Looking to get a new audio setup for my computer

[leglez]

Ok right now my audio setup is pretty weak. I have a set of 2.1 computer speakers, some speakers that are built onto my monitor, and a a stereo unit with 2 speakers and a sub. I also have onboard audio. I am wanting to upgrade this. I do some work in Adobe Audition. I am wanting to get an X-Fi, the cheapest one that I can. I would also like to get a sub, I could build one if someone suggested a Sub and an Amp and whatnot. I would also like to get a receiver and like 2 regular speakers. I don't know much about audio but I think that is all that I will. Also I would like to spend no more than $400 excluding the X-Fi. I like to be able to listen to the audio on low levels. But I also like Bass and to be able to turn it up loud. It will be in a 14'x14' room too.

 

[leglez]

bump

 

[The Boston Dangler]

What do you do with the PC? Audition, games, casual music listening? Do you need the reciever for anything else, other than PC?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Anything wrong with the current receiver? (or is that in use for another purpose?)

 

[leglez]

Here is a sketch of my room layout

I use the PC for non-stop music (I have ~11,000 songs that just play non-stop in iTunes), I do audition whenever I get bored, and I watch some movies on the PC. I don't play games but I am hoping to get a new PC before summer for gaming so I will eventually use the audio setup for the new computer. I would like to be able to use the same audio setup for my gaming systems (Playstation 2, XBox, Dreamcast, Wii, Xbox 360, and eventually PS3), but if I hooked my systems up to it I would like to have 5.1 surround sound. Also if I did 5.1 could I have it setup so that when I am playing a game the speakers are oriented differently then if I am using the computer? Like the front left speaker for the computer is the front right speaker for the games, and the front right speaker for computer is the back right speaker for the games, and so on?

Nothing is wrong with the current receiver (I dunno if you would call it a receiver or not) It is just a basic 5 cd changer that I bought as a stereo package with 2 speakers and a subwoofer. I don't know if i could use it with a new setup or not.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

About the different speakers playing different rolls for the PC vs. other systems - that's possible.

If you got a receiver that has a multichannel analog input (which is what I would recommend anyway for hooking up your X-Fi)
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=30&threadid=1940133&enterthread=y
Then you'd just need to hook up the analog channels to compensate for the new room layout.

For example if you wanted the Front Right signal from your soundcard to play out the speaker that's usually playing Surround Right, just plug the FR output line from the soundcard into the SR input on the multichannel analog input.

So yes, possible.

That said, I think you'll have to make a lot of compromises with a setup like that.

You're trying to create a setup something like this http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html at both positions. The front three speakers are the most important to get right. You want them all to be equal distance away from you at the listening position and have the FR/FL form an isosceles with you as the other corner.

I have two listening positions in my room currently, but I oriented both in the same direction so I'd have to make less compromises with positioning.
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughli...inished/7%20View%20from%20Computer.JPG

I don't know if something like that would work in your room though.

As for the current "reciever", yeah, you're going to want to replace that.

 

[leglez]

Here is a video showing my current setup also.

Also would it be a bad idea to not buy everything at the same time. Like buy the receiver then the sub then the speakers

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

No problem buying the system in different stages as long as you do it in a good oder so you can use the things when you buy them.

(Like you wouldn't want to get a sub that has just one RCA input on it if you don't have a receiver with a sub pre-out yet)

This is an expecially good way to go if it means you might be able to afford better components by taking is slowly vs. buying a whole system at once that might not be as nice.

 

[leglez]

Yeah thats why. So would this be a good order to purchase in:

X-Fi
Receiver
Sub
Front Speakers
Back Speakers

 

[taterworks]

If you're into the idea of building a subwoofer, take a look at the TC Sounds dB-500 10" driver. For $99, you're not going to do any better. Build one of the TC Sounds recommended vented enclosures for best results, and power with the Dayton HPSA500 from parts express. If your room is big, consider stepping up to the 12" variation, which has an aluminum cone. I own a driver also built by TC Sounds and very similar to the TC-1000 12" woofer, and it is one of the cleanest sounding bass drivers I've ever heard. Someone even measured less distortion from that particular driver than from the respected Peerless XLS woofers, which were the previous low-distortion champs. The dB-500 woofers share that motor structure with the TC-1000. So, from a high-fidelity standpoint as well as an output standpoint, and a value standpoint, and as long as you're not opposed to working with a table saw, sabre saw, and electric drill, building a subwoofer is a great way to get the kind of bass you're going for. Get ready for a box that's a little bit bigger than most store-bought subwoofers, but performance that eats said store-bought subwoofers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, expect a lot of sawdust. The material of choice for box-building is Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF), though void-free marine-grade plywood is acceptable, but more expensive.

http://www.tcsounds.com -- for the drivers I mentioned
http://www.partsexpress.com -- for the amplifier, which integrates all the necessary signal processing (e.g. crossover, phase adjustment, 1-band parametric EQ). Alternately, they have an Indigo BASH 500w amplifier that offers the same amount of power. They also have everything you'd need to finish off the project, including nifty kits which allow you to build reflex vents that have flared ends, for reduced air turbulence noise.

