Advise On Surround Speaker Options

[mogwai]

Just purchased a Samsung 950 which only has optical audio out. This means upgrading as our previous amp only has analog inputs. We always run the TV through the amp and speakers for sound quality.

I'm actaully a music guy and so am not overly interested with surround sound however i will probably use two fronts and two rears because there's already rears installed in the room.

I've already got a pair of Mordaunt Short 908 fronts which i wish to keep. I have a couple of questions;

If i only have 4 speakers and am running blu ray and DTV in surround will most amps handle sending the 5.1 channels to only 4 speakers or will it sound like junk. i.e. will voices that should be coming from the center be missing ? Are there any features i should look at in amps which allow\better this type of funtionality.

I'm thinking of just connecting the Blu-ray player and computer video outputs to the TV via HDMI and then sending all the audio to the surround amp. I see that some Amps have HDMI video switching. What advantage does sending the HDMI video via the Amp give ? the only thing i can think of is that you dont need to be switching video inputs all the time on the TV. What other advanges\disadvantages are there ?

The Mordaunt Short 's left and right have a separate connection for the Bass and treble. Would it be possible to use both of these bass connections for the .1 in the surround mix ? if so since the amp will only have one .1 output so how could i split this to both speakers ?

Why do the speakers have one input for bass and another for the treble and what do i need to get the most out of this setup ? I imagine i'd need something to split the frequency of a single output into the bass frequecies and treble. Is it worth doing this ? Currently i've got one cable running and there is a bridge that connects the first speaker input to the second input on that same speaker.

Thanks all

Edited November 29, 2008 by mogwai

[Adelaideltpc]

Welcome to the AVA land. :-)

Looks like you have a lot of research to do. I'll try to answer some of your questions as I can.

I've already got a pair of Mordaunt Short 908 fronts which i wish to keep. I have a couple of questions;

If i only have 4 speakers and am running blu ray and DTV in surround will most amps handle sending the 5.1 channels to only 4 speakers or will it sound like junk. i.e. will voices that should be coming from the center be missing ? Are there any features i should look at in amps which allow\better this type of funtionality.

For surround sound to work properly/effectively - you need AT LEAST 5 speakers (L,C,R,SR,SL). Some receivers have some sort of sound mode to simulate the centre speaker using the 2 front speaker, but this does not sound as good as having a centre speaker. You should invest in a centre speaker (it is the most important speaker in a 5.1 set up) - ideally a MS centre to match with your 908 fronts.

I see that some Amps have HDMI video switching. What advantage does sending the HDMI video via the Amp give ? the only thing i can think of is that you dont need to be switching video inputs all the time on the TV. What other advanges\disadvantages are there ?

Upscaling the video signal - BUT only if the amp (receiver) has a better upscaling capability than the bluray/dvd player or TV.

The Mordaunt Short 's left and right have a separate connection for the Bass and treble. Would it be possible to use both of these bass connections for the .1 in the surround mix ? if so since the amp will only have one .1 output so how could i split this to both speakers ?

Whatever you do - DO NOT use these connections for the .1 (sub).

Why do the speakers have one input for bass and another for the treble and what do i need to get the most out of this setup ? I imagine i'd need something to split the frequency of a single output into the bass frequecies and treble.

It is for Bi-amping/Bi-wiring - (google Bi-amping, Bi-wiring and read more....)

Is it worth doing this ?

It's a debatable topic. It depends on who you ask.

Some do, some don't ..... I do! :-)

Hope this helps....

[mogwai]

Thanks for the info mate.

[mogwai]

Welcome to the AVA land. :-)

Looks like you have a lot of research to do. I'll try to answer some of your questions as I can.

For surround sound to work properly/effectively - you need AT LEAST 5 speakers (L,C,R,SR,SL). Some receivers have some sort of sound mode to simulate the centre speaker using the 2 front speaker, but this does not sound as good as having a centre speaker. You should invest in a centre speaker (it is the most important speaker in a 5.1 set up) - ideally a MS centre to match with your 908 fronts.

Is this the same if your not running a subwoofer ? I imagine there's plenty of people running 5 without .1 so how do most Amps handle this configuration ? Surely you dont just loose all your lows frequency's ?

I've been doing some thinking about it and will probably upgrade to a sub and center at some point but untill i do i need an 5.1 amp has the ability to mix out to 4 speakers at a decent quality.

Anyone know any Amps that have this functionality and the option for a secondary pair of speakers for outside ? Needs 2 digital audio inputs also.

Also do most 5.1 amps give you the ability to adjust the volume, bass and treble on a per channel basis ? i.e. adjust the sound coming from the rears so they dont overwhelm the fronts etc.

Thanks guys