>>>!Surround Sound!<<<

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Alright dudes. I've got the consumer whore bug in me lately, and PS3 is ruining my life.


But I'm okay with that. So what I want to ask you is, what surround sound systems do you own, or recommend. I'm on a post-college-graduate budget, so don't gimme anything TOO baller and expensive. I hit up amazon and this one caught my attention, because it's not even a hundred bucks, 7.1 surround sound.

[link] (http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Inspire-8-Piece-Powered-Surround/dp/B0002SQ2MU/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-9240693-3151115?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1180113946&sr=8-2#productDetails)

What do you think of this? Will the quality be any good? Is it worth shelling out a hundred more bucks or so for a higher quality system, or is this a good buy? I want to push this PS3 experience as far as I can without breaking my bank account, and I've done a pretty good job so far. I'm not an audiophile, but I do have an eye and an ear for quality, so what do you recommend? Again, not a real sizable budget to fool with. I gotta start paying rent soon.:laugh:

Lair comes out in a couple months, and it'd be a shame if I couldn't take advantage of that sweet sweet uncompressed 7.1 surround sound. And any other games that take advantage of it in the future, which they undoubtedly will. PLEASE lemme know what you think. I really want to get the set I linked to (http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Inspire-8-Piece-Powered-Surround/dp/B0002SQ2MU/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-9240693-3151115?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1180113946&sr=8-2#productDetails) but I don't want it to be a piece of crap.

And while we're at it, make this the sound system thread for everyone to ask questions and get answers about home theater shit.

Thanks for your input.

[Vegtro]

I hear Onkyo are good.

[woundingchaney]

I hear Onkyo are good.

For HTIB Onkyo is the best (IMO).

Depends on what you are wanting to spend Lali. although I recommend investing more so you dont feel obligated to renew or are unhappy with your investment. The best part about Onkyo is they supply good recievers so one could keep the reciever and update the speakers for a fuller richer sound in the future.

Depending on room size a pc speaker setup will probably not deliver the sound definition your looking for (although the better ones will).

I would say about 300 USD is a good price point for your situation. A good 5.1 is considerably better than a shitty 7.1 (IMO).


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-5-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-HT-SR600/sem/rpsm/oid/179767/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-HT-SR800/sem/rpsm/oid/177422/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
My father has this one, I can tell you from experience it is a good HTIB

These are CC links so with some time you could probably shave 50 - 100 usd off of the listed price.

Also Lali. just what are you looking to spend????

[woundingchaney]

more


http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=95A61762B449453ABA5A17BCA5A0 AE6E&ProductID=19026

http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=95A61762B449453ABA5A17BCA5A0 AE6E&ProductID=19090

http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=95A61762B449453ABA5A17BCA5A0 AE6E&ProductID=19083

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693293

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5663210

[Coded-Dude]

Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Surround Sound Speaker System - $239.98 (http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKS-HT540-Surround-Speaker-System/dp/B000GU78Z4/ref=sr_1_9/102-7715394-7319361?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1180116340&sr=1-9)

[woundingchaney]

Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Surround Sound Speaker System - $239.98 (http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKS-HT540-Surround-Speaker-System/dp/B000GU78Z4/ref=sr_1_9/102-7715394-7319361?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1180116340&sr=1-9)

Thats only speakers no reciever (at least from what I can tell)

[LaLiLuLeLo]

For HTIB Onkyo is the best (IMO).

Depends on what you are wanting to spend Lali. although I recommend investing more so you dont feel obligated to renew or are unhappy with your investment. The best part about Onkyo is they supply good recievers so one could keep the reciever and update the speakers for a fuller richer sound in the future.

Depending on room size a pc speaker setup will probably not deliver the sound definition your looking for (although the better ones will).

I would say about 300 USD is a good price point for your situation. A good 5.1 is considerably better than a shitty 7.1 (IMO).


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-5-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-HT-SR600/sem/rpsm/oid/179767/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-HT-SR800/sem/rpsm/oid/177422/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
My father has this one, I can tell you from experience it is a good HTIB

These are CC links so with some time you could probably shave 50 - 100 usd off of the listed price.

Also Lali. just what are you looking to spend????
ummmm...not 300 dollars :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

But thanks for the help.

