Best Jimmy-Rigged Sound-Advice Needed!!

[Maximum SAC]

So I'm a full-time student and NC State and my apartment room is gonna be the best one on the entire block. Right now my room is set up centered around my computer and the Creative Inspire 2.1 2500 speakers. These are very good and I got an incredible deal at Best Buy and got them for only 20 bucks. Highly recommended. I also have a Philips 20" Flat Screen TV set up perpendicular to the TV, model # 20PT6441. Great TV as well. Now, into the meaty parts.....

I've got a basic 25' headphone cable running around the doorframe to the computer where I change out the cords between the computer and the TV to have the sound running from the headphone out on the TV to the Creative Inspires. It sounds great. But, I recently purchased a $40 surround sound speaker set on eBay and this is where I'm alittle lost. One is with the best sound output from the TV. In order to get the best sound, not sound competition trophy winning sound, but just the best available sound, would it be best to spend $11 at Radio Shack and get the cables to run the sound from the AV Outs on the TV, through the 25' headphone cable back around to the surround sound speakers, or save the $11 and just run the sound through the headphone out on the side of the TV?

I guess the main question is will the sound be noticebly better, $11 noticebly better, running the sound through the AV outs on the TV, still running through the standard headphone cable, or just about as good coming from the headphone out? With the headphone out, I still get the "surround sound" effect with the speakers, as in following a sound from the left side of the room to the right, and it still sounds pretty good for a $40 surround sound system. I'm lost.....any suggestions??

Also, I need to extend the speaker wires to reach the corners of the room, and soldering new wire isn't a good option for me, as I don't have a gun, and the speaker wire is attached to the speakers on the inside with no way to detach the original wire. Would it be best just to twist and electrical tape more speaker wire?? Or use a coupler?? Would the gauge matter very much, as I'm pretty much Jimmy-Rigging the whole deal?? Any suggestions or help would be much appreciated.

HE GONNA GET IT!
-MaxSAC

 

[jerb]

you posted this three times... and isnt it usually "jerry-rigged"?

 

[mono]

Hmm, 3 posts.
I can't decide which one to answer.

You ought to consider closing out two of them.

Also consider not running a low-quality 25' headphone cable, not twisting wires, and putting the source close to the amp.
The largest difference in sound quality would come from upgrading the speakers, not an $11 cable.

 

[jerb]

ill have to agree with the above post, long runs with cheap cable are prone to interference and signal degradation. also creative soundcards are not usually considered high end, an EMU 0404 is a better choice. lastly the speakers mentioned aer not considered reference quality, better speakers (bookself) will have better sound. for your situation id recomend:

1.) move all componants closer together, 25' runs are bad
2.) ditch all your current cables, radioshack is not the awnser, make yourr own or buy some (highflyin9 usually has some in the FS fourm)
3.) consider a source upgrade such as an EMU 0404 or an AV710 if you want 7.1
4.) consider better speakers such as bookshelf speakers

good luck

 

[JWFokker]

The speakers are the weakest part of the rig, by far. They're pretty bad.

 

[beamrider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerb you posted this three times... and isnt it usually "jerry-rigged"?

No, it's actually "jury rigged", from the French word jour , For the day.

 

[Maximum SAC]

Thanks for the advice guys