Home theater or pc speakers.

[JDC]

I'm thinking of upgrading my audio components and am not sure if I should get a 5.1 system for a pc or get a home theater 5.1 system and connect it to my pc. I'm not looking for anything really expensive, but something to watch mostly movies, play some games, and to connect a console(i.e. PS2).

I was looking at KLH, I presume they are on the lower end of the quality spectrum but seem to offer lots of features for a low price. In particular I was looking at the 500-watt receiver and 6 piece speaker and subwoofer set they offer. This would run about $350.

But I also saw the Creative Inspire 5700 that looked decent. I liked the fact they have a mini "reciever" that allows for greater connectivity compared to other speaker systems. I know the Creative system doesn't have a huge power output like the Logitech's or Klipsch but I'm not going to be listening to stuff at really high volumes.

So I was wondering what you guys think about doing, home theater or good pc speakers. I'm kind of leaning toward home theater because it offers much more options plus I would have a am/fm tuner, something I'd really like to have. I don't have a lot of money to spend so my budget is about $375-$400.

[CrawlingEye]

Not expensive = pc speakers.
Expensive = home theatre.

The problem with using a home theatre system for your computer is that you can't keep the receiver on all the time, otherwise it'll overheat and turn itself off, or get damaged...

[JDC]

I don't think that would be that big a deal right? I mean I'm not going to have the reciever on if I don't use it, that would be a waste. And I don't listen to music all day so I don't have to worry about over-heating and damaging components.

But you don't think I can find an inexpensive home theater setup that can sound maybe as good as some high-end pc speaker systems?

[CrawlingEye]

Well, you might be able to. I haven't bought any home theatre stuff in a while, since I pretty much have all I need.

I don't even use my home theatre system for my computer, all though I have, and was quite impressed.

Perhaps a technics receivers would fit into your price budget with a Bose speaker package?

Bose has been lowering the prices on their packages, last I knew.
Just shop around at best buy, or somewhere like it.

[Isezumi]

Hey JDC I am in the works for the same thing (was even thinking KLH too). Although there is nothing wrong with multimedia speakers, you are kinda stuck with what you buy, you cant disassemble the pieces, with home theater you can always buy better speakers or an Amp, etc. Its price v.performance v. flexibility.

[carpethead]

do not get the inspire 5700, they lack thump..... go for z560s, and mod a 5th speaker, or get klipish 5.1... but DO NOT get the inspire, they suck!

[CrawlingEye]

That was productive, carpethead. :rolleyes:

[aeflux66]

You're better off getting a "PC" system if you want to stay under $400. And guess what... the Klipsch Promedia 5.1's are $400 (no sales tax; no shipping or handling if you live outside of CA) over at www.newegg.com

Now people will tell you that the Promedia's had problems (which they did -- as with most higher end systems) with some of their shipments. These were shipments "J" and below; I received shipment "M" from newegg.

I'm not going to tell you to just buy this system because I like it... check out some other reviews for yourself. But when you hear these speakers, you'll think you did buy a home theater system. In fact when I first had some friends over to watch DVD's (on a set-top player, not a DVD-ROM) I had these hooked up in the living room. They couldn't believe I bought this system for $400 flat, they thought I was joking. The bass is well-defined and the satellites produce some of the cleanest response in all ranges.

The only drawback is that these speakers don't come with a digital receiver and you'll have to buy one seperately unless you already have one. Actually it's very simple to line into any receiver -- all you need is 3 mini-plug to RCA "Y" adapters, about $3 each at your local Radio Shack. You'd still be able to have an AM/FM receiver as well.

I'd recommend these speakers to anyone looking to spend upwards to $500 for a seriously decent home theater/PC system.

[pbirkett]

Personally, if I were you, I would go into the second hand market to look for Home Cinema amps. You'll find some good bargains there.

My mate got a respectable Kenwood amp for about $180, that kicks out 90wpc and has Dolby Digital DTS capabilities. Then, you could go for a cheapish (again, look second hand) speaker sets. You could probably find a decent speaker set, 2nd hand for about $200 - $300.

OK, that little lot will never set the world on fire in terms of sound quality, but, IMO it will sound a whole lot better than ANY PC speaker setup out there. My mates system sounds very impressive for the money. OK, you will have to spend a bit on interconnects too, but all in all, not much more money than a PM5.1 setup, and with probably significantly better sound for the money.

