So my surround sound system just went pop after 15 years - I guess we had a good run out of it. The good news is it is close to black Friday so there should be some good offers around. TV is a 55" LG LED jobby, about 10 years old. It was top of the range then, but things have moved on.
So, do I find a surround sound system or a soundbar that is compatible with my (relatively) old TV or do I bite the bullet and get a complete new kit.
Either way what does the hive mind suggest. We do have a Sonos set up in other rooms at home so a Sonos soundbar is a possibility.
Budget £500 for just the sound - £1500 for the new kit if I need to.
Any suggestions welcomed.
Sonos Beam. Obvious choice, but it works, and ties into your other Sonos. Pluuuss... when you see deals on old Play:1s or Ones, you can buy a couple for a fuller surround setup - win win!
Sonos Beam. Obvious choice, but it works, and ties into your other Sonos.
This. No brainer if you've already got some Sonos kit (and even if you haven't according to a few reports I've seen recently.)
Get a refurb Beam 2 direct from Sonos [well within budget] and try it for 30 days or whatever they offer - if you don't like it send it back.
Another Sonos Beam recommendation here. I have a Sub too, which is great when the volume is cranked up for action movies and such-like (although I don't really notice it that much otherwise).
I have a sonos arc, with some ikea symfonisk lamps as the rear surround speakers, I wasn't sure about the ikea speakers before I bought them, but they are really good and I now recommend them whenever I get a chance.
I did add a sonos subwoofer for a while, but that was overkill unless you have a cavernous space, I replaced that with s sonos sub mini which is more than adequate, and I am not sure even that is needed, the symfonisk lamps provide surprisingly good bass, the subwoofer really just adds bass you can feel more than noticing audibly.
I replaced that with s sonos sub mini which is more than adequate
Yeah, sorry, mine is a Mini too.
Budget £500 for just the sound
Anything where you can get an amp/speakers for this price, you are likely to get a better sound with a soundbar, especially as a Sonos system user already.*
For balance (geddit) I love a good rounded sound with films and TV, but I'm less convinced we need a full surround setup these days despite having one, but my lounge is probably the wrong layout for it really anyway.
*In my opinion. I think most elements of my surround system cost more than that on their own (i.e. amp, sub, fronts, I think the centre and rears were under though, individually)!
but I'm less convinced we need a full surround setup these days despite having one
I don't know if they mix it more subtly these days, or if I am just so accustomed to it, but when I got my first crappy no name surround system I remember being amazed by the gun battle in Heat, and the beginning battle scene in Gladiator. Now, with a fairly expensive setup, now I barely notice surround sound effects. I am sure I would notice the difference in sound quality between the 2 setups, but I never get that feeling of "wow it sounds like the bullets are whizzing past my head" etc
I remember being amazed by the gun battle in Heat, and the beginning battle scene in Gladiator.
Hah yes – the first film I saw was XXX (Vin Diesel, not some porno). At the beginning there is a gun battle and I damn-near shit myself when I genuinely thought a bullet was ricohetting in my front room LOL!
Sonos Beam does sound like the ideal option, I was in the same boat this time last year and got the Beam, but missed out on the pre-Xmas price drop that would have saved me £50 ish, so if you're not desperate it may be worth waiting for a few weeks to see if its discounted again in December. I can't guarantee the price will drop (as I have no inside knowledge), but it is likely.
but I'm less convinced we need a full surround setup these days despite having one
I don't know if they mix it more subtly these days, or if I am just so accustomed to it, but when I got my first crappy no name surround system I remember being amazed by the gun battle in Heat, and the beginning battle scene in Gladiator. Now, with a fairly expensive setup, I barely notice surround sound effects. I am sure I would notice the difference in sound quality between the 2 setups, but I never get that feeling of "wow it sounds like the bullets are whizzing past my head" etc
I know what you mean.
I have an expensive Samsung soundbar with wireless surround speakers.