[woundingchaney]

ummmm...not 300 dollars :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

But thanks for the help.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693293


149 USD

Should provide everything you need (as far as gaming), definetely not top of the line but will more than fulfill (or go with the similar Sony for about 40 USD more).

Dont buy the one you linked to.

Also maybe look around for refurbished units (they still come with the warranty).

[Coded-Dude]

The link he provided looks similar(speakers only, no reciever).

[LaLiLuLeLo]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693293


149 USD

Should provide everything you need (as far as gaming), definetely not top of the line but will more than fulfill (or go with the similar Sony for about 40 USD more).

Dont buy the one you linked to.

Also maybe look around for refurbished units (they still come with the warranty).

Yeah I looked at the user reviews and it seems a little spotty.

By the by, what's a receiver and why do I need one?

[Coded-Dude]

http://oaktreeent.com/web_photos/parts_salvage/Yamaha_R-V1105_A-V_Reciever_front.jpg
http://oaktreeent.com/web_photos/parts_salvage/Yamaha_R-V1105_A-V_Reciever_back.jpg
That thing you hook your speakers up to....... ;-]

You can buy a CHEAP stereo/receiver kit, but IMHO, you will be disappointed(somewhat).
Or you can buy them separately(lets you find the best deal on speakers and a receiver)

[woundingchaney]

Yeah I looked at the user reviews and it seems a little spotty.

By the by, what's a receiver and why do I need one?

Well in laymans terms the reciever is the mind behind your sound system. It has a large part in determining the quality and functions of your system. Most good - great surround systems are built around the quality of the reciever.


This is my reciever

http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=F3E481273A9142C7AE24ABB89CF9 71A4&ProductID=18510

[Coded-Dude]

You can get a 110/Watt per channel; Sony 7.1 for under $300 these days.
example (http://focuscamera.com/focuscamerastore.asp?product=964594901&feeddate=05_22_2007) (NOTE: no HDMI though)

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Okay now that we got that out of the way. How does this all connect to my ps3?

[Coded-Dude]

Your PS3 and your SPEAKERS would hook into your AV(audio/video) RECEIVER.
Your RECEVIER would hook to your TV.

This allows your PS3 to output sound through the speakers, and video through the TV.
Depending on your connection, you can hook up multiple devices to your RECEIVER.
(satellite box, dvd player, cd player, etc.)

http://www.national-tech.com/mailimages/hthookup2.gif
In the above example the CABLE goes to the VCR, which goes to the RECEIVER which goes to the TV.
The DVD player is split - sound goes through the RECEIVER, while video goes straight to the TV.

[Pootie-Tang]

Ok, but I may be ass backwards here. I have a Bose acoustimas 6 with an onkyo reciever. This system is incredible. The acoustimas was $699 and the reciever was $399. Now why am I ass backwards, because I dont have a HD Tv yet. That was going to be my next purchase but I ended buying a PS3 instead. My wife will buy it hopefully soon, since she makes the big bucks.

[Coded-Dude]

Well, I went with TV before Sound, as many HDTV's can handle PCM audio(and have decent speakers).
But opinions vary. You may not be experience the full visuals, but you can sleep well knowing it sounds phenomenal, right?

H/K's are the best receivers(IMHO), but are way too damned expensive.
I like Sony/Denon for the lower priced units.
Speakers, well - lots of people make great speakers.

[curryking1]

HAHAH! I love that diagram, at first glance it looks like it's just lines and circles everywhere ahhhahah, awesome! :)

[gnznroses]

don't get a cheap system. you'll see good reviews, but that's just cause any will be better than stereo sound.
i got an onkyo 6.1 for i think $250. it's refurbished from onkyo and has the same warranty.
check pricegrabber.com

make sure the receiver you get has optical audio in

[dnpmakkah]

Do we have an electronics section this thread could go under? You might find more answers there if we have such a place. I don't venture much outside the PS3 section so I don't know.

[dnpmakkah]

mistake

[makeitlookreal]

When I get my winning PS3 I will have to try to find a good sound system on the cheap.

[dnpmakkah]

When I get my winning PS3 I will have to try to find a good sound system on the cheap.Fats?

[D3adcell]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693293


149 USD

Should provide everything you need (as far as gaming), definetely not top of the line but will more than fulfill (or go with the similar Sony for about 40 USD more).

Dont buy the one you linked to.

Also maybe look around for refurbished units (they still come with the warranty).

