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Quick question for anyone with AV knowledge - we recently bought a home which has some built-in surround sound speakers in the wall. We are not big movie people, but I am interested in possibly using these speakers instead of a soundbar with our TV, and also streaming music to them via Spotify.
I know I need some sort of receiver or amplifier, but I'm really pretty clueless about this stuff. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars - we have a powered portable speaker which we use for Spotify which has done well for us. I'm just figuring since the speakers are there and built-in, we should use them if possible (I was told they're decent speakers).
A basic surround sound setup calls for 5 speakers plus a subwoofer. This is called 5.1. How many speakers are in the wall? What size and placement? Are they in front of you, on the sides, or behind. A decent 5.1 A/V receiver can be had for under $200 now a days but there are still some questions..
I guess my terminology of "surround sound" was incorrect. The room is wired for surround, but they took the rear/center speakers, and all that's left are the two built-in fronts.
Not looking for a full surround system, just looking to use those two fronts for tv output. There's also speakers wired out to a porch, so I'd like to be able to isolate the porch from the living room, but not necessarily have two different things playing on each set of speakers.
I guess my terminology of "surround sound" was incorrect. The room is wired for surround, but they took the rear/center speakers, and all that's left are the two built-in fronts.
Not looking for a full surround system, just looking to use those two fronts for tv output. There's also speakers wired out to a porch, so I'd like to be able to isolate the porch from the living room, but not necessarily have two different things playing on each set of speakers.
I'm assuming the two front speakers that are left are the wired kind. If so, why not get a home theater receiver and set it to two channel (with phantom center) and hook it all up? TV to the receiver, receiver to the speakers. Most newer home theater speakers will handle streaming via Bluetooth or Airplay. Your only cost will be whatever the receiver cost.
I'm assuming the two front speakers that are left are the wired kind. If so, why not get a home theater receiver and set it to two channel (with phantom center) and hook it all up? TV to the receiver, receiver to the speakers. Most newer home theater speakers will handle streaming via Bluetooth or Airplay. Your only cost will be whatever the receiver cost.
I think that's similar to my plan. I found an inexpensive used receiver with A/B speaker selection - I plan on going optical audio from the cable box to the receiver, and use Chromecast Audio to stream wirelessly from Spotify.
I think that's similar to my plan. I found an inexpensive used receiver with A/B speaker selection - I plan on going optical audio from the cable box to the receiver, and use Chromecast Audio to stream wirelessly from Spotify.
Not fancy, but it should work right?
What if you have a blu ray player? Or Chromecast? There's another thread on here from some guy who was having trouble with the audio because he was taking the audio signal from the cable box. Let the receiver be the central point.
If possible, you want to be able to switch inputs and still have sound. So, depending on the receiver, take the signals (audio and video) from the cable box to the receiver. From there, hook up the TV for the video. All sound comes from the receiver.
It's complicated and I'm probably not explaining it right.
I would recommend a 5.1 A/V receiver. You do NOT have to use 5.1, you can run stereo if you wish. I like Yamaha but a Pioneer or something similar would work just fine. You can pick it up for less than $200 for a manufacturer refurbished unit (around $170 with shipping). I have two and have had them for years without any problems. Actually I bought one used and the other is a refurb. on ebay.
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