HD Audio components [Archive]

Rusty257

23rd April 2009, 13:20

Now that I have my sparkly new TV my next task is to get HD audio. At least I think so anyway. I am currently using a Logitech Z-680 setup being fed coax, optical, and 6ch from various devices. It sounds good but I am wondering how much better HD audio sounds? Is it worth the fuss or the expense or just marginally better. I am cheap but I also don’t want to buy a Packard Bell and be expecting an Alienware8), if something is good I will save and get it. I like the look of the Sony HT-SS2300 because it matches my player but I have never been a fan of HT in a box aside from the convenience of it. So my two questions are; first is it worth the expense, and if anyone has any suggestions? It would be for a decent sized room coming from a BDP-S300. Thank you all.

SamuriHL

25th April 2009, 18:38

I think everyone knows my opinion on this but in case you've been asleep for the last year or so, I think HD audio rocks. But it's a very individual thing. Some people couldn't care less. What I can say is this...the sound field sounds more "full" and the depth of sound is quite unreal. But you need decent equipment to take advantage of it. You'll need a decent receiver and a good set of speakers to match. I'm rather partial to the Onkyo receivers. I know nothing about their speaker systems but I've read that they are adequate. I have a set of yamaha speakers that does the job for now for mid range speakers, but, eventually I want to upgrade to something a bit more high end. Anyway, for a decent receiver expect to pay from 300 USD to 1000 USD depending on what model you get. Speakers are all over the place. You can pick up a "cheap" set of 5.1 for 300 USD or you can spend thousands per speaker depending on what you want. I will say that with a mid range set of speakers and a decent amp, for me, that difference is noticeable and worth it.

Rusty257

26th April 2009, 20:48

One for 'its worth it.' Thanks.

I will get there eventually. After a bit more looking into it I am thinking something like the ONKYO TX SR606 or above.

SamuriHL

26th April 2009, 20:49

I love my 606. It's awesome.

Adbear

27th April 2009, 02:06

Yeah Onkyo are great, I have the 605, not sure what the big differences are between the 605 and the 606 but mine works real nice

mike_r

27th April 2009, 03:07

SamuriHL

27th April 2009, 08:16

SamuriHL

27th April 2009, 08:18

What about wireless speakers (or cable substitute) ?

Do they even exist ? I went into a BOSE centre as I'd seen on the web that they (might) have something, but the sales assistant was rude so i left the store with no information.

Wireless exists, but, to get decent ones they are REALLY expensive. Plus they're not truly "wireless" in the sense that they have to be powered somehow. There are some that run on batteries but, um, yea.

damnskippy

27th April 2009, 17:53

HD audio is great if you have a setup to take advantage of it. Even if you only have a so so system it sounds better. Kinda like comparing a 160kbps mp3 to an uncompressed wav or flac on a pretty good audio system. Especially when talking about Dolby.

Bose make some decent stuff but I find them over priced and generally over rated.

Just accept the wires :)

andy o

27th April 2009, 20:02

What about wireless speakers (or cable substitute) ?

Do they even exist ? I went into a BOSE centre as I'd seen on the web that they (might) have something, but the sales assistant was rude so i left the store with no information.

There are wireless speakers, but (to reiterate) you'll still have to plug them into the wall socket for power (they are self-amplified obviously). They could be pretty expensive, or if not, rather low quality. IMO it's not worth paying the difference when you can get very good speakers if you can just put up with a run of wires, which you'll have to deal with too with power cables and possibly extension cords, so the gain is not as much as it seems.

Also, you can do much better than Bose (trying not to be too negative here :D), in that price range, you can get very decent speakers. I have Definitive Tech 350's, but you can find myriad brands, even mainstream ones like Klipsch and JBL will serve you better than Bose. If you need nice design, maybe the "cheaper" B&W's could suit you.

I myself just got myself a pair of Martin Logans for pretty cheap, but haven't gotten them yet. I think my Pioneer receiver's MCACC can do a good job at matching them with my existing system. :D

andy o

27th April 2009, 20:10

Yeah Onkyo are great, I have the 605, not sure what the big differences are between the 605 and the 606 but mine works real nice

I think I have an extra hdmi port. Other than that I don't think there's a whole lot of difference.

The 607 is out now and it seems this year Onkyo and Pioneer, and maybe others, decided they will downgrade their models rather than upgrade them. But they'll distract us with shiny extra HDMI ports!

One thing I noticed though is that the 606 ran hotter than my current Pio 01. From what I remember of the Kill-A-Watt readings, it also consumed more energy even when idle, so pretty sure those two issues are linked. I do look for efficient amplification nowadays. I wonder if we connect an external Class-D efficient amp in these receivers would the power consumption go down.