5.1 Systems

[Sane]

This is what I use:

Pioneer Speaker Set

Pioneer Receiver

I use it in a somewhat small room, and it's a perfect, affordable solution. It has 3 optical inputs, 1 coaxial and 3 normal RCA inputs. It supports DD 5.1, DTS and Pro Logic II. It also has a host of soundmodes and surround sound settings which you can cycle through, like normal stereo, stereo over 5 speakers, midnight sound mode which enhances the softer sounds for when playing at low volume and special modes for movies and games etc.

I also have a Creative 5.1 set I use with my Audigy 2 ZS, but I find the Pioneer has much clearer sound than that.

[sj33]

Sorry to rebump such an old topic, but I'm about to finally make my move on all this.

Lemme get this straight, I basically need 2 things - Speakers, and Reciever.

Is there any fundimental difference between general purpose speakers like the Pioneer ones above, and PC speakers such as the Logitech or Creative Inspire ones or something? They're just speakers, right?

[gIzzE]

No, no difference at all between speakers, think of them like cars, you could buy a Porsche 911 or a fiat panda, both would get you there.

Seriously though, PC speakers will generally have amps in them and run from a line level, speakers you plug into an amp will be passive and the amp will drive them.

[sj33]

Been talking to some people (namely billy_dimashq), and came the conclusion that considering my room is so small, and the speakers aren't going to be positioned that far away from where I'm sitting, I don't need some crazy ?200 amp (which is jusy going to act as a glorified decoder/switcher anyway) along with a ?200 speaker system, it's overkill and I'd not really benefit.

Was looking into this http://uk.europe.creative.com/produc...5&product=9137
Comes with the decoder thing, no need for a separate. Seems to go for a mere ?120 generally.
Going to need some kind of switch box to plug multple device into the thing http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/SW001.html
Bargin. Will need the cables too, here we go http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/TS002.html

Now unless I've missed something major, I'm sorted now, right?

Final question then, anyone know of a optical switch box similar to the above, but with 4 or preferably 5 inputs?

EDIT - Decided to pay a little more and go for the Logitech Z-5500 instead, anyone has experience with them? They seem to suit my ?200 budget which I'm reluctant to overshoot (though I can if I must).
T

[Cuber001]

OK. I am thinking of getting this:

http://panasonic.com.au/products/spe...?objectID=2797

Now, my question. I want to have my PS2 (component), DC (S-Video), GCN (Component), Xbox 360 (VGA) and DVD player (HDMI) running through it. How would i get all these running through? Do i plug them in to the amp or TV? If amp, how do i get the VGA, S-Video and component as the cables will not split as far as i will need them? Will the amp pick up what is plugged through my TV?

Thanks a lot!

[sj33]

Okay, decided to settle on the Logitech Z-5500's.... still living with the parents, so I can see myself getting more than a few headaches from them, but bugger it, I want these

Anyway, as you may know, these have built-in decoders for DD, PLII, DTS removing the need for a decoder/amp thing. However, my Audigy2 ZS sound card has decoders for these also. Obviously I'll need to use the decoder in the sub for games consoles, DVD Player etc, but for PC use, is it preferable to use the decoder on the sound card, or the sub itself?
I'd assume the sub, to remove load from the PC, but which would give superior quality?

[RLench]

but for PC use, is it preferable to use the decoder on the sound card, or the sub itself?
I'd assume the sub, to remove load from the PC, but which would give superior quality?

It depends. Try both and see what sounds better. I'd guess your speaker/amp system would do a better job at decoding the sound than your soundcard/source but it all depends on the quality of your sound card...the general rule is external decoders sound better than internal ones. There's no harm in trying both methods though but if you're limited on the number of analogue/digital inputs then that could make the decision for you

[randombs]

keeping things digital from the pc to the sub would be better as the chances of interference will be virtually nil

[RLench]

But his soundcard might do a better job of converting the sound to analogue and passing that to the receiver. In other words his soundcard may be a better DAC than the one in his amp. As an example I connect my CD player to amp via an analogue RCA. That's pretty much a big no-no in general but it sounds far better to my ears (because the DAC in my player is far better than the one in my amp)

Both ways have benefits, and both are a compromise in some way. Like I said, experiment and see what sounds better. If they sound the same then do whatever is more convenient

[sj33]

Have to see what works out best then... I'd be all for leaving it to the sound card if it wasn't for the potential for extra load for my PC.
That said, billy raises a good point.

[Renny]

Keep all analog signals outside your PC. Once they're inside the box they're bombarded with interference. It may or may not be a problem, but it's better to avoid the possibility altogether.

[RLench]

Have to see what works out best then... I'd be all for leaving it to the sound card if it wasn't for the potential for extra load for my PC.
That said, billy raises a good point.

But then the alternative is an extra load for your amplifier - it has to process the signal and then distribute it to six different channels

I agree though, I'd probably use a digital connection. But I'd still suggest trying both

[sj33]

Some more advice needed!

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/164776.html

Okay, I'm a bit confused by this... given I'll be using my upscaling DVD Player for DVD's, it will be the games, Mp3's etc that I'm more bothered about on the PC. That guy is basically saying I cannot use the digital connection for games?!

[amorenod]

If I understand it you'll get sound for games, but only stereo.

[sj33]

Sounds like the best thing to do as far as PC goes is the let the sound card do the DD/DTS decoding, and run it out through analogue, allowing me to use games with proper surround (if they support them).