I would strongly discourage against buying an RCA anything. My parents had two RCA surround sound systems, both were pretty much shit, the receivers went out in a few months. They also have 2 RCA DLP TV's, speakers inside them suck too.

I have a friend with an RCA surround, it's not that great. The fan buzzes loudly for some reason.

I have a decent system nothing great, got the 200$ 1,000 watt pioneer HT from walmart. It works good, not the best, but good enough for that price.

Onkyo is really good though. My parents now have like a 2,000$ HT system that is onkyo. Sounds great.

[makeitlookreal]

Quote:
Originally Posted by makeitlookreal View Post
When I get my winning PS3 I will have to try to find a good sound system on the cheap.
Fats?

I am not Fats. However, we both won a PS3 from E-mpire! However, we have not received them yet.

[LiquidEagle]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121121

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120

No love for Logitech? I'm not audio buff so I can't really compete with what Wounding is tellin' ya about probably, but I've always been thoroughly impressed with Logitech speaker systems, both for price and for the sound they put out. It's definitely what I would go with.

[jaxmkii]

you should move your own thread to tech central.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I reckon as much. SO BE IT.

[Z]

I don't care for those expensive sets as audio isn't that important for me to waste thousands on a set. I am not building a recording studio in my room.

what I'll be getting would be a Sony 7.1 set for the maximum of $600. I'll wait and see how much HDMI ones cost, and if they cost more than that, then opical audio would be just fine.
In any case, I will not pay more than $600 for a sound system.

[Garfunkel]

I own a 5.1 set of Logitech X-530's, i got them for $90 AUD. considering the price to performance ratio, they are one of my best purchases.

[Fillibuster]

In my room, I have some logitech X-540s but those are hooked up to my PC, and my PS3 is currently hooked up to some Dell 2.1s (it isn't happy about it). When I take the PS3 downstairs to the living room we have a Denon 7.1 reciever with Orb speaker (badass, you should look them up http://www.orbaudio.com/). I would be interested in a cheap surround sound system, as my Logitech's don't have optical, only stereo input and PC audio (ergo, hooked up to the computer to get 5.1 on games and stuff)

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Okay, I need something that supports hdmi, as that's what I connect to my ps3 and my tv for hd display.

Edit: Sweet Jesus orbaudio is waaaay outta my price range.

[D3adcell]

Well you could always run an optical cable from your PS3 to the receiver. You don't have to send video through it at all.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

hm.. that's true, I was wondering is that even necessary.
what about this sucker?
(http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SA-FT3H-5-1-Channel-Surround-Speaker/dp/B000F4786K/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-3080393-6595214?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1180232688&sr=1-3)

or this one? (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ES8C2G/sr=1-3/qid=1180232688/ref=dp_cp_ob_title_0/002-3080393-6595214?ie=UTF8&qid=1180232688&sr=1-3)

[gnznroses]

Well you could always run an optical cable from your PS3 to the receiver. You don't have to send video through it at all.

that's what i was gonna say. i just run hdmi to my tv, and use an optical audio cable to my receiver

[Krad]

I didn't see any of the linked products but from what all my Audiophile friends tell me, BOSE is NOT the way to go, ever. They're all bark but no bite.

[saud264]

Yesterday I Purchase these Home theater

philips HTS3110

http://www.consumer.philips.com/catalog/HT/HTS3110_98_webImage370.jpg

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/tree/en/sa/consumer/home_entertainment_gr_sa_consumer/dvd_home_theater_ca_sa_consumer/home_theater_su_sa_consumer/consumer__rs_features_home_av_cat__r_divx_ultra/ce/divx_ultra

What you think is it good?

[woundingchaney]

I didn't see any of the linked products but from what all my Audiophile friends tell me, BOSE is NOT the way to go, ever. They're all bark but no bite.

Bose seems to produce good highs but mid and lows are kind of a wash.

[Garfunkel]

that's the same thing i've heard wounding.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

that's what i was gonna say. i just run hdmi to my tv, and use an optical audio cable to my receiver

Do I have to buy the optical cable seperate or does one come with most sets?

[D3adcell]

You will have to buy one separate, they are pretty cheap. I got a monster cable for under 10$.

[gnznroses]

goto monoprice.com for all your cable needs.
that said i bought my audio cable at gamestop. it was i think $20-$30. i knew it was too high but didn't want to wait...