New audio setup to go with a Samsung UN65MU8000: Audio System?

[Synomenon]

Have a new Samsung UN65MU8000 TV to setup in a small-ish media room (around 15ft x 15ft).

I need an audio setup to go with the TV. I don't need anything complicated. All I have are a PS4, WiiU and Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video all through the apps. built into the TV.

My choices are:

Samsung K850 Soundbar
www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/home-theater/sound-bars/hw-k850-soundbar-w--dolby-atmos-hw-k850-za/

or

Kanto YU6 + SUB8
http://kantoaudio.com/product/yu6/
http://kantoaudio.com/product/sub8/

The Kanto setup would cost around $250 less than the Samsung soundbar.

My TV would connect to the Samsung soundbar via the HDMI ARC connection or to the Kanto via an optical cable.


Of my two options, what would you guys recommend I go with and why?

 

[sdifox]

Kanto no contest. There is no defeating physics, meaning 2" drivers cannot produce 5" driver sounds without extrme amount of amplification which in turn will burn out the 2" driver.

 

[Synomenon]

That makes sense. I guess convenience is another factor. With the Samsung soundbar, the entire setup powers off and on at the same time with just the TV's or cable box's remote. Volume would also change with just that one remote.

With the Kanto, I could just leave it on all the time unless I invest in a Harmony that could learn the Kanto's remote codes for powering on and off. Volume control would also work that way I guess.

 

[sdifox]

Remote is easy to fix.

 

[Synomenon]

So I've expanded my search and have come up with this as well:


Yamaha RX-V383BL
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XXR6JK3

and



JBL Arena 130
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W5Y4PCS

OR

JBL Arena 120
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W605ROQ

 

[sdifox]

What are the room dimensions?

 

[Synomenon]

It's closer 14' x 11'. The 15' x 15' I mentioned earlier was an estimate.


---------------------------TV + Speakers------------------------
___________________________________________________-->14'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-----------------------------Couches (8' away from the TV + Speakers)
|
\/
11'

 

[sdifox]

Did you listen to the jbls?

 

[Synomenon]

On the way to Best Buy now. I think they have the Arena 130 at my nearby store.

 

[mdram]

step up the receiver to one with binding posts and a better room correction
the 383 is the entry level, go a couple of steps up.

look for last year models on clearance, with ces there should be a few

 

[Synomenon]

All I need is entry-level. It's just a pair of bookshelf speakers and a sub.. Anyway, I ended up going to Fry's Electronics to listen to the JBL Arena 130 since Best Buy was out of stock. I like how they sound so I ordered directly from JBL since they have it on sale right now.

Found this little thing on sale locally for a quarter of its original price:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audi...g_amplifiers/wxa-50_u/index.html#product-tabs


Wouldn't that be enough for a pair of bookshelf speakers and a powered sub.? It's very small too.

 

[sdifox]

All I need is entry-level. It's just a pair of bookshelf speakers and a sub.. Anyway, I ended up going to Fry's Electronics to listen to the JBL Arena 130 since Best Buy was out of stock. I like how they sound so I ordered directly from JBL since they have it on sale right now.

Found this little thing on sale locally for a quarter of its original price:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audi...g_amplifiers/wxa-50_u/index.html#product-tabs


Wouldn't that be enough for a pair of bookshelf speakers and a powered sub.? It's very small too.

Err that thing has horrible thd

https://www.uaudio.com/blog/total-harmonic-distortion/

 

[Synomenon]

Thanks for that link. So the Kanto setup's THD is listed at < 0.3%.

The Yamaha WXA-50 is .02%.


Any recommendations then for something that's just as small or at least half the size of the Yamaha 383 I linked to above?

 

[sdifox]

Any recommendations then for something that's just as small or at least half the size of the Yamaha 383 I linked to above?

No clue. I don't look at them.

Something like this?

Marantz AV Audio & Video Component Receiver Black (NR1608) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XY7F6MJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_f2HBAb6E17ARP

 

[Synomenon]

A higher percent number when it comes to THD is not good right?

Marantz NR1608 "Ultra-Slim": 0.08%
Yamaha WXA-50: 0.02%



Just discovered these too.

Pioneer VSX-S520 "Slim": 1.0%
Pioneer Elite SX-S30 "Slim": 1.0%

 

[sdifox]

A higher percent number when it comes to THD is not good right?

