FOAK Home Cinema vs. AV amp Vs. audio amp

So we're finally getting round to updating everything, starting with
the 47" LCD TV last month, and now getting round to amps and stuff. I
was fairly sure I'd take the simple route and get a does-it-all home
cinema system, such as I have in our flat, so toddled off down to the
shops today.

I won't bore you with reasoning, but we'd decided on an LG one
_without_ surround sound, with two speaker units (several actual
speakers mounted on a stand) plus subwoofer, one of which was on
display. Then I turned up the volume to get a vague idea about sound
quality. And turned it up some more, finally reaching number 40 where
it read 'max'. Disappointing doesn't come into it - it was load-ish,
for sure, but really nothing like as loud as I like to turn music up
to on occasion, particularly if we're not in the same room as it.

Sadlym the shop was so busy I gave up waiting for assistance, so
thought I'd ask here instead.

Sound quality, per se., is not the main priority - working on the
basis that most modern units are going to be at least as good as I was
happy with when I bought my current hi-fi setup 28 years ago. No, what
I need advice on is how their power outputs are rated, and if all the
home cinema systems are as weedy as the one we looked at. It had a
quoted value of 370W on the info sheet, and many of the others there
were 300 or 200W. So am I safe in assuming that they're less loud?

And what do these numbers mean anyway? Clearly they're not using the
same sort of measure as I'm used to on audio amps, where 50W RMS (my
old system, IIRC) is bloody loud, so how to compare?

And then, given no desire for surround sound, and that for most TV
watching the standard TV speakers are acceptable, if not brilliant, do
I really need a Home Cinema system, an A/V amp (with speakers bought
separately, I suppose) or should I re-use my old audio amp with new
speakers? It's a Creek CAS4040, in case anyone remembers them, which
was rated as excellent when I bought it. Speakers are, I'm sure, in
need of replacement, but for reference ase KEF Coda IIIs.

So do these new systems with tiny speakers really measure up? Would a
separate AV amp give more oomph than a HC system?

Any other thoughts?

 

If your TV has a menu option to turn on Auto Volume Levelling, do so.

My LG volume goes from 0-100, which, with the built-in speakers, is
close to painful if you're in the same room.

Maybe you have some other setup options to tweek.

 

Yeah, the TV is also an LG, and it also goes up to 100. But a) it's
not _that_ loud and b) although I said quality wasn't the main
priority, the TV amp/speakers really aren't up to it, for music at
least.

I'll give 'em a try, but really I should also have pointed out that
the main, or at least equal, requirement is for playing music, mostly
CDs, so doing it without having to have the TV on at all is
preferable.

 

I'm no great audiophile, but I kept my (Denon) AV Amp & speakers
(Mission) separate from my audio amp, as I prefer the sound of my old
Technics system.

Still doesn't stop me from sticking the odd CD on to the DVD player
and playing that through the AV, which is still perfectly acceptable.

If you go for the AV amp option, at least you have the chance to go
for surround at some stage (as you'll have all the outputs, but you
don't /have/ to use all the speaker options, or a subwoofer)

As for watts output, the AV amp is fairly loud, especially if you
leave in the subwoofer and centre speaker, but I still think my old
audio amp setup is louder.

Checking the specs ..

http://www.nrpavs.co.nz/archive/Sold_htm/TechnicsSU-V40.htm

Yep, that was 50W RMS too.

Maybe watts in the olden days were better than todays weedy
watts ... ;-)

Paul.

 

Your hearing was one helluva lot better 28 years ago. hth.

 

Now, having realised I completely mis-read what you originally posted,
I'll **** off and get some of the sleep I should have had during the
last 36 hours. Take no notice of this old gimmer.

 

So what about the old KEFs? I mean, will they actually, necessarily,
be fucked after nearly 30 years?

Obviously, I can just hook up the old audio amp and speakers and see,
but being better than the TV doesn't mean they'll be better than a new
AV amp etc.

 

I doubt it, if you bought Hi Fi, but ICBW.

WTF knows? They use all sorts of stupid maths to make up those numbers,
and AFAIK no two manufacturers at that level are going to be using the
same method.

You can't IME. SWK may well come along.

Stick with a separate audio. That amp should be fine, but some new
speakers would help.

Yes. But you'll explode the speakers, IWHT.



--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Werlll. The suspension is probably not going to be doing the same job as
it was back then.

Listen and see?

FWIW if you spend the same amount on 'proper' kit[1] then it will be
'better'

[1] Without the spouse approval factor.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Having been and bought myself an entry level system today
(discontinued onkyo 307, and small 5.1 speakers + subwoofer on sale at
Richer sounds) I'm actually surprised how good a properly set up
surround system is. Not for the effects side of things but the way
the backgrouns noise is isolated onto the rear channel, and dialogue
comes from the screen more.

Worth having I reckon.

 

**** those speakers are ugly !

The SO wouldn't give them house room ...

Paul.

 

My Richard Allans have been ousted to the loft (until I get my
separate study)

Now, where were those electrostatic speakers I was lusting after ..

Paul.

 

My Kef Refs are still doing fine after 17 years.

Coincidentally, I saw the chap that I bought them from in the
supermarket yesterday. He's given up owning his own shop and now works
for a small company doing bespoke systems and installations.

His current hifi install isn't finished, but apparently the bill is
already over £300k. The same chap had them replace the tellies in his
London flat a few months ago, but that was only a £45k job...