5.1 Speaker setup review

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MrMonos

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#300746 1-Oct-2022 16:52

Hello!

I'm looking at upgrading my home cinema audio setup, mainly because of a projector that's being introduced (in addition to as an existing TV). I'm kinda new to this so thought I'd ask any experts here.

Firstly, it's in a dedicated room which is a small/medium size roughly 5x5m

For reference, I'm currently using a Logitech z906 which I find perfectly acceptable (I know some of you will laugh... I get it!) , however it's not going to cut it interns of input/output so it's being replaced. I already have a suitable receiver, but not speakers.

I'd like to keep the small form factor as I like it aesthetically, and have existing stands!

So this is what I'm thinking:

Speakers: 5x https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/row/en/products/speakers/minx/min-22

Sub: https://www.svsound.com/products/pb-1000-pro-subwoofer

Keen for peoples thoughts on the mix of speakers and sub. Will it be ok? Or will the sub be complete overkill and not really work.

Thanks in advance!

Dunnersfella

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#2976003 1-Oct-2022 17:10

Yes, the subwoofer is in a different league than a set of lifestyle Cambridge satellites...

Bookshelf speakers would be a far better way to go IMHO.

Or maybe consider some compact (but not as 'compact' as the Cambridge) speakers, again, from the likes of SVS.

sqishy

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#2976004 1-Oct-2022 17:15

My 10cents worth is I've used Sonos equipment in the past and its so much easier to install set-up.

jonathan18

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#2976008 1-Oct-2022 17:19

My main concern would be the poor low frequency of the speakers - they claim to go down to 110, but in practice I’m betting you’ll end up with a pretty big hole between what they can produce and the sub, and have problems with directionality of lower vocals (where too much of deeper voices come through the sub). I say this based on experience!

Are you wedded to very small speakers? If not, personally I’d go for larger enclosures that can produce lower frequencies, which is likely to solve the problems I mentioned above. If you’re ok with s/h, there can be some really good deals on speaker sets on TM etc, such as Wharfedale Diamonds. Personally, I don’t rate the sub that goes with those (we have one but just use it to augment a pair of Audioengines) - the SVS you mention will be far more competent, but you may also find other options for a sub that work better with the other speakers you end up choosing.

MrMonos

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#2976107 1-Oct-2022 21:33

Thanks @dunnersfella, @sqishy, and @jonathan18.

I'm fairly intimate with Sonos, and pretty sure it won't work with a projector/tv combo - so that rules that out.

@jonathan18, I was wondering about a potential frequency gap, and after reading your feedback, that now has me concerned. Perhaps I might just have to bite the bullet and get a 'proper' set of speakers. I do really want some serious deep cinema style bass, so sounds like I'll be disappointed with the small speakers.

Thank you.

jonathan18

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#2976219 2-Oct-2022 11:48

Heya,

You’ll get decent bass both in terms of depth and power, with that sub you’re looking at - I’ve got something similar (SVS PB2000) for our HT and it’s more than enough for that room (6x4).

It’s more the disconnect between bass and upper-bass/mid range you’ll get as a result of pairing any sub (whether good or poor) with small ‘satellite’ type of speakers. There’s only so much small speakers can do to try to defy physics! (And you really don’t want a sub having to do duties in relatively high frequencies to fill in any gap - that’s when you’ll be able to hear deep vocals coming (partly) from the sub.)

I don’t know what your budget is, but if it can extend to something like (as recommended by another posted above) SVS’s own Prime speakers, you’ll get a far more cohesive and effective setup (these speakers go down to 69 Hz). One thing to note is the sub that comes in the package at this link is the SB, so is sealed as opposed to the PB you’ve linked to earlier (which is ported).

https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1

MrMonos

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#2976488 3-Oct-2022 07:38

Thanks @jonathan18. That's really useful intel regarding range.

I think I'm going to flag the satellite concept completely. I'll wall mount my TV which will provide better options for the speakers (mainly the center one).

So.. I'm thinking of going for floor standing now.

2 pairs of the D330 Wharfedale Floorstand Speakers (by the time I add in some nice looking stands for the bookshelfs for the rear, it comes pretty close to the same price as the floor standing ones!). It will create some nice aesthetic symmetry too haha. They seem a good price and reviews seem ok on them (plus I also like the look!).

Also the matching center speaker.

Seem ok?

I may add a sub later, prob the one I mentioned earlier if I buy new, but it won't be as critical for day 1 as if going for something much smaller. I might be able to find something secondhand.

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MrMonos

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#2979923 10-Oct-2022 09:23

Just a quick update - I ended up buying a secondhand 5.1 Wharfedale floor standing setup of TM and ended up saving a ton of $$$ vs buying new. Is it the best... no, but it does sound a lot better than my Sonos surround setup in the other room!

JPNZ

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#2979960 10-Oct-2022 11:21

MrMonos:

Just a quick update - I ended up buying a secondhand 5.1 Wharfedale floor standing setup of TM and ended up saving a ton of $$$ vs buying new. Is it the best... no, but it does sound a lot better than my Sonos surround setup in the other room!

Wharfedale Diamond's by chance? I'm still rocking a 15+ year old 5.1 Diamond set and they still sound fantastic for the dollars to this day

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

MrMonos

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#2980071 10-Oct-2022 12:29

@JPNZ, nice to hear! Ya, Diamond for the centre, Valdus 400/500 for the font and rears, and Powercube sub. The 400's are only 800mm high which fit perfectly under my projector screen - anything higher unfortunately wouldn't work in the space I have!