We are downsizing into a 3b/2.5bath condo from our single-family home. We went all out about seven years ago and went with the big flat-screen TV and Sonos system in the entire house and the backyard patio, except for the basement and two bedrooms that had been the kids. For the most part we have enjoyed it. I suspect our receiver (Denon) was a lemon - we have had issues with it, and I don’t think it’s very user friendly.
It’s time to start learning about how technology has advanced in that time, so that we can start researching what we want to do in the new place. We will most likely start with a new TV for the living area. Our current system is all hard-wired, and now I understand that components can be wireless and talk to each other, and stored in a closet somewhere. I also am hearing stuff about curved TVs. If you were starting from scratch, what would be on your ‘must-have’ list?
Last time we went through Best Buy, and although they were very knowledgeable about what they sold us, and the Geek Squad did a reasonably good job of installing everything, I don’t feel like we got good post-installation support. So this time we’re thinking about going to an audio store and having them do a consult with us, in the new place, so they can make some recommendations.
We don’t watch a ton of TV. 95% of days go by and the TV doesn’t even get turned on until after H gets home, and then it’s maybe three nights a week. We follow a number of sports teams, and a few shows on premium channels, but never more than one or two in any given season, so maybe once or twice in the evening during the week.
Timely thread! I don’t have a sound system in my new (relatively) new house but I’ve been missing it a lot. Looking forward to hearing replies. I’ve ditched my cable tv, and miss it a bit but I think I will soldier on without it. But I’m definitely interested in the responses re audio.
Depends on how big said condo is (viewing room) and how loud you can play and get away with it. I could not dream of moving my setup to a condo (55" 4K TV, 5.1 amp, Denon amp - works well but is a pain to use - and Paradigm speakers) because of loudness.
I also would not rely on wireless all that much unless you’re dedicated to multi-room audio. We have a 6x2 channel amplifier and 6 sets of speakers hardwired thru the house, but that was 15 years ago, now Sonos etc are more practical.
You pretty much have to decide if TV is your primary audio source, versus music. If it’s mostly TV I would get a wired soundbar from someone like Yamaha. Depending on budget, they sound pretty good. I have one in our bedroom and it really sounds great for $300. If money’s no object get the speaker array soundbar from Yamaha but it’s like $1500 so…
I would not go curved - not sure it’s adding much. Think of the use cases you will encounter and see if spending a lot is important. I listen to music so TV was not a big reason. The Paradigm subwoofer can shake the floor pretty well and the surround sound speakers are pretty good. But it was a couple thousand dollars…
What is your primary interest? TV? Music? Movies? The latest and greatest for movies is a Dolby Atmos system http://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/index.html A condo is not the best place to crank up a movie though. My home theater has 7 speakers and 6 subwoofers. It would not please the neighbors in a condo. If you are streaming content vs. playing a Bluray, then no need to get anything crazy–most have 5.1 audio at most(5 audio, 1 subwoofer) and many still remain stereo. Cable provides 5.1 usually. That’s a left, center and right speaker in front and 2 surrounds on the side or behind, plus a subwoofer. The low frequency bass will penetrate even the thickest walls, so no need to go all out there as you will only piss off the neighbors. It all depends on your budget and your interests, as well as the limitations of a condo.
I’m the last person on the planet to give advice as I have basic cae and old-school TVs (no flat screens) but I might suggest going to Abt and getting a consult from them.
The wall we plan to put the TV on has 84" between window and balcony door, so plenty of room for 55" TV; the condo is three bedrooms, plus a loft, and 2200+ square feet; we currently have a 48" and think we’re ready to go bigger and the space can handle it. We also have 22’ ceilings in the combined living room/dining room with exposed trusses and beams, so it’s a big space vertically. We only share one wall with a neighbor and it’s more the front entry/one of the guest bedrooms; walls are 2’ thick - the building is 135 years old, but was completely gutted and redeveloped 15 years ago (all exterior walls are brick). Everyone we’ve talked to says they can’t hear a thing from their neighbors (I wonder if anyone has a Vitamix?!?)… either kids or pets, etc. So I think we’re safe; not that we have a need to turn up the volume loud, we just want what we hear to be quality. Our current subwoofer is intense… for some reason, whenever we watch Homeland, the windows rattle! But… the whole system is not user friendly, and we have tried to figure out how to tone down the bass, but only recently had luck over Thanksgiving when D1 (who just had a system installed in her condo in Boston) was home, and took the time to figure it out. I don’t want a system that that’s difficult to figure out how to balance it.
I’m more concerned about how my music sounds than the TV, even though we probably play both about equal time. We love the feature of turning on classical music in our bedroom at night through the Sonos and setting the timer so it goes off after an hour or so. Or if we have a game on in the living room, being able to listen to it through speakers if we’re in the kitchen making preparation.
But as far as TV goes, what is the difference between 4K ultra HD, and 1080p? From what I’ve seen, the 4K runs more money, but is what you get with it visually worth the money you’re spending?
Where did you get all of your equipment from? Did you know what you wanted and go searching for it in a store? Or go to a big box retailer? Or an independent home audio store?
My understanding is that there are very few, if any, shows currently being produced in 4k Ultra HD, so there is little point in buying a TV that is 4K Ultra HD.
I completely forgot about Abt. We actually bought all of our stainless steel kitchen appliances about two years ago when we upgraded. We were very impressed with their service.
Our 9 1/2 year old 50" Panasonic 720p plasma was having problems so I researched new TVs (then H replaced the hdmi cable and fine for now so putting purchase on hold). Plan on getting a 4K Samsung when I need to. Since we would own the TV for many years I want to look to the future. OLED is the latest, greatest technology but uber expensive. Also debating on size- 55" or 60"- both would fit the space between the fireplace and wall.
We have an upscale Onkyo and 4 plus center and bass speakers that H has tweaked. Did need to tone down the bass. Men seem to like more bass than women in my experience. The volume you choose will make a difference in the rest of the condo as well as for any neighbors.
A month ago did research for my elderly father’s new TV. Chose a moderately upscale Samsung with 1080p and went large- 50" instead of 40". I chose a set someone will appreciate when they inherit it in the not too distant future but was also on sale then… Watch for refresh rates (whatever they are technically called)- want at least 120 in an LED (all LCDs currently sold are the LED type now- not so just a couple of years ago).
CNET.com is a good source for info and reviews. My online research told me bigger is better for screen size in general. Brand matters as well. Niece unhappy with Vizio even though CNET gives the brand good marks (for price???). Samsung seems to have the best picture and LG is highly rated as well. Model numbers reflect not only those qualities but “whistles and bells”. Such as the younger generation dropping cable/FIOS for streaming content- the computer chips can be quad core now (they are also more likely to drop landlines as well).
Google TV and stereo reviews for the latest in tech. It seems as though sound bars have improved vastly in recent years compared to when we were shopping. It is amazing how much you can spend on speakers- over a thousand for each one if you really want to!
Remember 3D? It does not seem to be a viable technology. Hassles with needing the glasses et al. Getting a better picture, however, won’t be wasted. I dislike the curved displays- viewing angle questions and the feeling something’s off to me.
Our current area gets many stations that show old TV shows and movies. Those old B&W '60’s shows certainly lack the crispness of today’s content- even the newer but preHD shows do. And it’s not the content with old styles (and attitudes).
get the speaker array soundbar from Yamaha but it’s like $1500 so…