5.1 Surround Sound System for PC

[cyber_marco]

Hallo there guys, I'm considering buying a 5.1 Surround Sound System for my computer, budget around 70-100€. I don't know much on the subject, what to take in consideration etc.

I'll start with my hardware, I have a custom built pc with an Asus Rampage III formula witch supports up to 7.1 audio systems.

I made a little research and found two candidates:
1)Creative Inspire T6160 5.1 Speakers @65€ (Creative Inspire T6160 5.1 Speakers | Creative Labs Online Store)
2)Logitech Surround Sound Speakers Z506 @80€ (Logitech UK - Surround Sound Speakers Z506)

Witch one is the best, pros and cons? I'm gonna use the system for gaming and movies, in a 15m² room. Also is there any 7.1 sound system in that price range?

If you have any suggestion don't hesitate to enlighten me. Thank you.

P.S. Later in September I'm gonna buy a new 32" TV and I'll connect my PC via HDMI, I know that with HDMI you can stream audio too, to the TV, but I would like to use the sound system, is it possible? Sorry if I'm sounding too nooby, but I don't know jack!

[glc]

There aren't many 7.1 speakers out there, and the ones that are cost about 3 times that.

You don't HAVE to use the HDMI audio.

[David M]

What kind of sound do you already have at home? You might be able to incorporate that as part of your computers sound system.

I would check the independent reviews on the two sound systems you listed. Sound is very subjective as to what sounds better. It depends on the listener and their taste in sound. The only way to really tell is a side by side comparison. If you are lucky you might find a store that has both set up.

[cyber_marco]

Originally Posted by glc There aren't many 7.1 speakers out there, and the ones that are cost about 3 times that. You don't HAVE to use the HDMI audio.

I want to use the HDMI to connect my GTX 480 to the TV.

Originally Posted by David M What kind of sound do you already have at home? You might be able to incorporate that as part of your computers sound system. I would check the independent reviews on the two sound systems you listed. Sound is very subjective as to what sounds better. It depends on the listener and their taste in sound. The only way to really tell is a side by side comparison. If you are lucky you might find a store that has both set up.

Right now I'm using a stereo Hi-Fi system from 2001, if I recall correctly, of 30W. I'll try to find some local stores to do a comparison, but the prices I found were from online retailers.

Plus i found a Home Theater LG HT356SD, 5.1 300W power for 90€ HT356SD Home Theater System TV/Audio/Video
Is it possible to connect it to the PC like the Logitech or Creative sound systems? I think it'll be an overkill!
What do you think?

[glc]

I want to use the HDMI to connect my GTX 480 to the TV.

Of course, no problem. All I was saying is you do not have to use the HDMI audio.

[rwest]

Well I own the Logiotech 506's and I'm very happy with them. One of the features I really like on the 506's is it has a bass control on the back. They also do a real good job of emulating 5.1 if your source doen't supply it. Nice feature of the analog inputs.

The reviews say they buzz, and they do if you try to connecct up the supplied analog inputs at the same time as the digital inputs. Other than that they were well worth the $100 I spent on them.

[cyber_marco]

Originally Posted by rwest Well I own the Logiotech 506's and I'm very happy with them. One of the features I really like on the 506's is it has a bass control on the back. They also do a real good job of emulating 5.1 if your source doen't supply it. Nice feature of the analog inputs. The reviews say they buzz, and they do if you try to connecct up the supplied analog inputs at the same time as the digital inputs. Other than that they were well worth the $100 I spent on them.

Glad to see that the product is good.

What do you think about the Home Theater, I would only use the speakers if they can be connected like the Logitech sound system.

[cyber_marco]

Making some more research I found this one: Pioneer S-V41 @79€, Satellites:80W Woofer:50W S-V41 (Archived) - Pioneer Europe

Is this any good?

[cyber_marco]

I found these too:
Genius SW-HF5.1 4000 @63€ Genius
Genius SW-HF5.1 5050 @110€ Genius

The 1st is 100W powerful and the 2nd is 150W.

Another thing that i want to understand is how does a sound system connect to a sound card (on board) like the one that I have. ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

Thank you.

[rwest]

Computer speakers (Like the 506's) will have the mini plugs that will match up to your sound card's ports.

The theater systems will have standard rca type input ports. The speakers may connect up with direct wires or may use the rca type port. This will depend on the theater system you purchase. Most of the sytems (that I looked at)were very propietary. You couldn't just get another set of speakers for it if one or more of the speakers failed. I reccomend you look at a local retailer and look at the back of some of these systems and see how the speakers connect. You'll then understand what I'm saying.

I found when I looked at the theater systems on display-you really get what you pay for. Menaing most of the systems that I found in the 150 dollar range were junk. If the main unit apperaed to be made well the speakers felt cheap. If the speakers had a great sound and felt solid the main unit didn't.

That's why I put my money into only computer speakes. The best choice to use is a seperate AV reciever with seperate speakes, but this is the most costly route.

[David M]

For that amount you can get good 2.1 sound. You probably won't be getting good 5.1 sound for that amount....maybe unless you find it used.