Computer speakers and receivers

[DaSuperhick]

Here is the deal. I have Logitech z540 5.1 speakers and they are connected to my comp, and I do like them for movies / games.

I was thinking of getting a receiver, such as Harman Kardon AVR146, and if possible I wouldn't want to buy new set of speakers for the receiver.

Does anyone know if it would be possible to connect those speakers to the receiver, and then have comp sound go through receiver and Logitech speakers?

I was thinking of getting the following mobo, which does have 1 x Optical and 1 x Coaxial out, if that matters:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128059

Here are the connectors for the speakers that I have (orange, black and green jacks):

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.a...tno=180&pgno=3

Here is the receiver that I was thinking of getting (there is a link for back view):

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...R%20146&sType=

Thanks for any help you can provide. Would be sweet if I could use those speakers.

[soupnazi]

Just curious, what will be the main goal of the receiver? The reason I ask you'll be amplifying the speakers twice which isn't good to do and the PC speakers will be your bottleneck. (Kinda like using a Core 2 Duo with a Geforce 1 which is a waste of money)

[DaSuperhick]

Well I was thinking of running everything through it, like connect DVD, HD-PVR (hd cable tv), puter..

The idea is to run all the audio / video through that receiver, to make things easier.. and then just use one set of speakers, and the only ones I have are those Logitech z-640s.

However, I do not have much experience with setting up a HTPC, so any help is welcome.

Here is the set of components that I was thinking of getting, so the computer will be used for some gaming (SC 2 ), and lots of media.

- GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
- Intel Dual-Core E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail (with almost silent Skythe Katana 2 that I already have)
- A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
- MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256EZ HD GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail (heat pipes - silent)
- Cooler Master Centurion 5 case w/ Corsair VX-450W PSU

LCD, i was thinking this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889022029

For receiver I was thinking that Harman Kardon AVR 146 that I mentioned.

Going to have Ubuntu and Windows XP installed.

Thanks again for any suggestions

I will need a lot of help setting everything up heh.

[Hammerstein]

Soup! Good to see you on

Getting back to the original post, I agree with Soupnazi. There's no real reason to get a receiver to power a Logitech speaker set. The speakers are simply not in the same class as that receiver and, in fact, I'm not sure if they will work.

I'm not sure because multimedia speakers are usually 4 ohms, and a search of the HK manual for the receiver you mention does not state that it can drive 4 ohm loads. While there's a good chance that it might be able to, it's also very possible that the receiver doesn't have the necessary circuit protection and/or heat dissipation to handle the extra heat produced by a lower impedence speaker (<6 ohms is considered v. low nominal impedence for speakers).

If you are looking to upgrade your audio piece by piece to a better setup, I would suggest saving your money and purchasing your receiver and proper (read: non-multimedia speakers designed for conventional amplifiers) when you have enough to at least get 2 bookshelves/floorstanders. That way you can enjoy your receiver from the start.

[Candyman]

Originally Posted by DaSuperhick

Here is the deal. I have Logitech z540 5.1 speakers and they are connected to my comp, and I do like them for movies / games.

I was thinking of getting a receiver, such as Harman Kardon AVR146, and if possible I wouldn't want to buy new set of speakers for the receiver.

Does anyone know if it would be possible to connect those speakers to the receiver, and then have comp sound go through receiver and Logitech speakers?

I would strongly recommend that you not do that. I mean, it is technically possible, given sufficient adapters and cables and rewiring of things. There would likely be soldering involved. It's just really not worth the time and energy involved in doing it (and may end up being dangerous to your speakers and new receiver).

Trust us, you want real speakers. Not only will they work the way they are supposed to with a receiver, they will also sound significantly better. Something like these speakers with this or this subwoofer would start you off nicely (if you're in a hurry and want something cheap). Honestly, you could probably do without a sub and still get more bass than with the Z-540.

[kent1146]

People have said it many times before, so I'll just repeat what they said... don't put your Logitech speakers through a receiver.

What is the reason you want to use a receiver anyway? It sounds to me like you want to put everything through a receiver as a "nice-to-have" novelty, rather than having a practical use.

