GTA V is kind of a big deal. With a map big enough to send Saints Row 4 off in a huff and more invention than a fully operational invention factory, it’s proven to be a smash hit on a scale few sane people would have dared to predict, taking more than $1 billion in worldwide sales since its release. As such, we sat down and decided to draft out what we consider to be the ultimate environment to experience the game within. So, join us as we lay out what could be the greatest set up money could buy.
The Console
GTA V is available on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, but due to the marginally better reviews for the Xbox version, we’re going to side with Microsoft’s console and build our set up from there (sorry, Sony fans). As luck would have it, Microsoft just got around to revising their 360 design to match the forthcoming Xbox One. This new version features a sleek new design, smaller case and whisper quiet operation – all important for those quiet moments of dialog in between cataclysmic explosions.
The Television
Getting the television right is of the utmost importance in video games. You want low latency, fantastic detail, deep blacks and a high refresh rate to make the most of everything going on in Rockstar’s vast digital world. We’ve plumped for Samsung’s memorably named PS51F5500, it’s a 50†plasma set that recently garnered a rave review from What Hi-Fi who gave it five stars on being a ‘superb all-rounder’ with ‘stacks of crisp detail’ and ‘great black levels’. Not to mention its highly reasonable price – a scant £700, for a screen worthy of displaying GTA V in our perfect pad.
The Sound
If there’s one thing the Grand Theft Auto franchise has never fallen short on, it’s the audio front. The games have become famous not only for their delightful open worlds and violence on tap, but also for their hilarious, satirical radio stations and beautifully curated music choices. GTA V doesn’t let us down in this regard, and, well, we hope to live up to it with choice from Superfi’s AV receivers and speaker range. For the receiver, we recommend Yamaha’s RXV675 receiver, it comes packing full 3D support and is networked. It even has Airplay, should you choose to send audio from your iOS device. On the spec front, we’re talking a 7.2 channel amplifier, delivering 90W per channel of power into 8 ohms, as well as 4K upscaling. To go alongside, we’re pairing it with Bowers & Wilkins’ 685 Theatre package, an outstanding 5.1 package that brings outstandingly detailed output and some of the finest surround sound we’ve heard outside of the cinema. As for cable, it’s hard to go wrong with The Chord Company’s Carnival Silver Screen speaker cable, which offers terrific quality.
For those looking to build a GTA den which won’t cause a divorce, cordless headphones from Superfi bring the audio closer to you, and will extend your playable time into the wee small hours of the morning.
Everything Else
What use is outstanding audio & video if you haven’t got a wildly comfortable sofa, plenty of snacks to hand and some cool lighting? None, is the answer. For our perfect room, we’ve opted for the Lay-Z Boy ‘Gizmo’ recliner which packs heat, massage, Bluetooth and even a mini fridge in the arm for those times when you really don’t want to leave the room. Elsewhere, we like the idea of our own popcorn machine to keep us in from starvation during those marathon sessions and Easybulb’s LED lighting so we can customise the colour of our lighting on the fly to suit our in game moods – bringing untold levels of immersion to the gaming experience.
