5.1 Computer Speakers?

[iriverdude]

With your budget I'd buy a AV amp and stereo speakers for now, get the remaining as you can afford them. $1000 CAD isn't much for a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system.

 

[somestranger26]

What a coincidence... http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr.../5702&cl=us,en Z-5500 (Dented Box) for $207, coupons logiz5500_4209 and Logi_thankyou. For $207 shipped... I highly doubt you could find a better deal for decent 5.1 speakers.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kpalsm /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright, say I expand my budget to around $1000. I'm having a look at the Onkyo HT-S7100 HTIB system and I like the looks of it. I don't need 7.1, but it comes with Onkyo's TX-SR606 receiver which is one model lower than the receiver I planned to buy, which I can live with, and also means I can always buy better speakers, etc later on once I have the money. Anything else I should look at in this price range? I should also note that my computer has an HDMI output (which does include sound thanks to ATI) and that's how I planned to connect my HDTV when I buy it; I could connect my laptop to the S7100 and pass-through the video to my HDTV too, which would be great. Sorry for all the Onkyo, I guess I'm a bit of a fanboy, but I could do worse

Part of the reason I usually suggest HTiB's from Onkyo is they usually put great receivers with their system. A receiver also allows you to get better speakers and subwoofer down the road if your not satisfied with them.

As was also suggested, If you don't have the cash, just go with th receiver and stereo speakers, then add a sub..rears...etc.

As for HDMI, many Video cards offer a HDMI output but the audio standards are normal S/Pdif standards such as DDL or DTS-C. I seriously doubt your GFX card will handle Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD or DTS -HDMA. Could be wrong. The 606 support many different output standards and is HDMI ready and processes the above standards.

Don't get me wrong the Z-5500's are not too that bad for $200 but if your gonna start spending money I suggest going with what you suggest the 606 and the speakers, sub.

 

[freakydrew]

What is your ATI card that comes with HDMI port?

 

[Kpalsm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakydrew /img/forum/go_quote.gif What is your ATI card that comes with HDMI port?

It's my laptop's video card, Mobility Radeon HD 2600. Most of the ATI cards including and beyond that card all have HDMI ports with onboard audio processing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif As for HDMI, many Video cards offer a HDMI output but the audio standards are normal S/Pdif standards such as DDL or DTS-C. I seriously doubt your GFX card will handle Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD or DTS -HDMA. Could be wrong.

You're probably right. A lot of video cards do offer HDMI output now, but it's mainly the ATI ones that also have audio onboard the video card (and a few of the high end nVidia ones).

I think I'm gonna do what a few of you have suggested and buy a receiver and a couple of speakers to start then add a sub and such later on. I found an official Onkyo retailer (among other things) called Visions that has locations across Canada including one in Red Deer where I live. I might go there and grab an SR606 and a couple of speakers. It occurs to me that this thread has become slightly out of category, although my purpose is to build a computer speaker setup, it's more like home theatre now, lol.

Anyone heard of the Soundstage brand of speakers? I've heard of a lot of brands but that one is new for me.

 

[obobskivich]

one thing I'd caution you with, if you buy little bookshelves (like the size of the Z-5500 sats), you'll be dying with no subwoofer, so you might consider going 4.1 or 2.1 with a sub, instead of 5.0 or 6.0 without it

 

[Kpalsm]

Yeah, I might buy the Onkyo TX-SR606, a couple of Polk R150s and maybe this Soundstage BFX10 sub, still deciding though. I want a down firing sub due to the orientation of my room. I've only looked at Visions so far, not sure what else there is around town for hi-fi equipment stores.

 

[obobskivich]

if that store is local, can you go listen to the stuff yourself/take measurements/etc? (just a thought, you might also save some bucks buying local vs paying shipping)

 

[Kpalsm]

Yeah there's one here in Red Deer, I might go next week and have a look and get some recommendations from the (hopefully) experienced staff

They don't sell any Bose products so I think I can trust them

EDIT: I can't help but think that for the money, the Onkyo HT-S5100 HTIB would be better for me. The speakers don't sound too bad, the two front bookshelf speakers have 5" midrange drivers as well as 1" tweeters, the rest of the speakers use 3 1/4" drivers for the midrange. Maybe even the HT-S7100 for a couple hundred more, would be even better

 

[iriverdude]

Don't waste your money, I'd spend that amount on one thing. But I'd recommend you spend that amount on a AV amp + stereo speakers. Satellites won't play music very well.

But I presume you'll ignore me and just buy the crappy HTIB anyway. Just as an example you could buy used B&W 601's or similar for £100 or less and it'll sound way better.

 

[obobskivich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't waste your money, I'd spend that amount on one thing. But I'd recommend you spend that amount on a AV amp + stereo speakers. Satellites won't play music very well. But I presume you'll ignore me and just buy the crappy HTIB anyway. Just as an example you could buy used B&W 601's or similar for £100 or less and it'll sound way better.

was waiting for someone with a "gentle touch" to make this comment

(iriver, this is not a flame)

 

[Kpalsm]

Relax iriver, I'm not going to buy any HTIB, I'm just weighing my options. You're right, I should just get the AVR and a pair of speakers. Either way it won't be happening for a while, I'm just doing my usual extremely thorough research and getting opinions from people who know what they're talking about better than I do

I just have to find a decent pair of bookshelf speakers that I can afford.

I'm pretty well set on getting the TX-SR606 AVR. I can deal with overheating issues by installing a fan. No idea where I'd get my hands on a pair of B&Ws here in Canada, are 601s made anymore? I don't know much about bookshelf speakers and what are good in that category. No room for floorstanders in here unfortunately, or I'd have a lot of ideas.

 

[iriverdude]

Paradigm are Canadian so I'd check those out, should be more affordable than imported speakers. I just gave B&W 601 as an example, I spotted a pair on ebay for £50 and no one bidded on them, for that price a bargain...as would any decent pair that retailed for £200 or so when new.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Onkyo + Paradigm = win for Canada.

 

[Kpalsm]

I completely forgot about Paradigm. Thanks for reminding me. Another brand I just remembered is Vivid, but I have no idea if they're in production anymore. My dad had a pair of Vivid towers since before I was born and they lasted until we moved and couldn't take them about 3 years ago, and sounded awesome. Didn't have a sub or any surrounds, always just had a stereo setup with two of those Vivid towers with a 12" woofer and 12" passive rad, think it was a 5" midrange and 1" horn.

Oh yeah, what about Boston Acoustics? They seem like a cheaper brand but I never looked into them. Found a small local shop that carries Paradigm, Panasonic, Yamaha, Boston Acoustics and a band called Russound. Russound seems to be a company specializing in in-wall and multiroom speaker systems.