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Chat => Entertainment & Technology => Topic started by: Binary Shadow on November 24, 2007, 20:00:01 PM

Title: Surround sound speakers
Post by: Binary Shadow on November 24, 2007, 20:00:01 PM
Im looking for surround sound (5.1), dont want to spend much but not sure what to get so looking for suggestions.

I have 5.1 on my PC with analogue feed but its knackered.

I want something i can connect to my xbox with DTS decoding, optical i guess input, and something i can connect my PC to as well, can also be optical but anything will do for PC input (dont want to have to keep unplugging and replugging things).

Most of the systems iv seen have a dvd player built in, this is fine as long as i can run the xbox through it for the games.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re:Surround sound speakers
Post by: Shakey on November 25, 2007, 08:35:09 AM
What audio outputs does your pc have (optical, coaxial, phono etc.)?
Title: Surround sound speakers
Post by: Binary Shadow on November 25, 2007, 13:03:02 PM
optical and the 3.5mm jack type (phono?)
Title: Re:Surround sound speakers
Post by: Shakey on November 25, 2007, 21:35:43 PM
So youre going to need a surround amp with an optical in for the xbox.
For the pc input ideally youd want a second optical in. Failing that youd want phono inputs on the dvd player to connect to teh 3.5mm jacks on the pc using a cable like this:

(http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/c6d4edbe988031b47cf9c25b930577a7.jpg)

obviously if you go for the second method, the dvd player would need 5.1 input on phono and not just stereo (ie, one set of phono for L/R, one for SL/SR and one for centre/sub).

Also, what sort of price range are you looking at.
Title: Surround sound speakers
Post by: Binary Shadow on November 26, 2007, 00:51:15 AM
yeah that sounds like what im after

not wanting to spend much at all really sub £100 id guess, seen some kit for £250 that seems good but it seems pointless spending that much when its just for my room, not like i have my own place yet.
Title: Re:Surround sound speakers
Post by: Mark on November 26, 2007, 00:59:53 AM
if you want real low cost and its just for games etc the ones argos sell are passable for the money

have optical and coax in and a few surround modes

i used a set as pc speakers once

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5136144/Trail/searchtext%3EACOUSTIC+SOLUTIONS.htm
Title: Surround sound speakers
Post by: Binary Shadow on November 26, 2007, 01:02:25 AM
its a shame theres no picture as it could be ideal, will check it out down argos later
Title: Re:Surround sound speakers
Post by: Shakey on November 26, 2007, 08:00:48 AM
From the spec, its only got one optical input, so if you want to use it for surround with both your pc and xbox youre gonna have to be swapping cables. Unfortunately for somehting with 2 optical inputs youd be looking at probably £200+.
Title: Re:Surround sound speakers
Post by: Mark on November 30, 2007, 21:57:47 PM
it has coaxial as well

If you really need two opticals simply buy a coaxial to optical converter and voila, 2 opticals.