Any surround sound experts on this forum?

[thelazyl]

Are there any home theater experts on this forum?  I have spent a fair amount of time trying to unravel a problem including asking the manufacturer, Samsung, for help.  I am stuck.

When we purchased our Class A last September which has a Samsung surround sound system.  A component is missing ? something called the AV receiver.  There is a square device installed behind the TV which is called a ?wireless receiver?.  I have a total of 5 speakers and a woofer ? each one has speaker wires connected to it.

I asked Samsung about purchasing a replacement AV receiver.  They said I need to purchase an entirely new surround sound system ? as there isn?t a replacement AV receiver that is compatible with the system.  This doesn?t make sense to me.  My request for help on the Samsung forums netted nothing.

One. Do you think Samsung is telling me the truth that a replacement 5.1 AV receiver won?t work with my existing system?  If they are then my only hope is to purchase a used one off eBay.  The problem with that is I am not sure of which model is the right one for the components I have.

Two.  What, specifically, is the purpose of the ?wireless receiver?.  I know this seems like a simple question but I have yet to find an answer.

I included a picture of my TV for reference.  Tracing wires and connections is difficult as there is only a small access panel behind the TV.

 

[Seilerbird]

Are there any home theater experts on this forum?  I have spent a fair amount of time trying to unravel a problem including asking the manufacturer, Samsung, for help.  I am stuck.

Yup, me.

When we purchased our Class A last September which has a Samsung surround sound system.  A component is missing ? something called the AV receiver.  There is a square device installed behind the TV which is called a ?wireless receiver?.  I have a total of 5 speakers and a woofer ? each one has speaker wires connected to it.

I asked Samsung about purchasing a replacement AV receiver.  They said I need to purchase an entirely new surround sound system ? as there isn?t a replacement AV receiver that is compatible with the system.  This doesn?t make sense to me.  My request for help on the Samsung forums netted nothing.

Any 5.1 receiver should work just fine. Walmart has complete surround systems starting at $119:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-RTB10323LW-Home-Theater-System-with-Blu-ray-Player/37402749

One. Do you think Samsung is telling me the truth that a replacement 5.1 AV receiver won?t work with my existing system?  If they are then my only hope is to purchase a used one off eBay.  The problem with that is I am not sure of which model is the right one for the components I have.

No the standard response every company makes is that you have to replace it with the exact same thing. Something they make.

Two.  What, specifically, is the purpose of the ?wireless receiver?.  I know this seems like a simple question but I have yet to find an answer.

I don't know what it is. Never heard of it.

I included a picture of my TV for reference.  Tracing wires and connections is difficult as there is only a small access panel behind the TV.

Well if it was easy then women and kids could do it. ;D

 

[Gizmo100]

Yes any 5.1 system should work BUT you will need to match the wattage to your speakers. This is the tricky part. You need enough wattage to drive the speakers but not so much that you could burn them up.

Start with this;
What are your output options on the back of the TV? RCA...HDMI..Digital..Optical
What Speakers do you have? What wattage are they rated.
Do you have a separate woofer?...Is it Powered??? (most are)


https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SWA-4000-Wireless-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0018JSSKG
I'm guessing this is the wireless item you mention. I thinking it was used to tie the TV and Receiver together for one remote. Properly not usable unless you can find a older receiver/amp. But don't get rid of anything yet.

If you think things get heated about 1/2 ton trucks and fivers....You should read some forums on  sounds systems and matching speakers.....It can get really LOUD....Get it ...speakers...getting Loud......I crack me up.

 

[Larry N.]

In my house I have an inexpensive surround system by Sony, and the rear speakers are connected to a "wireless receiver" that plugs into the 120V wall receptacle in the back of the room for power, and has a pair of wires running to each rear speaker for audio. The main "AV receiver" transmits the rear sound to that "wireless receiver" which feeds the rear, but it connects with wires to the front and center speaker. I suspect the Samsung had a similar layout.

Assuming the above to be true, you should be able to feed front and center speakers from most any AV receiver you find that will fit your location, but you may have to do some wiring to get the rear speakers to work, since it's unlikely that you have a transmitter to the rear speakers.

Of course your system may have been set up differently, but maybe this will help your understanding of what you have. Any model numbers might help, and a description of what wire connections you have (and connector type) available, perhaps even a picture or two (not of the TV, but of the AV receiver location) if possible.

 

[LOG-WO]

Before you obtain an AV receiver you need to determine (1) the ohms rating of the speakers (2) if the subwoofer is passive or powered (3) if you have five speakers and subwoofers it requires a 5.1 receiver. Most AV receivers will not work with a passive subwoofer. A passive subwoofer does not plug into 120 AC but is powered thru the speaker wires. The receiver needs an internal amp to power the subwoofer.
Determine if you have all the speaker wires for all speakers at the location where the AV receiver will be located.
To determine the system that is now installed, take the model number for the "wireless receiver", and call Samsung to find out what systems included that "wireless receiver". With the model number of that system, you can google and probably find the specs for that system.
Other manufactures such as Sony made 5.1 surround sound systems with passive subwoofers. I have such a system in my motorhome.

 

[zulutron]

When we purchased our Class A last September which has a Samsung surround sound system.

What's the model #?

I asked Samsung about purchasing a replacement AV receiver.  They said I need to purchase an entirely new surround sound system ? as there isn?t a replacement AV receiver that is compatible with the system.

They're probably right.

 

[8Muddypaws]

I would start by identifying all of the speaker wires and label them.  If you have wires for all 5 speakers you probably can replace it with just about any brand.  On the other hand there are advantages to sticking with the brand that matches the TV.  For instance: my TV is an LG, Connected to an LG blue ray 5.1 sound system.  It operates more or less seamlessly as a single system.  I.e.  turn the blue ray on and the TV comes on already switched to that input.  If you have a technophobe in the family that comes in handy.

 

[docj]

On the other hand there are advantages to sticking with the brand that matches the TV.  For instance: my TV is an LG, Connected to an LG blue ray 5.1 sound system.  It operates more or less seamlessly as a single system.  I.e.  turn the blue ray on and the TV comes on already switched to that input. 

You can do the same thing with a smart remote regardless of the brands of the components.  I use a Logitech Harmony remote to control a Samsung TV, a Sony audio system, a DirecTV receiver/DVR and a Roku.  All I have to do it push the buttons for "watch TV" or "watch Roku" and everything switches to the proper settings automatically.  No reason for things to be the same brand.

 

[msw3113]

If you have a technophobe in the family that comes in handy.

A technophile helps me overcome my technophobia. 

Alas, I find myself becoming less and less handy around technical things.

 

[thelazyl]

First, thank you to everyone who provided feedback.  It helped tremendously - especially the post about what the "wireless receiver" does.  I was able to find a used Samsung system that includes the component I am currently missing - the AV receiver.  I was able to find the specific model number by reading Samsung documentation.  I already had the wireless receiver with a model# of SWA-6000 and there is only 1 Samsung set that uses that model (HT-H5500). 

I should be able to plug-in the AV receiver and then use the rest of the components that are already installed and wired. 

To someone's post - the wires are already in place and they are labeled.

Thanks again - this forum is great for newbies like me!