Theater-in-a-Box for computer speakers

[zParticle]

Being rather underwhelmed at the state of the art in computer speakers, I thought I'd venture into the low-end home theater market instead, as it seems to offer a huge potential jump in quality over even "high end" computer speakers.

Most of these seem to come equipped with video-shielded front speakers, so placement shouldn't be a huge issue.

As this is just a COMPUTER SPEAKER replacement, I don't need high-end components. A solid matched set with amp should be more than enough, I'm just looking for specific recommendations, given this application.

So far, here's the best match I've come up with. Seems to be nicely equipped and well reviewed:

$400 Kenwood HTB-505 from Crutchfield
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fJbEkpHVOcb/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=113HTB505

Any opinions on this unit? Any others I should be looking at?
And are there other variables I may not be considering?

Thanks for your help!

 

[zParticle]

Followup:

Found another unit that may beat the Kenwood by a bit. Slightly more enthusastic reviews, although apparently the remote is a real low point. (The Kenwood has much better layout and a neat joystick.) But the big factor is sound, and with 5.5" front woofers and a 150W powered sub, this Onkyo's simply got more to move the air with:

$400 Onkyo HT-S660B from Vann's
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/516399440

Again, any experience with this unit? Other comparisons?

Again, thanks!

 

[Auric]

If you don't mind refurb check out shoponkyo too.

avsforum
hometheaterforum
hometheaterspot

 

[Arcanedeath]

That Onkyo system is decent I use a TX-SR501 for my PC / HT reciver (it's similar to the reciver found in that package) although I do use differnt speakers. I am very pleased w/ the results I got w/ Onkyo's reciver, if you're going to get a HT setup, for the reciver I'd suggest one of 3 brands if sound quality is your primary concern, Dennon, Onkyo, or Yamaha, that system you chose will pretty much blow away any but the highest end PC speakers and even then you'll have a higher end stand alone amp that comes in any PC speaker package. Hope this helps...

 

[zParticle]

Originally posted by: Auric
If you don't mind refurb check out shoponkyo too.

The best they had when I checked was an older version of the Onkyo system for the same price as new but with a free DVD player (which I really don't need). Thanks for mentioning the other forums... some good information there.

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
that system you chose will pretty much blow away any but the highest end PC speakers

So, which PC speaker setup do you think WOULD outperform it? I've auditioned every "high end" PC speaker system I could and have always been disappointed, which is why I thought I'd try going this direction instead. I'd still go with PC speakers if I could find some that delivered like even these basic home theater systems do.

Thanks!

 

[SithSolo1]

How do you plan to get the sound from the computer to the reciever?

Also don't be fooled by those power ratings, they are not RMS and I doubt they are even peak with all channels driven.

 

[Budmantom]

I have the Onkyo HT-S650's and they are great but I do use them as a HT system and I paid $324, as far as computer speaker I have the Logitch Z560's and I couldn't be happier.

If I had to choose between the Onko and Kenwwod I would go with Onkyo because they have a richer sound.

 

[zParticle]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
How do you plan to get the sound from the computer to the reciever?

Coax digital from the SPDIF output on an nForce SoundStorm to the digital input on the amp. If that's a problem for some reason, both the SoundStorm and the amps also have separate analog connections for each channel.

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
Also don't be fooled by those power ratings, they are not RMS and I doubt they are even peak with all channels driven.

And the power ratings on PC speakers are?

Originally posted by: Budmantom
I have the Onkyo HT-S650's and they are great but I do use them as a HT system and I paid $324, as far as computer speaker I have the Logitch Z560's and I couldn't be happier.

Ah! Just the kind of comparison I needed--how does the Onkyo system compare to the Z560s when connected to the same source?

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: zParticle

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
How do you plan to get the sound from the computer to the reciever?

Coax digital from the SPDIF output on an nForce SoundStorm to the digital input on the amp. If that's a problem for some reason, both the SoundStorm and the amps also have separate analog connections for each channel.

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
Also don't be fooled by those power ratings, they are not RMS and I doubt they are even peak with all channels driven.

And the power ratings on PC speakers are?

Originally posted by: Budmantom
I have the Onkyo HT-S650's and they are great but I do use them as a HT system and I paid $324, as far as computer speaker I have the Logitch Z560's and I couldn't be happier.

Ah! Just the kind of comparison I needed--how does the Onkyo system compare to the Z560s when connected to the same source?

I have no doubt that PC speakers are highly overrated, also connecting to the reciever that way should work fine.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: zParticle

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
How do you plan to get the sound from the computer to the reciever?

Coax digital from the SPDIF output on an nForce SoundStorm to the digital input on the amp. If that's a problem for some reason, both the SoundStorm and the amps also have separate analog connections for each channel.

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
Also don't be fooled by those power ratings, they are not RMS and I doubt they are even peak with all channels driven.

And the power ratings on PC speakers are?

Originally posted by: Budmantom
I have the Onkyo HT-S650's and they are great but I do use them as a HT system and I paid $324, as far as computer speaker I have the Logitch Z560's and I couldn't be happier.

Ah! Just the kind of comparison I needed--how does the Onkyo system compare to the Z560s when connected to the same source?

No idea, the "sub unit" powers the speakers for the Logitech's and the amp/tuner powers everthing but the sub on the Onkyo unit.

 

[zParticle]

Originally posted by: Budmantom
No idea, the "sub unit" powers the speakers for the Logitech's and the amp/tuner powers everthing but the sub on the Onkyo unit.

That's pretty typical of computer speakers. Since you have both systems, if you haven't tried hooking up the Onkyo to your PC, can you at least tell me which system you'd rather LISTEN to a DVD on? Thanks. This kind of A/B comparison from someone who has both systems would be a big help.

 

[Arcanedeath]

I have a friend who just purchased a set of Klipsch ProMedia ultra 5.1's, and it sounds almost comparable to my setup, other than in the base department where mine is much cleaner and can go louder w/out distortion. I'd put his Klipsch Ultra's up aganist anything in a similar price range, I'd say they are about as good if not better than most HT's in a box although the Onkyo one you chose tends to be a step above most of the HT in a box setups I've seen, He's using an Audigy 2 Plat. w/ analoug connections and I'm using Soundstorm on my A7N8X Del. w/ the Digital spdif connector (Just 1 coax cable) so not really an apples to apples comparison but I'd say the Klipsch ProMedia ultra 5.1's are the best "PC" speakers I've heard yet and might be worth taking a look at, I know they were a lot easier to setup than my HT system also if you'd like to check out my setup including speakers it's in my Rig. Hope this helps...

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: zParticle

Originally posted by: Budmantom
No idea, the "sub unit" powers the speakers for the Logitech's and the amp/tuner powers everthing but the sub on the Onkyo unit.

That's pretty typical of computer speakers. Since you have both systems, if you haven't tried hooking up the Onkyo to your PC, can you at least tell me which system you'd rather LISTEN to a DVD on? Thanks. This kind of A/B comparison from someone who has both systems would be a big help.

Sure, I would take the Onkyo(if price was not an issue) for pure listening enjoyment and the bass is more "tunable", but if we are talking bang for the buck then Logitech's.

As far as the Klipsch I think that they are about the same as the Logitech's(one has better bass and one has better highs), some call the Z560's "klipsch killers" but it's all in what your looking to get out of the speakers.

 

[V00DOO]

$400 Kenwood HTB-505 from Crutchfield

I saw the Kenwood HTB-505 at Sears B&M last week for $299. I was going to buy it decide not to. I don't know if it's still on sales this week or not. YMMV.