Baasha
Golden Member
I am looking to upgrade my audio (speakers/subwoofer) for my computer.
Right now, I'm running an Altec Lansing 2.1 system which runs off of the green 3.5mm plug from the motherboard (on-board sound).
The sound is, needless to say, pretty mediocre.
I cannot run a PCI-E sound card because I don't have any slots left on my motherboard.
Here is what I want to do:
I have an older Denon AVR-2805 A/V Receiver that I can connect via an optical cable from my computer (motherboard). From the receiver, the digital signal should go to my speaker system.
The first question I have is, I want to get a 5.1 Surround sound system so which ones do you guys recommend?
I was going to pull the trigger on the Logitech Z906 ($330) but after reading some reviews, I was turned off from it because it has "paper cones" and no tweeters.
Now, I'm no audiophile but I want to have a really good speaker system (and subwoofer) that I can enjoy for several years without replacement.
I started searching online for various speakers but that's like an ocean within itself; a plethora of choices with more marketing gibberish than an AOL advertisement.
Randomly, I chose to look at the Totem Dreamcatcher speaker set (2 speakers for $575). Are these any good? (Link: http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/compact/dreamcatcher/)
They also sell an 8" subwoofer with 300W which I assume is pretty darn good (since the Logitech sub comes with only a 165W amplifier). (Link: http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/sub-woofers/storm-sub/)
Now, the Totem speakers are only "two" so that's obviously NOT a 5.1 system. Their Dreamcatcher 5.1 system is about $1,800. I am not sure I want to spend so much for a speaker system when I use my computer for gaming and some video/movie watching and music.
Some of the other speaker sets I came across that caught my attention are:
Mirage Nanosat 5.1: http://www.miragespeakers.com/na-en/products/nanosat-5-1-overview/ ($799)
Mirage Nanosat Prestige 5: http://www.miragespeakers.com/na-en/products/nanosat-prestige-5-overview/ [needs separate subwoofer] ($949)
There are others out there like B&W etc. that are thousands of dollars which I am not interested in at this point.
Either way, I just want really good sound for my system. I don't mind sticking with a 2.1 system (Totem etc.) and I'm willing to spend good money on it provided that the sound quality is superb. I would prefer to go with 5.1 but let's say my cap is around $1k for a 5.1 speaker system.
I already have an A/V Receiver and I also have 2 separate amps (750W/250W) from Phoenix Gold Titanium that I bought about 9 years ago for my sound system for my car! haha... Can I hook that up to my receiver and/or my speaker system?
What would be the "best" solution given my constraints?
Right now, I'm running an Altec Lansing 2.1 system which runs off of the green 3.5mm plug from the motherboard (on-board sound).
The sound is, needless to say, pretty mediocre.
I cannot run a PCI-E sound card because I don't have any slots left on my motherboard.
Here is what I want to do:
I have an older Denon AVR-2805 A/V Receiver that I can connect via an optical cable from my computer (motherboard). From the receiver, the digital signal should go to my speaker system.
The first question I have is, I want to get a 5.1 Surround sound system so which ones do you guys recommend?
I was going to pull the trigger on the Logitech Z906 ($330) but after reading some reviews, I was turned off from it because it has "paper cones" and no tweeters.
Now, I'm no audiophile but I want to have a really good speaker system (and subwoofer) that I can enjoy for several years without replacement.
I started searching online for various speakers but that's like an ocean within itself; a plethora of choices with more marketing gibberish than an AOL advertisement.
Randomly, I chose to look at the Totem Dreamcatcher speaker set (2 speakers for $575). Are these any good? (Link: http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/compact/dreamcatcher/)
They also sell an 8" subwoofer with 300W which I assume is pretty darn good (since the Logitech sub comes with only a 165W amplifier). (Link: http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/sub-woofers/storm-sub/)
Now, the Totem speakers are only "two" so that's obviously NOT a 5.1 system. Their Dreamcatcher 5.1 system is about $1,800. I am not sure I want to spend so much for a speaker system when I use my computer for gaming and some video/movie watching and music.
Some of the other speaker sets I came across that caught my attention are:
Mirage Nanosat 5.1: http://www.miragespeakers.com/na-en/products/nanosat-5-1-overview/ ($799)
Mirage Nanosat Prestige 5: http://www.miragespeakers.com/na-en/products/nanosat-prestige-5-overview/ [needs separate subwoofer] ($949)
There are others out there like B&W etc. that are thousands of dollars which I am not interested in at this point.
Either way, I just want really good sound for my system. I don't mind sticking with a 2.1 system (Totem etc.) and I'm willing to spend good money on it provided that the sound quality is superb. I would prefer to go with 5.1 but let's say my cap is around $1k for a 5.1 speaker system.
I already have an A/V Receiver and I also have 2 separate amps (750W/250W) from Phoenix Gold Titanium that I bought about 9 years ago for my sound system for my car! haha... Can I hook that up to my receiver and/or my speaker system?
What would be the "best" solution given my constraints?
