"Best" audio source?

[Beev]

Ever since I got my HDTV I've just used an HDMI cable for both video and audio. I've started using my PC less and less, so I decided to move my massive speaker system:

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/home-pc-speakers/devices/224

to my living room and use it for console games. I bought an optical cable from Gamestop for $1.63 and plugged it directly into my PS3, and it sounds great, but is there a better way to hook it all up? Something that would provide even better quality?

 

[MrWizzard]

I got two of those in my computer room. It's a nice system, if that is what you have you could get a optical switch so you don’t have to plug in whatever you are using. Pretty much x360 and standard DVD’s will sound as good as they are going to get on that system.

If you want to take advantage of the DTS-HD or Dolby True-HD on Blu ray you would need a amp that takes HDMI, you are not going to get the full high def of blu ray and all it’s channels unless you have a HDMI amp.

So for what you have you have it as good as it’s going to get.

It’s a good system so you should be happy with it.

 

[Beev]

Yeah I loved the system on my PC. It rocks. So far I just have the two front speakers hooked up to the TV, and I haven't played any games yet, only watched video clips streamed from my PC...

Is there an easy way to hook the 360 and PS3 to the system at the same time without sacrificing quality? I just don't want to have to move the cable every time I switch systems.

 

[MrWizzard]

I have the same issue. I have my PCs hooked up to the system and then each has a PS3 and X360 with it. I just switch the optical cable personally.

If you don't want to do that you can get an optical switch, you would need a couple more optical Cables though. There are manual switches and automatic ones. The prices range all over the place.

 

[MrWizzard]

I did a little more research. You could do it without a switch if you put one of your systems on one of these http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=3130&sku=40018#

I am not sure if there is any delay but reviews look good. This would allow you to have all your systems connected at the same time. As long as you got all the parts you needed.... Hope that helps.

EDIT: You may need to make sure the converter works both ways and not just coaxial to optical.

 

[Beev]

Is coax the same quality as optical?

I hooked up the other three speakers last night for full surround sound and played some Modern Warfare. Good god it is amazing. Hearing the jets fly by through the speakers is fantastic. I also love hearing the location of explosives and bullets. I'm so glad I hooked this all up.

 

[Golgatha]

Is coax the same quality as optical?

I hooked up the other three speakers last night for full surround sound and played some Modern Warfare. Good god it is amazing. Hearing the jets fly by through the speakers is fantastic. I also love hearing the location of explosives and bullets. I'm so glad I hooked this all up.

Yes, coax and optical are equivalent. One uses electricity and the other light, but they both transmit 1s and 0s.

 

[Thraxen]

I hooked up the other three speakers last night for full surround sound and played some Modern Warfare. Good god it is amazing. Hearing the jets fly by through the speakers is fantastic. I also love hearing the location of explosives and bullets. I'm so glad I hooked this all up.

Yeah, I find that games actually make more use of surround sound than most movies. Plus it can really help in a lot of games with determining where explosions and gun fire are originating. It makes a noticeable difference in the experience.

 

[BHetrick]

Ever since I got my HDTV I've just used an HDMI cable for both video and audio. I've started using my PC less and less, so I decided to move my massive speaker system:

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/home-pc-speakers/devices/224

to my living room and use it for console games. I bought an optical cable from Gamestop for $1.63 and plugged it directly into my PS3, and it sounds great, but is there a better way to hook it all up? Something that would provide even better quality?

I use the 5500 also. Other than the random shut-off's (a massive problem with many other users), the system is great.

Same situation; I run my pc, 360, and PS3 optical and didn't want to change the cable each time. I use one of these switches.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

 

[Aikouka]

I used to use a Z5450 with my TV until I upgraded to a normal receiver. It worked well enough but doesn't have nearly as much power as my current system. I used TOSLINK as well.

 

[darkswordsman17]

The only likely situation that you would get better audio would be using HDMI and either bitstreaming or passing PCM decoded lossless surround formats, but that would only help in movies. I guess if you listen to SACDs and your model supports it (might have been removed through firmware though, not sure), then you can also have the PS3 pass it via HDMI (can't remember if the PS3 can decode/process it or not).

HDMI out would probably be the best option as it would allow the most opportunity for PCM (basically the PS3 handles processing/decoding and then passes the raw digital data to a receiver or DAC which will likely be better at that aspect). Not a big deal though (and it might even do fair amount of PCM through optical even), but its a nice bonus for people that have a really high quality setup.

An interesting note, people have had success in using some USB DACs with the PS3. I'm not sure about the 360.

Actually I need to read up on the PS3 audio, as I remember them lauding DD/DTS encoded sound for games, but that wouldn't even actually be necessary if you just stream PCM. I'm curious how it processes things if you're just using stereo, or if it more or less auto encodes games to a surround format. Probably depends/varies on the game even.