 

[leglez]

Ok what do you suggest for a receiver? Not really sure what I need for one.

And I am looking at $135 for the driver, and $159 for the amp. So probably about $350 for the Sub all together after buying the wood and everything right?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: leglez
Yeah thats why. So would this be a good order to purchase in:

X-Fi
Receiver
Sub
Front Speakers
Back Speakers

there are some darn good $200 recieivers from onkyo, denon and others. loads of inputs and features that were "premium" a couple years ago.

i suggest getting a stereo pair and sub to start with and putting off the cost of the others.

as for a sound card, there is an alternative

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: leglez
Ok what do you suggest for a receiver? Not really sure what I need for one.

And I am looking at $135 for the driver, and $159 for the amp. So probably about $350 for the Sub all together after buying the wood and everything right?

Whatever you end up getting, make sure that your receiver has a 5.1 (or higher) analog input. Otherwise you will not be able to get the full benefit from your X-Fi.

 

[leglez]

Where is a good place to check for receivers? eBay? Or is there an online spot that sells older receivers?

Also are there any online sites that will build custom boxes and ship them? I can work with wood and I have the tools. But I would want to get the best sound possible out of it and dont know if I could accomplish this.

Would it be better to have 1 12" Sub or 2 10" subs in 1 box? If I went with 2 subs would I need another amp or just one twice as much power? Also if I wanted 2 12" subs what size amp would I need?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

if you're up for some reading, there's http://www.diysubwoofers.org/

for a medium size bedroom, a single 10" should be fine. the box choices are sealed, ported or passive radiator. i wouldn't bother with a second driver for the radiator, and sealed or ported should be in the driver description.

 

[herm0016]

check out audioreview.com. i have gotten some good deals on used gear here. great place to do some reading also.

 

[leglez]

Ok what should I look for in speakers? I think I just want like some wall mount speakers that hang in the corners but I am not really sure.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: leglez
Ok what should I look for in speakers? I think I just want like some wall mount speakers that hang in the corners but I am not really sure.

Generally speakers work better when they're pulled away from the wall. (on all sides)
This is the best I could do with mine and not have it block the doorway to the room, but I understand that in many cases, even something like that wouldn't be possible due to how the room is set up.

If you do decide to wall mount, make sure that the speakers are not rear ported. There are some wall mounts that get the speakers away from the walls by a few inches, but you'd still be better off if they were farther away from the walls.

Other speakers are designed to mount right up against walls. Those are mainly dipole surrounds and similar designs.

What to look for?

It will be a lot easier to know what to look for if you can go out and do some demo-ing of retail brands and get an idea of the kind of sound you like. From there, you could then add some online brands that have similar characteristics to the kind of sound you like. If you really want to get something that matches what you like, you could order a few pairs of online brand speakers and try them in your home for 30 days. After that, send back the ones you don't like (losing shipping cost) and build your system around the winning speakers. You'll lose some money in shipping but you'll know you made the best choice for your taste.

 

[termac50]

Well, this is what I did. I had an Audigy2 ZS, and upgraded to an Xfi Platinum. The front panel is handy, but really unnecessary unless you constantly plug/unplug midi, mics, etc. I don't really notice THAT much of a difference in sound quality. The cmss 3d thing for headphones is really good for gaming though.

As for speakers, I have a Pioneer 7.1 receiver with a 12" sub. I have an 18" 1000w rms sub, but my desk started bouncing away from me during games, so I put it in my car instead If you're tight on money, consider buying the receiver new and used speakers. Of course, this might be a little overkill, but it smokes any of those rinky-dink computer speaker setups you see in Best Buy.

5.1 will be perfect for that size room. I'm not familiar with TC sounds, but I've dealt with Parts Express before, and they're excellent. $400 is a good chunk of change to spend on the setup, I'm sure you'll find something nice!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: termac50
5.1 will be perfect for that size room. I'm not familiar with TC sounds, but I've dealt with Parts Express before, and they're excellent. $400 is a good chunk of change to spend on the setup, I'm sure you'll find something nice!

If you've heard of SVS, they used to go through TC Sounds for their drivers.

 

[termac50]

Yes, SVS makes really good stuff. I can't remember the model, but they had an absurd sub a few years ago with like four to eight 12" or 15" drivers in one giant enclosure. You'd probably kill all the animals in the neighborhood with that thing.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: termac50
Yes, SVS makes really good stuff. I can't remember the model, but they had an absurd sub a few years ago with like four to eight 12" or 15" drivers in one giant enclosure. You'd probably kill all the animals in the neighborhood with that thing.

B4 Yeah, those 12.2 version drivers were made by TC-Sounds.