Help with Surround sound.

[Sumner]

Hi,

After getting my headphones sorted for the ps3.

I now need to get a half decent surround sound setup in the house.

I don't have too much money to go with, but I have found this from richersounds;

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/onkyo/hts5405/onky-hts5405

Anyone got suggestions? As I am rubbish with sound tech.

I will mainly be using them for watching tv and gaming through the ps3.

Any help will be great.

D.

 

[C.J]

For the money, a very good piece of kit. It's one I've recommended a few times before.

I have Onkyo, great sound. You won't be disappointed, and it leaves the option to change/upgrade your sub speakers separately at a later date, as the amp will be more than enough.

 

[Sumner]

Cheers for the input CJ. What your thoughts on the cheaper version?

http://www.richersounds.com/product/1-box-home-cinema-systems/onkyo/hts3405/onky-hts3405-blk

What are the main differences? And for £100 less, is it worth getting the more expensive version?

 

[C.J]

Personally I'd go for the £350, purely as the sub is active/powered.

 

[Sumner]

Thanks for the input, and went and got that anyway. £317 so a nice bargain I hope. Just need to get it all setup now. Apparently I need an optical cable for sky. Will any optical cable do? Or do you get what you pay for?

 

[C.J]

You don't need optical out, as the cables you have will carry sound anyway (as it currently does to your TV).

I have a few optical cables, got them off eBay for about £5 each.

 

[Sumner]

Ok, bit confused now. Was told I need optical because hdmi (through sky) doesnt carry sound and picture.

 

[JaseCat]

To get 5.1 Sound from Sky HD you need to use either a Optical Cable or a Coax Cable, any optical lead will do, you're right Sky HD doesn't have 5.1 over HDMI.

Hope that helps!
l

 

[Vish]

As above, HDMI from sky only carries 2 channel sound. You need the optical for 5.1. You'll need to set your amp up to use the video from the HDMI and the sound from the optical if you're going to connect he sky HDMI to the amp and then amp to TV.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

To get 5.1 Sound from Sky HD you need to use either a Optical Cable or a Coax Cable, any optical lead will do, you're right Sky HD doesn't have 5.1 over HDMI.

Hope that helps!
l

Interesting !! Will upgrade mine when I move house. Thanks for the hint !

Let me know how you get on with the Onkyo 2.1 .. I want one for the new bedroom. Been impressed with my Onkyo AV Amp for the last year hooked up to my KEFs in the front room :approve:

 

[C.J]

My mistake, I don't have sky so not aware it doesn't carry 5.1 (most HDMI senders do).

 

[Sumner]

I will update how I get on and what the system is like once I have installed.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Rhino172]

Erm? I have the 3405 and sky is working fine through the hdmi picture and surround.

Granted it might not be "true" 5.1 but it's blinding and sounds perfect to me.