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chris-red
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PostPosted: 14:58 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Surround sound Reply with quote

Right I'm not really sure what I want.

I was thinking about a new Surround sound system for my PC,

I have a Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio card as well as the onboard one, and a set of Creative T7700 7.1 speakers. These have been in constant use for about 10 years. I fancy some new speakers but was thinking about getting something that can connect to my TV/XBOX/PS3 too, anyone got any suggestions? I don't mind spending a few hundred quid for something decent.

PC mainly used for gaming and DVD's same with the TV.
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Neorion
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PostPosted: 15:33 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't buy an all in one, you have a good opportunity to build a nice system here.

Buy a decent amp to start with and 2 speakers as your budget allows.

You can get some DALI Lektor II's for about £200

An Onkyo TXsr series for anything from £200 upwards (but look at the features differences carefully).

You can then build on your system and get a really nice sounding setup compared to the boxed pish you buy for £200.

Things to look out for in the amp.

HDMI switching
The usual sound decoding THX, DTS etc

Speakers, general rule of thumb is to go with 1 brand if you like them, I went for 2 brands.

KEF IQ50's for the front
KEF center
2 x Dali Lektors at the back

Dont worry about expensive cable just now, some QED stuff for about £1-£2 a meter will do you fine.

with any decent amp you will get a setup MIC make sure you use it.

Enjoy your new shiney system and say goodbye to boxed 5.1 systems for good.

If your speakers are new give it 400 hours or so and they will bed in, thats when you get the real sound.

Make sure you audition anything you think of buying.

Then buy a sub
Wink
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Rob W
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PostPosted: 19:27 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Neorion wrote:
give it 400 hours or so and they will bed in


400 hours?!?!

Shocked
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Syris the Indomitable
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PostPosted: 20:33 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

All you need is a mains supply and three audio 2.5 jack out sockets, all modern systems have them. I have just bought one of these built in Amp sub-woofers with 5 surround sound speakers, it sounds great. You can install the latest Realtek HD Audio driver and switch the sound from Movie to music when ever you want depending on what you are watching or listening too.
I plug my X10 mini into them too for MP3.
You can even just run these off the main black 2.5 jack connection without the other two audio jack leads.
I have to say they do sound good for what they are.
https://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/logitech-x-530-5-1-speaker-system-00777206-pdt.html

https://www.realtek.com.tw/Downloads/
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Last edited by Syris the Indomitable on 20:38 - 23 Dec 2010; edited 2 times in total
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Neorion
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PostPosted: 20:34 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

doh I meant about 40

Really it depends, its when the tweater and main dome's settle into their normal operating parameters.

But you should enjoy them from day one anyway Thumbs Up
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Neorion
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PostPosted: 20:37 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

have a quick read of this

https://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/156370.html
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



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PostPosted: 21:00 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I want the surround sound though, it is amazing for games and DVD's I'm spoilt downstaires as we have a Bose System which is the fucking nuts. I want something that is at least comparable I just don't want to pay thousands.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
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Syris the Indomitable
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PostPosted: 21:59 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

PC World and Curry's have just merged, they have an amazing range of mid range priced surround sound sub-woofer speaker systems.
They havn't updated the website yet with all the brands and price ranges they have,(So can't show you the items) so I would advice calling in your local super store at your nearest retail park.
I was in other day, absolutely huge now!

They are not top of the range in relative terms, they basically range from £200 to £1000 for some sick sub-woofers, surround sound speakers and normal speaker systems.
Top brands but not top notch if you know what I mean.
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Neorion
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PostPosted: 22:09 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

TanacoiusD wrote:
Moslty crap imo, richer sounds FTW ... and thats after top notch advice from avforums. Also RS do 5 year warranty for 10% extra . .... Thumbs Up Idea


Yeah richer sounds are good, not the best stores I have been too for setup I mean.

Sevenoaks is really good.

Got my 2010 IQ50's for the same price as the IQ5's which I was more than chuffed with. It was only £30 cheaper online so that was a plus.
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Hex
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Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 23:05 - 23 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.creative-audio.co.uk/HOTDEALS.php?HD=HOMECINEMA

Have used these guys a few times (talking in excess of 2k worth of kit), very helpful and quick delivery.

