<£200 speaker system (inc amp/non passive)

[mrapoc]

As the title says, im after a 5.1 speaker system for bluray movies, pc gaming, music - basically everything!

The z5500 is tempting but i dont trust logitech to make a decent speaker system. My digital creative system has lasted a good 5 years or more and only now i long a bit more power.

With most decent speaker systems you will need a seperate amp - now is there a setup i can get for sub £200 with one inclusive?

If not, i suppose i can get amp and 2 speakers now and get the rest once money is there for surround

 

[Luigi]

I have the Z5500, and so far have been very impresssed. Mines already lasted 2 years without a hitch.

 

[Ham]

I'd recommend getting 2 quality speakers and amp and building the surround latter on.

A proper system overshadows a PC all in one kit by a daunting amount. But as with most things you get what you pay for.

 

[SuB]

i'd agree with the get 2 speakers and as solid an amp as you can afford and get the rest later...

you could get a set of decent stereo speakers, 7.1 amp now...

and then pickup a full 5.1 set of speakers (front, left, center, back pair and a subwoofer) later on and have the even better 7.1 setup

but deffinately get an amp and speakers instead of just pc speakers, the different as already said really is substantial

 

[mrapoc]

ok cool

want to recommend me some bad boys?

Did you get a seperate sub too?

I like to FEEL my music/explosions etc. etc.

this will probably have to wait till after xmas, but at least il have an idea

 

[Rastalovich]

Bought creative soundworks DTT 5.1 like decades ago, best purchase ever.

These days, if I had to get something new, I`d definately consider their line.

There are no drivers or anything, so they can`t screw it up

 

[Kerotan]

Good 2.1 is better than naff 5.1, I don't have a "proper" amp but I've got a Panasonic 2.1 midi system pushing 420W (RMS), 120 of those through the sub, and the bass is awesome, must drive the people trying to study in my accomodation nuts! When an explosion goes off near you you sure know about it!

I too would be interested to see what people recommend in terms of amps though, thinking about getting a USB mixer as a prelude to some proper decks after xmas.

 

[mrapoc]

Bought creative soundworks DTT 5.1 like decades ago, best purchase ever.

These days, if I had to get something new, I`d definately consider their line.

There are no drivers or anything, so they can`t screw it up

Well i got some creative digital 5500s right now and they have lasted for ages

surprsingly good considering spec (20w sub i think...)

certaintly held their own, but i dont think the current lineup is too impressive

 

[Rastalovich]

It`s one of those things, u um-and-arr about outlaying £140 (I think that's what they were or 176 rings a bell with a card) - but that was easily... 1992/3.. something like that. And outside of the studios here, I haven`t heard better for movies/games/music. Nothing like having music around u rather than from 1 side.

As to the new models, it seems the same with everything, cut backs on quality assurance etc.

 

[Ham]

I'm no expert on the subject, but take a look at this as a start. I'd recommend this myself as I've got a relative of it and mines fantastic.

Not sure what to recommend speaker wise as you don't need massive ones for the 5.1, but some medium sized ones would be more enjoyable while you save, IMO at least. Maybe these?

Edit: Yes, a full set up will add up. But it's worth it.

 

[Rastalovich]

I'd recommend this myself as I've got a relative of it and mines fantastic.

These are widely used, and with good reason.

I think he'd be well suited to look at all the inputs he's facing, and what type - perhaps keep a spare input or 2 in mind.

So say spdif x2 optical x2, add the extra one or 2 - and look for a 4 input version of the 340R.

U find the other connections, hdmi, stereo jack, av etc etc, are included, but may not be required - however they're usually on the units, especially rack ones, anyway. So maybe not think about the inputs u won't use and regard them as a bonus.

Not seen a smaller 4 input rack mounts, but I'm sure they exist. If u step up to 6/8 inputs the price goes up.

From what I found out yesterday, spdif/optical ~usually~ appear in systems as pairs (4 spdif and 4 optical for example), in most cases using the one of the pair negates the other as they use the same digital line. So they dont add up to 8 inputs.

 

[mrapoc]

Woah £200 for just teh amp

 

[Ham]

Yep, it's debatably the most important bit of the system. So don't skimp.

Mine was £270 last xmas, and I think the £200 I linked actually has more in the way of features. Most noticeably HDMI

 

[mrapoc]

So its worth soley saving up for this bad boy

will i need a sub with those speakers? surely they wont be bassy enough

 

[Ham]

For a 5.1 set you need a sub yeah. The second most expensive component of the system.

 

[mrapoc]

lol cool

will save for a 2.1 - expect to expand to 5.1 4 years later lol

 

[Sean0]

Please take a look at the thread I've started in the same forum about the Philips amBX Premium Kit... will give you another option for something different and you can get it for under your budget!

 

[Pat123]

If you want it all in one wack ide get Logitech z5500, i have them and i think they're amazing. But as said, if you want the very best then you cant get better than a custom set-up