My apartment does not lend itself to surround sound due to space issues and me not wanting to run wires around the apartment. I am looking into getting a better receiver and speakers. Does it make a difference running 2 speakers on a 5.1 surround receiver? I read a review of a receiver that stated it would increase the amps to the 2 speakers, I don't understand how that would affect the watts. Would it be better for me to buy 2 or 3 (center) speakers for the front or to buy 5 (likely cheaper) speakers and have the two back speakers up front also? Currently I have the 5 up front, cheap speakers and a cheap receiver.
I have a very small apartment and have 5.1 surround sound but often older movies only have dolby stereo so using 2.1 is good any theater system you purchase has many modes you can select them or use auto select it will decode accordingly speakers have gotten very small and even wireless so it's all a matter of choice if I couldn't have 5.1 would at least get 4 channel stereo surround/dolby pro logic/ with my last choice being 2.1 rear speakers need to be behind you and one solution for running cords is place them under the baseboards or carpets running along the wall on one side. Good luck
The wall the tv is on would mean that the speaker wire would still have to go outside the base board at some point. Not a huge deal though. I guess I will probably get some 3 or 4 way front speakers and maybe a cheap center. Then if I can get some wireless or small corner speakers that I can hang from the wall I may be happy. Mostly I watch new movies and xbox 360. Occasionally music or running computer into the system. Thanks for the suggestions.
If space is limited, you could try the Yamaha YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector. It sets up front by the TV. No wires to run to rear speakers. It ain't cheap, but you would not have anything else to buy. http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/yamaha-ysp-4000-digital/4505-7868_7-32570630.html
Would probably go for the Mythos SSA-50 Speaker system first. It is a little chaper, especially used. Still out of my price range currently. I am probably going to go ahead and try out some vintage 3 or 4 way speakers and go from that, eventually getting a newer low end receiver too.
right now have a 5.1 system with my computer and find have the 2 back speakers doesn't really do anything when playing things like youtube videos and other audio that doesn't use or need the back speakers but if playing movies or other audio that uses it it is a plus it's when you hear those songs that go only play some on the right speaker then to the left if you try i with one speaker it horrible of course moving from 2.1 to 5.1 is not as big of a difference then moving from 1 to 2 but i find you hear a lot better with that center speaker it makes things a lot clear i probably keep the system you have now and upgrade later save some cash to get a 7.1 system later on when they become more popular or find a friend or family that is redoing there theater room and ask if you can have there old speakers if they are not using them that is how i got most of my speakers that way a couple of ok ones
Actually I pretty well have my system set up for now. I got 4 JBLs that my mom had in the basement, I think with a 5" woofer and 1" tweeter. I have a very cheap center speaker. I also picked up 2 four way pioneer floor standing speakers for the front which I like very much. I also got a discounted Onkyo 7.1 receiver with the hdmi pass through from a HHGregg that my friend works at. My center speaker and sub woofer could both use an upgrade but as it is my system is almost too powerful for my apartment, especially the bass. I broke down and ran speaker wire through my apartment. My receiver also has the nice feature of running different types of sound through the speakers such as playing the stereo through all of the speakers at once, although this may be standard on newer receivers, not too sure.
so keep it and save your money for when they have like 9.1 system and a sub can never ever be to powerful just put turn it up when you go to work and laugh while play some heavy music
longer save your money and take time to research as much as possible since audio equipment does not change as rapidly as computers i'm personally looking for a good set but don't know any good review sites and stores to buy at i probably get one in a month or so if i can setup my computer and tv so that it i have one system not 2 like i have now