They do have some good prices on some very nice bits of kit.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 12:11 - 26 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dunno if this is any use to ya mate,
https://www.zavvi.com/computing/pc-speakers/philips-spa2602-5.1-multimedia-speakers/10271291.html

50 reduced from 110 .....
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



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PostPosted: 13:28 - 27 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Digital-Multimedia-Theatre-Speaker/dp/B0006HBCL8/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1293451652&sr=1-3


I like the look of these, what do the masses think?
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
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Hetzer
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PostPosted: 13:38 - 27 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

chris-red wrote:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Digital-Multimedia-Theatre-Speaker/dp/B0006HBCL8/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1293451652&sr=1-3


I like the look of these, what do the masses think?


I have the Logitech x530 and they do a superb job. They're around £50 now but were around £150 (I think) when I got them some years ago. Most of what I listen to on the PC is around 128kbs ~ 320kbs so I'm not sure more expensive speakers would amount to much of an improvement.

https://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&q=logitech+5.1&sqi=2&cid=8752630542852075547&ei=LYgYTev1I4Gk3AT69rCDDA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p
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Hetzer
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PostPosted: 14:01 - 27 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

chris-red wrote:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Digital-Multimedia-Theatre-Speaker/dp/B0006HBCL8/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1293451652&sr=1-3


I like the look of these, what do the masses think?



Pros: Fidelity, versatility, Finish

Cons: Imaging loose, rather large

Summary: I bought these speakers from OcUK three weeks ago, to replace my Logitech Z-560's, the amp of which having just expired after two years' use, having read extensively on the Internet about the impressive performance on offer at the price.

On opening the massive box ( I am a national

... Expand full review

Summary: I bought these speakers from OcUK three weeks ago, to replace my Logitech Z-560's, the amp of which having just expired after two years' use, having read extensively on the Internet about the impressive performance on offer at the price.

On opening the massive box ( I am a national champion powerlifter, and this git was still no joke ) and connecting the system ( as others have said, easy as pie ), I was very impressed with the presentation of the system - minimalist lines, understated and subtle. The size of the control unit surprised me - bigger than the satellites at about 7 inches high. Very nice.

On firing the system up, after making sure everything was working, calibrating the soundfield and sorting speaker positioning, I began to play through some of my MP3 collection - mainly electronic, with a lot of prog, tribal, techno, psytrance, with some acoustic rock, and a little soul, choral and classical thrown into the mix.

I was immediately struck by the overdose of midbass at standard speaker settings - a problem shared with my previous system. However, unlike the 560's, this unit allows full, individual control of speaker levels, including the sub, with attenuation to 0 being possible. Setting the sub to 2 bars of 20 produced a FAR more balanced sound, with a full and tight bass sound, with a precise midrange delivery, and open,detailed highs, without being too bright. Note that my setup is nearfield, with no speaker being more than 1 metre from my head - in a larger room, the highs would probably be less impressive, with the one driver setup not really being suitable.

Sasha's Airdrawndagger sounded as enrapturing on this system as anything I have heard - the subtlety of the sound far exceeds my expectations, with dramatic dynamics sitting side by side with an enveloping soundstage and beautiful reproduction. On the lower setting, the sub was musical and smooth - however, the fullrange tweeters cross over at the mid 100 hz range, giving away the sub's location, although the sounds blended perfectly, given correct levels.

At high levels, the sub gives awesome dynamics, perfect for home cinema, or pissing off the neighbors, with a 32 Hz test tone still responding strongly enough to vibrate draws open and make the walls visibly resonate. However, it loses the musical quality that makes it so entertaining at more reasonable settings, with some port whistle and, at daft levels, clipping and mild resonance.

The sub's response rolls off slowly after about 60 Hz, according to my ears on a test tone sweep - however, output was still audible at default settings and half volume down to around 30 Hz. Below that, the resonant frequency of the driver manifested itself, with a 24 Hz tone sounding no lower. I would estimate the quoted 33 Hz response bound at around -10 db, in my smallish room. My 10 year old son could hear output at 19 kHz, although I myself could hear nothing above 17 kHz,almost certainly down to my ears and not the speakers. This is impressive, from a phase plug speaker - response from 160 to 19 kHz, with no obvious flat spots or rolloff from a sweep.

