Recommended 5.1 systems?

[DarkPaladin]

Hey, first off, I'm new to this forums..I post on another forum as a regular but it has nothing to do with computers, mostly about asian girls, cars, sex, and more girls..LoL (I'm asian myself.)

Anyway, this is a big forum...bigger than my other one..wow...


I am in the market to get a 5.1 sound speakers system...I 've looked at all of them, from Altec Lansing to Creative to Cambridge, and even Klispch (those Pro Media 5.1 are the best, I know, but they're so expensive!!!!)

So, what are my other options?

Keep in mind I would use the 5.1 speakers for DVD and gaming and even mp3s. And yes, my soundcard does support 5.1. It's a Sound Blaster Live! 5.1, but I will be cannibalizing this Live! to the other comp I have and putting in a Audigy or Game Theater XP in this computer.

 

[Maverick]

I'm of the opinion that you can do better with Home theater in a box solutions for 5.1 sound. You can pick them up for pretty cheap (especially if you go e-bay or something). The main problem with most of the 5.1 systems right now is that they don't include the decoder box and if they do, the price goes up substantially. Even the Klipsch doesn't come with a DD decoder. My friend has Klipsch and while his stuff goes louder than my Yamaha HT in a box, my sounds seem crisper and the sound staging is better.

For computer speakers I'd say the 4.1 systems are a better deal. Something like the Logitech Z560s would be good.

 

[MasterHoss]

Well, there are a few 5.1 speaker systems out there, but the favorites and best seem to be the ProMedia 5.1 and Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D. Unfortunately, both are expensive.

While true that both of those systems fail to include a DD decoder, one is not necessary when combined with a 5.1 capable sound card and a capable softDVD player. All the decoding you want can be found in softDVD players (DTS, DTS-ES, DD, DD Surround EX, ProLogicII, etc) so kill the decoder idea... it's pointless to have one for a computer anyway.

I also disagree that a HT in a box solution would serve you better... not for a computer. People get too confused as to the the consequences of using an HT in a box as your computer multimedia speaker solution.

Check out some reviews at 3D Soung Surge (Klipsch ProMedia 5.1, 4.1, and 2.1; Logitech Z-560; Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D; Polk AMR-130; Yamaha TSS1 DD/DTS5.1 System; VideoLogic Sirocco Crossfire and Pro; VideoLogic DigiTheater DTS)

 

[Goi]

If you can, go with a HTiB kit. The Kenwood HTB systems can be had for as low as $300.

If not, the VideoLogic DigiTheater DTS is about as good as you can get for a 5.1 computer system.

 

[DarkPaladin]

thanks all for your input... i'll check out the reviews on that link. Doesn't the Klispch Pro Media 5.1 have a decoder that you can buy as a separate accessory?

 

[mchammer187]

Originally posted by: DarkPaladin
thanks all for your input... i'll check out the reviews on that link. Doesn't the Klispch Pro Media 5.1 have a decoder that you can buy as a separate accessory?

it does not have a DD because they sell it with the DD at klipsch's website

i bought a set of megaworks 510D and they should be here monday or tuesday but i wont be able to try them out for 2 weeks

 

[Piano Man]

Originally posted by: DarkPaladin
Hey, first off, I'm new to this forums..I post on another forum as a regular but it has nothing to do with computers, mostly about asian girls, cars, sex, and more girls..LoL (I'm asian myself.)

Anyway, this is a big forum...bigger than my other one..wow...


I am in the market to get a 5.1 sound speakers system...I 've looked at all of them, from Altec Lansing to Creative to Cambridge, and even Klispch (those Pro Media 5.1 are the best, I know, but they're so expensive!!!!)

So, what are my other options?

Keep in mind I would use the 5.1 speakers for DVD and gaming and even mp3s. And yes, my soundcard does support 5.1. It's a Sound Blaster Live! 5.1, but I will be cannibalizing this Live! to the other comp I have and putting in a Audigy or Game Theater XP in this computer.

Well, the Klipsch's IMO, are not the best. The Cambridge 510D's are. Great bass, awesome midrange, and smooth treble, not tinny and overbearing like the Klipsh's. Don't put an audigy in that computer. Do those speakers a service and get a true 24/96 solution such as the Terratec. But if that's a little rich for ya, get the TB santa cruz instead.