[Joonyer]

Hi all

I'm on the hunt for speakers for my LG TV for obvious reasons. I've been looking at mainly 2.1 systems (largely between the Logitech Z623 and the Soundsticks III despite the latter looking ridiculous) but then stumbled across the Creative T40 series II.

It got me wondering - I've seen a lot of opinions on this forum regarding cheap 2.1s being inferior to 2.0 setups. As much as I'd like the "deep" bass for DVDs, I have to consider that we have neighbours with kids and I don't want to be a nuisance, nor do I want bass which takes over everything.

I've never had speakers without a sub - is it reasonable to assume that for my £100ish budget, I'd be better off getting the best 2.0 I can afford? Would such speakers still be good enough for the full range of sound in DVDs for example? I just want to avoid the vibration I get with the TV speaker (even when people are just talking sometimes).

Any suggestions welcomed, I don't know whether to just get the Logitechs and have the bass down low, or a similarly priced 2.0 set up!

cheers
Matt

[StevieBuck]

You’d need large floorstanding speakers to get anywhere near full range playback. You won’t get a new pair of these + an amplifier for £100.

Have you checked how you will connect the speakers to the TV? LG sets tend to just have a digital connection for the primary audio output. Unless the TV also has a headphone output, you may need to add a signal converter.

[Joonyer]

Originally Posted by StevieBuck

You’d need large floorstanding speakers to get anywhere near full range playback. You won’t get a new pair of these + an amplifier for £100.

Have you checked how you will connect the speakers to the TV? LG sets tend to just have a digital connection for the primary audio output. Unless the TV also has a headphone output, you may need to add a signal converter.

Apologies but I think I've used the wrong terminology here When it comes to audio, I know probably less than most toddlers. By the full range I just meant to be able to have a film on and not have the telly speakers vibrating if there's a particularly deep bit of music, or during dialogue etc. So speakers which can handle the bass/mid/treble without struggling. I'm no audiophile, I'm not interested in spending hundreds of pounds, I just want an improvement on the TV speakers.

I've bought a DAC and a cable for it and my TV allows me to specify PCM for the digital output, so my understanding was that I can then hook up some PC speakers to this DAC via RCA (or use an RCA to 3.5mm converter thing on the speaker jack) - please correct me if I'm wrong.

Is there any advantage in using RCA from speakers ->DAC instead of the 3.5mm minijack or do they achieve the same thing?

Basically I'm just trying to clarify whether I should just get some £100 2.0 speakers, or a similarly priced 2.1 set. If the 2.0s can handle DVDs without distortion at reasonable volume then I guess I don't need a sub. Any thoughts welcome

cheers
Matt

*edit* Would I be better off with something like this?
http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...ed=0CH0Q8wIwAA

Than for example the Logitech Z623s (200w RMS including sub - but I gather the RMS isn't as relevant as I used to assume)

[Albedo]

If I understand correctly you don't have any amplifier, so you need powered speakers, is that right ?

I can't think of a decent pair of powered speakers for 100£, and it's even less possible if you add a sub for the same price. You could check this though, I've heard good things about it and it's a bit under 100£.

Another solution you could consider would be to buy an old quality amp (I've offered a gorgeous 70's Marantz receiver to my mother last year, it shames a lot of current amps and cost me peanuts) and passive speakers (2d hand as well or special offers from a retailer). You won't get any remote though, which is annoying.

[Joonyer]

I believe the Logitech Z623s have a built in amplifier unless I've misunderstood the terminology...

[Albedo]

Originally Posted by Joonyer

I believe the Logitech Z623s have a built in amplifier unless I've misunderstood the terminology...

Yes they have.

[Joonyer]

Currys were doing them as a "web exclusive" offer of £100 for the last few days but today they seem to have gone back up to £130... also Amazon had them for a tonne but they're £110 now.

You snooze you lose, how annoying. Amazon it is then.

cheers fella

Matt

[neoELITE]

What about something like this
Superfi - PIONEER DCSFS303 DVD/HOME CINEMA SYSTEM
It has RCA inputs.

It's DVD so obviously won't play blu-ray but it might be a good idea to take a look at the 2.1 all-in-one DVD sets you can get with an appropriate input for your TV.

Or even a soundbar - easily bought for under £100 and an improvement on your TV speakers.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/...3/phil-css2123

[Joonyer]

That looks pretty decent - my ignorance of the subject works against me here. I kinda assumed that an "all in" DVD player/speaker setup for £100 would have to be inferior to a set of just speakers costing the same, due to the value of the DVD player etc.

I'm not bothered about blu-ray, I've never even seen one let alone bought one so that's not a problem. Is it safe to assume that a kit like that will usually have decent audio quality?

My TV has no RCA outs, just digital but I've bought a DAC (arriving this week) so that counters the issue. I could get the Logitechs refurbed for £70 (apparently looking as good as new) or I could get that pioneer... hmm!

thanks
Matt

[neoELITE]

I've had a look and this looks pretty good.
Sony BDVEF200 Black | 2.1 Blu-ray Package System inc. Speakers | Richer Sounds
It would do exactly what you want and you can play DVDs on a blu-ray player and it upscales the DVD so it will look better on your TV.
It's a bit more money but it's networkable and it'll give you the option to use apps like iplayer and youtube.

Most of these all-in-one systems use speakers that aren't as powerful as the traditional speakers and amp set-ups but they sound very good and they would match your requirements in your OP - i.e. not too powerful but better than your TV speakers.
Here's a review Sony BDV-EF200 review - Surround Sound System - Trusted Reviews
It's a review based upon the system when it was almost £300 so at the new price, it'd score higher.

If your TV supports ARC, you can plug this in with a cheap hdmi channel and it'll act as the speakers for your TV - like you wanted and it's a media hub.