5.1 Computer Speakers

[jdjbuffalo]

My Klipsch Promedia 5.1 speakers finally bit the dust after 4 faithful years of service

So, I started looking around for some a replacement set of 5.1 speakers and I'm appalled at the options. So far I've only found 3 5.1 speakers and 2 of them look like crap (under $100 and I doubt they are very good). The only one that looks decent is the Logitech Z-5500s (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121120).

Does anyone have any good recommendations besides the Z-5500s?

 

[PM650]

If $400 is your budget: buy a cheap receiver + subwoofer, use the old satellites. Other than that, you could have them fixed - there's a thread over on hardocp about repairs for the 5.1s; there's also a guy that does these repairs for individuals. You might also be able to buy a new amp from klipsch, probably around $100 if still available.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

If $400 is your budget: buy a cheap receiver + subwoofer, use the old satellites. Other than that, you could have them fixed - there's a thread over on hardocp about repairs for the 5.1s; there's also a guy that does these repairs for individuals. You might also be able to buy a new amp from klipsch, probably around $100 if still available.

Thanks for the advice.

I know that the amp/main control unit is the problem. If they can send me a new amp for $100 it would be well worth it. I love this set and don't see anything better out there now.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

If $400 is your budget: buy a cheap receiver + subwoofer, use the old satellites. Other than that, you could have them fixed - there's a thread over on hardocp about repairs for the 5.1s; there's also a guy that does these repairs for individuals. You might also be able to buy a new amp from klipsch, probably around $100 if still available.

I talked to Klipsch and they no longer have parts. All they did is direct me to a 3rd party company for repairs. Based on what I've read from the HardOCP people, I don't think it's worth it to send away for repairs on these as it seems like it's a toss up on whether you'll get functional units back or not.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a possibly a Sub and 5.1 Receiver that I could get? This way I would at least be able to keep the speakers.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

as far as the receiver, if all you want it to do is power the speakers and hook up to your computer, get whatever cheapest 5.1 receiver you can find. Chances are, you'll get a good price at the super budget level at your local bestbuy or other electronics store. Amazon has a sony STR DH-500 for $160. The sub would depend on your budget. The dayton subs are generally a good pick from partexpress.

 

[Alienwho]

I was exactly in your situation when my amp died on my klipsch set. Stupid klipsch, really pisses me off that every person who ever owned these speakers had the same problem.

I solved the problem by buying a mid-grade pioneer receiver and cheap 10" sub and reusing the klipsch satellites. This does the job just fine until I can convince the wife to let me buy some tower speakers.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

Unfalliblekrutch, I appreciate the suggestion but I won't buy any Sony equipment out of principle because of all the crap they pulled in a past and still pull to this day.

I found what look like a good receiver. The Yamaha RX-V363BL (http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V363...3942599&sr=1-7). It does have more stuff on it than I need, is bigger than I want and probably draws a lot more power than I'd like though but what are you going to do? Does this look like a good receiver?

I'm still searching around for a sub. I would say my budget is $100 - $200 for the sub. I can't see paying anymore than that.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

With shipping on the receiver you linked, you're paying $200 for that receiver. At that point, might as well pick up something like this pioneer locally so you can return it if you dont like it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=9238915

Alternately, newegg is running a promotion on this one for $230 - $75 gift card = 155 free shipping.

As far as the sub, these daytons are well regarded. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633

 

[0roo0roo]

long run the receiver is best. computer speakers basically tie you down ..unable to upgrade easily.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

Unfalliblekrutch, thanks for the advice. I wasn't able to find anything locally for less than $250 and even then it was low end receivers that didn't support HDMI audio. I figure that at some point in the future I may reuse this receiver for a TV setup in one of my rooms. So I upped my budget to $250 and found a good receiver in the Yamaha HTR-6140BL 525 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ss_T15_product) for $240 shipped. Other than complaints about the manual I couldn't find any negative things about this receiver.

I did go with that Dayton sub as you recommended. It seems to get pretty good reviews from others.

0roo0roo, I realize that the computer speakers will be a limitation now. I will upgrade these to better speakers probably 6 months down the line. But for now they will work as this was an unexpected expense.

For those people who may be in a similar situation to me and not know all that much about receivers and cables, I also wanted to add that you need to pickup a few cables to connect everything. I saw very little information provided when I did searches on this.

You will need a RCA cable to connect the sub to your receiver. You may also need a Y cable (Female in, Two Male out) if the sub has two inputs.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=6305&seq=1&format=2

You will need an SPDIF cable to connect your receiver to your computer.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=6272&seq=1&format=2

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

OP, I'm not sure if you have already ordered the receiver, but I realized I forgot to link the one on newegg I mentioned. Here it is if you're still in the market. It's not as nice as the one you found on Amazon, but it's cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115193

 

[jdjbuffalo]

OP, I'm not sure if you have already ordered the receiver, but I realized I forgot to link the one on newegg I mentioned. Here it is if you're still in the market. It's not as nice as the one you found on Amazon, but it's cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115193

Yes, I did see that one. It was my second choice because it had a limitation of no audio through the HDMI port. I thought it best to go ahead and get the nicer receiver now so I could reuse it in the future with a TV in another room.

 

[Googer]

If $400 is your budget: buy a cheap receiver + subwoofer, use the old satellites. Other than that, you could have them fixed - there's a thread over on hardocp about repairs for the 5.1s; there's also a guy that does these repairs for individuals. You might also be able to buy a new amp from klipsch, probably around $100 if still available.

I second that. I used those crummy Logitech speakers and they lacked a mid-range and had crummy broken up treble. There were many times when someone was talking and it was barely coming through, even at high volumes.