I want to run dual stereo, no surround multi-channel. I want HDMI ARC so I can turn on the TV and have sound without screwing around with several remotes. I cannot fit a receiver in there. I have an inquiry to SVS if I can power 2 speakers per side with their amp. No center channel speaker. This room is small like 13 X 24 which is open i the back to the kitchen but the speakers will be arranged on the ceiling above like 8' X 12'.
Small amp or all in 1 choice?
My wife and I are in the process of building a small 850 SF Florida vacation home. It will be ready early fall 2024. We are going to put 4 ceiling mounted speakers in the entertainment/living room for viewing tv and streaming music. The TV will be on the wall above a small fireplace with a 14" X 60" granite shelf above the fireplace to hold the electronics, router etc. I am going with a simple "lean and clean" look so no visible speakers in front. I want an "All in One" unit that will accept an HDMI/Arc connection for TV and also have the internal DAC for streaming background music. I was looking at the SVS wireless Pro soundbase but it only drives 2 speakers so I either need to find a similar all in one with HDMI ARC input that can power all 4 speakers or find a small outboard amp to drive the other pair of speakers. My wife is sensitive to to the shrill sounding cheap amps so that needs to be considered. I really do not want to put a lot of money into this as the house is expensive and taxing the funds. We are starting from scratch here and EVERYTHING is new, tv, appliances, furniture, etc. I looked at the Cambridge stuff but $3000 is too much money for the model that drives 4 speakers so I think I just need to find a nice outboard amp to mate with the SVS. Any suggestions as to what to look at? I've been through the stuff on Crutchfield. I guess I'd like to be around $400-$500 for the amp, of if there is a all in one that drives 4 speakers and has the HDMI input like $1200-$1500 all in? Any ideas? Also I know I could just buy a HT Receiver but wanted to keep things smaller in scale to fit the shelf @ 14 inches deep. A receiver won't fit.
Showing 4 responses by fthompson251
OK guys, please check your audiophile hats at the door here. (I know it's hard when sound quality is so important to you, i understand i have a $65K dedicated 2Ch system myself) I fully understand the compromise in SQ. I don't care. I don''t have room for hide away gear, it is what it is. I just want to better hear the TV and maybe stream some background music. I don't have 17 inches of shelf to put a A/V Receiver on, I just want something small, unobtrusive on the shelf below the TV. I am looking into a Cambridge EVO 150 if I can get it to fit my shelf. But it's more than i wanted to spend. Thanks, I was holing maybe someone knew of a small outboard Class D amp or something I was not aware of. I do not want to add a sub, no where to put it. |
Ok I am looking into finding a HT Receiver that isn't too deep to fit on the shelf. I have looked at Schitt amps as well as others to mate with a all in 1 integrated. 13-14 inches deep will fit. I could then put a small speaker on the shelf to act as a center channel. This house is being built as a winter vacation home and it is replacing the RV we have stayed in down there for the past 9 years. That RV had a "surround" sound system with all speakers ceiling mounted and a crappy amp. We could hear the TV just fine, so this is the foundation for my low threshold standard set. I figure 4 much better 8 inch ceiling mounted speakers has got to perform better than the 3 inch speakers we were used to. I am interested and figuring out if I can get a small center channel speaker in front of us like an White SVS prime satellite as an example. I found a couple 14 inch deep HT receivers to look into as well. Thanks everyone. |
@fastfreight Thanks, I found a few that might fit. @benanders The ceiling mounted speakers are a coaxial design with the ability of movable directional tweeters. My wife made a comment that the cheap amp in the RV didn't sound as nice as the Yamaha Unit we have in our home living room. I just need to be mindful of that. FWIW I may also consider a nice cambridge Audio EVO 150 unit depending on how the build budget works out if money is left.
There is also a Russound outboard amp that I can turn on or off as needed with an all in 1 stereo unit.
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