Home theatre help needed: how to configure Onkyo TX-SR578?

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willin1

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#88461 16-Aug-2011 18:26

I've just bought a Onkyo TX-SR578 receiver and want to set up a home theatre system.

My plan was to initially just run 2 front and a centre speaker and see how that works.

I have a set of Wharfedale S900 speakers and need to acquire a suitable centre speaker. I'm keeping my options open about; adding rear speakers and or sub, or ditching the aging wharfedales. Limited space was the main driver behind sticking to front speakers only.

Someone suggested a and get a complete 5.1 set of smaller speakers. Should I just ditch the older wharfedales? Any ideas or recommendations?

My expectations aren't too high, (matching my budget), but I figured I could achieve reasonable quality sound with just front speakers.

[Moderator edit (MF): moved to correct forum]

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#508927 19-Aug-2011 12:04

Do what you're doing, I say.
Use what you have. If they do the job, great; why replace them just because they are old?
Then, as you've said, either get a centre speaker or a sub, depending on whether you want dialogue or explosions.
Then add whichever you didn't do above.
Then add rears.

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#509047 19-Aug-2011 15:16

As above, stick with what you have and add a sub.

Some people even prefer to use the front speakers only without a centre speaker.

There are no official rights and wrongs to it all, just go with what you want and what you can afford.

If you have limited space behind then consider ceiling speakers for your rears.
Or a sound bar type device if you're really limited on space.

Heaps of options.

Tom_Rush

208 posts

Master Geek

#509260 20-Aug-2011 00:34

I have an olde ONKYO SR-575 with baby KEF speakers on 1metre sticks and a sub.

If it's just music then you don't really need any side/rear/centre speakers.

However when it comes to 5.1 Dolby (TV/Media player/DVD/Blu-ray etc) you'll really be missing out.

I went all out and bought a KEF KHT1005 setup years ago (big spender me.. Not

) with two additional speakers (7.1). 6xspeakers, 1xcentre and 1xsub. Ideal when space (or lack of) is an issue.

The setup is not that good for music as it doesn't have the 'warmth' and 'depth' of wider range speakers, but it's still not to bad.

BUT movies, and listening to swirling rain/wind or battle scenes in 7.1 (Dolby D PLIIx) surround sound it's quite another thing. Even Channel 3 TV sounds quite good on a good movie.

Just to be different, there is a right and wrong thing with speakers. You really should have them matched for sound or Timbre. So by going out and buying another brand/type of speaker to extend your existing setup you may not be doing yourself any favours. But then again, I bought KEF KHT1005 speakers and listen to MP3s, so what do I know.