newbie needs advice on 5.1 system for pc + xb360

[dfn]

Hi,

I am a newbie at this stuff, so bear with me...

My current setup is just sennheiser 555hd headphones plugged into onboard sound on my mobo. I plan on buying the Forte sound card and want a 5.1 speaker setup that I can use with computer and xb360. Hopefully the forte is a good choice for my headset and whatever speakers I decide to get.

What I will use the system for, in order of preference and frequency:
1) gaming
2) music
3) movies

My budget is $500 (CDN).

And now, my many questions...

Should I be looking to "mix and match" 5 speakers and a sub? Or should I buy one package that has it all?

If I go passive, then my assumption is I need a receiver since the speakers won't be powered? If I go active, then I don't need receiver, correct?

If I buy something like Audioengine A2 speakers, then I'd need the rest of the system to be active/powered as well, and I'd need some way of switching between computer/xb360?

My assumption is that it would be better, for me, to buy passive speakers with a receiver so that I can switch between comp and xb360 easily, and potentially hook up other stuff to the receiver in the future. Is this correct?

Do I need to worry about magnetic shielding with the speakers? If I have center + front speakers close to monitor?

I would appreciate any advice you have, and suggestions/recommendations on what speakers/sub and maybe receiver to buy, for my purposes described above.

Thank you

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I haven't been keeping up on soundcards to give you advice on that question.

Buying speakers + sub + receiver separately vs. a "Home Theater in a Box" is up to you. Unfortunately there are a lot of really crappy HTIB sets out there, so if you do want to get a HTIB set, make sure you check out reviews of it first. AVSforum has a HTIB area that will help you pick out which ones are the better ones. Onkyo is usually a pretty safe bet since the receivers are pretty solid and would allow for eventual upgrades if you so desire. They also tend to not try to get by with tiny speakers that tend to have big performance compromises.

If you want to take the time to pick out individual components and get in on good bang for your buck deals, you do tend to get a better system by piecing things together though.

Making your own active speaker system is probably a bad idea. There's just too much going on that's not all tied together to make it work well.

Having a receiver in the mix will make things a lot smoother.

Magnetic shielding is only an issue if you have a CRT monitor.

I'm not really familiar with the best options in Canada for what you have available, so I don't know if I can offer much advice that way either. 🙁

 

[dfn]

Thanks for the quick reply.

If you want to take the time to pick out individual components and get in on good bang for your buck deals, you do tend to get a better system by piecing things together though.

This is what I will do then.

Making your own active speaker system is probably a bad idea. There's just too much going on that's not all tied together to make it work well.

Ok then, this option is out.

So, with that, I guess I am looking for individual components (speakers, sub, receiver) that would cost under $500. Any ideas on where to start? I read (ok ok skimmed 😉) your guide, and saw the 2:1:1 money ratio, but I still don't know where to start. Browsing local stores seems futile without a starting point. I'm OK with ordering online provided that I can return them within X days.

Thanks again.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Sorry, during the forum move the big thread got cut off after 50,000 characters so it's about half gone now 😛

Pioneer, Onkyo, and Yamaha make pretty good entry level receivers.

It's a little tough to get a good balanced budget when the total cost of the system is in the HTIB range. For example, the lower priced HT receivers tend to run about $200, so the 2:1:1 ratio doesn't really work on a $500 budget when there are certain minimum levels of budget that have to be applied to components.

There are a couple $100-ish sub options in the states (Dayton from PartsExpress, TheSpeakerCompany). I don't know what's available for an entry level sub in Canada.

Speakers are probably the toughest thing to pick out.

If you are willing to go to some local stores and try some stuff out, that might help you out.

 

[dfn]

I am willing to go to local stores and listen, but if there won't be a set of components I can buy separately for ~$500, then I might be out of luck.

Is it worth trying to buy used equipment? My biggest fear is simply lack of warranty, but otherwise used speakers should be OK right?

Thanks for your help.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I am willing to go to local stores and listen, but if there won't be a set of components I can buy separately for ~$500, then I might be out of luck.

Is it worth trying to buy used equipment? My biggest fear is simply lack of warranty, but otherwise used speakers should be OK right?

Thanks for your help.

Yes, buying used equipment is a great way to make the most of your budget.

About half of my equipment is either used or refurbished.

 

[dfn]

Unfortunately, I am unable to check local stores because their selection is totally different from what I've been recommended. I can go and listen to what they have, but so far, what they have is not what I've read about.

Does the speaker company or parts express deliver to Canada? I've found a bunch of stuff online, new and used, however the new stuff I wouldn't be able to hear until it arrives.

For subs, how do these compare vs the Dayton ES8: Bic v-80, Bic f-12, and ASW-8 from speaker company?

For speakers, Polk Audio Monitor 30 vs Bic DV62si?

Is this deal from newegg good? $299 for both Yamaha RX-V365 and Energy Take 5 Pack 5CH Home Theater Speaker System

A lot of the above hinges on me being able to order it (delivery, etc.) and then being able to return it if I don't like it.

I also found the following used stuff locally:
1 PAIR MIRAGE OM-14
PSB Surround Sound Speaker Package
Cerwin Vega 8 bookshelf speakers
4 Paradigm speakers
PSB Alpha's & PSB Alpha Mite's
Mirage Subwoofer

Any advice on what to look for when buying used? How can I check what shape the speaker is on, besides listening to it? My assumption is that cosmetic damage, most of the time, will not affect the sound. However, I am clueless when it comes to other stuff. Looking at the list above (the used stuff), I have no idea which are better deals (relative to each other), and why! It is like looking at a foreign language. I see the price, I see the speaker, but I can't really compare them in any meaningful way (until I hear them) because I don't know much about speakers in general.

Thank you for your help thus far. I know I posted a lot of crap above - don't feel obligated to address it, I feel like I've used you too much already 😉
Thanks!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The newegg deal is a good one for a 5.0 speaker set and receiver. You'd need to buy a subwoofer to add to the system, but that should be a pretty solid system once you have it together.

For the used options, those seem like pretty good options too.

I don't know if I can be much specific help of speaker A vs. speaker B since I haven't heard well... actually... any of these.
On the bright side for used speakers, there's not as much that can go wrong with it vs. a receiver for example.
On some older speakers, the foam surround around woofers might start to break down. I think the ones you're looking at are probably new enough that it's not going to be an issue. I don't know how much of an issue that is anymore.

Someone else can chime in with their opinion, but the Paradigm speakers are probably pretty good. Unfortunately, you probably don't want that old receiver that comes with it, and probably not the DVD player. You might also be in a bind for finding a matching center channel for them.

Considering the newegg deal is all new stuff, fits your budget, and you'll get a warranty on the equipment... that might be the safest bet.

 

[dfn]

Excellent, thank you very much for your help!

I still have some decisions to make, but what you've said has helped me narrow my options down, and put things in perspective.
I'm going to do some more used hunting, then compare the new/online options and the used options. Going to start with speakers alone, then do the rest.

I appreciate it your help, thanks!

 

[cheesehead]

Those Paradigms are decent speakers, but also quite old. Also, the VSX-14 lacks HDMI outputs. $300 would be the most I'd pay, and $250 would be a pretty good price.

 

[dfn]

Thanks for the info.
I was seeing if I could get the paradigms alone, without the other stuff. Any idea on the PSBs? I'm kinda torn between continuing to look for used stuff, and a pair (or two) of new Polk Audio Monitor 30s (99/pair at newegg).