Discussion So I listened to 4.1 surround sound...

[whm1974]

So I was over at my dad's earlier to fix his laptop and we Went to Walmart to get a a Y-cable to hook up his 4.1 surround sound system up to the notebook, and now I want one!

He said he brought this from a flea market for $10 and it sure sounds nice. Thanks dad, and now I'm considering buy one these setups. Especially if they can had for not much money.

So if I brought new, what is a good price range?

 

[deadlyapp]

4.1 only relates to the fact that there is rudimentary surround sound and a dedicated sub. There is a vast vast difference in a low end surround system and a high end system.

Generally you'll find it much harder to find a 4.1 system vs a 5.1 or 6.1 which have dedicated center channels.

A very good 2.1 system is 100000% better than a cheap 4.1 system.

Where are you going to use it and what type of media?

 

[nakedfrog]

I didn't know 4.1 was even a thing.

 

[GrumpyMan]

My original Klipsch V400 computer sound system speakers used to be 4.1 many years ago. Sounded great, until they died.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

So I was over at my dad's earlier to fix his laptop and we Went to Walmart to get a a Y-cable to hook up his 4.1 surround sound system up to the notebook, and now I want one!

He said he brought this from a flea market for $10 and it sure sounds nice. Thanks dad, and now I'm considering buy one these setups. Especially if they can had for not much money.

So if I brought new, what is a good price range?

I got a pioneer receiver and some decent polk speakers for around $550, 3.1 system though (didn't really have a practical way of doing more without some silliness in the walls). Sounds superb though.
Receiver was a VSX-1131, towers were T50's, SW was a PSW10, and center was a T30. I've got opportunities to expand it if I feel like it, may not.

Having said all that, if I had more time than money in this particular arena, I might have learned more about sound systems and trolled the local thrift/reuse center for some high quality but older stuff. I bet you could get an absolutely beastly sound system for $200 or so if you don't mind it not being brand new.

 

[nakedfrog]

I got a pioneer receiver and some decent polk speakers for around $550, 3.1 system though (didn't really have a practical way of doing more without some silliness in the walls). Sounds superb though.
Receiver was a VSX-1131, towers were T50's, SW was a PSW10, and center was a T30. I've got opportunities to expand it if I feel like it, may not.

Having said all that, if I had more time than money in this particular arena, I might have learned more about sound systems and trolled the local thrift/reuse center for some high quality but older stuff. I bet you could get an absolutely beastly sound system for $200 or so if you don't mind it not being brand new.

Sadly our thrift stores never have anything good as far as audio, so YMMV.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I remember going to a friend's house as a teenager and he had a surround sound system in his room and I thought it was the most awesome thing. I've had my own house for 10 years now and I still only have a basic system... my layout sucks so could never do surround. I'm fixing that though. Got rid of the fire place, got more plastering and painting to do but once that's done I can put the couch in front of the TV then I'll be able to do a decent surround sound setup. Just need to put a jack on the TV wall feeding one on the couch wall for the back speakers.

I know hardly nothing about home entertainment setups, always just plugged stuff straight into the TV. I need to read up more on them and decide what to buy. For shits and giggles I will also hookup the VCR.

 

[NoTine42]

I remember going to a friend's house as a teenager and he had a surround sound system in his room and I thought it was the most awesome thing. I've had my own house for 10 years now and I still only have a basic system... my layout sucks so could never do surround. I'm fixing that though. Got rid of the fire place, got more plastering and painting to do but once that's done I can put the couch in front of the TV then I'll be able to do a decent surround sound setup. Just need to put a jack on the TV wall feeding one on the couch wall for the back speakers.

I know hardly nothing about home entertainment setups, always just plugged stuff straight into the TV. I need to read up more on them and decide what to buy. For shits and giggles I will also hookup the VCR.

It’s been crazy confusing the past few years. The easiest way is video passthru (all devices input into receiver which decides sound then sends HDMI video to the TV.
....but 4K requires more bandwidth than most audio devices provide. Then they added HDR for more bandwidth and then Dolby Atmos that I think needs more. Basically your audio equipment can cripple your TV video quality.

This is a tech forum, I love specs, but a few months at avforums still left me confused.

If you don’t care about max audio fidelity, there are some “wireless” surround options. I’m quite happy with my Visio 5.1 sound bar. For price and ease of setup, it’s pleasing for everything except Extreme LFE. It has a small wireless “sub” and the rear surrounds plug into the sub. Audio-wise I just send optical audio from the TV to soundbar (I realize HDMI to the soundbar might have a better audio codec)

I’d love to eventually have a dedicated theater with better equipment and a few 15” subs.

 

[LikeLinus]

"but 4K requires more bandwidth than most audio devices provide. Then they added HDR for more bandwidth and then Dolby Atmos that I think needs more. Basically your audio equipment can cripple your TV video quality."

Please find a reputable site (AVSForum.com) and ask questions. There is some misinformation and lack of understanding in these post.

 

[LikeLinus]

I didn't know 4.1 was even a thing.

Not to most people, but it's technically a thing. I've heard of people using this technique more on a 2.1 system. It's called a phantom center channel. 4.1 was around before they had a center channel.

As far as the OP, I'm pretty sure he wasn't running actual 4.1 audio. Sounds like they just used a splitter and ran it to 4 speakers, lol. I don't know of any laptops with rear out ports, but maybe I'm wrong? Everything is generally done through the HDMI / DP port for any sort of surround sound.

