[kds4121]

 

5.1 Surround Sound System - how to make one out of my current 4.3?

I currently have a 4.3 system set up - 2 bookshelf speakers, a subwoofer, and 2 satellite speakers, and I want to know how to turn my current system into a 5.1 (or 5.3) surround sound system (besides for buying another satellite or bookshelf speaker) (what center piece do I need to make them all work together at 5.1 or 5.3?)

Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

[trog]

What u have is a 4.1 and u need a surround sound receiver and a center speaker to complete a 5.1 set up. If you are tight for $$ or dun need bells/whistles outside DD/DTS u can go for slightly older coax/optical AVRs else the more current HDMI in/out AVRs might be more apt ^^

 

[kds4121]

If I were to get something like, say, http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-519V-K-5-Channel-Receiver-Black/dp/B001U6YGN0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1343639822&sr=8-3&keywords=coax%2Foptical+AVR, or http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1312-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B004U403S6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343640011&sr=8-1&keywords=hdmi+AVR, would I be able to just simply plug in my speakers and I'd have a 5.1? 
 
(and if so, which would you say is probably better sound quality of those two, or any in that price range?)
 
Thanks so much

 

[trog]

Considering the Pioneer is not available new and the Denon has 4/1 in/out i would say go for the Denon? If you are using your current speakers:
 
1. What impedence are they?
2. Is your sub active or passive?
 
for best results get center speakers of the same line/brand for timbre matching with fronts ^^
 
Also look out for the higher end Denon AVR-1612 especially if u can spot them for cheap? Here is one about $220
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UizWszKes4O/p_033AV1612/Denon-AVR-1612.html

 

[Redrider469]

Quote:

Also look out for the higher end Denon AVR-1612 especially if u can spot them for cheap? Here is one about $220
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UizWszKes4O/p_033AV1612/Denon-AVR-1612.html

 
I would also suggest getting a higher end Denon. I have the AVR-1312, the base model, and it does just fine but I only use it to drive a pair of bookshelf speakers and send signal to my sub. If i wanted to set up a 5.1 system, I'd probably go the higher end one and get more options and what not. An extra $50 isn't that much to upgrade to the next best receiver either. I would've done the same except I splurged that extra $50 into a better sub

 
Whatever works out best in your case though. The AVR-1312 will work just fine if you don't have room in your budget to get a 1612 or higher.

 

[kds4121]

I'm currently using the Sony SSB-3000 bookshelf speakers - http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=SSB3000 , and I'm considering purchasing the Polk Audio RM6751 Satellite Speaker - http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-RM6751-Satellite-Speaker/dp/B0009X3JBU / Sony SS-B1000 5-1/4-Inch Bookshelf Speakers - http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=SSB1000 - and the
[size=1.7em] Polk Audio Blackstone TL1 Speaker Center Channel - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NYSdY7Btd85/p_107TL1CC/Polk-Audio-Blackstone-TL1.html#details-tab ,[/size]
[size=1.7em] to complete the 5.1.. I'm currently using the subwoofer from [/size]

[size=1.7em] Cyber Acoustics Subwoofer Satellite System (CA-3602) - http://www.cyberacoustics.com/retail/Speakers/CA-3602 . [/size]

 
What difference/benefit will the higher-end Denon have over the other? 
 
Thank you

 

[trog]

O_o best get a proper active sub since u are investing in a HDMI AVR anyway

The AV6 1612 has the much liked Audyssey setup feature

 

[kds4121]

For the time being, if you had to choose one (the subwoofer (http://www.polkaudio.com/products/psw10) or the 2 speakers), which would you suggest is more important? 
 
Also, which set of speakers would you suggest, of the 2 options I posted? 

 

[trog]

Your Sonys for fronts is not bad at all so but if $200 is doable have a look at the BIC F12?
http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M

 

[kds4121]

This BIC Subwoofer is significantly better than the Polk? (is it worth $70 more?)
 
Also, how will I connect this to my sound system? (currently I'm running my Sony's through a T-Amp (http://www.amazon.com/LP-2020A-Lepai-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343906749&sr=8-1&keywords=t-amp), and using a simple splitter to utilize the 2.1 system (subwoofer))
 
(by the way, http://www.provantage.com/bic-america-f12~7BICA003.htm)
 
PS I'm going to be living in an apartment in new york, if that changes anything

 

[trog]

If $$ is not issue the BIC is a worth it upgrade over that Polk sub and if you are using a T-amp you would wire up to an active sub via the T-amp speaker out to the sub's speaker in and run your speakers as sats off the sub's speaker out ^^