Should I get separates for home cinema or all-in-one setup?For a newbie?

Question

I am considering getting an amp and speakers for my living room for surround sound. I have been reading that the Q acoustic 1010i speakers paired with an Onkyo 605 amp is a great entry to home cinema. As I have never experienced or had any sound at this price, is there a real noticeable difference in sound when compared with an all in one setup for £200-300 for a newbie? the area of the room is about 6mx6m

Answer 1

Go for it, that would be an excellent first and probably last set up.



I had the Onkyo TX SR 505 with those speakers and it was brilliant.

One thing I would suggest though, is look at Superfi's web site, they were selling of the old Q acoustics 1010 package for £299, the only noticeable difference from the 1010i was the performance of the sub, it still won many awards though.



If you want to keep the budget down, and don't mind a speaker just slightly smaller than the 1010's, you can still get the Wharfedale Diamond 9 HCP for about £300, performance is about the same but with a better performing sub.

Answer 2

A separate AV receiver with separate speakers and a self-powered subwoofer is superior for several reasons:



- It is a full system with lots of spare inputs for your other devices to connect to



- The speakers from real speaker companies are usually superior



- The separates can be slowly upgraded in parts without tossing out the whole thing.



- Separates give you all the toys and features that will let you learn how to place speakers, level adjust things, etc.



The Onkyo receiver has been getting rave reviews for a receiver in the sub $400 price range. It will be a great center of your HT system.



I dont know about the Q acoustics speakers, but I suspect they will sound better than the included plastic speakers you get with a Sony, Samsung or Phillips 'system'.

Answer 3

Short answer, yes.



The Onkyo is a great a/v amplifier and Q-Acoustics make some well reviewed speakers.

Buying specific items for the job, rather than a 'jack-of-all-trades' all in one setup, WILL give you superior sound.



If you get chance, go to a home cinema specialist and listen to a back-to-back comparison between a separates system and an all in one system - you will hear the difference clearly.



What you are looking to buy will give you a great start in the world of home cinema - enjoy!

Answer 4

while you can get decent results from a all in one system,you will not get the same qaulity that you would from separates.go for separates as you will get alot better performance.