AV expansion

Posted by: Jonathan on 14 October 2001

Im looking to move to surround sound for my DVDs. Currently I have a Sony 7700 playing through 82, 2 x hicap, 250, Epos Es22 to a Panasonic 42" gas plasma screen. Sounds good, but Im missing the surround effects. I was considering getting a Yamaha DSP e800 and hooking up a pair of Epos Es11s that I have for the rear speakers.

Questions as follows:
1. Do I still need a centre speaker (if so, which would match aesthetically and soundwise to the Epos 22s)? Im prepared to pay a reasonable amount (up to 300£).
2. Should I be considering any other options to the E800. Bear in mind I think the AV2 et al is outside what I am prepared to spend for the frequency with which I watch DVDs.
3. Should I get different rear speakers to the Es11s

Thanks in advance

Jonathan

Posted on: 14 October 2001 by Steve Hall

I'll get shot down from this from the 'Stereo is enough section' but, yes you need a centre speaker.

Naim had one at their demo on the Factory tour (an SBL between the DBL's)

Posted on: 15 October 2001 by Duncan Fullerton

Jonathan,

I've got pretty much the same setup, except I have ES30's. You definitely need a centre channel speaker. Unfurtunately the B&W I have, and the rears do not match the ES30's tonally or visually.

However, Creek (owners of Epos) have announced a centre speaker (M8) and a rear (M5) which should be out later in the year.

As soon as they are out I want to get my hands on them. I'm in London too - happy to dem it for you.

Posted on: 15 October 2001 by Alex S.

Blows the rest away at its price point, and several points above. Go mail order and you'll get it for £250.

Alex

Posted on: 15 October 2001 by Jonathan

thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Ive decided to go for the E800, and try without a centre speaker at least for the moment - will wait for new Creeks. Its a cheap step into surround sound!

Cheers

Jonathan

Posted on: 15 October 2001 by Rico

quote:
Its a cheap step into surround sound!

Err yes, but possibly at the expense of music. Beware the repercusions of upgraditus caused when trying to fix what the processor and additional speakers do to your system... do you really need surround sound in your system, or would some further setup tweaking provide additional stereo majic without screwing up your music system?

hey hey, value today - my 2p, for free!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 15 October 2001 by Jonathan

Im just using surround for watching DVDs not for listening to CDs (I have a CD2 for that). Hence the use of the E800 to give the surround effect.

Jonathan

Posted on: 15 October 2001 by Guido

Hi!

An excellent center speaker is the KEF reference 100 - somewhere in the GBP 200 - 300 range.
I use it in my AV system with cabasse fregatte l/r, to my opinion the KEF is more "naim" soundwise than the cabsse and it's aesthetics should match your plasma TV quite well.
regards
Guido

Posted on: 15 October 2001 by Simon Matthews

I think the dsp800 is really good fun if you don't want to spend a lot and don't want to screw up 2 channel music. There is nothing out there at that sort of money with that level of performance. I'm lucky as my main hifi is in another room. The AV system uses a nait, epos 14's for the front, old b&w's for the rears and a nasty centre channel which needs replacing. THIS IS NOT A MUSIC BASED SYSTEM. With dvd films encoded with dsp or dolby digital it really impresses. If I use the dvd player with a CD I always turn effects off to provide two channel music - not a bad sound with the nait doing very well at driving the epos. The next stage is a superior centre channel. The dsp800 can be set up to compensate for the lack of a centre channel but dialogue does seem to suffer. I think if you go for dolby digital it makes little point withoput a five speaker system.

I would love to get my hands on the new naim AV kit in the long run - too many toys too little time

Posted on: 16 October 2001 by HansW

Why not try an AV1. Second-hand they should be 'dirt cheap' by now. It will not give you AC3 or DTS but will add surround sound without interfering with the front channels. Works great with a lot of music as well.

Posted on: 16 October 2001 by Rico

quote:
Im just using surround for watching DVDs not for listening to CDs (I have a CD2 for that). Hence the use of the E800 to give the surround effect.
Jonathan

Jonathan

Sorry, I did not make myself clear. I understood that you would use the surround just for movies - my post still applies.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 26 October 2001 by Jonathan

Have just taken delivery of a Yamaha DSP a5 (rather than the E800). Surround sound for DVD is indeed impressive (Epos Es22s front and Es11s rear - no sub woofer or centre speaker). I keep listening to regular two channel cds via regular system.

Thanks for the positive help (except the Mullet chap who was writing in riddles).

Regards

Jonathan

Posted on: 26 October 2001 by Duncan Fullerton

Jonathan,

Beg, borrow or steal a centre speaker from your supplier. It really makes the world of difference.

Posted on: 28 October 2001 by Scott Mckenzie

For those of you interested in one of these excellent toys, have a look at www.unbeatable.co.uk (its £240)

Scott