Acquiring ‘Surround Sound’

[teamsaint]

One might think that there would be a budget option that simulates some of the advantages of 5.1 whilst keeping cost and space ( and unsightly wiring!) requirements down .
I presume that there isn’t such a thing ?

[Bryn]

One might think that there would be a budget option that simulates some of the advantages of 5.1 whilst keeping cost and space ( and unsightly wiring!) requirements down .
I presume that there isn’t such a thing ?

While I have no direct experience of them, there are various Bluetooth surround speaker systems available.

[Poppydhb]

I’ve just bought a 1970s Pye surround unit which promises to add rear speakers to an existing stereo system. It uses the well-known (to wrinklies like me, at any rate) Hafler/Dynaco wiring system to extract the difference signal from your speaker terminals. A small inbuilt amp gives you balance options.

While it isn’t running yet, I’ve done the same, technically, with a spare stereo amp, and while you don’t get a full decoder, for classical stereo, including R3, it usually works fairly well, giving a good ambience which on some of my SACDs closely matches the multi-channel sound.

You can do the “Hafler trick” with nothing more than a single speaker wired to the two positive speaker terminals on your existing amp, though without any control of the rear volume.

In terms of cost and versatility, I’d agree that used or old-model AV is the way to go. You can get (or could!) a Sony blu-ray that plays SACDs and everything for under £150, and a Yamaha or Denon last-year model, new, for under half the original price. Ditto speakers - old models are always around, whether you’re buying traditional pairs or full 5.1 sets.

[Dave2002]

I’ve just bought a 1970s Pye surround unit which promises to add rear speakers to an existing stereo system. It uses the well-known (to wrinklies like me, at any rate) Hafler/Dynaco wiring system to extract the difference signal from your speaker terminals. A small inbuilt amp gives you balance options.

While it isn’t running yet, I’ve done the same, technically, with a spare stereo amp, and while you don’t get a full decoder, for classical stereo, including R3, it usually works fairly well, giving a good ambience which on some of my SACDs closely matches the multi-channel sound.

It'd be quite interesting to hear how well this works for you. I tried doing this kind of set up many years ago. The "theory" about this kind of Hafler system is slightly dubious, but as a way of obtaining signal derived ambience it might be subjectively helpful for some recordings. It is an effect - but whether it's a good one is open to question.

[Bryn]

I’ve just bought a 1970s Pye surround unit which promises to add rear speakers to an existing stereo system. It uses the well-known (to wrinklies like me, at any rate) Hafler/Dynaco wiring system to extract the difference signal from your speaker terminals. A small inbuilt amp gives you balance options.

While it isn’t running yet, I’ve done the same, technically, with a spare stereo amp, and while you don’t get a full decoder, for classical stereo, including R3, it usually works fairly well, giving a good ambience which on some of my SACDs closely matches the multi-channel sound.

You can do the “Hafler trick” with nothing more than a single speaker wired to the two positive speaker terminals on your existing amp, though without any control of the rear volume.

In terms of cost and versatility, I’d agree that used or old-model AV is the way to go. You can get (or could!) a Sony blu-ray that plays SACDs and everything for under £150, and a Yamaha or Denon last-year model, new, for under half the original price. Ditto speakers - old models are always around, whether you’re buying traditional pairs or full 5.1 sets.

Have you looked into Dolby Atmos? I have yet to get my head fully around it (nod, nod, wink, wink) but it promises a rather more flexible 'surround' option with added height information.

[richardfinegold]

Have you looked into Dolby Atmos? I have yet to get my head fully around it (nod, nod, wink, wink) but it promises a either more flexible 'surround' option with added height information.

I am curious about Atmos but my rooms won’t support it

[Mal]

I am not aware of powered speakers in a multichannel arrangement. Usually powered speakers are attached to each other in a master-slave arrangement in stereo. Not sure how that would work in a 5.1 setup. Who manufactures them?

According to stereonet (backed by KEF...) this could be done with KEF LSX or LS50W by introducing an AVR, then using analog pre outs and connecting them to the Aux input on the master speaker.

https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/319115-kef-lsx-ls50w-51-home-theater-use/

Note these *can be* wireless speakers, but I use my lsx fully wired (ethernet cable between speakers and between master speaker & router...) I haven't had problems using them wireless, but others have, so I thought I might as well wire up.