There seems to be a big difference between various streaming services, Apple TV has much better audio than the others but none of them come close to the 1st DTS capable Arcam 5.1 system I had. Seemed to fill the room with sound, but I right carry on with loads of boxes and wires.
I think if I had a lottery win, I would get a professionally installed surround system, all wired but all hidden with some big amplifiers and fancy processors.
Thanks guys, looks like the Sonos Beam wins. A bit sad that you didn't recommend that I change the TV as well, but Mrs NJA will be happy.
If you dont find any Black friday sales, Very usually do a 20% off for your first order if you pay monthly/finance for it, I'm sure the people who have recommended it say they then settle the credit agreement at the end of the first month penalty free but still 20% cheaper
@oikeith thanks for the tip. Sadly I did that one before so won't work again.
If youve got some older sonos kit, you can usually get an Upgrade 15% off from the website.
You dont have to stop using the old bits or even send them away.
I'd be looking at richer sounds packages, we got a great deal a few years ago, and the proper surround sound is great. Don't know how sound bars might differ from 5.1
If you want to spend more money just get a posher sound bar
At the other end of the price spectrum i bought my son a used Beam 1 from CEX for about £150. Just a crazy bargain
Interestingly a friend has a Beam Gen 2 that he has just offered me for £250 because he is no longer using it - does that seem a reasonable price 2nd hand? They are £449 new.
I’ve also been pondering this, but seen that the WhatHiFi recommended HiSense AX5125H bar with subwoofer and rear wireless (but wired power) speakers is currently down to £199 at most shops.
HUKD shows Beam Gen2 at as low as £299 new in last 12 months with it being reasonably regularly £339 if you’re prepared to wait.
If youve got some older sonos kit, you can usually get an Upgrade 15% off from the website.
In the past I've bought old Sonos kit on eBay to qualify for the 30% discount. Saved well over a grand.
A bit sad that you didn't recommend that I change the TV as well, but Mrs NJA will be happy.
I missed that bit in the original post. Currently you have the right brand, but it is missing an "O" off the front of "LED", therefore you should immediately upgrade 🙂
In all seriousness, OLED TVs are incredible. One with eARC for connecting to the soundbar is also going to minimise hassle. LG C5 or G5 models are the ones to go for. The C5 in 55" might just squeak into budget (Costco have it for £999, John Lewis for £1,199). But if you are upgrading, bigger is better if you have room...
I’ve also been pondering this, but seen that the WhatHiFi recommended HiSense AX5125H bar with subwoofer and rear wireless (but wired power) speakers is currently down to £199 at most shops.
WhatHifi product reviews can be a little dubious.
In all seriousness, OLED TVs are incredible. One with eARC for connecting to the soundbar is also going to minimise hassle. LG C5 or G5 models are the ones to go for. The C5 in 55" might just squeak into budget (Costco have it for £999, John Lewis for £1,199). But if you are upgrading, bigger is better if you have room...
Just bought an LG C5 and can confirm it's an amazing picture. I also bought from Costco but pretty sure it was more than that.... I'll have to check as I can get the price difference back.
Anyway, got the 55" home and immediately realised that it was too small for a) the room which is pretty big and b) the amount of money we were spending... so took it back and got the 65"! 😁
So current favourite is
SAMSUNG QN90F 55" Neo QLED £999 from £1699 at Currys with
SAMSUNG HW-Q800F/XU 5.1.2 Wireless Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos & DTS at £224.70 from £749 if bought with the TV.
Then according to the salesman there is a 20% cashback on the TV from Samsung after the purchase so £167.50 which means a total outlay of £1056.20 for £2448 worth of kit.
Seems like a bargain.
I mean I'm probably not the best to comment as I am firmly of the opinion of that there's never been a question on earth where the correct answer is "buy the Samsung", but nnoooooooooooooo!
