New TV + Speaker Setup for Apple TV?

[codeman7]

Hello! For various reasons I'm in need of a completely new set up for my home theater. I will exclusively be using the Apple TV to view and listen to content. I used to have a setup where I could use only the Apple TV remote to turn everything on and off, and so I'd like to achieve that if possible.

So far I think I'll be picking up a Vizio P55-F1 TV (Wirecutter recommendation) and a set of KEF Q150s (bookshelf speakers, also Wirecutter recommendation), and obviously the latest Apple TV. Does anyone have suggestions of what receiver I can look for that will play nicely with this setup, and also respect HDMI CEC commands to turn on/off with the Apple TV remote?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mallbritton]

I don't know if this is something you're looking for, but all these receivers are AirPlay 2 compatible: https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-receiver

 

[Poki]

I'm using a set of bookshelf speakers with the Apple TV myself, so I thought I might share my thoughts. My setup is a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3 coupled with a Bluesound Powernode 2i amp, though the Apple TV is connected directly to the TV, which in turn is connected to the amp via Toslink.

The amp does support AirPlay 2, and if you ever want to stream music to your speakers without having to turn on your TV, I'd strongly recommend looking for a receiver or amp that does support that – it's mighty convenient, especially since you can control the actual amp volume from your AirPlay device.

KEF speakers usually offer great price to performance ration, so even though I didn't hear the Q150, I'm sure they're great. As far as the remote is concerned – in my case, it does turn on and off the TV using infrared rather than HDMI CEC, so it should work regardless of your setup.

 

[codeman7]

I'm using a set of bookshelf speakers with the Apple TV myself, so I thought I might share my thoughts. My setup is a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3 coupled with a Bluesound Powernode 2i amp, though the Apple TV is connected directly to the TV, which in turn is connected to the amp via Toslink.

The amp does support AirPlay 2, and if you ever want to stream music to your speakers without having to turn on your TV, I'd strongly recommend looking for a receiver or amp that does support that – it's mighty convenient, especially since you can control the actual amp volume from your AirPlay device.

KEF speakers usually offer great price to performance ration, so even though I didn't hear the Q150, I'm sure they're great. As far as the remote is concerned – in my case, it does turn on and off the TV using infrared rather than HDMI CEC, so it should work regardless of your setup.

This is really useful information, and I was wondering about a simpler setup with just a Toslink-connected amp. Does the Amp also turn on and off with this setup via the Apple TV remote?

Thanks again!

 

[Poki]

This is really useful information, and I was wondering about a simpler setup with just a Toslink-connected amp. Does the Amp also turn on and off with this setup via the Apple TV remote?

Thanks again!

The amp does turn on and off automatically, though not through the Apple TV remote – the BlueSound Powernode 2i simply turns on when it receives an audio signal.

 

[x-evil-x]

any receiver over the last 10 years will be fine with that setup and they all have HDMI control. My Sony tv from 2007(xbr4) has HDMI control and the appletv can control it turning it on or off.
A two way setup isn't too complicated and you don't need anything crazy for it. You don't need airplay on the receiver unless you want to use that. Not sure why you would when you have an appletv connected to it. You just use airplay as you wouldn't normally to the appletv. You don't have to turn on the tv either just airplay whatever is on your phone/laptop/tablet to the appletv and it goes to the receiver. I listen to rain sounds going to sleep for years now with an appletv and my phone or iPad mini running the app. Theres also that same app on appleTV's App Store. I currently have a 7.2.4 setup in one room and 7.1 in another running off of one Apple TV and two receiver. A lot of receivers nowadays have airplay anyway my marantz I have connected to HomeKit ad you can have it play music when you wake up and activate a scene for the lights. I have it turning on when I get out of bed and walk towards the kitchen. Motion sensor turns on the lights/tv/receiver and starts playing music from the appletv to the receiver. Cant figure out how to make it all cook me breakfast yet though.

 

[codeman7]

One other possibility here, I'm generally against Sound Bars for the quality-cost ratio, but it seems like the Klipsch BAR 48 might strike a better balance. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Poki]

One other possibility here, I'm generally against Sound Bars for the quality-cost ratio, but it seems like the Klipsch BAR 48 might strike a better balance. Any thoughts on that?

I've had a few soundbars from Yamaha and the pretty expensive Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 2 with a PV1D subwoofer, and one thing became very clear to me: They're usually great for movies, but all of them have been subpar for music. If listening to music is something you are even considering, the bookshelf speakers most probably will offer a much better sound.