Speaker recomendations

Ethereal_Dragon · 03-26-2009, 11:52 AM

Hello all, I am looking for suggestions for Speakers at this time. I plan to purchase sometime between now and May, depending on financial resources available. I don't doubt that I will be recommended to purchase a discreet sound card rather than use integrated audio, but at this time, that option is SECONDARY to new speakers. I am chosing that for 2 reasons. The first being funds available, and the second being that if I can only afford the sound card or speakers, I would go with the speakers. These current speakers on a discreet card would still sound like rubbish. I AM however open to suggestions of sound cards that would meet my needs.

Here are the details of the current sound hardware:
GIGABYTE GA-X38-DQ6
Audio Chipset: Realtek ALC889A
Audio Channels: 8 Channels
Audio Ports: 6 Ports
S/PDIF Out: 1 x Optical, 1 x Coaxial
Speakers: Cheap Altec Lansing R / L speaker, no sub (really, they were like $5 at a computer show YEARRRRRRRRRRRS ago).
Other details of my rig are in my sig.

What I am looking for is something that will have front L/R audio, and a sub. center channel and rear L/R would be cool to have (I would mount them from the cieling probably), but they are by no means required. It might almost be better to NOT have rear audio, as the room they will be in is my office, which is probably about 12x12, with 3x6 closet one corner. These aren't measurments, just rough estimates.

Do some speakers come with wall mounting hardware, or do a vast majority just get shipped to sit on a desk? Mine would almost certainly have to be mounted on the walls, as my tiny Altec Lansing speakers BARELY fit on the desk with all of the space taken up by displays. The office walls are something textured on top of drywall, so the mounts will likely have to be beefy (just my own asumption).

The next thing I am looking for is a sound distribution solution of some sort. The Dell 27" UltraSharp Monitor has 5.1 audio output (click the link, see picture that is 6th from the left for Audio/Video connectors on monitor), and I can only assume that it comes from the Display port, and HDMI port. What I would IDEALLY like to do is use the monitor to connect my PS3 to via HDMI, and also connect my AT&T U-Verse IPTV to it with HDMI through the use of an HDMI splitter. Currently, I have an audio cable from the Front L/R output on the monitor to the LINE IN on the computer, then the speakers are connected to the computer. Due to NOT having an HDMI cable, I am not able to confirm yet if this works. My fear is that the only way for it to work the way I want it to, would be to get one of those 19" Home Theater Audio receivers, and I REALLY don't want to have to have a setup like that on my PC. KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid... I found this: StarTech 4-to-1 HDMI 1.3 Switch, which is EXACTLY what I will need to hook up more than one HDMI device to the monitor, but what I would LOVE to see is something that takes HDMI in, and SPLITS Audio/Video, and send audio to the PC, and Video to the monitor. That way, I don't even have to WORRY about the audio output from the monitor.

Sorry for the long post, didn't intend it to be that long-winded. Oh Well. Thanks in advance!

Oreo · 03-26-2009, 02:50 PM

Sounds like Logitech's Z series will suit you.

Shame about your requirements, Monitor speakers are just so much better.

Ethereal_Dragon · 03-26-2009, 02:57 PM

Not sure what you meant about the requirements. I am guessing you mean rear channel speakers. I am not totally against them, it's just my impression that in such a small space it might not sound good, or maybe it will sound awesome. I will look into the Logitech's Z series, thanks man!

Ethereal_Dragon · 03-26-2009, 05:39 PM

I see that I pretty much have only a single choice in the Logitec Z series when it comes to my needs...
Newegg.com - Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Speaker - Speakers
Might as well go all out, right? I mean... 27" monitor, I'm not gonna buy another set of $15 speakers. These would most CERTAINLY solve my audio issues, as the specs indicate that the speakers can take different inputs at the same time. ACTUALLY, with the audio solved, the video issue is easier too. I already HAVE component cables, so I would use those for the TV box, and HDMI for the PS3. The comptuer is already using DVI. Is it possible to play more than 1 source at the same time, I wonder? (Ex: Playing a PS3 game, and music from the PC at same time...). If I were to go this route, I THINK I would use optical out from the PS3 for audio, HDMI for video, component out video & coaxial (orange RCA port) audio from TV box, and the 5.1 ports from sound card (green, orange, black) from computer. Anyone know if devices can handle audio/video outputs from different ports at the same time? I have never tried. I guess it will be a learning experience.

Unless there are other comparable products out there from other vendors that can handle similar features (multiple audio hookups at same time), Phase 1 is nearly complete. I am of course going to keep looking as I get Phase 2 underway.... (that would be fundage). Phase 3 being the waiting for it to get here, and Phase 4 being, well, sound.

Jorsoft · 03-26-2009, 06:14 PM

^ Those speakers are excellent, I'd recommend them as well. I have the 2.1 version, the Z2300 I think? Anyways, the 5500 sound fantastic and they're honestly not that expensive either for how good they are. I can't think of anything that would be comparable.

Oreo · 03-26-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorsoft

^ Those speakers are excellent, I'd recommend them as well. I have the 2.1 version, the Z2300 I think? Anyways, the 5500 sound fantastic and they're honestly not that expensive either for how good they are. I can't think of anything that would be comparable.

I should think the Z2300's sound better than the Z5500's.

The 5500's are pretty good PC speakers, the sub is ridiculous for the power of the Satellite speakers though, put the sub volume down to about 1/4 of it's max.

And by requirements, i meant your space requirements and a subwoofer.

Ethereal_Dragon · 03-26-2009, 07:58 PM

I am thinking the Z-5500's because of the audio inputs. The 2300's have me back at the issue of getting multiple sources back to the speakers... I'm not sure if the monitor out to audio in on the PC will work the way I am thinking it will....

That, and the Z-5500's have the capability for rear and center channels, but don't have to be used. If it's too much, I can just run front left & right, I would imagine.

Evolv · 03-26-2009, 08:02 PM

I have the Z-2300, they're awsome. You might be right though about the multiple sources getting back to the speakers

Ethereal_Dragon · 03-27-2009, 01:09 AM

Well, I TOTALLY FORGOT!!! I have to put a baseball mitt and cleats at the top of my purchases list at the moment. Softball starts in a little over a month, and I have to get a mitt, and get it at least partially broken in.

hikaricloud · 03-27-2009, 01:29 AM

I know it's been said many times already, but the z-5500's are the best speakers I've ever heard short of a full monitor/receiver setup. If you don't feel like getting a home theater kit, then these speakers are a win for you.

EDIT: Warning though...never turn them up past halfway unless you are a good distance away from them, haha.

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