Movies During AVR as 2 Channel

[dc40]

OK, I still don't understand the Movie drawbacks of setting up an AVR as a 2 channel system (instead of the 5.1 my AVR offers). I promise that I have read A LOT of posts on here such as

http://www.hifivision.com/amplifiers/11329-stereo-vs-5-1-sound-avr-vs-2-chn-amp-cdp-vd-dvdp.html

and

http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/2603-center-speaker-how-important.html

for example.

But my issue is this. Suppose I really am a 50/50 movies and music person and I love good sound and good components (also, when push comes to shove, I'd rather have my music sound excellent and my movies (only) good). Also suppose my budget is $300ish USD for speakers. In my mind it'd be better to get two really good bookshelf speakers and listen to movies and music that way...so here are my questions:

How badly will the movies suffer?

Can I get an L/R audio out to speaker wire and use my TV as the center piece?

Would it be better to go for two bookshelf and a center, sacrificing the quality of the bookshelf speakers?

Is it really bad to have non-mathcing center and bookshelf? What's going to happen there? I happen to have a line on a Klipsch center and Polk Bookshelf...

My budget is tight, and I want to build my system to last. My gut tells me to go with two good bookshelf speakers now and build out later with a matching center and sub.

Also, I live in a very rural place so no high end audio stores around to listen to first...final decision will probably take place without hearing.

Aside: I have a Denon - any speakers go very well with Denon? I've followed a lot of responses elsewhere, but have not seen an answer to this one.

Lot of info on here, thanks!

 

[venkatcr]

I am making the following assumptions:

1. You have a 5.1 AVR
2. You have a source such as DVD/BR/Media Player
3. You have a TV
4. You are looking at buying speakers

How badly will the movies suffer?

You will lose out on the following:

a. A separate channel for dialogues
b. LFE
c. Surround sound effects

The need for music and movies are completely different. Movies are recorded with 5.1 or 7.1 independent channels of sound. When you play this through 2.0, there is a compromise.

Can I get an L/R audio out to speaker wire and use my TV as the center piece?

If your TV has an audio-in, you can route the centre channel sound to that from the AVR. Not otherwise.

Would it be better to go for two bookshelf and a center, sacrificing the quality of the bookshelf speakers?

Where is the sacrifice? Unless you are talking about a very tight budget, and are looking to buy three speakers for the price of two.

Is it really bad to have non-mathcing center and bookshelf? What's going to happen there? I happen to have a line on a Klipsch center and Polk Bookshelf...

Not really. As long as the speakers use the same cabinet construction, and look same, you should not have a problem. If you use MDF for one set, and plastic for another, the sound will be different.

My budget is tight, and I want to build my system to last. My gut tells me to go with two good bookshelf speakers now and build out later with a matching center and sub.

Since you are in the US, you should look at Net only vendors such as Aperion Audio, SVS, etc. They offer superb options.

Aside: I have a Denon - any speakers go very well with Denon? I've followed a lot of responses elsewhere, but have not seen an answer to this one.

As long as you match the sensitivity and power, you should not have an issue.

 

[dc40]

Thank you so much Venkatcr! I have really enjoyed reading your posts elsewhere and like your approach and ideas.

I am making the following assumptions:

1. You have a 5.1 AVR
2. You have a source such as DVD/BR/Media Player
3. You have a TV
4. You are looking at buying speakers

1. yes - Denon lower end.
2. BR
3. Sony Bravia (older version, great quality, got used for excellent deal!)
4. Exactly - should I spend X-dollar on 2 bookshelf speakers like this

HB-1 MK2 Horn Bookshelf Speaker

{by the way, I only hear great things about these speakers - anyone have experience?}

Or should I spend the same amount of money on 3 speakers RE:


Where is the sacrifice? Unless you are talking about a very tight budget, and are looking to buy three speakers for the price of two.



Not really. As long as the speakers use the same cabinet construction, and look same, you should not have a problem. If you use MDF for one set, and plastic for another, the sound will be different.

Awesome, thank you!


Since you are in the US, you should look at Net only vendors such as Aperion Audio, SVS, etc. They offer superb options.

know of other ideas?

As long as you match the sensitivity and power, you should not have an issue.

The link to the wireless speakers are really cool. I've been wondering about wireless for a long time. Sonos are all the buzz, but I'm unconvinced about the quality.

1. anyone know about Sonos?

2. I'm also wondering why I'd need a receiver at all with the speakers you linked?? If the speakers have a port that sends out the signal, I could feed the speakers through the port from one of the L/R channels in my Zone 2. but those speakers seem to exist without any connection. Also, if this structure is combined with the fact that most of my music is digital, and then becomes wireless, what sort of quality drop will I hear in the music? I am going to assume this is a huge question, but let me further explain that, during the next couple years I plan to

1. build a Full 5.1 system
2. use book shelves I get now as fronts in 5.1
3. get an excellent AMP
4. buy two better books shelves for the amp.
5. get an external DAC for all my wireless.

Telling you this, because I'm also interested in what is going to happen to wireless speakers with the DAC??

Awesome fun - thank you!