<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 6/5/06, <b class="gmail_sendername">Brian Wood</b> <<a href="mailto:beww@beww.org">beww@beww.org</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<br>On Jun 5, 2006, at 7:17 PM, Kevin Kuphal wrote:<br><br>> Brian Wood wrote:<br>>> With all the concentration on getting the video working right I have<br>>> neglected my audio output devices.<br>>>
<br>>> Right now I'm using a Harmon Kardon 2.1 system that came with a Dell<br>>> system I purchased 5 years ago, and it basically leaves a lot to be<br>>> desired (read that: SUCKS).<br>>><br>>> I'm looking for a decent
2.1 speaker/amplifier system that does not<br>>> cost more than say $200 US.<br>>><br>>> Obviously there's no point in getting something that's far better<br>>> than the signal that's driving it. The audio is all captured by PVR
<br>>> cards from analog broadcasts and encoded with the default settings of<br>>> Myth.<br>>><br>> On the contrary, DVDs will have 5.1, ripped or played through the<br>> internal player. And, if you're like me, it wasn't long I moved from
<br>> PVR cards to getting the few broadcast stations via QAM over cable<br>> where<br>> most of what I watch lies. Those have 5.1 sound as well. It's not<br>> hard<br>> to find 7.1 receivers for the $200 you want to spend
<br>><br>> <a href="http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/538199344">http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/538199344</a><br><br>Interesting unit, I wasn't aware that such had got so low in price.
<br><br>But that's the decoder/receiver, and doesn't include speakers, right ??<br><br>I'm really looking for the speakers themselves. I wasn't thinking in<br>terms of "surround sound", but you're right, DVD and satellite
<br>programming often does have more than 2 channels, so I suppose I<br>could be talked into it.<br><br>The Asus motherboard I'm using has provision for up to 8-channel<br>output, although I'm not sure of the quality of same, or what its
<br>decoding capability might be. To be honest I have not really paid<br>attention to multi-channel audio setups, my experience runs more<br>towards older analog stereo systems.<br><br>I do have a pair of MacIntosh MC-30 amplifiers, consecutive serial
<br>numbers, built in 1958, I don't want to tell you what they are worth,<br>but I'm not too sure how practical using them with a computer system<br>might be (and it is getting hard to find tubes for them). They<br>certainly can keep you warm in the Winter.
<br><br>I'm basically looking for a decent pair of stereo speakers, with a<br>sub-woofer for the low end, and an amplifier/crossover that can drive<br>them.<br><br>I was at a Bose factory outlet center that's down the road from me,
<br>they had some nice stuff but even the refurbished "home theater" gear<br>was pricey. I'm happy to see they still make the 901s, but they are<br>costly, perhaps a pair of 501s would do ? (Salesman: "You can't use
<br>*them* for TV, they are STEREO speakers" ("stereo" said with some<br>disgust in his voice).<br><br>I'm really not sure if I need a sub-woofer, but everyone I speak to<br>tells me I "must" have one.
<br><br>But, I wonder, what are Myth users using for audio output, I've seen<br>very little mention of speaker systems here, and what I do see is<br>usually problems with multi-channel decoding.<br><br>Thanks for the input.
<br>_______________________________________________</blockquote><div><br>AVSForum is the best place to look for audio advice. <br>
<br>
I have to agree with Keven. Personally, I would buy an actual receiver and speakers so you can have
a 5.1 or 7.1 system or atleast the capability to expand down the road
if you decide to go high definition or play DVD's. You can get great
deals on the Polk R series at <a href="http://oupost.com">oupost.com</a> and Fry's if you watch closely
for their monthly sales. The R-series is suposedly being discontinued
so it is a great value.<br>
<br>
Prices when on sale (watch <a href="http://fatwallet.com">fatwallet.com</a>)<br>
Polk R30- $80 a pair for front (or better R50 for a bit more)<br>
Polk R15- $40 a pair, for sides and/or back surrounds. These could
even be use for fronts and would be better than any 2.1 system.<br>
Polk CSi25- $70 for center.<br>
<br>
If you are impatient and can't wait for a sale, there are lots of people that stocked up on these
during the Fry's sales and sell them on E-bay for $15-20 over the sale price.<br>
<br>
Then all you need is a receiver. Again, if you are going to invest
the money, I'd pick up one that is at least capable of 5.1 or 7.1.
Ideally, you'll also want a subwoofer but that would be out of your
price range. Personally, I think you'd get as much bass out of the
Polk system without a sub then you would with a $200, 2.1 system.
Sometime later you could look at adding a Dayton sub or SVSound sub
(very expensive but highly recommended). See AVSForum.<br>
<br>
Most folks will tell you to stay away from Bose. It is all marketing
hype with quality no where near the price tag. Do a search for Bose on
AVSForum and you will see what I mean. <br>
<br>
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