Audio buff needs advice for 7.1 system

[CyberFed]

Ok heres the deal folks, Im looking to buy a 7.1 surround sound system that is going to sound AWSOME. When it comes to audio I don't skimp at all I want it to be able to go up loud, and be crystal clear with good bass.

I've always used home theater speakers for my computer rigs, but that never provided me with real surround sound. Im going to pick up 7.1 compatible sound card and a speaker system.

What would you all recommend for a 7.1 system? Price limit is around $450 bucks.

 

[Maxvla]

home theater speakers didn't provide real surround?

you do know that most audio sources are stereo right? play an mp3 and its only 2 channels so it wouldn't be surround. you would need to implement some sort of multi channel digital signal processing in your receiver for it to 'simulate' surround.

the only real surround would be from a dvd in dolby digital or dts. i guess gaming could be but you have to be using either a amd nf2 board with soundstorm or a very expensive soundcard to do that. even those are only 5.1 usually. there are SOME dvds that have 7.1 but not most.

what card are you thinking about getting? for the money the chaintech AV710 is hard to beat compared to other 7.1 cards.

what speakers/equipment are you using in this home theater setup? if its decent quality at all it would blow away a 7.1 computer set for $450.

 

[zabomb4163]

Ok heres the deal folks, Im looking to buy a 7.1 surround sound system that is going to sound AWSOME. When it comes to audio I don't skimp at all I want it to be able to go up loud, and be crystal clear with good bass.

I've always used home theater speakers for my computer rigs, but that never provided me with real surround sound. Im going to pick up 7.1 compatible sound card and a speaker system.

What would you all recommend for a 7.1 system? Price limit is around $450 bucks.

your not going to get a decent 7.1 setup for 450$. ill tell you that upfront. it is not going to happen.

 

[Prot]

You can buy a Home Theater In A Box for around $500. Using the optical connections it has will yield the best possible sound. Most of these systems are 5.1 and will produce better sound than a computer 7.1 speaker system.

 

[zabomb4163]

You can buy a Home Theater In A Box for around $500. Using the optical connections it has will yield the best possible sound. Most of these systems are 5.1 and will produce better sound than a computer 7.1 speaker system.

exactly. but he wants 7.1, which is very very difficult on that budget.

 

[twEEkerAreUs]

I agree with Zabomb/Maxvla,

$450 is impossible for a 7:1 setup, it isn't going to happen. I'd strongly stray away from 7:1 and say stick to 5:1 or maybe 6:1 package. The difference is barely noticeable and it's just more money down the drain. $450 is a serious budget. What kind of receiver do you have currently? I can probably recommend something for you that is a Receiver/6:1 Speaker Package together.

Prot,

Most home theater's in a box are junk, there is only one that I have ever seen/tested that I believed was truly worth it for the price at a Retail store. Most of them have digital amps built into them and have very limited connections......The speakers you get with them are the speakers you better plan on using forever with the unit which normally are also junk Lol. That's how they design those things.

Although I do agree sets like those 7:1 Creative Gigaworks that recently came out, would get owned by a decent set of Home Theater speakers hands down. I would never buy those Gigaworks, $500 something for that? Give me a break!?........Much better off going the home theater route and hooking up the receiver to your soundcard with a decent set of speakers.


*Edit* This is the system that I would recommend, doesn't get any better then this for the price believe me. If someone knows of something (Better) and has experience with it, please let me know. I recommend this to a guy I know that plays BF:V and he "LOVES IT" for his computer speakers.

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&catoid=-10041&qp=0&oid=70772&m=0

 

[seamadan000]

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3967690

here is the same system that tweeterareus posted, for $150 less. I would agree that it would be a strong choice for a compter setup

 

[twEEkerAreUs]

Great find seamadan000, The only reason I gave that link is because I use to work there and I knew exactly where it was on the website Lol. I'm sure you can find it for MUCH better deals. Anything below $300 is an absolutely STEAL, I'll probably end up buying it now Haha.

that tweeterareus posted

LMAO! Got speakers on the brain!

