speaker setup

[crisscross]

I need some help, I want to hook up a surround sound speaker set to my pc, what would be the best way to do it? and Which speaker set should I get. Do i need to get a amplifier too? I am looking at Onkyo speaker set? I have the Sound Blaster PCI64. Do i need to upgrade the sound card?

Thanx. Basically want to listen to MP3 and watch movies.

 

[boyRacer]

Ummm... i think you need a better sound card than that honestly. Go for a GTXP or a SB Extigy. The breakout box will make life easier for you. As for a 5.1 speaker set... i say Klipsch or Logitech... all this will set you back more than $~300.

 

[deftron]

If you don't get powered computer speakers...
then yes, you will need an amplifier (receiver)

 

[crisscross]

actually I want to get a stereo and hook it up. don't plan to get computer speakers as I want really good output and besides I don't even play games.

 

[deftron]

If you want DolbyDigital or DTS surround for your DVD's

Then get

A soundcard with digital out
Peferably soundblaster live! or audigy

A receiver with Dolby Digital and DTS decoding
It will have digital input

I dont know what you meant by "speaker set" if you weren't talking about computer speakers
For 5.1 surround you need
2 Speakers for main front
1 center channel speaker
2 speakers for surround rear
1 subwoofer

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

<< Peferably soundblaster live! or audigy >>



No, not a sblive. Theses things are known to have improper voltage. They are 5v, NOT .5v. If you do get a sb live, you may want to get a hoontech daughter-card for about $20-30. This will allow give you an array of conection options and has proper voltage.

If you are a real audiophile, you may want to invest in something like the m-audio audiophile 2496. However, they are more expensive ($100+ i think)

 

[crisscross]

thanx deftron for ur post. Non-computer speakers are what i am looking at. Are onkyo speakers good? Can i get a Onkyo receiver too?
What do u suggest?

 

[crisscross]

LilRiceBoi: What is the M-Audiophile 2946? and where can I buy it online?
thanx

 

[deftron]

I have a Souldblaster Live! Value and it works fine..
Haven't heard of the "voltage problem"
anyways...Audigy's are about the same price now...so just get one of those
You could get a Hoontech...but you really won't need it unless you want to
record from optical sources (MiniDisk)

I haven't heard Onkyo speakers..
Their receiver are really nice.


How much do you want to spend on speakers ?

 

[crisscross]

I am looking at spending around $200-$300 on the speakers could stretch that I suppose coz this is the first I am getting a set of speakers and don't have much of an idea.

Can u suggest a good receiver model too? one last question Deftron do I need to get monster cables too?

Thanx a lot for ur patience

 

[dude8604]

I have a SB Audigy X gamer with the Creative Labs Inspire 5700 speaker set. It's a really good system. The speaker set comes with an amplifier/receiver. The audigy doesn't have optical output, but it has a DIN (digital in) output, which sounds great. I'm not sure how it compares to optical though.

Btw, you can get an audigy for ~$60-$75, and the Inspire 5700s are ~$250, so that should keep you close to $300.

link to audigy

link to inspire 5700

 

[deftron]

My bad.. I was wrong before..

The Audigy's Digital output is Coax...
It is basically the same quality as optical...
Make sure you get a receiver with COAX Digital input.


I don't know what speakers you could get that are $300 for the whole set....
Especially if you want a subwoofer too.

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

Do a search over at avsforum.com, they have information about the voltage problem. People have reported that there are only 2 Value models that are in specs. The others are 5v (instead of .5v).

It seems mostly Denon recievers are damaged by this problem, but if you have a good reciever, I wouldnt chance it.


I dont think you'll need the m-audio card, seeing that you're not spending TOO MUCH on speakers. But again, search over at avsforum.com for more info.

 

[crisscross]

thanx for ur posts guys. Well as I said I had no idea how much good speakers would cost, so I can probably stretch to $500 or more I guess.
so this is what I get?

Audigy Sound Card OEM
Onkyo Receiver
and Onkyo Subwoofer and speakers as suggested by Deftron.

That about does it right?

any specific models i should be looking at? and finally do i need to get Monster cables?

Thanx.

 

[Huma]

no need for monster cables.

I dunno about onkyo speakers. An onkyo reciever is a good idea, but I think there's better speaker makers out there.

paradigm, axiom to name two.

 

[crisscross]

thanks everyone for ur replies I suppose i will get a Onkyo or Denon Receiver and maybe Paradigm speakers in the setup as suggested by Deftron.

 

[deftron]

Go to Axiom and check out their Factory Outlet Speakers
on the front page...an excellent deals there.

Prices are shipped, too.