Paul

[blppt]

Originally posted by JDC
I'm thinking of upgrading my audio components and am not sure if I should get a 5.1 system for a pc or get a home theater 5.1 system and connect it to my pc. I'm not looking for anything really expensive, but something to watch mostly movies, play some games, and to connect a console(i.e. PS2).

I was looking at KLH, I presume they are on the lower end of the quality spectrum but seem to offer lots of features for a low price. In particular I was looking at the 500-watt receiver and 6 piece speaker and subwoofer set they offer. This would run about $350.

But I also saw the Creative Inspire 5700 that looked decent. I liked the fact they have a mini "reciever" that allows for greater connectivity compared to other speaker systems. I know the Creative system doesn't have a huge power output like the Logitech's or Klipsch but I'm not going to be listening to stuff at really high volumes.

So I was wondering what you guys think about doing, home theater or good pc speakers. I'm kind of leaning toward home theater because it offers much more options plus I would have a am/fm tuner, something I'd really like to have. I don't have a lot of money to spend so my budget is about $375-$400.

You cant really get anything great thats new in the HT world for that amount of money...unless you really need something for your TV and PS2, i would get the Promedia 5.1s. Unless you want to buy used or (shudder) buy an AIWA or RCA home theater package....you could also get a radio card for your computer if you got the Promedias, though i'm not up on how sensitive they are at picking up stations. They generally run around $50 though (includes a TV tuner as well), so factor that into your price.

[EnterTheSwamp]

Originally posted by aeflux66
You're better off getting a "PC" system if you want to stay under $400. And guess what... the Klipsch Promedia 5.1's are $400 (no sales tax; no shipping or handling if you live outside of CA) over at www.newegg.com

Now people will tell you that the Promedia's had problems (which they did -- as with most higher end systems) with some of their shipments. These were shipments "J" and below; I received shipment "M" from newegg.

I'm not going to tell you to just buy this system because I like it... check out some other reviews for yourself. But when you hear these speakers, you'll think you did buy a home theater system. In fact when I first had some friends over to watch DVD's (on a set-top player, not a DVD-ROM) I had these hooked up in the living room. They couldn't believe I bought this system for $400 flat, they thought I was joking. The bass is well-defined and the satellites produce some of the cleanest response in all ranges.

The only drawback is that these speakers don't come with a digital receiver and you'll have to buy one seperately unless you already have one. Actually it's very simple to line into any receiver -- all you need is 3 mini-plug to RCA "Y" adapters, about $3 each at your local Radio Shack. You'd still be able to have an AM/FM receiver as well.

I'd recommend these speakers to anyone looking to spend upwards to $500 for a seriously decent home theater/PC system.

Wait hold on, you can't just plug in the klipsch into any reciever. It has to have pre amp outputs(non powered outputs). This is the setup that I have. Most recievers don't have them but there is a kenwood for about $150 I believe that had them. This I believe is the way to go since you can listen to the radio and connect them to your tv and dvd player. It is going to be hard to put together a system that can outperform the 5.1's in the hometheatre sector for $400. If your on a budget then get the klipsch, and a good amp, so when you get more cash you can use the klipsch as the comp speakers and you can keep the amp you have for the hometheatre. The klipsch will sound better than those bundled best buy packages.

[CrawlingEye]

No, you could.
You'd have to run it through your powered sub out, which wouldn't give you a full frequency response, but you could do it.

[JDC]

I was looking at this receiver. I have Logitech Z-560's right now and am looking to sell them, but in the mean time I wanted to connect them to a receiver. Is Technics a good company? I'm not familiar with home theater equipment so any input would be appreciated.

[CrawlingEye]

Technics is what I have, they're not exceptional, but they're at least average.
100 x 5 is your average home theatre system receiver. So, it sounds about right.

[blppt]

I agree. There are brands that are better, but for mass market brands i'd go with either Technics or Pioneer. Never had any problems with either of their stuff. My parents have actually owned Technics receivers for the past 20 years or so. Their old SA-300 was a beast. Great sound, good power. Well, at least before my sister spilled chocolate milk in it and poof.....

edit: corrected my spelling