Need help finding a pair of speakers for my TV

[incinerate55]

I have a 32 inch vizio LCD that only has an optical output for audio, no RCA jacks, no 3.5mm jack. I'd just get a set of z-2300's, but solutions for converting 3.5mm to optical are not cheap. So, I'm looking for a set of monitors, or a 2.1 setup for under 200 dollars and it has to have a digital optical input, as well as a subwoofer output. I'm looking at buying a 10 inch sub or so in the future. This is the only one I've been able to find with that input and output.

http://www.amazon.com/Edirol-M...Monitors/dp/B0009HMRCI

Also, if someone can recommend a reliable receiver and speaker setup for below $200 that works too. Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks

 

[incinerate55]

I considered these as well
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...3D1138085354138&loc=01

I just don't know if i can find a receiver or even what to look for in a receiver if i want to hook it up to those and a sub.

 

[Shadowknight]

The speakers plug into the receiver, not the tv. The optical output on the TV is used for the internal tuner; the individual components (DVD player, game consoler, whatever) should have their outputs directly plugged into the receiver.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm interested to know what all the sources will be as well.

Since you're thinking of adding a subwoofer in later, getting a receiver based setup to start with is going to make future expansion a lot easier (going to surround sound will be possible as well).

If you get something off Craigslist or a refurbished receiver somewhere, you should be able to get something for around $100, or at least for under $150.

 

[incinerate55]

I'm connecting my tv via a coaxial cable rather than a cable box, and I'm connecting my PS3 via HDMI. I'd rather just be able to output the sound from the digital output on the TV to the receiver so that it switches audio source automatically when I go from HDMI to TV. So my goal here is to either purchase a set of powered speakers with a digital input and a subwoofer output (I don't care about surround sound this is the only upgrading I'd do), or a receiver with a digital input along with the insignias. I just don't know what receiver to purchase for this so that's where I need some help.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

As Shadowknight mentioned, the digital output on the TV may only be for the internal tuner, so it might not route sound from the HDMI input to the digital audio output.

Can you look that up in your manual to see if it does that or not?

 

[incinerate55]

http://www.vizio.com/assets/0/...-bc85-dceb3591a98b.pdf

that's the manual for my TV, page 24 details the optical output specifications.

It says: If your sound system has a SPDIF (optical) digital audio input you can connect it to the optical DIGITAL
AUDIO OUT (white area) at the rear of the LCD HDTV. This is active when receiving audio with the
program being viewed no matter what input is being used.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

From that description, it sounds like you'd be in business just hooking that up... but it could also be interpreted to mean the opposite of what we'd want.

The manual states "Optical Output of Audio received with HD Programs" in the contents.

If we take it to mean the opposite of what we want it to say, "This is active when receiving audio with the program being viewed no matter what input is being used." could mean that the digital audio output is always sending the signal from the internal tuner no matter what you set the input to.

Maybe I'm being paranoid... I've seen a lot of misleading manuals though.

EDIT: I searched around a little bit and found some conflicting information. I think that might be due to there being several revisions of the model you have.

 

[incinerate55]

Interesting.. so I guess the only way to find out is to give it a shot?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: incinerate55
Interesting.. so I guess the only way to find out is to give it a shot?

If you're more thorough in your research than I was, you may be able to limit yourself to the exact model you have and get better feedback.

Trying it might be easier though if you don't need to buy anything... or if you'd need to buy the cables anyway with an alternative setup.

 

[PJABBER]

"Note:
a) Refer to your Receiver/Amp user manual to select the corresponding audio input.
b) The audio output can not be connected directly to external speakers."

The optical digital output can be used with the Edirols or it can be used to provide a signal to a receiver which powers speakers.

The active, or self powered, Edirols are actually meant to be used as monitors for audio production, meaning they are supposedly accurate in having a flat frequency response. For most people that means they will represent a very flat sound, relatively lifeless, no sparkle and you will get no bass frequencies at all. I've auditioned them for music production and find them a relatively poor choice for that purpose and believe using them for an entertainment system, like playing movies, would be even worse.

You are MUCH better off buying an inexpensive receiver, any of which will include: Dolby, DTS, etc. surround decoding, an amplifier for powering speakers, a radio receiver and other features. Connect a pair of decent speakers and you will be MUCH happier than using the setup you are describing.

I would definitely shop Craigslist and Ebay for used receivers as you can get really great bargains on receivers that are just a couple of years old and function perfectly well. Having said that, HDMI has not been common on lower end receivers until just a few years back and it might be worthwhile to get a current model that offers that functionality along with the latest sound decoding capability, especially if you want to go with a 5.1+ speaker setup soon.

I just made some recommendations for a musician purchasing a home theater setup on the cheap so I will offer the same advice to you as I offered to her - on a budget, go cheap on the receiver/amp and go as high end on the speakers as possible!

Check it out:

Here is an example of a very good deal on a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR304 receiver for $109.99

AccessoriesForLess Refurb Onkyo TX-SR304

There are any number of good inexpensive speakers, and as many arguments about which of them sounds best, but let me make a suggestion to look at this great deal at the same vendor:

Mordaunt-Short MS-300 Premiere - $199.99. Use coupon code MS300SP at checkout.

Mordaunt-Short MS-300 Premiere Home Theater Speaker Package

Here is an Audioholics review of these speakers:

Audioholics review of Mordaunt-Short Avant Premier

Cross them at 100Hz with a subwoofer (and you do need one!) and you're good to go.

Here are a couple of fine 8" subwoofers, again on the cheap at around $100. If your budget permits, do consider 10" or even 12" subwoofers from the same sources -

BIC America V80

BIC America V80 @ Buy.com for $94.99 w/ free shipping

The Speaker Company V-8

TSC ASW-8 for $99.97 shipped free

The Speaker Company also offers a very good complete home theater speaker package, the PLCR161-HT8, for $269.90. I would definitely not put it in the same class as the Mordaunt-Short, but it is quite a deal. Also check out their Clearance listing as they do put some complete systems there once in a while.

HTC PLCR161-HT8 for $269.90 shipped

I know that these numbers exceed your stated budget of $200 for a receiver + speakers, but at that price point you definitely have to explore the used market for equipment and that discussion should go to an audio/video specific forum like AVSforum.com, where you will find thousands of opinions about specific brands and configurations.

AVSForum.com