Whats needed to create a system...?

[Lavace]

Hey guys, I'm completly new to creating HiFi systems but I'd like a question cleared up.

So to build your own surround sound setup (I will be using floor stand speakers), you need 4 floor standers, a center speaker (Is that what they are for?) and a sub (What if the floor standers have subs in them?). And then an Amp to hook it all together?

Thanks!

Lav.

[tom_nieto]

You've pretty much got the idea. What sort of budget are you looking at?

[mhuk05]

Hifi and surround are generally 2 different systems.

Hifi = cd player, stereo amp and 2 speakers (floorstanders or standmount)

AV = dvd player, av amp, 2 front speakers (floorstanders or standmount), centre speaker, 2 rear speakers (often wall mounted or bookshelf) and a subwoofer.

You've posted in the hifi section- is this what you meant?

The two aren't mutually exclusive- can you explain further what you want? Music only or films & music?

[deaf cat]

I started down the AV (5 speakers and sub) route got as far as 4 floorstanders, and av amp(good on music), wonderfull stuff, but when thinking along the lines of mainly music and just a few films, pure stereo seems better for me hence adjusting the set up to work better on stereo just for music.

I often wondered that also, about floorstanders with good bass, if you get a sub, will the av amp cut some bass to the front speakers and direct it to the sub, hence loosing some bass - and I love bass.

[mhuk05]

Deafcat- you need a centre for films as it does most of the work. You set up the amp to send the bass to the sub or the speakers e.g. small and crossover 100-120hz.

[deaf cat]

Cheers mhuk,
that could be why we have to turn the thing up (during films) to hear the voices and then turn it down when all the other noise is happening.......

I'm very pleased with the bass from the fronts, this is why I was wondering how a sub would affect listining, and if you did actually need one if bass seemed tight deep and puchy from the fronts.
Sorry Lav , hope I'm not hijacking too much, might be helping....

[mhuk05]

Is your av amp set to 4.0 (no sub and no centre)?

Yes, you need a centre and a sub for films- have a read through the subwoofer section and ask a question there if you need more info.

[deaf cat]

Was set to 4 large, but bit of building work going on so 2 rears in storage, on stereo at mo, and quite enjoying the stereo music after a little tweeking and spending on the stereo side.
Wondering how I will find 4 when I get them back.
Cheers, I'll have a read in the sub section.

Lav as mhuk said decide on music/stereo or films/5.1 and build towards what you think you will use most.