Page 1 of Home Cinema Packages

Hi, I`m thinking of getting a Home Cinema complete package in order to save space. I went to Currys who had Aiwa HT-DV90, LG DA-3525, Accoustic Energy AEGO P5, & a Panasonic SCHE7. Has a anyone got any experience/advice regarding current Home Cinema packages, and which one would be the "best buy"? Thanks.

Don`t tell me after all those questions you`re now `downgrading` to an all in one! Or is this for a second room? :-)

Is it the speakers you want to save space on, or the amp plus DVD player? I would avoid an all in one amp/dvd - one breaks, they both break. If you want smaller speakers, then prepare for some decent £££ for good sound. What are your budget and space constrants?

It`s the speakers that I need to save apace on. I`m afraid it`s only a medium sized room with 2 couches etc & space is limited. The Wharfedale speakers seemed excellent quality - but just too big - especially the front/centre speaker. Steve.

I know the KEF 2005 "eggs" are well regarded as a sub/satellite solution (i.e. small speakers, plus sub to give the low end), but the price may be a bit £££ (near £800!!!!!). An alternative might be the Mission FS2 set - the speakers themselves are very slim, and again a sub does the low end. Again a tad pricey - £370 odd (http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/productdetails.asp?Modelcode=MIS-FS2AV).

Slightly lower down the scale? Not so sure what`s good, I`m afraid..... you could consider the Wharfedale NXT flat panels - very discreet - Dave Marchington here on the forum is using them I believe for both front and rear - pretty cheapo these days from Richer Sounds....

This item was edited on Monday, 23rd September 2002, 11:59

NOOOOOO Dont do it .....

Mission have recently ( well a few months ago but there finally in the shops now ) released there next gen flat panel speaker system. The FS1`s spec looks fairly simlar but there now alot more pleasing on the eye and retail at half the cost of the old FS2`s

If your going the flat panel route ive only read good reports on the Missions all the rest just plain suc apparently. The warfdale ones that richardH mentioned are £79 is for 2 panaels and a sub.

Hope that helps ......

G

This item was edited on Monday, 23rd September 2002, 12:26

Oh right - the FS1s are the replacements for the FS2s - most manufacturers would go up a number... Saw them listed, but didn`t realise they were the long awaited replacements. Well caught GSM. They`re £313 at http://www.qed-uk.com/?i=0ZzPb81UE3hS&vp=6&bg=216&bp=fs1s&bi=0 - maybe within the budget? They do look flipping nice - look here - http://www.mission.co.uk/index1.htm - no idea whether they`re as good as their predecessors.

RichardH/GSM - Brillianto!!!! Those Mission speakers really look the business - stylish & space saving. Do u know of a silver AV amp to match up (the Marantz 4200 is the best buy- but available in black only). The Boss ie the natural blonde sys everything should match up! Cheers! And once again many thanks for your help & advice.Steve.

I assume that your DVD player is silver, then? Only thing you could try with the boss is the old "but all silvers look different anyway" routine. Trouble is, a lot of amps are coming in that champagne gold finish, rather than silver. Both Marantz and Denon follow that route, so it looks like it`s Sony or Pioneer that provide the correct colour. Downer!

Just had a brainwave - the Onkyo TX-DS494 - comes in both black and silver! Have a look at http://www.hifijunkies.co.uk in the Home Cinema¦AV Amps¦Onkyo section - they have it for £270 - seen it elsewhere for £400 odd, so a good price. Reviews seem to suggest it`s a little short on power, but that will depend on your room size anyway. Not heard it, so can`t comment on how it performs, but previous Onkyo models have been well received.
Review links:
http://www.epinions.com/597421_Onkyo_TX_DS494_Home_Theater_Receiver/display_~reviews
http://www.audioreview.com/A-V+Receivers/Onkyo+TX+DS494/PRD_127171_2718crx.aspx
http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/review_read.asp?ID=1795

Agreed ive been keeping an eye on the Onkyo kit ( again as its silver - to keep the wife happy ) however there arent many bargains to be had as they have limited outlets. Yamaha 630RDS is another option, a far superior amp and available in silver but £400, im not sure if the 430/530 comes in silver though - maybe worth finding out.

One point with the Onkyo there a bug in the chip which they dont appear to be fixing ( The same bug is in the Dennon 1602 etc ) Cant remember the full details - Perl Harbour and DTS springs to mind. Also the 595 is alot better spec - Depends on your budget ?

MY only recomendation is get DPLII youll use it 90% of the time !

G