will be of use for movie and concert watching.

My home entertainment area is quite compact: 8 ft is distance between TV/Speakers and couch and 4 ft is max possible distance between front speakers placed on top of shelf with the TV. I feel that my current bookshelf speakers will be adequate as fronts. Please recommend me center and rear speakers that will match my requirement. I'm not opting for a sub-woofer right away because I feel the bass coming from my current speakers is adequate for me, no need to rattle the windows or rouse the neighbors. Also please recommend a reasonable receiver that will be good for stereo music and have HDMI input for my HTPC with blu-ray drive for surround audio in movies. Denon 1312 is a possibility, let me know if other suitable options exist for me.

I assume such a system should be obtained within 50,000 (not including cost of fronts). Also what kind of wiring should I go for, and what sort of supports I should have for center and rear speakers?

Since you own the MS902 as stereo setup, you can go for the remaining 3.0 (Center, SL & SR) from the same family.

A receiver which is good for stereo music / HT - My vote is for Marantz.

 

[aakashr]

as ELONGAOS has stated...............go for the rest of the speakers from the same family for optimum timbre matching. Since you have an ear for music, your best option would be MARANTZ, any AVR from marantz would be good enough. If I am not mistaken the SR1402 is the basic entry level AVR which should suffice.

 

[venkatcr]

I think you must first understand the difference between stereo music and surround sound music.

Unless the music is recorded in surround sound and sold as such (DVD-A, and some SACD), all you will be doing is to repeat the two channels across all other channels.

Unfortunately surround sound music is not available in abundance.

Cheers

 

[GeorgeO]

I think he is looking for a receiver to use for both audio and movies. If you plan to watch movies then having a sub woofer is essential-without it you will miss out on the .1 part of 5.1-and believe me it's a lot!

 

[ravenus]

Thanks for above advice. I will look for speakers in the same family. My doubt is because in the default configuration for that series the 902's are used for rears, so I am wondering if the center of that series will be too powerful when matched with the 902's as fronts. Of course I will try to test out that combo since there is no substitute for actual listening experience, but this was the reason for my doubt.
Yep the surround is for movie and concert DVD/BD's which have a surround track, I always believe in hearing the original recorded format. As regards to sub-woofer, my intention is to first see how things work without it. If needed, I can always get it later.
Will the price of the Marantz receiver work within my budget? I don't want to get an expensive and overpowered AVR. As a benchmark, my front speakers retail at Rs.15000.