 

[seamadan000]

lol, sorry about the misspell I guess I do...

yeah, jandr is a great place, I have bought several items from them and they always give me great service, oh and if you call on the phone you can haggle with the sales guys and usually get a few more bucks knocked off the price too.

 

[d4rr3n]

there are SOME dvds that have 7.1 but not most.

What dvd's are these? AFAIK there is no such thing as a discrete 7.1 signal as far as dvd's are concerned.

 

[Azzkiller]

DTS ES and Dolby Digital EX are the only 6.1 formats, and even DD EX isnt discreete, as it matrixes the 6th fullrange channel into the rear speakers like prologic did with stereo.

 

[100mbHD]

man you can acctually get ur speakers to work on your pc, i can't i dotn know where to connect my output or how to fix teh settings on my computer. i'm getting so frustrated.

 

[d4rr3n]

DTS ES and Dolby Digital EX are the only 6.1 formats, and even DD EX isnt discreete, as it matrixes the 6th fullrange channel into the rear speakers like prologic did with stereo.

That's what i was going to say. Thought maybe i missed some new release or something lol.

 

[Section8]

The best system available right now is Creative Labs 7.1 Gigaworks S750

 

[zabomb4163]

The best system available right now is Creative Labs 7.1 Gigaworks S750

oh god no, not even close. i know everyone is entitled to their opinion but thats like saying the honda civic is the fastest car on the market.

500$ for cotton and plastic

and the "sub"

 

[james.miller]

when you see images like that, it makes you realise just how worthless the THX certification is for pc speakers. shocking.

 

[zabomb4163]

when you see images like that, it makes you realise just how worthless the THX certification is for pc speakers. shocking.

sad isnt it. you see that sub box and think "at least it has a good sub". then you look inside....

 

[Audioaficionado]

What would really make you cry is what an expensive BOSE system is made of.

It's amazing what marketing hype will do for your bottom end when there are so many gulible people to fleese.

I'd say you'll need to multi step upgrade your system. First get a decent receiver and a cheap throw away 5.1 in a box speker set. Then when you get more cash, upgrade your LF/RF/CF. Later get a better sub and lastly get even better LF/RF/CF and move the first upgrades to the rear channels.

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

What would really make you cry is what an expensive BOSE system is made of.

Ain't that the truth... my fondest saying is, "no highs, no lows, must be Bose!"

Their pro audio stuff is a joke too.

 

[Mr.Radar]

What would really make you cry is what an expensive BOSE system is made of.

If you think their speakers are bad and overpriced...

Once you get to know this place [www.Head-Fi.org], you will realize what kind of reputation the Bose Triports [$150 headphones] have around here. Their extreme crappiness simply cannot be explained by words alone. You must hear the hideous monstrosity to truly know what it feels like to have your ear drums internally combust from the unbearable pain from the sound that this satanic head machine produces

The Bose headphones, especially the TriPorts, are extremely flimsy. They'll break very easily on you. And the TriPorts don't isolate anywhere near as well as they should have - barely more so than the Sony Eggos. And that's not to mention their sound:

What? $150 for these crummy cans that sound just as bad as a $30 pair of cans?

Bose has been known to sue anyone who gives them a bad review or publish a technical measurement of their products because if people knew the truth they simply wouldn't get ripped off by their products. Bose would then have to price them at the same levels as Sony Style™ gear. Think $30-$60 range. Then they would be a bargain.

The only scam bigger than Bose is the church of scientology.

Bose is right up there with KLH for crappiest brand alert. In fact I think they raid other companies trash cans looking for the most miserable drivers. At least some of the models have tweeters with adjustable angles, that way you can point them in the other direction if your unfortunent enough to own them. I've read numerous issues with woofer blow out on thier speakers, I'm sure the Triports are no different with their driver selection.

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=77557