Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 98
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 98 |
As the subject says I'm looking for a esay system for my wife's friend who has just bought a house. Here where a few ground rules she set for me.
-No wires on the ground and no Sub-woofer -No speakers or stands on floor -If possibly, no receiver -If can't be avoided, get a receiver that is very easy to use
She is willing to spend 500-700$ CND. I think a soundbar would be the way to go, I know they can very but anything would be better then the T.V speakers.
What do you all think in-wall or sound bar, she is not that picky about her systems, her parents have all 5 speakers for there zenth HTIB on the fire place.... Time's like that I don't even brother saying anything b/c I know they just won't care about it one way or another. Sound is sound to some people.
--------------- Onkyo 806 Epic Grand Master - 500
Last edited by rage96; 12/10/09 04:49 AM.
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Re: Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Graham, those "ground rules" are so restrictive that possibly the only thing that would literally meet them would be one of the all-in-one CD/Radios, such as the Cambridge Soundworks unit which Alan mentioned. Just a bit of complication would be involved with a pair of M3s, plus a CD player for around $100 and a stereo receiver(simple enough)for around $200 to stack on top of it.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Some decent, self powered speakers running directly from her TV audio outputs would probably be the most simple way to achieve a better stereo sound. She would have definitely improved (albeit not perfect,)sound and still only have to deal with her TV remote for volume.
If she wants 5.1 sound without complexity, I'm in the "Soundbars are useless" category. I have heard 4 different installs of them and only the one that was professionally calibrated gave the slightest illusion of surround sound and they all suffered from a lack of bass. The self calibrated ones not only had no surround effects but also sounded somewhat 'unnatural'.
I think they even sounded less natural than TV speakers in my opinion because the sound drew attention to itself. At least you tend to forget about the crappy sound from TV speakers as your ears and mind adjust to it. Perhaps it was just the mental fact that I was aware of the bar but after watching full movies, I was still distracted by the unnatural sound.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,488 Likes: 9
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,488 Likes: 9 |
Audiobytes are fairly small and could take the sound out of the cable box. BTW, if the sound needs to be coming out of her TV (no cable box) does her TV have audio out? (my last 4 TVs did not have anything ressembling a "head-phone" plug). If she really wants no wire, you might suggest close captionning to her!
See Mojo's signature
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Re: Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
!!Close captioning!!! Our first good rimshot moment of the day!
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
her parents have all 5 speakers for there zenth HTIB on the fire place.... I would say something as I have found too many people have no clue on how to set up such a thing. One of my friends from work had his makeshift system set up like that after he purchased a new 7.1 capable receiver, he had never owned anything like it before and simply put all the speakers up front like a normal stereo, once I set it up for him he was hooked on full surround sound.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 198
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 198 |
ZVOX? Don't have one, and never heard one, but gets good reviews. I want someone here to get one just to hear their take. I believe they have one that looks like a platform to fit under the tv like a stand. Can't get anymore stealth than that. All components would have to be plugged into the TV and the TV would be used as a switcher. Just one set of stereo outputs to the ZVOX, and plug it in. http://www.zvoxaudio.com
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Re: Plug and play system for friend
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833 |
I've heard the ZVOX and for what it is it did sound to bad. It would certainly fit the bill for what is wanted.
Rick
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud
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