surround sound

Richeh · 4 May 2010 at 19:17

Obviously a bit above ur budget but have a search for the Sony DWG800. Had it for over a year now, tis fantastic. Apart from whats mentioned on the web about the usual (dts, dd etc) its actually a seperate receiver so you can change the speakers and bass if you want. Also will do HD audio over HDMI with the PS3.

Can't recommend it enough.

Edit: whoops, completely forgot.

MagicUK · 4 May 2010 at 19:21

done exactly the same lol

orderoftheflame · 4 May 2010 at 19:26

5punk3monk3y said:
ummm are you talking about the Astros as I have 0 of the issues you have just posted

+ 1. Never had any of these problems.

DaveyD · 6 May 2010 at 12:42

xb8browney said:
Or pay £5 to get a optical splitter. Which is what I done so I have my V+ box and my PS3 connected via optical sound to my Logitech z5500

Actually, that's a good point (and one I should have mentioned as that is exactly what I currently do as I have a cheapo system). Only downside is that you can't have 2 on at the same time as it buggers up the signal (and I often switch between the two if I'm downloading things / watching films).

Dave

Fireblade2K4 · 6 May 2010 at 12:52

DaveyD said:
Actually, that's a good point (and one I should have mentioned as that is exactly what I currently do as I have a cheapo system). Only downside is that you can't have 2 on at the same time as it buggers up the signal (and I often switch between the two if I'm downloading things / watching films).

Dave

I have a 3-way optical splitter going into my Z5500's connecting my PS3, 360 and TV and I am able to switch between all three sources at the turn of a knob, so no you can't have 2 on at the same time but you can easily switch between the 3 optical sources to listen to whichever source you want to listen to.

As I said im my earlier post, I feel for the price the Z5500's are hard to beat when setup correctly, in a room with good acoustic charachteristics they sound amazing without a doubt.

Stu

DaveyD · 6 May 2010 at 13:00

Fireblade2K4 said:
I have a 3-way optical splitter going into my Z5500's connecting my PS3, 360 and TV and I am able to switch between all three sources at the turn of a knob, so no you can't have 2 on at the same time but you can easily switch between the 3 optical sources to listen to whichever source you want to listen to.

As I said im my earlier post, I feel for the price the Z5500's are hard to beat when setup correctly, in a room with good acoustic charachteristics they sound amazing without a doubt.

Stu

I bought a good old cheapo one, so it's just combining the two cables to one. I couldn't be bothered to get up and switch it every time!

Fireblade2K4 · 6 May 2010 at 13:02

DaveyD said:
I bought a good old cheapo one, so it's just combining the two cables to one. I couldn't be bothered to get up and switch it every time!

Ah ok, lol, I know what you mean about being bothered to switch it, mines literally an arm length away on my desk so no bother really, either way they both do the job by the sound of it

Stu

Musty Pie · 6 May 2010 at 13:43

A bit of a noob question here but the set up i have at home is my xbox to my TV via HDMA then from the TV via optical out the the Z5500's. Am I going to be loosing audio quality because of this set up and would there be a better way to get optical from the xbox to the Z5500's direct while still using HDMI out?

5punk3monk3y · 6 May 2010 at 13:51

Musty Pie said:
A bit of a noob question here but the set up i have at home is my xbox to my TV via HDMA then from the TV via optical out the the Z5500's. Am I going to be loosing audio quality because of this set up and would there be a better way to get optical from the xbox to the Z5500's direct while still using HDMI out?

if the tv does not pass through DD5.1 (most don't) then get the "break out" audio dongle for the 360, and yes you are loosing out

Musty Pie · 6 May 2010 at 14:06

Ok will have to look into this then. My TV was pretty high spec when purchased new although audio specs is something ive never really kept up on. It seems to sound ace even with the set up i have but will need to read TV's manual i suspect to get the right answer.

Are the breakout dongles expensive?

5punk3monk3y · 6 May 2010 at 15:42

£6-7 pounds off the bay

orderoftheflame · 6 May 2010 at 17:40

Musty Pie said:
Ok will have to look into this then. My TV was pretty high spec when purchased new although audio specs is something ive never really kept up on. It seems to sound ace even with the set up i have but will need to read TV's manual i suspect to get the right answer.

Are the breakout dongles expensive?

If you buy the official Xbox HDMI cable you'll get an adaptor that lets you do optical out with HDMI.

Or you can butcher another cable (say a composite or component) to create your own adapter for a cheaper price.

nimz · 7 May 2010 at 11:12

Using the Logitech Z-5450's here with the wireless rear speakers for 360 and Popcorn Hour. Had them for years and never let me down. Love the wireless rears, would never get wired ones again!