Computer speakers vs. Home Theater System

[IronHell]

I am looking at buying new speakers for my computer. I am tempted to buy the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 but then also thought about hooking up a stereo system (which I can get off ebay for about the same cost). I am just wondering if you guys have any input, ie the quality, what I'll need to hook up a home theater to my computer(receiver...and speakers that it?) What are the advantages and disadvantages. I can get for example the Sony Dream System for $330.

Please help, thanks

[sho.gun]

I would just go with the logitech z560 speakers, $140 at newegg. No need to spend that much money on a klipsch, yet alone a home theater setup.

[LPMiller]

Originally posted by IronHell
I am looking at buying new speakers for my computer. I am tempted to buy the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 but then also thought about hooking up a stereo system (which I can get off ebay for about the same cost). I am just wondering if you guys have any input, ie the quality, what I'll need to hook up a home theater to my computer(receiver...and speakers that it?) What are the advantages and disadvantages. I can get for example the Sony Dream System for $330.

Please help, thanks

while its not that hard to snake a line from your sound card to a reciever, distance matters. Plus, depending on your sound card, you might find that music will generally sound better being pumped directly to speakers, like the Promedias or the Logitechs, then going through the sound card, then through the receiver.

[DeepFreeze]

they generally have better sound. and if you can, use a digital output, and let the receiver decode all the info thru its built in DAC...... i use a pioneer elite, with all digital signal. rocks the sht out of any pc speakers known to man.

[bissond]

I need to step in here!

It seems that none of you have ever used the Klipsch 5.1 Promedia! ($399)

I have this beautiful 500 watt system coupled with a Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum ($166.00)

The sound is fantastic, and the Audigy card decodes everything... THX 5.1 Dolby Digital, DTS, EAX HD, ... etc.

I have this hooked up to my DVD player through Digital Out (Go with the coax... cable is cheap and the sound is the same. If you are running it more than 50 feet, go with optical cables).

Now I watch all my movies on the Toshiba 57" widescreen 16:9 HDTV with Awesome 5.1 surround.

-Evil Lord Drewcifer:angry:

[DeepFreeze]

I know sony speakers that cost <$400 that would rock those klipsch speakers. period. and they are less after taxes. ssmbXXX series. best buy carries them. fully shielded(in the sense of the word). handles 100 watts max. 50 watts root mean square.

[ArkiStan]

Originally posted by DeepFreeze
they generally have better sound. and if you can, use a digital output, and let the receiver decode all the info thru its built in DAC......

so you're saying that there are soundcards with optical/coaxial outputs so you can connect your surround home receiver? In that case is that used mostly for playing DVD movies on your comp or are there also games that support surround sound?

[bissond]

Lot's of games support surround sound, and I could watch DVD's on my computer, but I use the computer as my reciever.

I have a Sound Blaster Platinum card that does all my 5.1 Decoding. It has Optical in and out and coax in and out.

I run the audio out from my DVD player (not DVD-ROM drive) to my SB Platinum through the coax or optical input. Then the sound card decodes and pumps out the sound to the 5.1 Klipsch speakers (which plug into the back of the computer sound card. (Three digital stereo cables (R/L front, R/L surround, Center/Sub). These three cables run to the subwoofer which has speaker wire hookups for the actual speakers (R/L Front, R/L surround, and Center)

See. =)

This way my speakers are 500 watt all purpose. I use them for everything. Music, Computer, DVD, Gamecube... etc. EVERYTHING. =)


Also, the Sound Blaster Audigy has a 5 1/4 drive box that has all the input and outputs in addition to the card in the back of the tower.

I don't know if that clears anything up or not...
-Drew


PS. What would be an equivilant or better sounding set up for for ~$400 (5.1 Home Audio speakers instead of the Klipsch Promedia Computer speakers)?

[ArkiStan]

Hehe, actually you didn't really answer my question. You just described your setup. But thanks though. ;)

My question said I ALREADY had a home theater receiver. So I wouldn't need the SB Platinum to act as a receiver. In this case, can I just get some kind of soundcard with coaxial/optical output to connect to my home theater receiver and play my games in 5.1? If so what kind of soundcards are there out there that will do that?

And what are some computer games that support 5.1 surround ??

[Leon]

NewEgg has the SB Live 5.1 OEM for $32, I think.

I think they sell daughter cards for the SB Live! that has digital out.

edit: Found it!

http://www.hoontech.com/english/photos/sbdb3.gif

- compatible with all versions of the SB Live! and with the SB Audigy
- one optical S/PDIF output (Toslink - 48kHz on the SB Live!; also 44.1kHz with the SB Audigy)
- one coaxial S/PDIF output (RCA - 48kHz on the SB Live!; also 44.1kHz with the SB Audigy) on main bracket
- two coaxial S/PDIF outputs for Front & Rear channels (RCA - 48kHz on the SB Live!; also 44.1kHz with the SB Audigy) on included seperate bracket
- one optical S/PDIF input (Toslink - 32, 44.1 & 48kHz)
- one coaxial S/PDIF input (RCA - 32, 44.1 & 48kHz)
- internal 2pin S/PDIF input
- AES/EBU in- and outputs available via optional adapter cables
- can be used to transfer digital data to virtually any S/PDIF devices (DAT- or MD-recorders for example)
- supports the output of AC-3 (Dolby Digital) data streams
- no additional driver software needed

MSRP: $34

http://www.hoontech.com/english/index.html

[ArkiStan]

wow. cheaper than I expected. So it looks like I need a SB Live or Audigy already in order to use that. I can't remember what kind of soundcard I have... Anybody know any good games that support 5.1ch surround?

[DeepFreeze]

use a receiver for digital decoding. is the same reason us overclockers and gamerzdont use M/b with onboard video for games like RtCW and Quake 3. We know it wont process as fast as we want , when a seperate video card will do better.

Your receiver is better for digital decoding thatn almost any sound card made these days, Period.

that card you need, has two purposes, to allow you to send a digital signal to your receiver. thats what i do. my pioneer elite DAC and built in DSP smashes any sound card you can name. its thx certified, not that i care, but i know it sounds good.

my point is. get a decent sound card, not the best