best way to set up a 3.1 system?

[makken]

Hi guys,

I'm setting up a new TV in my room, and trying to figure out how to best work out the audio system. I have 3 bookshelf speakers and a subwolfer that I'll like to use as a 3.1 (L, R, center) system.

I'm wondering how to best hook up the speakers. I would like to use the TV as the switcher, so a 5.1 receiver seems like overkill.

The TV has an optical audio out. the subwolfer only accepts input in RCA L/R. How should I bridge this?

Thanks.

 

[biostud]

Are the speakers active? or do you need an amplifier?

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

In order to do anything with the optical audio output on your TV you will need a decoder. Either get a receiver that accepts optical audio (Pretty much any new receiver, if you're going on craigslist just check the older ones to be sure) or buy a standalone decoder from amazon for about $50-100 (search optical audio decoder).

If your bookshelf speakers are not active (self-amplified), it will probably be much simpler to just get a receiver to do your decoding and power the speakers. Make sure it has a subwoofer/LFE RCA output for your sub.

Usually TV's aren't great as input switchers/selectors. The menu interface can be clunky and slow. In my opinion, receivers are much better at the job and have a better selection of inputs.

 

[makken]

the speakers are not active.

Hmm, at that price for an audio decoder, it does sound like a receiver would be a better choice.

 

[boomhower]

Just get a cheap receiver.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Go for cheap 5.1 reciever, you can run in 3.1 mode, or, maybe it would make sense to just run 2.1 and get cheap stereo reciveer, or a little T-amp ....