Question for those who have 'proper' home theater systems?

[Naruzeldamaster]

So I will eventually be upgrading my TV (I'm not convinced when exactly but the gears are in motion) and I'm currently re-evaluating my home theater setup.

The biggest thing is I need to lower my TV to eye level of my seating area, which we are going to do when we get the new TV.

The question in question: For a small gaming / media room / office is surround sound better or 3 speakers (Left / Right / Center)?

I want to 'upgrade' my sound system but I also don't want to 'blast' myself with sound either. Doing some light googling has shown that speakers at all are leagues better than TV speaker quality. Most of my budget for this project is going to the tv so I don't have a ton to give to the sound system and TV console. My light research also shows that Sound Bars are Pathetic if you want quality for what you pay for.

 

[pmmg]

Heck, I only have one speaker. Its good enough.

 

[casval]

As you say, almost any speaker is better than the one built into the TV - as long as you don't go wireless! You lose a lot of audio quality over Bluetooth.

I have two speakers + a subwoofer in my audio set-up, but I'm a bass girlie so the subwoofer is perhaps optional depending on your music tastes. I think two/three speakers is the best choice if you are mostly gaming or watching television. If you are a huge fan of Christopher Nolan films, I'd recommend going with surround sound - particularly with Atmos - so you can hear the dialogue without the subtitles on.

 

[pmmg]

I would avoid anything wireless if you can help it. Despite it all, wireless still sucks.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

As you say, almost any speaker is better than the one built into the TV - as long as you don't go wireless! You lose a lot of audio quality over Bluetooth.

I have two speakers + a subwoofer in my audio set-up, but I'm a bass girlie so the subwoofer is perhaps optional depending on your music tastes. I think two/three speakers is the best choice if you are mostly gaming or watching television. If you are a huge fan of Christopher Nolan films, I'd recommend going with surround sound - particularly with Atmos - so you can hear the dialogue without the subtitles on.

I'm tempted to go with 3 speakers (Left / Right / Center) the office in question isn't large enough for a subwoofer of any size (that has good quality)
I mean I could but, I don't want to be 'blasted' with sound. But if 3 isn't in the budget I'll go with 2.

The TV I want is almost exactly 1K (Literally $999.99) so I don't have much budget for other stuff.

Side tangent: (cause it's slightly related) All the 'gaming' TV Consoles/stands I'm shopping for are making me wheeze with the RGB Lights included. Like bro not every gamer wants bright lights disco mode. I guess it's a cool feature and I like that over the cheesy digital fireplace that everyone does.

Side Tangent (Because this one is relevant) My parents are doing the 'wow that's expensive' thing and I won't deny that it is, but like, they spent about 1,200 on their TV with a Sound Bar (I have been advised to NOT get that from experts in the field) that ran them like $400. I don't think their TV was 4K either.

Heck, I only have one speaker. Its good enough.

Only one? I think I want to do at least two for Stereo Sound output.

 

[Prince of Spires]

You guys get separate speakers? :O

Maybe I should get a new TV. I think mine is well past 10 years old at this point.

As with everything in life when you don't have unlimited funds, it's a trade-off. Could you see if there's a cheaper version of your TV? If you get the previous version or one with slightly lower specs and save $250, then that's money that could go to a better sound setup.

Or alternatively, remember that you don't have to get the perfect setup in one go. Get the TV now, and then the ideal sound setup in 6 months. Both should last you long enough. I'd rather wait a couple of months and get the setup that keeps me happy for the next 5 or 10 years than get something subpar and be annoyed the next 5 years because it's not amazing but still too good to replace.

As for a soundbar, I think it depends on how many people will be watching at the same time and where they'll be sitting all the time. If it's just you watching and you're positioned straight in front of your tv at the right distance for the soundbar, then it can be a good enough setup. Once you get more people watching and they're spread out across the room, or if you have different places where you like to sit, then the soundbar drops off in quality because the ideal spot is much narrower than with a multi-speaker setup. Or hunt around for a soundbar where you can add speakers to it later.

And of course, you can always see if you can buy used.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

You guys get separate speakers? :O

I don't have one yet, but apparently speakers at all are much higher quality than TV speakers. Doing some light research it seems TV speakers have the 'worst' quality for sound. I am blind to this, but I've never had a sound system. I had one two house moves ago but it's been long enough that I forget the difference in quality.

Maybe I should get a new TV. I think mine is well past 10 years old at this point.

If you're honestly thinking about it, now's the time, most stores are probably doing their holiday door buster deals right now. My current TV is old enough that it still has the classic A/V input cable slots. Which I don't know when they stopped doing that, but it's certainly been a while.

As with everything in life when you don't have unlimited funds, it's a trade-off. Could you see if there's a cheaper version of your TV? If you get the previous version or one with slightly lower specs and save $250, then that's money that could go to a better sound setup.

Strangely enough if I want 4K and OLED (It's a 'gaming' TV with high refresh rate too) that's the cheapest option at Best Buy.
Depending on the item you can do 12 or 24 Month Financing so it isn't too bad, but it is expensive.
Best Buy Does Price Matching so I could maybe save a few bucks that way, but I don't think I'll be able to find a better price than 1K

Or alternatively, remember that you don't have to get the perfect setup in one go. Get the TV now, and then the ideal sound setup in 6 months. Both should last you long enough. I'd rather wait a couple of months and get the setup that keeps me happy for the next 5 or 10 years than get something subpar and be annoyed the next 5 years because it's not amazing but still too good to replace.

This is kind of the plan. The sound system will come later, but I don't have a 'big bucks' budget to deck out a dream sound system/HT anyhow.
I'm looking at TV Consoles right now because my current one makes it look like a 10 YO lives in the office. I love it, and it suits my purposes, I will respect it because I got it for my birthday way back, but it looks a little silly as a TV console. I could always use it as an Amiibo Shelf elsewhere in the office. Which I might plan to.

As for a soundbar, I think it depends on how many people will be watching at the same time and where they'll be sitting all the time. If it's just you watching and you're positioned straight in front of your tv at the right distance for the soundbar, then it can be a good enough setup. Once you get more people watching and they're spread out across the room, or if you have different places where you like to sit, then the soundbar drops off in quality because the ideal spot is much narrower than with a multi-speaker setup. Or hunt around for a soundbar where you can add speakers to it later.

And of course, you can always see if you can buy used.

I am torn on used vs new. I know it doesn't matter much with TV's (It's going to do it's thing regardless) But I think I MIGHT be fine with open box?

 

[xena]

As someone with Surround sound, you can NEVER go wrong with surround sound. I don't see myself going back lol

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

As someone with Surround sound, you can NEVER go wrong with surround sound. I don't see myself going back lol

In a 13 x 15 Sized office with far taller than they need to be walls though?
I might go with speakers but I'm going to test the new TV first.
The nice thing about speakers is you can upgrade them as needed.