5.1 Speaker Possibly AV Setup - £3-400.

[GUI]

So I was looking at getting some logitech z-5500's for my computer, i've had Creative Gigaworks S750's before and they were pretty unreliable. I've read posts saying that I could get a much better audio solution in the form of a real HIFI system and of course this has got to be true. But is there a solution that can deliver excellent bass for music (i do like a powerful subwoofer) and crisp audio for around the £3-400 mark. I'll be looking to buy in January so have a little time to try and organise something.

I'd ideally like to have my Shuttle PC connected via SPDIF (Optical) as i've never stepped into this digital audio realm, I also believe an xbox 360 can be connected this way? I would like this feature... the question is, can anyone help me!

I have a 37" Hannspree TV atm which is going to have to do for now! I have my PC connected via HDMI presently for watching movies etc. Also open to 7.1 or even 7.2 if its in range but I doubt it!

What solutions are out there?

Many thanks for taking the time to help!

[Dazzor]

Originally Posted by GUI

So I was looking at getting some logitech z-5500's for my computer, i've had Creative Gigaworks S750's before and they were pretty unreliable. I've read posts saying that I could get a much better audio solution in the form of a real HIFI system and of course this has got to be true. But is there a solution that can deliver excellent bass for music (i do like a powerful subwoofer) and crisp audio for around the £3-400 mark. I'll be looking to buy in January so have a little time to try and organise something.

I'd ideally like to have my Shuttle PC connected via SPDIF (Optical) as i've never stepped into this digital audio realm, I also believe an xbox 360 can be connected this way? I would like this feature... the question is, can anyone help me!

I have a 37" Hannspree TV atm which is going to have to do for now! I have my PC connected via HDMI presently for watching movies etc. Also open to 7.1 or even 7.2 if its in range but I doubt it!

What solutions are out there?

Many thanks for taking the time to help!

Hello and welcome to AVF's.

I've never heard the Z-5500 in action but it does seem to get great reviews and feedback. I guess you've got to be mindful that it only costs about £200-250 and really that's not a lot when aspiring to audio Nirvana.

If you want a better set-up then perhaps it might be an idea to blow your budget on a simple 2.0 set-up now (AMP and the front 2) and build upon that as your funds allow down the line?.

Also, have you considered buying second-hand kit? This Yamaha amp went for £180 for example and these Monitor Audio RS1's went for £190.

Just an idea.

All the best
D

[GUI]

Hi Dazzor, thanks for the reply. Its quite informative... and I suppose a good 2.0 system would be impressive...

I am into multitrack recording etc and was previously looking at some m-audio audiophiles, are they worth the money when comparedto something like the rs1's?

How should I go about finding an amp, usually when purchasing anything I know a little more about things and can evaluate that way but really a novice on hi-fi audio... I can usually find something I want then try get a deal on it second hand. Second hand would not be a problem at all, maybe I should scout the sales boards to get a feel.

Any other input appreciated!

[GUI]

And regarding optical spdif, is just this an input for the audio source or can speakres be connected through such digital media? And is it worth it? lol.

[GUI]

Just read some posts #10 & #11 on here Using high end stereo as part of surround sound setup for TV viewing?

Should I maybe go for a stereo setup with that budget instead? Pain being that my pc and tv are on completely different walls lol. Nevermind.

[Dazzor]

Evening GUI,

Mmm? lots to think about.

I guess what you really need to do is answer a few critical questions like:

Q: Is this system going to be mainly for music, films/TV or games? (Perhaps an equal measure of all, i.e 33% for each)

Q: What is the absolute maximum budget (This always goes up)

Q: How much space am I prepared to give to this potential system? (Floorstanders, standmounts or wall-mounted satellites speakers for example)

Once you've got these type of things straight in your mind I think you should be able to rule some kit out, like using a stereo amp in conjunction with an AV Amp perhaps. It may well be that you are happy with just using a stereo amp as music is far more important and you're not bothered about true 5.1 decoding/processing?

Personally I wanted one box (Amp) to be reasonably good at it all and I didn't want another box (Stereo Amp) cluttering up my Av stand so I broke the bank and bought a Yamaha Z7

Optical connection is pretty much a must if say for example you want to get the best (5.1) from your Sky box, not even SKY HD does DD over HDMI, it has to be optical.

