Reccomend a good Cheap 5.1 system.

PenguinMaster

PenguinMaster

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I'm looking for a good 5.1 system under $100, I've seen a few around but I'd like to know if any CAGs can show me a better deal or a system they've had a good experience with.

EDIT: Specifically a system I can directly hook consoles to.
 
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[quote name='PenguinMaster']I'm looking for a good 5.1 system under $100, I've seen a few around but I'd like to know if any CAGs can show me a better deal or a system they've had a good experience with.[/QUOTE]

I just went through the same process. I can help you out if you let me know a little more info.

*Edit* And rather important to the discussion, for PC or a HTheatre setup. And what will you be using to drive them? (Receiver, Soundcard, Old tired mule?)
 
I got two 5.1 systems:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...80657-3840659?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

I got this for Christmas. This is one of the lower end systems. It works fine if you're not looking for extremely good sounds. I use it for my laptop at college. Since I pretty much only play Warcraft 3 (DotA mainly), I really don't care too much about the sounds.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002SQ0AE/103-6880657-3840659?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance

I just ordered this one last week from Tiger Direct through Amazon (it was about $87 with a small price drop and the rebtate). It just arrived and it looks like to be a pretty good system. The main problem is that the rear end speakers are not long enough for me to go around some things and corners.
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']I just went through the same process. I can help you out if you let me know a little more info.

*Edit* And rather important to the discussion, for PC or a HTheatre setup. And what will you be using to drive them? (Receiver, Soundcard, Old tired mule?)[/QUOTE]

I'm looking for a system that I can directly hook my Video Game consoles to.

EDIT: So to the poster directly above, sorry those are for PC, but thanks anyway.
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']I'm looking for a system that I can directly hook my Video Game consoles to.

EDIT: So to the poster directly above, sorry those are for PC, but thanks anyway.[/QUOTE]

You CAN directly hook those to your consoles IF you can find the adapter. They are sold out a lot of places but I think a few of the speaker packages come with them.
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']You CAN directly hook those to your consoles IF you can find the adapter. They are sold out a lot of places but I think a few of the speaker packages come with them.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but will they actually give surround sound? Or just stereo in front and the same stereo sounds in back? I have a PC system that just gives stereo on my consoles.
 
[quote name='Over easy']
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002SQ0AE/103-6880657-3840659?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance

I just ordered this one last week from Tiger Direct through Amazon (it was about $87 with a small price drop and the rebtate). It just arrived and it looks like to be a pretty good system. The main problem is that the rear end speakers are not long enough for me to go around some things and corners.[/QUOTE]

Great system but $25 to ship plus possible tax. Thats way over $100
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']Yes, but will they actually give surround sound? Or just stereo in front and the same stereo sounds in back? I have a PC system that just gives stereo on my consoles.[/QUOTE]

The thing is something needs to process the sound in order for you to get true dolby digital (which is what you are looking for out of the consoles)

I use my soundcard. I feed through it and out to the speakers. Some of the higher end systems have their own decoders/processors built in so they can process without any outside "help". I think these < $100 systems probably cant do that alone.

**Edit** Its probably your soundcard that is handicapping your PC setup, NOT the speakers. If you have a Dolby Digital capable soundcard, its going to process and filter the channels FOR the speakers. You may not even need to buy a new setup at all.

Show us what you got and we can get you all tightened up. Also, if you dont mind using your PC's soundcard as your decoder you can save yourself a boatload.
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']The thing is something needs to process the sound in order for you to get true dolby digital (which is what you are looking for out of the consoles)

I use my soundcard. I feed through it and out to the speakers. Some of the higher end systems have their own decoders/processors built in so they can process without any outside "help". I think these < $100 systems probably cant do that alone.

**Edit** Its probably your soundcard that is handicapping your PC setup, NOT the speakers. If you have a Dolby Digital capable soundcard, its going to process and filter the channels FOR the speakers. You may not even need to buy a new setup at all.

Show us what you got and we can get you all tightened up. Also, if you dont mind using your PC's soundcard as your decoder you can save yourself a boatload.[/QUOTE]


How do I hook up my consoles through my PCs sound card?

EDIT: Just to clarify, my speakers do give me surround on my PC.
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']How do I hook up my consoles through my PCs sound card?[/QUOTE]


Find me on AIM or MSN (see my profile) Ill walk you through all you need to know.

Mike

**Edit** Ok, Im on now. Introduce yourself so I know who ya are.
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']Help me help you ;-)[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the suggestion, I figured it out on my own. Any suggestions for PS2 or GC games to try with it?
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']Thanks for the suggestion, I figured it out on my own. Any suggestions for PS2 or GC games to try with it?[/QUOTE]

If youd tell me what the heck you have I could help :lol:

Name the soundcard and speaker set you have.
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']If youd tell me what the heck you have I could help :lol:

Name the soundcard and speaker set you have.[/QUOTE]

It's an onboard soundcard and I have a few different types of speakers hooked up together.
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']Thanks for the suggestion, I figured it out on my own. Any suggestions for PS2 or GC games to try with it?[/QUOTE]

From your list:
RE4
MGS:TTS
Eternal Darkness
 
Well I seem to just be getting stereo in front and the same stereo in back. It is working full surround on PC though. I'd like some help with how to hook up, supadupacheap. The ports on my sound card are line in front, rear, and center/sub, and 1 line out.
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']My PC Sound card has outputs for Front, Rear, and Center/Sub, but only one input. Would that work right?[/QUOTE]

It *may* work, depends on what your card/software is capable of. The one input means you can pair down the studio output of the ps2/gc and possibly get Pro Logic II out of it (depending on your cards ability) A list of all the audio types available for PS2 and GC games can be found at HDTVArcade.com
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']Well I seem to just be getting stereo in front and the same stereo in back. It is working full surround on PC though. I'd like some help with how to hook up, supadupacheap. The ports on my sound card are line in front, rear, and center/sub, and 1 line out.[/QUOTE]

"Onboard card" can mean any brand/any type. Who makes it?

Creative? Turtlebeach? Chaintech? Other?

You are going to get dumbied down surround unless your card supports Dolby Pro Logic 2. Until I know the card, I cant check.

**Edit** You say it works in full surround on the PC. How so? How is it different from what you get with the PS2 hooked up.

**Edit 2** Express it in percentages... is the sound 50/50 front and rear (rears as loud as the back) or are you getting the fronts more on an 80/20?

*Edit 3**

To get the Red/White cords to hook into your ONE PC input you need a Y adapter. Looks like this...

item456_1.jpg
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']It *may* work, depends on what your card/software is capable of. The one input means you can pair down the studio output of the ps2/gc and possibly get Pro Logic II out of it (depending on your cards ability) A list of all the audio types available for PS2 and GC games can be found at HDTVArcade.com[/QUOTE]

How would I set up PLII?
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']How would I set up PLII?[/QUOTE]

First, check your readmes/manual to make sure you even have PLII decoding with your card.

Second, follow the instructions given within. (Usually its some turn on/turn off certain options)
 
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