What is the best dedicated 2.1 Surround System?

[po_man]

Not too bothered whether or not the DVD player has HDMI or component. Price wise - £300 - £400 tops.
My preference would be a Denon S101 system - (just to give you an idea of what i'm looking for) but unfortunately, just a little to expensive.
What are peoples preferences? There doesn't seem to be too many on the market at the mo - any information on any new models?

Any comments would be much appreciated

 

[clockworks]

I really don't see the point of "pseudo surround" systems. Fair enough if it's built into the TV, but, if you're adding extra boxes, why not get a proper 5.1 system?

If you don't want to clutter your room with speakers, why not stick with a DVD player and a stereo system? If you already have a stereo, you can just connect the TV to that. Connect your DVD player to the TV (with a scart lead), and connect the TV's audio out to the stereo's aux or line-in (with a phono lead).

If you don't have a stereo, and you want a DVD/amplifier in one box, then, like you say, there aren't a lot of choices. JVC do a stereo/DVD (EX-A1) for about £300. It doesn't have a subwoofer, but it sounds pretty good. I've got one in my kitchen.

 

[po_man]

I really don't see the point of "pseudo surround" systems. Fair enough if it's built into the TV, but, if you're adding extra boxes, why not get a proper 5.1 system?

If you don't want to clutter your room with speakers, why not stick with a DVD player and a stereo system? If you already have a stereo, you can just connect the TV to that. Connect your DVD player to the TV (with a scart lead), and connect the TV's audio out to the stereo's aux or line-in (with a phono lead).

If you don't have a stereo, and you want a DVD/amplifier in one box, then, like you say, there aren't a lot of choices. JVC do a stereo/DVD (EX-A1) for about £300. It doesn't have a subwoofer, but it sounds pretty good. I've got one in my kitchen.

Yep, you've hit nail on the head - it's the trailing wires and all the extra work involved that won't amuse the better half.
How does the JVC sound without the sub? Primarily, i want it for movies then video games. Does it have enough "oomph" for movies?
All i want to do is just add a little life to my films and games experience.

 

[Anny]

How about JVC THC6 …..this cn be a good option …….m really impressed with it’s sound quality and value……..it’s strongest point is it’s four tower speakers…….of course if you are looking to mount the speakers on the wall, this may not be the best system coz I guess the oval speaker heads will not look good mounted on a flat surface. it's price is somewhere around $400....

 

[ash]

There is the wireless speakers option.
THe Sony DAV700 or Panasonic SCHT880W.
If not, there are the Pionner models can "simulate" 5.1 sounds from only the front speakers. Its called the 3-Spot. Pioneer DC333 has this feature, check out this: http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_overview.jsp?category_id=42&taxonomy_id=45-66

 

[clockworks]

Yep, you've hit nail on the head - it's the trailing wires and all the extra work involved that won't amuse the better half.
How does the JVC sound without the sub? Primarily, i want it for movies then video games. Does it have enough "oomph" for movies?
All i want to do is just add a little life to my films and games experience.

It's plenty good enough for my kitchen. I mostly use it for radio, iPod playback, and BBC News 24 on freeview. It obviously doesn't compare with my main system (10 times the price), but it does compare favourably with other £300 stereo systems, and is way better than £150 micro systems.

 

[po_man]

Thanks for the response guys. I quite like the look of the Pioneer DCS-333 however it doesn't appear to Components inputs - do they do a similar system but with the Components?

 

[Tarbat]

Similar discussion on this thread - http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308615 with some other suggestions.

 

[tujax]

I have the NAD L53 (about £400) and I like it very much. It does virtual surround via SRS technology. This price is just for the dvd-receiver, it will need two separate speakers and subwoofer.

A cheaper option presented on CES2006 was the yamaha pianocraft E600, which is a pack of features. Seemed interesting, but I already had my system bought and mounted.

 

[mark palmer]

I bought the DAV X1 its very good and as good as my previous Sony 5.1 system in terms of surround sound. I had the Yamaha system but this did not work at all. The Sony dav x1 looks good , sounds good and has a great picture via component. It takes 5 minutes to set up.
Worth a look but about £650.

 

[bricky]

I have the x1 , well pleased, great pictures via component , the sound must be good my missus hates it!!

 

[miguelbarroso]

I had the Yamaha system but this did not work at all.

What Yamaha did you had? the E600? why didn't it worked?

Cheers,

Miguel

 

[folly]

There is the wireless speakers option.
THe Sony DAV700 or Panasonic SCHT880W.
If not, there are the Pionner models can "simulate" 5.1 sounds from only the front speakers. Its called the 3-Spot. Pioneer DC333 has this feature, check out this: http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_overview.jsp?category_id=42&taxonomy_id=45-66

do you know if the pioneer 5.1 is a good system for listening to music - either CD or vinyl?