Proper Hi-Fi 5.1

Participant · 23 Jul 2007 at 11:32

I've got some cheap Creative 5.1 speakers going straight from my sound card and I want to convert the setup to be a proper 5.1 Hi-Fi sounding setup with 2.1 for music and 5.1 for movies. I want to use whatever digital amplification that will allow individual speaker attenuation or time-delay with Dolby processing and good quality DACS etc etc.

Any recommendations? I don't want to speand a fortune and would consider going 2nd hand, but preferably I want a new set for no more than £400.

Participant · 27 Jul 2007 at 20:33

Bump. Has anyone got non-PC 5.1?

<F0rb> · 29 Jul 2007 at 11:32

It wouldn't be worth doing for that.

You can pick up denon's 1507, or onkyo's 508 entry level amps for <£200.
This will leave £200 for te speakers, which wouldn't pick up anything good. I'd suggest saving up £500 and going for q acoustics 1010 5.1 speakers. You could try to pick up 2 good front speakers, then add to this later.

Alternatively you could go for the logitech z5500 PC speaker system, which is very good for the £200 you pay for it. This may satisfy you.

If you have any hifi shops near you, go in and test some things out.

Hope that helps. You might have been better off posting this in the hifi/home cinema section

tom_nieto · 29 Jul 2007 at 17:58

It's a big ask for £400 for both good sound with music and movies. I'd be tempted to just go with a stereo system for the moment then add further components as funds allow.

squiffy · 29 Jul 2007 at 18:02

Robbie G said:
I've got some cheap Creative 5.1 speakers going straight from my sound card and I want to convert the setup to be a proper 5.1 Hi-Fi sounding setup with 2.1 for music and 5.1 for movies. I want to use whatever digital amplification that will allow individual speaker attenuation or time-delay with Dolby processing and good quality DACS etc etc.

Any recommendations? I don't want to speand a fortune and would consider going 2nd hand, but preferably I want a new set for no more than £400.

A budget (but reasonble quality) AV amplifier is close to £400 alone. You can get mid budget stereo gear (stereo integrated amplifier and stereo speakers) for £400, second hand. Or budget, new, £200 for each component.

Participant · 30 Jul 2007 at 09:44

Ok thanks boys. I might just settle for the Z-5500s for now and get saving!

fester · 31 Jul 2007 at 22:14

There a nation wide Hi fi discount store that might be able to help u out .Got a midrange Marantz SR4200 av receiver there about 2 year ago for about £120 and a pair of Haybrook floor standers for £99 .With something similar something u could easily make a system that will blow away you present computer 5.1 system .
http://www.digitalhomemag.com/revie...d=19111&subsectionid=1306&subsubsectionid=954

squiffy · 31 Jul 2007 at 22:19

Robbie G said:
Ok thanks boys. I might just settle for the Z-5500s for now and get saving!

waste of money can't upgrade, not flexible. Put that £200 into standard AV gear.

ie in my system I can change speakers, poweramps, av pre-amp, subwoofer, remote control and it'll all work.

PC audio gear and HTIB is basically non upgradable.