To quote you yourself "...things have moved on" from LED. Even Samsung finally admitted it themselves a couple of years ago when they started selling OLEDs rather than trying to convince people that putting a "Q" in from front of "LED" somehow gave them anything close to the performance.
There is a reason that LG OLEDs are the absolute default choice if you have more than a grand to spend.
So current favourite is
SAMSUNG QN90F 55" Neo QLED £999 from £1699 at Currys with
SAMSUNG HW-Q800F/XU 5.1.2 Wireless Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos & DTS at £224.70 from £749 if bought with the TV.
Then according to the salesman there is a 20% cashback on the TV from Samsung after the purchase so £167.50 which means a total outlay of £1056.20 for £2448 worth of kit.
Seems like a bargain.
Don't buy it from Curry's. Richer Sounds are doing it for £899 and Soundbar for £300, 20% cashback from Samsung should still apply. Richer Sounds also give you a 6 year warranty on the TV.
Regarding the 20% cashback, you need to check the Samsung Website because it seems it only applies to QN model TV's and not Qe's.
https://promotions.my-samsung.com/uk/offers/M84A5M9GB7VLD
I prefer to buy from Richer Sounds if I am honest, the 6 year warranty is good. The 20% seems to be on bigger screen sizes. So would need to go for the 65 inch.
I prefer to buy from Richer Sounds if I am honest, the 6 year warranty is good.
Costco for me. Marginally cheaper than RS (or certainly no more expensive), 6 year warranty* plus you can take it back for any reason within 90 days and get your money back no questions asked.
(I bought a 55" the other day, got it home and decided a week later that it was too small - took it back and bought a bigger one)
* I bought a Samsung years ago when the Costco warranty was only 3 years (compared to 1 year with everyone else) - it went bang after 5 years and they still gave me my money back!
Richer Sounds gets my business any time I need products they sell. An ethical company with a great local store.
I’ve also been pondering this, but seen that the WhatHiFi recommended HiSense AX5125H bar with subwoofer and rear wireless (but wired power) speakers is currently down to £199 at most shops.
WhatHifi product reviews can be a little dubious.
They are and they arn't... you have to read them with a bit of critical anaysis, taking into account your budget...
My headphones got 5* and I'd probably give them 5* too given the price point, for example, but they were only £50.
You haveto take value for money into consideraton too.
I stood in front of the tvs in Curry’s at the weekend. When the tiger came on the screen the oled was a touch more orange. The rest of the time from £300-£1300 they all looked the same. That’s in 43 inch size. What am i missing
We are only thinking of changing as the the current one slowly develops a slight brown stain when it’s been on an hours. My wife Stev didn’ doesn’t notice.
What am i missing
That bright showrooms with all the TVs brightness cranked up to the max is a shit place to judge a screen, particularly the contrast that OLEDs excel at.
I stood in front of the tvs in Curry’s at the weekend. When the tiger came on the screen the oled was a touch more orange. The rest of the time from £300-£1300 they all looked the same. That’s in 43 inch size. What am i missing
TVs in stores are in 'demo' mode to stand out against the one next to it. The picture mode isn't anything like you'd use at home.
Also, how good are your eyes? 😁
What he said ^
Unfortunately you just can't judge a TV in a showroom (or certainly not in a box shifter like Currys). The TVs will all have the absolute worst screen settings applied (e.g. "Dynamic", high motion smoothing etc.), and the lighting is very different to how you would be using it in your own home.
If you are used to OLEDs then as soon as you walk into someone else's house, you wonder why the blacks are all horribly grey and the picture washes out as soon as you are one degree off central.
My eyes are great. I’m quite a keen amateur photographer and have calibrated monitors by eye using various methods
When I’ve brought previous televisions the pictures on store TV’s have made me want to hearl they were so over the top. In Curry’s the football sergment was terrible on every tv as the grass was too green. But the wild life looked great on all of them
I saw one program on my sisters OLED monster that looked great. But i think the first few times i went round things didn’t look that different
i shall continue to research