I'd recommend that you do one of three things:

1) If you want a receiver and speakers to power your home theatre (HDTV, DVD player, console gaming systems, etc) then get a receiver and speakers, or a HTIAB system. Keep your computer speakers separately.

2) If you are trying to improve the sound quality you get out of your computer, then save up around $200-$300, and get yourself a dedicated sound card and nice set of headphones+amp. The sound quality you get from this setup will rival a receiver/speaker setup that costs 5x-10x as much. Something like a Chaintech AV-710 sound card ($25), a PiMeta amp ($100), and a set of Sennheiser HD-580s ($150) will be like porn for your ears.

3) Do nothing, and keep what you have now. This may be your best option, because it costs you nothing, and will sound better than if you try to put your Logitech speakers through a receiver.

[DaSuperhick]

Sounds good

Receiver and Logitech speakers are no go.

Thanks for all your help.

[Hammerstein]

Sorry

But, do consider getting that receiver and some high quality speakers meant to be used with it! Harmon-Kardonss are almost universally excellent.

[SprySpectre]

Originally Posted by DaSuperhick

Sounds good

Receiver and Logitech speakers are no go.

Thanks for all your help.

I'm guessing you won't be back to check this...but I'll give you my thoughts regardless.

If you want to get that receiver (which I think is a pretty decent receiver for what you'll be using it for), do get a cheap set of speakers. Honestly, a 25 year old pair you pick up for $10 at a Goodwill or similar type store can sound as good as your logitechs...but as always, try before you buy! Also, there are some great deals to be had at local garage sales, estate sales, etc... You might also want to check craigslist--once and a while there are some pretty killer deals there as well. It may take a few weeks to find something worthwhile, but your patience will pay off in the long run.

[Hammerstein]

I meant to to post this yesterday night (reaaallly late EST), but the Bestbuy website was down for updates. I feel that this is worth posting just in case either the original poster or a later reader is wondering about the same question.

Anyways, a good starter system would be a reciever like the one linked to in the original post, plus these:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138085354138

They're not very expensive but apparently they're quite good for the price and I think many BB stores carry them.

Even Firingsquad has a review here: http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/...b-2111_review/

And there are many other favorable reviews, especially considering the sub $100 price on these Insignias.

[DaSuperhick]

Thanks for the additional information. It is interesting that those speakers were 50 bux last year, and now they are 76.. it shows how popular they are.

I actually have a set of 12 year old Pioneer bookshelf speakers (laminated wood, made in USA! ), that are 8 ohms and 70W. They do sound OK.

If I am to get a receiver it is going to be only for music, so games / movies will go through 5.1 Logitech speakers. I do not see getting another 5 speakers for the receiver. That would make it 12 speakers in the leaving room, which is a bit excessive

Now I think that setting up a HK receiver with 5.1 speaker system with good speakers would be the best solution, but it will cost a lot to get a sub, a central speaker, and at least 2 more floor standing ones.

Is that what would be the best?

Thanks again!

[Hammerstein]

Conventional home audio/HT speakers with a receiver or a pre-amplifier + power amplifier setup are the best choice for sound quality, but if you don't want to spend that much you could definitely do a set of bookshelf speakers for music + your Logitechs for games and movies.

On the other hand, if you would be satisfied with just 2 main speakers for a music system but definitely want to open the possibility of higher quality speakers (including the Pioneers you mentioned above) for a low price, you could get an extremely high quality integrated amplifier that will do so for $200 (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...ailsComponent). That Pioneer Elite model is great for the price and is kind of a sleeper bargain, and it will be better than most receivers you can get at a normal electronics store and certainly superior to any receiver available for a similar price.

Although the Elite is only 45 watts into 8 ohms speakers, that is more than enough at sitting position for a PC user, unless you intend to drive yourself deaf (even relatively inefficient speakers will be able to hit 110 dB at the 20" or so you're from your speakers with only a few watts put into them).

In addition, keep in mind that the Pioneer is only an Integrated Amp, which means that it can do audio component switching but CANNOT handle video or radio tuner duties. Nevertheless, it'd be a great choice for some quality bookshelves.