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mdf

mdf

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#198454 9-Jul-2016 16:12
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I am looking for the cheapest alternative to an AV receiver - I'm not sure what this would be called so not even able to search/price one.

 

Basically I am trying to take a single audio input (from the TV - coax and HDMI ARC audio outputs) and have some kind of selectable switch to send the audio either to speaker(s) or some kind of wireless headphones. I am not an audiophile and will not be installing surround speakers and earth shuddering subwoofers, so I don't want to overspec this. Clearly an AV receiver would do all I want (and more) but I don't really want to spend $500 minimum just for this component. WAF needs to be sought, so both price and ease of use will be factors. And I realise that those factors are somewhat mutually exclusive, but daisy chaining 3 different components together won't really fly.

 

I'm open to any particular combo, whether a wireless device that you plug headphones into (a la Roku's wifi direct remote) or the Sennheiser-style wireless headphones. For the speaker, a soundbar or small speakers in the TV cabinet would be preferred.

 

I have just received one of these from Aliexpress which I thought would do what I want it to. But as seems to be typical for me, the unit seems faulty - the headphone jack seems to only output the rear 5.1 channels no matter what I do. I'm over entering into weeks and weeks of to-ing and fro-ing with China so just want to source something local that will work.

 

 


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mdf

mdf

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  #1589007 9-Jul-2016 22:03
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driller2000:

 

i reckon 2nd hand receiver - something like these:

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/amplifiers-tuners/auction-1120469606.htm

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/amplifiers-tuners/auction-1118901692.htm

 

Plus something like this:

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/other/auction-1117341760.htm

 

$350 spent - job done.

 

 

Thanks. I had considered second hand. But the problem I've got when I try and do things on the cheap (which this is) is that invariably I end up with at least one bit that doesn't go. At least new and cheap can be returned.

 

Is there anything similar to, but much more budget than, an AV receiver? Or is that it?


blakamin
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  #1589032 10-Jul-2016 00:58
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Soundbar?

 

 

 

Edit,sorry, you mentioned that... calling @dunnersfella

 

 




mdf

mdf

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  #1589094 10-Jul-2016 10:25
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blakamin:

 

Soundbar?

 

Edit,sorry, you mentioned that... calling @dunnersfella

 

 

Ta. I've seen plenty of soundbars with multiple inputs (Bluetooth! Play music from your phone! With slightly cræppy encoding and the occasional glitch! You only have to stay within line of sight of your soundbar to listen at all times! - sorry /rant). What would be ideal is a soundbar that had an additional auxiliary output, but I haven't seen one. 


wazzageek
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  #1589105 10-Jul-2016 11:05
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Are you looking for speakers to compensate for the sound from the TV?

 

Are there Televisions that will send the sound to Bluetooth headphones?

 

I'm thinking of the logistics of switching between the speakers and the headphones - will you get up and plug in the sending device?

 

I did see some sound bars that had headphone outputs a while ago - but I'm definitely a floor standing, bass thumping kinda guy.

 

My experience with ARC has been less than good, perhaps a good old fashioned amp with a coax input would be the key (Units without HDMI would be dirt cheap if going second hand)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


driller2000
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  #1589108 10-Jul-2016 11:33
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still reckon a 2nd hand av receiver - with a set of bookshelves will provide flexibility, convenience and far superior sound than any other similar cost option such as soundbars, bluetooth set ups etc.

 

 


mdf

mdf

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  #1589109 10-Jul-2016 11:37
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wazzageek:

 

Are you looking for speakers to compensate for the sound from the TV?

 

Are there Televisions that will send the sound to Bluetooth headphones?

 

I'm thinking of the logistics of switching between the speakers and the headphones - will you get up and plug in the sending device?

 

I did see some sound bars that had headphone outputs a while ago - but I'm definitely a floor standing, bass thumping kinda guy.

 

My experience with ARC has been less than good, perhaps a good old fashioned amp with a coax input would be the key (Units without HDMI would be dirt cheap if going second hand)

 

 

Logistics play a big part (WAF). I don't especially need external speakers. The TV has an option (buried in the menu tree) to disable its internal speakers, but this isn't a user friendly menu tree. And I don't see any smarts in the TV about detecting when I want to listen out loud and when I want to listen via headphones. If I can avoid it, I also don't want to have to get up and plug things in (i.e. a headphone override isn't ideal), but I'll take it if that's all I can get. 

 

My idea therefore was to turn the TV speakers off entirely and route all sound via some kind of switch that had loud speakers and a headphones option. But I haven't yet been able to find such a switch. I'm off to Jaycar later; I'll see what they have to offer.

 

What I really want is a Roku-style remote/portable device with a headphone jack for everything playing via the TV. The ekko hub looks awesome but isn't scheduled to ship (much less actually ship <cough> kickstarter schedules <cough>) for flipping ages.


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