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Please advice about speakers for HTPC\TV

W

wayliff

Lifer
I recently purchased a 50" LED TV (UN50ES6100), and thanks to all the people that provided advice, but the sound is just ok. I guess it has to do with the speakers not pointing forward or something else, I don't know but it is simply ok.

My plan has been to purchase an HTPC and hook it up to the TV.

My new plan is probably going to include a set of speakers. I don't want to spend thousands on it, perhaps $500 tops. I am looking for a 2.1 or 3.1 setup, I've read 3.1, which includes the center speaker, is great.

The question is, can one use the HTPC sound card to drive the speakers or does one need a receiver instead?

I am willing to wait 2 or 3 months to save a little more money if a receiver is the way to go. If this is the case, what receiver could you recommend for a 2.1 or 3.1 system which is upgradeable to, but not a must, to a 5.1 or 7.1 system?

Also is a blu-ray player built into the HTPC fine or does one NEED a standalone unit in this kind of setup?

Thanks for any guidance.
 
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A receiver is the best way to go, because it provides the options to upgrade later. I've spent about $1000 on my system, which is only 2.1 but my receiver is capable of 5.1 surround. I went with a Marantz NR1402 when it first came out($400) but you can get good receivers for much less. The reason I went with my Marantz is because its one of the few receivers that come in a smaller size.

For speakers I have some Wharfedale Evo2-10's which I picked up for 460 shipped. These are some of the best speakers I've seen for the price, they sound very good, nearing my brothers B&W 805s(about 2k for a set).
 
A sound card would work, but you'd need it to talk to another device that would feed the signal to the speakers. Some powered subs have speaker outputs and act as the 'crossover' for everything.

You don't need to spend a lot on a reciever...$100-150 on sale buys decent gear there are also plenty of Home Theatres in a Box at the $500 price point. Upgrade as you get the budget.

Personally I love my Klipsch Quartets, Academy and SS-25 setup powered by a Yamaha HTR-5960. My dad liked it so much he went out and picked up a Denon 26xx?, Klipsch Choruses and an Academy and is running without surround.
 
HTPCs with Bluray drives should be fine but realize that you need software like PowerDVD to play the BDs. Outputting the sound to a receiver is best though there are available spkr/sub/amp sets like the Logitech Z906 that would do the trick. HTiBs are also available that would be complete with receiver and spkrs. Personally, I would rather do the receiver and spkrs separately.
 
Thanks for all the replies\info so far!

I am leaning now towards purchasing everything separately even if it takes longer for me to put it all together.
Seems like one can build a higher quality system in this manner.

Thanks for the reminder about PowerDVD, or alike software. I did know about it but did not have it in mind at the time.
 
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