 

[sdifox]

I remember quadraphonic...

 

[whm1974]

"but 4K requires more bandwidth than most audio devices provide. Then they added HDR for more bandwidth and then Dolby Atmos that I think needs more. Basically your audio equipment can cripple your TV video quality."

Please find a reputable site (AVSForum.com) and ask questions. There is some misinformation and lack of understanding in these post.

I'm not using a 4K display or TV, so I'm not worried about that.

Not to most people, but it's technically a thing. I've heard of people using this technique more on a 2.1 system. It's called a phantom center channel. 4.1 was around before they had a center channel.

As far as the OP, I'm pretty sure he wasn't running actual 4.1 audio. Sounds like they just used a splitter and ran it to 4 speakers, lol. I don't know of any laptops with rear out ports, but maybe I'm wrong? Everything is generally done through the HDMI / DP port for any sort of surround sound.

This is an old model without HDMI and his notebooks doesn't have those ports anyway.

 

[bbhaag]

I had a Cambridge Soundworks FPS2000 setup for my PC back in '99-'00 and it sounded great. I even found a Anandtech review of it from back in '99.

For a 4.1 PC sound system it sounded fantastic considering what was available back then. Playing Half-Life, UT, and Diablo 2 over the lan with my friends was awesome with this little sound setup thundering all around me.

 

[Muadib]

I also had the Klipsch V400 set, and boy, they were great. I have a 2.1 setup now, and it's just not the same.

 

[LikeLinus]

I'm not using a 4K display or TV, so I'm not worried about that.
This is an old model without HDMI and his notebooks doesn't have those ports anyway.

Then you weren't actually hearing true 4.1. You were simply splitting the L/R signal to two sets of speakers.

Your best bet is to probably buy a Home Theater In A Box w/ a receiver and speakers. Get a 5.1 setup and be done with it.

Sorry, I don't have any recommendations. I have a full on home theater with DIY speakers.

Home Theater In A Box

These units are all-in-one devices that are a Receiver, DVD Player, Amp, and speakers all in one unit.

www.avsforum.com

 

[LikeLinus]

I also had the Klipsch V400 set, and boy, they were great. I have a 2.1 setup now, and it's just not the same.

I think we all had that setup I miss mine too, but have no use for it. I simply don't play games anymore.

 

[Muadib]

I think we all had that setup I miss mine too, but have no use for it. I simply don't play games anymore.

I think I'm in denial. I rarely play games these days, but I love the tech involved.

 

[purbeast0]

If I were you I'd spend your money on a good 2.1 system before a crappy 4.1 system.

Then I'd get a center channel to hit up 3.1.

Then you can add on the rears if/when you want to.

Prices will vary greatly. You could spend from $100 up to $10,000+ for your system. It just depends what you want.

I spent a good amount on my 5.2 setup but it sounds better than most movie theaters.

 

[LikeLinus]

If I were you I'd spend your money on a good 2.1 system before a crappy 4.1 system.

Then I'd get a center channel to hit up 3.1.

Then you can add on the rears if/when you want to.

I'd have to disagree and I think that defeats the purpose. Know your audience. He liked the 4.1 being just split between the L/R output. He wants a system on the cheap. Telling him to buy a nicer 2.1 is a bit pointless and doesn't get him what he is looking for.

The best play here is a half decent 5.1 HTIB system. You can find them from $350-$500 from the likes of Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, HK and so on.

Identify your budget and then compare the products you can afford.

 

[whm1974]

I'd have to disagree and I think that defeats the purpose. Know your audience. He liked the 4.1 being just split between the L/R output. He wants a system on the cheap. Telling him to buy a nicer 2.1 is a bit pointless and doesn't get him what he is looking for.

The best play here is a half decent 5.1 HTIB system. You can find them from $350-$500 from the likes of Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, HK and so on.

Identify your budget and then compare the products you can afford.

Come to think of it, I do have HDMI on NVIDIA 970 card and don't dGPUs also do audio as well these days?

 

[LikeLinus]

Come to think of it, I do have HDMI on NVIDIA 970 card and don't dGPUs also do audio as well these days?

They do indeed. HDMI is basically the de facto A/V connector for entertainment connections. All you need is a receiver and the speakers.

 

[pete6032]

I had a 4.1 setup on my gaming pc when I was a teenager. Played UT 99 with surround sound. Thought I was a badass.

 

[Raduque]

I converted my 5.1 from my living room to a 4.1 stereo setup. I have the 4 bookshelf speakers stacked in pairs, running to the front/rear outputs on a Yamaha RX-V375 and I use "All Channel stereo" with the sub active, speakers set to "Large" and the sub crossed at 65hz.

 

[Muadib]

I converted my 5.1 from my living room to a 4.1 stereo setup. I have the 4 bookshelf speakers stacked in pairs, running to the front/rear outputs on a Yamaha RX-V375 and I use "All Channel stereo" with the sub active, speakers set to "Large" and the sub crossed at 65hz.

So why did you remove the center channel?

 

[LikeLinus]

Bookshelf speakers are generally never set to large. Not sure what speakers you are running, but you're essentially telling your receiver they crossover down to 20hz. Bad idea as you could blow your woofer trying to play below its capability. Not sure why you would remove the center channel either?

Generally (unless you are running mid-bass woofers) you want your sub crossed at 80hz and below.