Marantz NR1608 "Ultra-Slim": 0.08%
Yamaha WXA-50: 0.02%



Just discovered these too.

Pioneer VSX-S520 "Slim": 1.0%
Pioneer Elite SX-S30 "Slim": 1.0%

the lower the better at rated output. My amp (outlaw 750) is 5x165w @8ohms and the thd is 0.05% all five channels driven.

I must be going blind or something, for some reason I thought the yammy was at 0.9% thd 1 channel driven. I guess I read the max output. the number you should go by should be the 8ohm one so 55W @0.06% thd 2 channel driven

 

[Synomenon]

Ok, so I got a chance to test the Yamaha at Fry's Electronics. Tried it with the Polk S15 bookshelfs and the JBL Arena 120 bookshelfs. They didn't have demo Polk S20 or Arena 130 units.


Some of the Yamaha's specs.:
105W + 105W @ 4-ohms
70W + 70W @ 6-ohms
55W + 55W @ 8-ohms


Which of these speakers would go better with the Yamaha?

Polk S20
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/s20

20W to 125W, 8-ohms
39Hz to 40KHz

or


JBL Arena 130
http://www.jbl.com/ARENA130WH.html

20W to 125W, 8-ohms
55Hz to 40KHz


They have pretty similar specs., but out of the two sets of speakers they had available to demo, I think the Polk S15 sounded better than the JBL Arena 120. I'm assuming I'd like the S20 over the Arena 130.

 

[sdifox]

Ok, so I got a chance to test the Yamaha at Fry's Electronics. Tried it with the Polk S15 bookshelfs and the JBL Arena 120 bookshelfs. They didn't have demo Polk S20 or Arena 130 units.


Some of the Yamaha's specs.:
105W + 105W @ 4-ohms
70W + 70W @ 6-ohms
55W + 55W @ 8-ohms


Which of these speakers would go better with the Yamaha?

Polk S20
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/s20

20W to 125W, 8-ohms
39Hz to 40KHz

or


JBL Arena 130
http://www.jbl.com/ARENA130WH.html

20W to 125W, 8-ohms
55Hz to 40KHz


They have pretty similar specs., but out of the two sets of speakers they had available to demo, I think the Polk S15 sounded better than the JBL Arena 120. I'm assuming I'd like the S20 over the Arena 130.

Go with what you like.

 

[mdram]

get what sound sgood to you

but i would wager that marants , even with more ths, would sound better than the yamaha.

but im biased, i like the denon/marantz

 

[Synomenon]

So I ended up going with the Yamaha WXA-50, Polk S20 bookshelf speakers and a SVS PB12-NSD sub.. I'll have all of it to setup and play around with on Sunday.

 

[mlhm5]

Samsung digital optical out to Shiit Modi 2 DAC, DAC out to Audioengine N22 amp, Audioengine N22 to ELAC Debut B6 - forget the soundbar. This is the best sound you can expect for the least amount of money. - $99 + $199 + $279 - Impossible to get better sound for cheaper money unless you are able to buy used.

 

[Synomenon]

This is what I finally ended up with:

The setup makes the TV look kind of small.

I went with:
- Marantz NR1508 AV receiver
- Polk S20 bookshelfs
- Polk S30 center
- SVS PB12-NSD

Other things I have in there now:
- Samsung UN65MU8000
- PS4 Pro.
- Apple TV 4K
- Philips BDP7501 4K UHD blu-ray player
- Cox Cable Contour 2 cable box
- Nintendo Switch dock
- Nintendo Wii U
- Logitech Harmony Hub
- Grundig AN200 AM loop antenna
- Mohu Leaf 50 VHF/UHF antenna (using it only for FM tuning on the receiver)
- Monster Power HDP-2500 line conditioner / surge suppressor


The setup is awesome for me.

 

[sdifox]

You want more separation for thetfront speakers, so get speaker stand or something and put the mains beside the tv stand.

 

[Synomenon]

Is it ok for the L/R speakers to be higher than the center speaker? They're currently 16" from the ground.

 

[sdifox]

Is it ok for the L/R speakers to be higher than the center speaker? They're currently 16" from the ground.

Preferably similar height, if not you have to aim them towards the same plane at the seating position. Generally speaking at home they are never at the same height.