5.1 sound...worth it?

Thanks guys...i wasn't even thinking about usable volume, i got so into the 4.1 vs. 5.1 argument that i forgot about the room size i'm planning to use it in.

We're talking college dorm room here, so basically it needs to be able to get loud on weekends, but nothing like what the promedia and the 3500's seem to be capable of, so power shouldnt be a problem.

If the kpm's costs the same as the midi's, though, then i'll probably just go with those instead...basically the same quality with more power, is what it sounds like to me. Still, it's tempting to just drop down to the 2200's with a mp3 5.1, as mayhem suggested for a value setup...poor college kids cant always afford the high end stuff, and i'm in the position of being able to, but only if i pay my plastic back for it over a few months.

Tough choice....thanks for all the people who gave me their input.

Now that a lot of people've mentioned midiland, is anyone familiar enough with their product line to tell me the basic differences between their speaker setups, in terms of cost, features, and power...? Which ones are worth the money, which ones arent, which ones are incredible deals, which ones are bad buys...that kind of thing?

To Dave's question:
"Has anyone actually had both...or experienced both? The klipsch and a
good quality low-end 5.1 setup?

Dave."

I've listened to 5.1 and 4 ch speakers ranging from $80 to over $300 in price listening to music, games and DVD. I am convinced of two things:

1) The quality of the speaker is much more important than whether it is 4 or 5.1 channels, even for DVD's.

2) The sound card is equally important.

After playing with MIDILand, VideoLogic and Klipch speakers and hearing how bad the new Creative speakers are from several friends I bought the Klipsch Promedia's and love them. They sound way better than most living room systems the subwoofer rocks! and they sound great even with it turned off!

I just installed the new Philips Acoustic Edge 5.1 sound card and it gives a whole new meaning to surround sound. Unlike the SBLive 5.1 I played with a few weeks ago it actually creates 5.1 channels even for music. Different sounds actually come out of the rear speakers! And the virtualization is so great sometimes I put it in 2 speaker mode to hear the cool 3d effects.

For me I'm in heaven with only 4 speaker channels, but I'm also glad to know my card will go to 5.1 when Klipsch or someone else comes out with the right 5.1 speakers system.

Quote:

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Originally posted by soundjunkey:
To Dave's question:
"Has anyone actually had both...or experienced both? The klipsch and a
good quality low-end 5.1 setup?

Dave."

I've listened to 5.1 and 4 ch speakers ranging from $80 to over $300 in price listening to music, games and DVD. I am convinced of two things:

1) The quality of the speaker is much more important than whether it is 4 or 5.1 channels, even for DVD's.

2) The sound card is equally important.

After playing with MIDILand, VideoLogic and Klipch speakers and hearing how bad the new Creative speakers are from several friends I bought the Klipsch Promedia's and love them. They sound way better than most living room systems the subwoofer rocks! and they sound great even with it turned off!

I just installed the new Philips Acoustic Edge 5.1 sound card and it gives a whole new meaning to surround sound. Unlike the SBLive 5.1 I played with a few weeks ago it actually creates 5.1 channels even for music. Different sounds actually come out of the rear speakers! And the virtualization is so great sometimes I put it in 2 speaker mode to hear the cool 3d effects.

For me I'm in heaven with only 4 speaker channels, but I'm also glad to know my card will go to 5.1 when Klipsch or someone else comes out with the right 5.1 speakers system.

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Hey, but then why use a 5.1 capable soundcard for 4.1 speakers?

Given that the speaker quality and the soundcard quality are both important, why go with a 4.1 system? Are you saying that the 4.1 klipsch are much better quality speakers than the 5.1 speakers discussed in this thread? Everyone i've talked to says the midilands are definitely high quality speakers...and many say that about the cambridgeworks ones as well, although mayhem adds that they're not worth the extra money you pay for one of them.

Do you have a specific reason for preferring the klipsch over the midiland 5.1 setup...?

Thanks for the info/ on the philips soundcard, though...i was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. How do you think it stacks up against the sblive series...do you like it better than the sblive plat?

Dave.

Dave,

"Hey, but then why use a 5.1 capable soundcard for 4.1 speakers?"
-Because none of the other 4 ch card (except Philips) generate different sound for the rear speakers (except for 3d audio games). Philips makes a 4 ch card but for $20 more you get a lot of extra features, their newest accelerator and capability for 5.1 in the future.

"Do you have a specific reason for preferring the klipsch over the midiland 5.1 setup...?"
I've heard the 8100's are pretty good but that the Klipsch are better for gaming . . . they have more power and a stronger sub and mid-range . . . but this may be personal taste. I've only personally used the 7100's which are not even in the same class but the 8100's are supposed to be much better.

"How do you think it stacks up against the sblive series...do you like it better than the sblive plat?"

All the 5.1 SBLives versions are exactly the same card and very similar to the original 4ch SBLives . . . I was suprised to find they don't have any new features except a center and LFE out. Unless your in love with the Platinum connector box for your drive bay the Acoustic has a lot more features. Check out the Acoustic reviews on sharkyextreme, gamersdepot and happypuppy.

Good Luck!

The 5.1 setup is a good idea, although mst of the sound systems run a phantom centre channel, and dont really need it.

I saw a quote that said playing mp3's was good with the 5.1. Well no, the sound is great, but the base is lacking.

I wouldnt go for the Cambridge, basically, they are a user level speaker and arent any good. The Klipsch, Boston or even Altec lansings are great for games and movies.

Games are great, especially first shooters where you can hear a person walking behind you.

Its your call though. they are your ears, not other peoples, but dont expect music performance

First of all, thanks to everyone who posted, especially mayhem and soundjunkie. Your posts were very helpful...

Quote:

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Originally posted by flutguts:
The 5.1 setup is a good idea, although mst of the sound systems run a phantom centre channel, and dont really need it.

I saw a quote that said playing mp3's was good with the 5.1. Well no, the sound is great, but the base is lacking.

I wouldnt go for the Cambridge, basically, they are a user level speaker and arent any good. The Klipsch, Boston or even Altec lansings are great for games and movies.

Games are great, especially first shooters where you can hear a person walking behind you.

Its your call though. they are your ears, not other peoples, but dont expect music performance

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Are you talking about 5.1 speakers in general, or the midilands in particular, or...? I've heard that the BA 5.1 setups are great for music, and the Klipsch is supposed to have really good bass response, for anything...how much bass do you want?

-D.

I tried 3 Midiland products and FPS2000 from Cambridge soundworks. I loved Midiland's S4 7100 setup, and Cambridge's subwoofer did a nice overall job as well. It seems the S4 speakers are better than the FPS2000 but I liked the more "boom" in the FPS2000 subwoofer, although quality wise, I think the subwoofer on the midiland was great, it's hard to describe it, but the subwoofer produces a cleaner boom, but depending on your taste, you might prefer to sacrifice some of that for the different "feel" you get using the FPS2000 subwoofer.

I dunno, thought I'd just babble about my experience with the two setups.

I guess it doesn't matter now that Klipsch has come out with a 5.1 setup and with a more powerful sub to boot. I'm kinda suprised the center chanell is so much like the other front speakers. But since the rear speakers are different, that's cool.