Help choosing a surround sound system

Discussion in 'Receivers and amplifiers' started by zergpro, Nov 29, 2009.

  1. zergpro

    zergpro Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2005
    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    So I feel its time that I need to upgrade my $100 5 year old surround sound system and I'm having troubles find one to fit my needs that I like (I'm pretty indecisive). I currently have a 50" plasma LG (about a month old) and I have a 360 and possible looking into getting a bluray and wii that I would like to be able to connect everything with HDMI to the reciever and than a HDMI to the TV. I'm looking in the price range of $400-$600 and i'm having troubles find one that a) are black to match my xbox and tv b) that are in my price range c) that have the 3 or 4 HDMI inputs that I would need and d) I'm just to damn indecisive haha.
    Any help would be appreciated

    PS I haven't decided whether to go 5.1 or 7.1 yet
     
  2. JVC

    JVC Active member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2004
    Messages:
    1,761
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    66
  3. 00lloyd

    00lloyd Regular member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2006
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
  4. JVC

    JVC Active member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2004
    Messages:
    1,761
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Either one will do regular 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS. So, you'll get surround sound. But the HDMI is "pass through". So it's for video only. You'll need to use another digital connection for the 5.1 audio, such as optical or digital coax.

    Being pass through, they do not decode the HD audio formats found on blu ray movies.

    I'm guessing the HT-S5205 is the european version of our HT-S5200. To get the HD audio decoding, you'll need to step up to the next model. Here, it's the HT-S6200. I'm guessing your's would be the HT-S6205?
    Good luck!
     
  5. 00lloyd

    00lloyd Regular member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2006
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Wow, that was quite the intuitive guess!!! The HT-S6205 looks awesome, but it's about £500 over here, so do you think that the HD audio will really be worth the extra £300 when I could get the logitech z5500 with optical receiver fro £200? I have never heard HD audio in my life, so I have no idea whether it's worth the extra???

    Thanks, Lloyd.
     
  6. JVC

    JVC Active member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2004
    Messages:
    1,761
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Probably not worth it, using the z5500 speakers. You need good speakers to really notice a difference. The z5500 speakers are very good when used for what they were meant for...........computer speakers. I know people use them, but they aren't really home theater speakers. Good speakers don't come cheap.
    Good luck!
     

Share This Page