Simple setup for tv 2.1

[phann]

Hi guys, new here so might post in wrong forum, but thinking I am right. Location: netherlands.

Currently I have a soundbar for my tv (for info on inputs: hisense 65a7q), but sometimes I have to concentrate way too much to hear the voice. Not satisfied overall and tried alot of settings (been using this yamaha yas-207 since early 2021).
A month ago I got a Panasonic sa-he75 receiver for free with some garbage speakers, been using it in my garage. 2 weeks ago I replaced the speakers with Jamo Concert II speaker review speakers for 20 euros. Very heavy speakers and they sound (for me) amazing on the receiver, it can go ear deafening loud. Its MUCH better then the soundbar I use in the living room, hence I want to upgrade. Im listening music outside now in the cold .

First I ordered a POLK magnifi max ax sr (750 euros)thinking a high-end soundbar would be my best option, i've returned it after a day. It sounded like shit. Even the old soundbar was better.

I've been reading alot of information and reviews since then, but looking for some more advice and considerations. First a picture of the situation:

The red bar is the TV. The black blocks is the couch. All windows you see are from ceiling to floor. We always sit straight in front of the tv.

My thoughts was 2 speakers L and R, and a subwoofer. I dont want surround sound, the shape of the room does not allow it (and my wife).


2 possibilities, both best with hdmi arc (cec), so we can use 1 remote. BUDGET 700-800 euros. I dont mind using 1 more remote but preferably not.

- active bookshelfspeakers with a sub out
- passive bookshelfspeakers with amp / receiver and sub
In order to buy better components, I can use the speakers I have right now temporary in the living room (the fronts are not so nice anymore, but rest is good)

For an amp I was thinking a wiim amp (300 euro, the pro version is minimum 420 euro) would be the most compact solution. I probably have to hide it inside a cabinet , or at least somewhat hidden for toddler hands.

It has hdmi arc with working cec, and decent power. I dont need MASSIVE sound, but it should be enough for movies. Music usage will be 20% (genre: R&B, rap, hiphop, Drumm and bass). Also open for a (used) receiver with hdmi arc, point is they are all so big and can't really hide them.

Subwoofer : svs sb-1000 classic (600 euros), but I feel this one is too expensive compared to USA? The PB-1000 is more then 850 euro
polk hts-12 (450 euros)
XTZ Spirit SUB 12 (450 euros, sold out atm).
others?

Future speakers:
elac debut 2 B6.2
elac debut 3 B6.2
others? Or no need to replace the jamo's.

Also would need stands.

Looking forward to possible suggestions, open to anything.

 

[phann]

Just a quick follow up if someone else will have the same use case.

Bought the wiim amp pro (399 eur)
Sb-1000 classic (479 eur open box)

Must say, it was very easy to connect. It can go loud enough too(but can max the volume out without hurting my ears), although I dont understand jamo's rating what they put on the back of the speakers.

I was afraid the sb-1000 would be underwhelming in a open space like this, but it can go seriously loud and rattle everything, wich I am not after anyway. It has very nice bass without it being boomy at all. For movies it is pleasing enough for me.

Very happy also with the music streaming. I can now use my phone to turn music on, but through wifi I will not have the problem of music interuptions like with bluetooth. I can keep using my phone normally and the music just keeps playing. Very nice.

 

[l_lama]

I wonder if you have place for pre-owned Denon/Maranz AV-receiver. See what you can get with Audyssey XT32 room correction pre-owned.
Denon X3600H should be good for 4K with HDR10, X3700H will give you better compatibility with gaming consoles and more HDR formats supported.

Multi-channel content has dedicated track for your future subwoofer - Low Frequency Effects.
Unless your potential amp is doing decoding of Dolby and similar formats, you will probably lose it.
While you don't have a good place for surround speakers, you can benefit from getting center channel for voice content.

Another things you can learn about are stereo receives which are based on AV receivers - like Denon DRA-800 , DRA-900, Onkyo TX-8270, Onkyo TX-8470.
I guess it may do proper Dolby decoding and pass LFE track to subwoofer, but not really sure.

Also take a look at Bluesound Node series, it could be upgraded with DIRAC room correction.

 

[phann]

I wonder if you have place for pre-owned Denon/Maranz AV-receiver. See what you can get with Audyssey XT32 room correction pre-owned.
Denon X3600H should be good for 4K with HDR10, X3700H will give you better compatibility with gaming consoles and more HDR formats supported.

Multi-channel content has dedicated track for your future subwoofer - Low Frequency Effects.
Unless your potential amp is doing decoding of Dolby and similar formats, you will probably lose it.
While you don't have a good place for surround speakers, you can benefit from getting center channel for voice content.

Another things you can learn about are stereo receives which are based on AV receivers - like Denon DRA-800 , DRA-900, Onkyo TX-8270, Onkyo TX-8470.
I guess it may do proper Dolby decoding and pass LFE track to subwoofer, but not really sure.

Also take a look at Bluesound Node series, it could be upgraded with DIRAC room correction.

Thank you for your reply, currently I have the wiim amp sitting sidewise inside a closed cabinet (cabinet is only 30cm deep, it does not get warm at all), some of those receivers will not fit. Maybe after 6-7 years I can think of upgrading when all the little hands are a bit grown up. For now I am kinda satisfied, I just want to up / sidegrade the speakers. I'd rather use the Jamo's in my garage, without a subwoofer.

So now I have

Wim amp pro
Jamo Concert II on Norstone Walk stands
svs sb-1000 classic

replacement for the speaker wich is limited to the following because I have a gift-card from a certain website that only has the following brands:

wharfdale diamond 12.2 (350eu)
kef q350 (390eu)
klipsch RP-500M II (429eu)
mission LX-2 MKII (410eu)

Sadly not the ELAC debuts, but since I never heard it, I have nothing to compare to anyway.

Maybe a silly question, but would this be an upgrade? I have no possibility to listen to them before buying, but retouring is not a problem (but i'd rather not).

 

[Defi]

The wharfdale (12.1 version shown but assuming the .2 is at least as good), kef, and klipsch all show really, really well. I couldn't find anything on the Mission LX-2 but the LX-3 was reviewed here and I would not consider it against the rest.

Measurements for speaker Wharfedale Diamond 12.1

www.spinorama.org

Measurements for speaker KEF Q350

www.spinorama.org

Measurements for speaker Klipsch RP-500M II

www.spinorama.org

Unfortunately I cannot find anything explicit about the Jamos nor do I have any personal experience with them in order to say that you will notice an improvement, but if you have another use for them anyway then I would bet you would be pretty happy with any of the above 3. If it were me I would go based off of a combination of gut instinct, visuals, and convincing myself that I the vertical contour spins are super important. Which would lead me to kef or klipsch, all said and done. But that's me.