Tonight's fiddling

[Chris Frost]

That's a coincidence. I was going to mention the Q-AV system because it is discrete and a good choice if you are on a budget. Then there's the Yamaha YSP sound bars which also save a lot of space because they have the amplifiers built in to them.

Finally, there's the more conventional sub-sat systems based around a single box amp/disc player such as an Arcam Solo Movie. Speakers range from inceiling, inwall or something more conventional. I sell quite a few Monitor Audio Radius systems. Radius90 are excellent as an AV satellite that does very well at music. They're pretty small too at just 190 x 120 x 140 mm HWD. The Radius270 floorstanders are very elegant and equally slimline. They share the same 120x140mm cross section of the R90's.

Personally I would go with wall mounting the TV and front satellites, or perhaps look at the pencil thin Radius 270 floor standers. I'd get rid of the glass rack and choose something solid in wood with open & slot-back doors. This will hide the gear and the inevitable cable trails.

The icing on the cake is a radio frequency intelligent remote; a Nevo Q50 or one of the Prontos. This may seem like an extravagance but so was aircon in cars at one time. Trust me, have one of these professionally programmed at it will make the system a joy to use.

I supply and install all this sort of gear on a daily basis. It's decent stuff without breaking the bank.

Regards

[SteveW]

Cheers Chris
Thats really useful.
Sadly I hadn't realised I was going to be faced with the reaction I did. I had already got 8 single sockets on a dedicated spur on the wall behind the TV...so you can guess where I thought I was going with all this

Anyway..when I'm nearer to a proper solution, I'll give you a shout. Pity you are so far away though

[Chris Frost]

Pity you are so far away though

Why, where are you?

[SteveW]

`the mean streets of Nantwich ...

[Chris Frost]

You're kidding. Nantwich, really? Are you pulling my leg?

[SteveW]

LOL..(as my kids say)
Its a small world.

[SteveW]

OK..another question Chris, if thats OK.
Do the Sony and Q-AV systems fill the front end of a room, if you know what I mean. Just wondering if they still sound like a single source point, rather than being spread?

Also, am I able to get the smaller white Q-AV speakers on their own...I'm thinking that if they are a hyrid piston/panel speaker (are they the same units as in the front panel?)...then they could be placed on the floor somehwhere??

This would be as opposed to the black panel of three that should underneath the screen (for which there is no room unless I get their dedicated stand).

cheers

Steve

[Chris Frost]

I didn't mention Sony so I guess you mean Yamaha, right?

The Yamaha's work well. They produce a pretty convincing surround sound effect particularly the bigger of the two products in the range which is what most people would choose with a 42" or 50" screen.

The Q Acoustics is a little more point source, but that's not as much of a problem as it might seem at first. Most of the sound for movies will be dialogue from the centre channel. Stereo music won't have quite the left right separation of a good budget 2 channel system, but it will have a very wide sweet spot and your wife will love you

The Q-AV rear speakers are good for effects but not good as front L&R speakers. They are available to buy on their own as a pair. If someone insisted on using them as fronts then I would strongly suggest they be mounted at ceiling level. There's less chance of the sound being blocked by furniture (or guitars) or being knocked off the wall when vacuuming.

You keep going on about needing the Q-Acoustic dedicated stand. I don't think you do. Here's why...

The Q-AV system is available in two configurations - 5.1 which includes rear speakers - and 3.1 without rear speakers. Both configurations come with a wall bracket for the front LCR set.

The optional pedestal stand is not cheap. It's £260. Now I can think of far better uses for £260, so here's what we do...

Get a reasonable wall bracket with tilt facility for your TV (£40 - £50 ish). The tilt bit is important, trust me on this. Now we bury the cables for the TV and front speakers. Mount the TV bracket and the Q-AV speakers bracket just below. What we have now is a really clean looking install with nothing showing below the TV/speakers. All the cables go down to floor level so whatever you decide to do about an amp/DVD player/Sky/Games Console/PC/Bluray etc etc you won't end up staring at spaghetti junction draping down behind the TV. Domestic bliss is almost assured

Regards

[SteveW]

bugger...posted from work, and its disappeared.

Anyway...thanks for the most welcome advice Chris, really appreciate it.

Summary of post, was that behind plaster wall is £15k worth of waterproofing membrane (not quite..slightly exaggerated to include electrics/sump/pump/floor/plaster/light well and window...but you get the picture). Anyway..drilling the wall to hang telly not really an option. Also goes someway to explain lack of funds for kit right now !!

Q-AV front 3.1 seems to need 160mm...space from shelf to screen itself 150mm - hence need to raise TV if to fit their panel.

I'm thinking more and more about your advice on Monitor Audio gear...would also fit need for decent music repro rather than wham bam thankyou mam of films.
Asthetics...thats the trick here I reckon.

[Chris Frost]

You're welcome Steve.

behind plaster wall is £15k worth of waterproofing membrane (not quite..slightly exaggerated to include electrics/sump/pump/floor/plaster/light well and window...but you get the picture). Anyway..drilling the wall to hang telly not really an option.

Creative solutions is what I do, and there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Regards