In home theater, these speakers delivered the depth and quality already touched on, with the LOTR:FOTR intro scene giving some real gut-churning LF sweeps and rumbles, although this required turning the sub level up. Dialogue is clear and well placed by the centre channel, with surround effects being reasonably well reproduced. Imaging was precise, as would be expected, but somewhat narrow, altough this is conceivably down to speaker placement. Adjustment is provided when decoding, but even maximum stage width still was less than ideal as far as I was concerned: however, this is a minor issue.

The piece de resistance was the analog sound quality, when feeding phono input from my turntables via a mixer into the direct jack input.

Quality through complex classical passages was breathtaking, for the price and purpose intended. The musical reproduction of the satellites was surprisingly good: smooth, open, and detailed, as with the digital media. Vocals, woodwind, and strings were all near perfect, without a harsh, monitor - like edge I disliked in the GigaWorks 750's. The crossover spoiled an otherwise strong performance when it came to brass, organs, pianos, and deep male voices - however, the quality was not compromised by this, and at the cost, it is a remarkably imposing system.

Overall, I would put these little speakers ahead of the Klipsch Ultras, with a more musical and less monitor - alike sound, far more flexibility and functionality with the decoder and upmixing control unit. That places them firmly at the head of their class, beating such offerings as Creative's GigaWorks 750's, and holding their own musically with far more expensive systems.

At the price they are being offered, I can recommend these speakers wholeheartedly to anyone who wants a versatile system, with input and decoding typical of a home theater system, but which is still musically impressive, whilst looking good and being relatively easy on space.


Read more: https://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/logitech-z-5500/4505-3179_7-31115626.html#ixzz19JhGn6xA
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Hetzer
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PostPosted: 14:03 - 27 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

2004/2005? Confused
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



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PostPosted: 14:15 - 27 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hetzer wrote:
2004/2005? Confused


It is still logitech's top system so it must be pretty good, I hate online reviews as most of them are really stupid, someone gave the system one star because it was big for the room they wanted to put it in, but that seemed like a good one. Thumbs Up
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
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Hetzer
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PostPosted: 14:33 - 27 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

chris-red wrote:
Hetzer wrote:
2004/2005? Confused


It is still logitech's top system so it must be pretty good, I hate online reviews as most of them are really stupid, someone gave the system one star because it was big for the room they wanted to put it in, but that seemed like a good one. Thumbs Up


My brother's got it. I figured it wasn't the same as he got his a few years ago, but the control-unit is identical so it must be the same set. He has his speakers wired up with top-notch cable. The max volume is stupidly powerful, sound is top-notch. Total overkill for a PC bubble but what the hell, go for it. Thumbs Up I've been trying to see if PC-World have them, sale-price etc, but their site is down.
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



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PostPosted: 13:43 - 28 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

That was the push I needed they have been ordered Very Happy

It is not just for my PC it will do my Tele, xBox, PS3 etc.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
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woll
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PostPosted: 15:12 - 28 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

That logitech one is great i have it. Good quality sound and it can go bloody loud if you want it too. The sub packs hell of a punch, i had things vibrating off shelves when i lived at my mums and had the bass flat out when listening to some d&b.
Great for gaming, sound bloody awesome when your playing cod and the plaes or helicopters go over and you can hear them going from one side of the room to the other.
Oh and for best sound you want to be sitting in the middle of the speakers, makes it a much better experience.
Such a shame i've got to sell mine, neighbours whinge at any noise. So if i rig that up all hell will break loose lol.
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



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PostPosted: 18:33 - 31 Dec 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Haha got it today, it is awesome playing Black ops the explosions are fantastic.


A comparasion between the sixe of the old and new sub

https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs045.snc6/167518_487754608475_512803475_5847992_4660371_n.jpg
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
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woll
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PostPosted: 22:15 - 20 Jan 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm soon going to be selling my system same as chris has just bought, just wondering what kind of money people would pay for it?
It's got a dent and a small hole in the grille on the sub, thanks to bad packaging when i bought it the plug punctured it (probably didn't help that the courier was heavy handed).
Just want to know what kind of reserve to put it on ebay for?
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Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt
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