which surround sound system should i get please post

[deedogz]

i was thinking about buying a surround sound system for my Living room.
I'm looking for a system which i can also plug into my sound card, can also play with DVD and,tv etc... If anyone know any good systems please post please thanks

[yoda313]

Hello,



Can you be a little more specific? Are you asking if you can pipe your soundcard through the stereo? Of course you can do that with a y splitter cable. But you have to have an optical out cable to playback digital sound from your computer to your surround sound stereo system.

You have many excellent choices and price ranges. You can have a minimum of 6 channels via a 5.1 surround sound all the way up to 7.1 surround sound. 5.1 is very adequate.

Check around the web and visit the stores to get a better feel. Set a budget than that will guide you to the appropriate brands.

Kevin

[Xylob the Destroyer]

...But you have to have an optical out cable to playback digital sound from your computer to your surround sound stereo system...

not exactly true
it all depends on the sound card and it's capabilities
as well as the receiver and it's capabilities
if your soundcard has 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, or 8.1 sound and a S/PDIF output, you can use a digital coaxial cable to connect directly to your receiver (so long as it supports S/PDIF input, some do, some don't)
other sound cards have many stereo-mini jacks on them that can be "reassigned" via the card's software/drivers to do different things -- for example, on mine you can change the digital out and mic in to be center/LFE & rear left/right respectively and then connect to your receiver using 3 stereo-mini to RCA cords (with front left/right connected to the card's primary stereo output jack)
or, you can just go with the digital optical cable like you said
it all depends on how much $$$ you are willing to drop on a sound card and a receiver
but remember, it doesn't matter how much you spend on your sound card & receiver/amp if your speakers are crap!

[yoda313]

Hello,

Thanks xylob - also forgot about the multichannel in - which my surround sound system has

Kevin

[Xylob the Destroyer]

this reminds me of a post I made earlier about digital coax vs. digital optical
I believe yoda313 brought some insight to the issue
which is better? once again it depends on your equipment.
if you have good high quality equipment, neither is better than the other
if you got the cheap stuff, then digital coax would be better, but it's moot because the cheaper equipment doesn't usually have digital coax inputs...

also, even if your card supports multi-channel/surround sound, you'll only get stereo or *gasp* even worse, only MONO if you don't set it up correctly and/or if the software you use for playback can't read or doesn't support multi-channel sound.

[enstg8er]

you didn't give much in the way of parameters, especially price. if looking for cheap, it's tough to beat this........
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4026410

[deedogz]

I just wanted to know which srround sound system is good to buy I was looking any sony home audio systems but the only thing with sony u can hook it up to ur pc

[shelbyGT]

Yamaha, Denon

pick one of them.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I have a Sony 5.1 receiver that I've had for a few years now. It is connected to my PC.
I'm "happy" with it & it's performance, but I'd really like to step up to 6.1 or 8.1 (pricey!).

you said: "but the only thing with sony u can hook it up to ur pc"
??????
I don't follow you....
Being able to connect your receiver to your PC is completely dependent on what type(s) of output jacks & signals your card has and what types of input jacks and signals your receiver supports.

As a general rule, those all-in-one package deals are total crap and a waste of money, but if that's all you can afford, they're still better than the mono or stereo speaker(s) built into your TV...
And Bose it TOTALLY OVER-RATED!
No matter what you decide, you should definitely get a system that supports dts -- http://www.dtsonline.com/
It is (arguably) superior to DolbyDigital (each format has it's own pros/cons & supporters) and if your receiver can handle dts, it will definitely playback DolbyDigital as well.

[deedogz]

hey Xylob the Destroyer can we talk over aol /aim do have a screen name?

[Hardcoreruss]

What is your price range?

[pyrate83]

If you're willing to spend a little don't buy the surround systems in a box. Try and build piece by piece. You won't regret it...really.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

If you're willing to spend a little don't buy the surround systems in a box. Try and build piece by piece. You won't regret it...really.

Damn straight - it's the only way to go.

I don't have an instant messaging program.

[enstg8er]

If you're willing to spend a little don't buy the surround systems in a box. Try and build piece by piece. You won't regret it...really

exactly. comparable to building your own pc vs. buying a dell.

Yamaha, Denon

very good brands. (except speakers)

for speakers look at klipsch. most BANG for the buck. they're not the most diosciplined for classical, but really deliver with rock. for home theater they kick the most butt. they also cover for a weak amp (receiver).