How's this system?

[NewGuy]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm want  a sound system for my big screen Samsung (movies about 70%) and music (the rest). Maybe a little gaming. I hate the tv's speakers which put out loudest to the rear.

 

A friend recommended Piyanas, here in Pattaya. BTW, my understanding of receiver amplifiers will never be better than pitiful. I told him my set up (tv across from couch, in an area about 25% of floor space in an open concept 80 square metre condo with thick walls, no carpet), and said I heard (parroted) that Elac speakers were good. I've got an other-room pc with wifi, iPad, Apple laptop now hooked up to the tv, wifi modem connected to TOT, True UBC box with satellite source, DVD player, and lots of external hard drives and USB sticks (downloaded stuff aplenty). 

 

I want 2.1 speakers (powered subwoofer) - don't have room for 5.1 or 7.1 setups, maybe my next place - and a receiver with lots of connections, easy to work, that'll play wified music from pc, laptop and iPad, movies from laptop & usbs and later, one of those media thingies from Tukcom  - plus a non-frustrating remote. The sound should be terrific at low volumes, perhaps even compensate for lousy audio on some torrents.

 

The in-store guru came up with these suggestions:

 

A. Bookshelf speakers: ELAC Debut B4 (7,900) or ELAC Debut B6 (13,900)

B. Subwoofer: ELAC S10 (9,900)

C. Receiver: Yamaha RX-V581 (21,900) - he said this one suits my tv vs music needs

..... so, 39,700 or 45,700 before discounting if possible, setup at my place, cables extra I bet.

 

On Amazon.ca all components get great reviews, the speakers cost about the same, the Yamaha a bit expensive.

 

What'cha think, besides that I am really needy?

 

Cheers

 

 

 

[Jai Dee]

I have bought many items from Piyanas and can recommend their products and their service.

 

They are currently running a special on 2 channel setups on their web page... see the scrolling ad at the top.

 

I've always been a Marantz man... for a little bit more than what you have outline you could have this:

 

[Jai Dee]

Attached is the full promotion flyer.

[NewGuy]

Jai Dee, good stuff. Would I be able to exclude the CD player from the package? Certainly a help with the price.

[JaseTheBass]

I got a set of highly rated Pioneer floorstanders and AV amp for about 22k. Very natural sounding and not overwhelmed by having a sub in a relatively small space.

I doubt spending 2 or 3 times more on what you listed would significantly improve the listening experience.

[NewGuy]

Hey JTB, what are the speaker and receiver model numbers? I want to review specs and get comfortable with how much zing is appropriate for my place.

[JaseTheBass]

Hey JTB, what are the speaker and receiver model numbers? I want to review specs and get comfortable with how much zing is appropriate for my place.

Pioneer VSX-329K Amp (Maybe spend more here?)

Pioneer SP FS52 Speakers (Can't be beat for the money).

I bought both via Lazada for 17,800. Just checked.

Sent from my R2D2 using my C3P0 manservant

[Jai Dee]

On 1/29/2017 at 3:22 PM, NewGuy said:

Would I be able to exclude the CD player from the package? 

Of course you could... those systems were just what they are currently promoting.

 

Just go in and talk with them... they are very helpful and understanding.

 

BTW I have nothing against buying equipment from Lazada, but you will not get that personal touch with finding and setting up a system like you do with Piyanas. You will find that the Piyanas team will be quite happy to come to your apartment/home and setup everything for you and demonstrate it with your other bits and pieces.

 

You should investigate one of the new smart AV receivers that enable you to connect it to your home network (either WiFi or ethernet cable) and Bluetooth.

 

Pioneer make some very good smart AV receivers that are relatively simple to use.

 

Just remember that typically the more you spend on your AV receiver, the more it can do... it is the heart of your system and the remainder (speakers, sub, other accessories) can be expanded on or improved later.

[JaseTheBass]

Been shopping yet?

Sent from my R2D2 using my C3P0 manservant

[NewGuy]

Waiting til I get back from a trip to Cambodia. A friend told me the ELAC B5 would be a great substitute for the B6. When I was researching that I came across lots of reviews that said Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers were the MUCH better choice.  Only 4,000 baht more than B6, haha. It looks like I can't go wrong whatever Is choosen so I'll flip a coin just before going into Piyanas again.

 

Cheers

[Pdaz]

Just buy a Sonos soundbar and a pair of Sonos Play 1 speakers. No cables, App controlled. Add a Sonos active sub or additional Sonos components as needed. All connected by their own wireless network. Play TV, or stream music from a HDD or an internet source.

 

[NewGuy]

Hey PDaz,

 

Just checked some this this stuff on amazon.ca. Don't think I can afford even the speaker brackets, haha. Who sells Sonos here?

 

cheers

[Pdaz]

19 hours ago, NewGuy said:

Hey PDaz,

 

Just checked some this this stuff on amazon.ca. Don't think I can afford even the speaker brackets, haha. Who sells Sonos here?

 

cheers

Available from a few shops in Bangkok. I bought my soundbars and sub in Singapore (handcarried in ) and Play 5's and Play 1's from the US via Ebay.  Even after paying shipping and tax the Play 5 units from the US were the best value and much cheaper than BKK. It is pricey kit, but no wires ( apart from power and a network cable for one unit ) and the ability to add units for every room in the house make it great. There are now similar WiFi units from Bose, Sony and even Samsung at a lower price point.

[NewGuy]

Pdaz, that's the way to do it!

 

I sure would like to get rid of the spaghetti wiring, after a while the labels I put on are illegible.  I won't be going to Singapore again for a couple of years and (really too bad) Amazon.Com does not ship when the shipping address does not match country of card (or something).

 

You know, I might have to stop being retired to afford a dream system, haha.

 

[Jai Dee]

There are a few soundbars and subs being sold by PowerBuy in Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

 

I don't know the makes, models, or prices but I did notice them as I was wandering around among all the newest TV's the other day.

[NewGuy]

Well, I finally got my system, essentially as the one I earlier evaluated. Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers, Elac B1sub woofer, Yamaha 681 (previous choice out of date, ha!, and w/o discount) receiver, speaker stands, installed by Piyanas staffer - 50,000 plus just a bit for cabling.

 

It's great. I love it. The biggest negative, noted in all the reviews, is the remote and the receiver's displayed menu - really horrid plus I have to use three remotes for True, two for Sophon, two for pc - ugh.  Any more gear and I'll need a bigger couch, haha. At least there is a Yamaha app that works pretty well and a complicated manual.

 

Cheers and thanks

[Jai Dee]

On 12/2/2017 at 6:26 PM, NewGuy said:

It's great. I love it.

Don't you love a happy ending?