I know next to nothing compared to most of the good folk on these forums, so I advise you get some more input on here if you can. I've never heard of the Audio-M range, do you mean these? If so my advice would be to audition them first if at all possible. Are you based in the US? If so then check them out, if you're from the UK I would avoid getting speakers from so far away, if they go wrong repairs could be a logistical nightmare.

Hope all this helps; good luck and have fun shopping

D

[GUI]

Probably about 45% music, 50% tv/film, 5% gaming. I do love good sound though. hmmm.... I dont really fancy having 2 things so would like something that is a swiss army knife of an amp lol.

+ wow at the price of that Yamaha Z7 lol.

[GUI]

Ahhh this student budget isn't enough, I just laid my eyes on Some Klipsch Ultra2 THX speakers but I think the setup would cost me £5000 :'( lol.

[Dazzor]

Originally Posted by GUI

Probably about 45% music, 50% tv/film, 5% gaming. I do love good sound though. hmmm.... I dont really fancy having 2 things so would like something that is a swiss army knife of an amp lol.

+ wow at the price of that Yamaha Z7 lol.

Well based on this info I think your best bet is to have a hunt on the classified sections of this forum and keep an eye out for the best AV amp and front 2 speakers you can get for your budget and then later build on that when the money's there for a complete 5.1 set-up.

Like I said earlier, I'm not that clued up but I would suggest you look out for a Denon or Yamaha Amp. You've not said whether HDMI is important to you? (HDMI is must if you do eventually want the latest codecs like True HD audio) If not then you could get a really good older Amp with some real serious clout in terms of sound qaulity, like the DSP A1 you missed out on

I just had a look on the classifieds and saw your post on the DSP A1, this tells me you're certainly on the right track

Speakers wise it's very subjective in terms of tatse. Most folk seem to think that bright/forward sounding speakers like Monitor audio go well with Denon and Yam amps and are not for the likes of clinical-sounding amps like Onkyo. Basically if you want decent music too then leave Onkyo amps well alone...well this seems to be the general consensus, I'm sure there's plenty of people out there that are happy with music on their Onkyo's.


If you do need more info I suggest you move away from this AIO forum and use the AV Amplifiers & Receivers forum and the Speakers forum

Well Fella, it looks like you have a clearer picture about the kit you need to tick your boxes, good luck and let us know how you get on.

[William YZF-R1]

Originally Posted by GUI

So I was looking at getting some logitech z-5500's for my computer, i've had Creative Gigaworks S750's before and they were pretty unreliable. I've read posts saying that I could get a much better audio solution in the form of a real HIFI system and of course this has got to be true. But is there a solution that can deliver excellent bass for music (i do like a powerful subwoofer) and crisp audio for around the £3-400 mark. I'll be looking to buy in January so have a little time to try and organise something.

I'd ideally like to have my Shuttle PC connected via SPDIF (Optical) as i've never stepped into this digital audio realm, I also believe an xbox 360 can be connected this way? I would like this feature... the question is, can anyone help me!

I have a 37" Hannspree TV atm which is going to have to do for now! I have my PC connected via HDMI presently for watching movies etc. Also open to 7.1 or even 7.2 if its in range but I doubt it!

What solutions are out there?

Many thanks for taking the time to help!

I guess this is the wrong Forum to advocate seperates but anyway you are weighing up both options.

You have already mentioned HDMI & optical with the possibility of adding a 360 to the mix. Who knows down the line it could be a Blu-Ray player etc etc.

After 2 "All in Ones" it was the always the running out of vacant suitable inputs for the new extra bit of kit that finally made me see the light.

Personally, if budget only allows it, I would start off with a 5.1 or 7.1 AV Receiver even if it meant setting it up with just 2 stereo speakers. These Receivers can be set up with most combinations of speakers & with or without a sub.

This is the sort of input potential you get with a £400 AVR for example:

STR-DA2400ES

Even if you go the second hand AVR route you are guaranteed to have more input potential than an "all in one".

New HDMI & HD sound capable AVR's start from about £270.

[Dazzor]

Originally Posted by GUI

I've read posts saying that I could get a much better audio solution in the form of a real HIFI system and of course this has got to be true.

Originally Posted by William YZF-R1

I guess this is the wrong Forum to advocate seperates but anyway you are weighing up both options.

Totally agree it's just that the OP seemed to be expressing an interest in separates from the off.

Anyway, GUI, listen to William, he's one of the good folk I mentioned earlier that knows shed-loads more than a relative newbie such as I