spec me a 5.1 system for a number of things

jameskirstylou · 12 Apr 2008 at 20:28

ok guys, im no sound teccy, i have a budget of around £150...

i have a :

37" Hanspree LCD tv

Sky HD - running on HDMI
xbox 360 - running on component hd cable
ps3 - running on hdmi

i want a 5.1 system for some nice sound on my sky , and on the consoles but not have to switch around cables ect..

i also have a pc i use next to the tv i use for a webserver and maybe would like to run the sound through that if possible to watch a few videos on, thats just basic sound (3.5mm jack to phono leads i think)

im know you could spend £5000 on a system but im after a system that will just do the job, im not too good on buying seperates id rather just buy a set if possible

is it possible ?

thanks in advance guys, excuse my lack of knowlage

Beansprout · 12 Apr 2008 at 20:49

To be honest, if you're spending less than £5000 I'd stick with stereo.

jameskirstylou · 12 Apr 2008 at 20:54

thanks...

ash_91 · 12 Apr 2008 at 22:16

How about the Logitech Z5400, can be had for that budget, 2 optical, 1 coaxial and 6ch pc input and a remote, nice sound, especially if your no audiophile and only ever used your tv speakers before!

jameskirstylou · 12 Apr 2008 at 22:41

ahh they seem to be ideal my friend,

i cant see much about them have they been superseeded ? im watching a set on ebay atm tho

thats the sort of thing im after though

divine` · 12 Apr 2008 at 22:49

Beansprout said:
To be honest, if you're spending less than £5000 I'd stick with stereo.

The sad thing is that post isn't that far off the mark of what i'd expect from some posters in here to post seriously.

jameskirstylou · 12 Apr 2008 at 22:58

heh its ok that one post i got was helpfull

so i run my ps3, sky hd ect VIA hdmi, would i be plugging an optical out cable from those into the z5400 as well ?

james.miller · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:02

i honestly wouldnt recommend pc speakers for filing a room with sound. they are great on the desk next to your monitor and everything but i personally wouldnt be satisfied with using them as a home theatre surround system . £150 isnt a lot to spend at all on sound, so the remark about staying with stereo does hold some merit. £550 or so would get you a very reasonable surround set up but honestly, £150 wouldnt.

z5400's. right, you have a problem right there. 2 optical inputs. you need 3, one for each of the components.

Bradley8988 · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:22

i have 5400's and am really happy with them. i dont really wanna spend 5k on some speakers when my tv only cost 1000 and most tv's have optical out so if u run hdmi to the tv the tv would output 5.1 to the surround sound anyway via optical?

i think its really stupid when ppl say u need to spend 5k. hes asking you for a 5.1 set up in his price range, not your opinion on how much he should spend or anythin to do with stereo.

james.miller · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:32

Bradley8988 said:
i have 5400's and am really happy with them. i dont really wanna spend 5k on some speakers when my tv only cost 1000 and most tv's have optical out so if u run hdmi to the tv the tv would output 5.1 to the surround sound anyway via optical?

my tv, a sony 40w2000, doesnt even have an optical output.

i think its really stupid when ppl say u need to spend 5k. hes asking you for a 5.1 set up in his price range, not your opinion on how much he should spend or anythin to do with stereo.

i think its stupid when people fail to read. nobody said spend £5k - im not Badbob. im glad your happy with your 5400's. i wasnt impressed at all and £150 is a small budget, better spent on a second hand amps and a decent set of stand mounts. if you dont like what i suggest then suggest something of equal or better quality for his budget.

well, can you?

Bradley8988 · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:35

if it was aimed at you i wudda quoted it. the 5 k part was aimed at the first guys reply. dunno if u noticed the part where he asked for a 5.1 set up....

james.miller · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:37

Bradley8988 said:
if it was aimed at you i wudda quoted it. the 5 k part was aimed at the first guys reply. dunno if u noticed the part where he asked for a 5.1 set up....

i honestly wouldnt recommend pc speakers for filing a room with sound. they are great on the desk next to your monitor and everything but i personally wouldnt be satisfied with using them as a home theatre surround system

yes, i did

now, what would you suggest apart from speaker that dont have enough connections. i cant help but think £150 is such a small budget considering the gear he'll have connected to it. but thats not my place to judge. now what do you suggest?

ill give you an example, i really really like my little mission m71i's. they are bargaintastic little speaker than can be had for <£50 these days. together with a cheap 2nd hand amp (denon, nad ect) they make a fantastic entry level setup. albeit stereo, i cant help but be impressed with them. mine just get better and better. ive not hear a single set of pc speaker than can match them for music, tv or films. fair enough you wouldnt get any surround sound but having the goods right here in front of me (my m71i's are my front speakers in a 5.1 bi-amped setup) i would happily choose stereo every time. infact, i only have stereo speakers on my desk , too. a pair of GenEXXA pro x7 'mini monitors' running off an oldskool JVC amp. phenomenal sound from them, and cheap as chips too.

Bradley8988 · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:39

i agree £150 is nothin on speakers but its all hes got so lets work with that. do any of the things he wants to connect have digital coax? if not then i guess its no good but i dont really see a better alternitive.

Beansprout · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:40

Was getting my post in earlier before certain people came in saying it seriously

For £150 the Logitech's are probably the best....£200 - £300 will start to get you a hifi-type setup.

Bradley8988 · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:42

lol k. iv seen a lot of peeps askin for a low budget set up and then u get these posts saying spend thousands as there not as good as mine or just dont bother.

james.miller · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:44

Beansprout said:
Was getting my post in earlier before certain people came in saying it seriously

isnt badbob still suspended?

i dont think there's any worry of that lol

Beansprout · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:44

Bradley8988 said:
lol k. iv seen a lot of peeps askin for a low budget set up and then u get these posts saying spend thousands as there not as good as mine or just dont bother.

You do indeedy *cough*90% badbob*cough*

Bradley8988 · 12 Apr 2008 at 23:45

Xon · 13 Apr 2008 at 00:13

He can get an optical splitter / switch which will costless then a tenner. Tbh the Logitechs are great for most people.

DolbyDigitalTHX · 13 Apr 2008 at 10:18

james.miller said:
isnt badbob still suspended? i dont think there's any worry of that lol

badbob got suspended?

He's the main reason I visit these forums! james.miller without badbob is like Jack Lemmon without Walther Matthau...

On a more topical note, I keep seeing posters saying they have only £150 to spend - where does this magic figure come from? Surely it's better to see what your needs are before plucking a price out of the air and sticking slavishly to it.

If people had the same attitude towards TVs, they'd all have the non-branded variety with naff picture quality, purely because they were adamant to get a certain screen size. I suppose most people value their audio less than their visual, that's a shame in my opinion...

...so how long is the badbob ban...?