Computer Speakers vs. $350 Home Theater -- what's better?!

VBboy

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
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I need to buy some good speakers for my PC.
I have the Sound Blaster Live 5.1 X-Gamer (not Platinum).

What will sound better:
A set of professional computer speakers like Klipsch 4.1 or a $350 Home Theater system with a Dolby Decoder and 5 speakers + Subwoofer?

In other words, will I get better sound with the top-of-the-line computer speakers, or an average Home Theater system (Dolby Digital)?

Please help, I need to make a decision SOON!
 

sohcrates

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2000
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frankly? the klipsch

350 dollars ain't much...you're looking at 200-300 for a DD receiver alone, leaving 50-150 for speakers plus subwoofer..i'd definitely go with the klipsch setup unless you're DYING for a home theater
 

MasterHoss

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Apr 25, 2001
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Yes, I agree. For the price, you won't find better quality BUT you will lack an actual decoder. But unless you watch DVDs on your computer, why would you want/need 5.1 surround sound?

I watch DVDs on my computer and my Klipsch ProMedia's do the trick--they do more than the trick.
 

junthin

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Jul 21, 2000
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<< Computer Speakers vs. Home Theater -- what's better?! >>



Question is: How big is your living space? And what do you plan to use the speakers as. If you living area is small (i.e. dorm, apartment) then go for the Klipsch. If your living area is larger, like a house and you plan to use the speakers as a Home Entertainment system (sitting far away) then save up and get a Home Theatre.

If you desperately need some speakers now, I'd go for the Klipsch 4.1's. If you can save that $350 you have now, and save up to around $500.00, then go check out Best Buy since they always have some kind of promotion with some Yamaha theatre system.

I personally have the Klipsch 4.1's but I use them in a small living arrangement. Not to mention it's awesome in gaming. :D
 

VBboy

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Nov 12, 2000
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I was looking at this Home Theater system, it look svery attractive:

Kenwood HTB-504

There are a LOT of such systems for around $350! Also, isn't 5.1 better than 4.1?
 

VBboy

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Nov 12, 2000
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junthin,

My room is average size-wise; I do watch DVD movies on my PC sometimes.

Any of $350 Home Theater systems I checked out (including Best Buy) had 100 watts per channel; some had a powered subwoofer.

It seems too much money to pay for just 4 speakers and a smallish subwoofer with the Klipsch.. In a Home Theater, you're getting the remote control, Dolby Digital decoder, plus of course the 5.1 speaker system.
 

VBboy

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Nov 12, 2000
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*** Big question ***

Will I even be able to connect the SB Live 5.1 (non-Platinum) to a Dolby Decoder and still get EAX and other 3d gaming effects?...
 

sohcrates

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2000
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well, i'm pretty sure the 5.1 has a digital audio out, which you can then convert to coaxial digital and transmit over RCA to the coaxial digital input of your DD receiver. that's what i do, and it should transfer any DD signals right to the receiver.
 

VBboy

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Nov 12, 2000
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sohcrates,

You're pretty smart for a Golden Member! :)

Yep, the SB has that digital out.. I wasn't sure I could convert it to a digital RCA, but looks like I can. Thanks man!
 

sohcrates

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2000
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thanks! (i think) :p

here's what you need (all available from radio shack) :

1) a 1/32 male to rca female connector
2) a run of RCA cord ( you only use one half of it)
3) a receiver with a coaxial digital input

this is just in case you were wondrin' what would be needed. i'm ALMOST positive it's a 1/32 adapter, i know the regular analog out's use 1/8 inch adapter, but i THINK the digital out is smaller..might have to double check that one.
 

VBboy

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Nov 12, 2000
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sohcrates,

Yes, I was wondering what I'd need, because I'm an audio virgin. Thanks for the information, I appreciate it.

I knew I didn't have to buy that rip-off Live Drive to go digital!
 

Rellik

Senior member
Apr 24, 2000
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Don´t take this the wrong way, but a 350 bucks Home Theater system simply does not exist. There are maybe some speakers and receiver packages called that way, but for what you are doing, the Klipsch are better. Every good stereo setup(audio, not PC) will sound better then this Home Theater system for 350. So, if your 5.1 system is not a real
5.1 system(it is just not possible for 350 bucks) then the 4.1 Klipsch
is better.

It is also easier to enjoys proper EAX through the Klipsch then through a Home Theater setup because if you do not connct the speakers
directly to the soundcard, the DD amp will not reproduce EAX, it will take whatever it gets through the digital port(probably stereo) and will handle it how you set the receiver. (either stereo, dolby pro logic or DD) There is not amp or receiver with eax. It would not make
any sense.

 

junthin

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2000
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From the information provided, I would recommend the Klipsch 4.1's since you want to use your Sound Blaster 5.1 card to it's max potential. Also, you have to consider the sound quality when comparing the Klipsch to that Kenwood system (or similar systems). I've heard those $400-under systems, and my Klipsch 4.1's are superior to them (then again, audio is a personal thing). That's why I recommended you to wait till around $500.00 or so, since that's when you actually start getting some quality Home Theatre systems. ;)

And if you are just setting these up for your room and watching DVD's near your computer (not like on the couch or something), you really don't lose much from 4.1 to 5.1 due to small arrangement. Just a thought. ;)