Will this speaker set give me true 5.1 on x-box?

vanlandw

vanlandw

CAGiversary!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._alx-jeb-9-1_ce_4551488_5/104-8685557-5832724
Logitech Z-5300
I got scamed working tomorrow on my day off on a holiday so I"m looking into blowing some money. I have an x-box in my room and I would really like to get a 5.1 speaker set hooked up on it. I'm reading some reviews and I'm not sure if I will get the 5.1 sound though this or will I get the "Pro-Logic" sound. ANY help would be great. I've been reading reviews and mostly the focus on the PC side of these speakers.

Thanks in advance for any information you guys can provide.
 
Looking at the specs I'd say no. You still need a Dolby Digital decoder somewhere in between the Xbox and the speakers or the signals won't be distributed to the individual speakers correctly.
 
Yeah..i'm not sure what to do..i am hoping to find a cheap solution for 5.1 for the x-box...does anybody seem to have any ideas for a cheapass 5.1 system for the x-box
 
[quote name='vanlandw']Yeah..i'm not sure what to do..i am hoping to find a cheap solution for 5.1 for the x-box...does anybody seem to have any ideas for a cheapass 5.1 system for the x-box[/quote]

You have to have a 5.1 decoder, period. The Xbox can output the signal but you need a receiver to decode it. As far as finding a cheap one, I guess that depends how one defines cheap...
 
The system doesn't have a optical "in" port anywhere on it, so even if it did have a built-in decoder you still wouldn't be able to get 5.1 sound through the Xbox...And the description says it only comes with an analog adapter for consoles, which means you'll only get matrixed surround.

However, I think there are ways to work around this and you may be able to get discrete 5.1 out of it...but I don't know how off the top of my head so maybe someone else can help.

BTW these are still good speakers if you want to use them for your comp.
 
[quote name='vanlandw']yeah...i heard about the decoder and I really don't wanna spend that much money on something that isn't really going to do what I want it to do..oh well...thanks for the input

I am a complete noob to this stuff but would this peice of hardware help?
http://www.xbox.com/en-us/hardware/highdefinitionavpack.htm[/quote]

Yeah, you'll need that since the Xbox doesn't have an optical out port physically on the box. The AV pack brings it "out" for you.
 
[quote name='Ugamer_X']http://www.xbox.com/en-us/hardware/advancedavpack.htm

This will work also but it doesn't use component video cords..so no Hi-Def.[/quote]

lol..yeah..i'll be playing on a 20inch TV in my room...they have these at sale at TRU for $10 bucks so I'm going to just run and pick one up if I decide on getting the speaker set with the optical that is required
 
[quote name='Graystone']the xbox has dolby bulit in all you have to do is turn it on in the options of the main menu[/quote]

No, the Xbox can output a Dolby data stream as found on any DVD player. This does not decode and distribute the individual audio streams to the correct speakers. Without that logic lying inbetween and the circuitry and plugs to allow each speaker to be addressed separately its just a bunch more speakers than usual.
 
Here it is...

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=136&product=9468

with this tiny gem you can the true surround decoding for console gaming on those $36 Cheap Ass Logitech 5.1 setups from Amazon...

it will also pull true 5.1 into the $200 speakers you wish to buy.....

problem is.. the decoder box...which is tailor made for this sort of thing... runs about $130

so...i actually got the cheap speakers which ihighly recomend for a small room... very killer...

now i'm looking for the decoder box cheap.... already posted request... but this is relevant.... any help?
 
oh..i've seen those at best buy..but they are very expensive...

cheapest on froogle was 95 dollars after $20 mailin rebate....
 
well hey man....

95 for the decoder...
36 for the logitech Z640s from AMazon...
thats 131 for a killer dorm room 5.1 for multiple consoles and your pc....

beats dropping 200 on the newer logitech speakers to start with... right?
 
[quote name='vanlandw']http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00007AKDP/ref=nosim/silverherocom-20/104-8685557-5832724

so that set would be what I would need?

they seem like amazing speakers..and for 200 bucks it's much cheaper then getting like a reciever and speaker wire...i only live in a small two room apt...

learning a lot tonight..i wish had more A/V knowledge :oops:

what is a "optical cable" :oops:

*such a noob*[/quote]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...39457-5531126?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

That's an optical cable. In short, an optical cable uses light to send a digital signal (ie: discrete multichannel sound) to your components.
 
Yeah, you can get them pretty much anywhere that sells DVDs...But, don't let an employee sucker you into buying more expensive Monster optical cables, you don't need them.
 
[quote name='joystickz'][quote name='vanlandw']oh..that is pretty damn cheap then...can you pick them up at a BB or anything?[/quote]

here are the speakers.....

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006HYPD/102-8232657-8496151

free shipping buy from amazon... not tiget direct....

then for the decoder... just froogle it...
or best buy it...[/quote]

Are you positive that'll work? I'm curious because I have no clue with stuff like that...What is used to connect the decoder to the speakers?

Edit: My bad, I just saw some pics of the decoder, it'll work...
 
yeah...i have a few decisions to make...thanks for everybody for their input..

I wonder if their are any good web resources for stuff like this...I couldn't find jack!
 
Check it ---> http://gear.ign.com/articles/449/449167p1.html

Hook up a Gamecube via standard stereo RCA to the decoder then it connects out and it decoded into dolby pro logic II on the cheap cheap ass Logitech Z640s from Amazon ($35)

or you could buy the HD Pack for the Xbox that gives you the optical audio out that can pipe into the decoder... for digital surround...


or you could pipe optical audio straight out of a ps2 into the decoder for digital surround...


the decoder connects directly to the logitech speakers just as they would if it were a sound card in a pc...

cool? cool.

now...

MUST FIND DECODER BOX FOR CHEAP!!! (cheaper then 95.....)
 
yeah..i can't find it cheap anywhere!

i am still really torn on what to do....if the Logitech Z-640's where maybe 150 with shipping i would have already ordered them...but it would almost be like $250 and that is a tad out of my price range right now....but i've learned a lot tonight and what I will need to get this done...
 
very interesting read.....i know my share about computers and consoles but A/V knowledge is really a weak subject.....tomorrow when I'm at work I'll try and make a final decision...
 
[quote name='epobirs']Here are the least expensive decoder choices I've found:
http://shopping.com/xPP-Receivers--price_range_under_150

If you don't mind switching the connections around as needed this device from Creative Labs is pretty cool for around $100 or less.
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=9103

This performs AC-3 decoding via optical source and also acts as a 24-bit resolution audio system for computers over USB.[/quote]


not exaclty what's looking for....

those receivers arent tailor made for pc speakers like the Creative DDTS-100

and the audigy box needs a PC....

i really think the DDTS-100 is the only/best solution for true 5.1 console gaming on PC surround speakers.
 
I wanted 5.1 also. I went for the panasonic SC-HT05. 199.99 at best buy. It has two optical inputs so I'm able to connect both the Xbox and my DVD player. It's a good system and I'm extremely pleased with it.
 
Does anybody know if bestbuy sells the Logitech Z-640's. I have the 10% coupon and if that would maybe drive the price down to 200 bucks I would almost debate buying them today. Thanks!
 
[quote name='vanlandw']Does anybody know if bestbuy sells the Logitech Z-640's. I have the 10% coupon and if that would maybe drive the price down to 200 bucks I would almost debate buying them today. Thanks![/quote]

The Z640s are the ones on amazon for $37.00 shipped.

you're probably thinking about the Z-680s that decode on their own...

i'm telling you though...

The Z-680s are damn nice for an all in one... but really its just the decoder that separates it from the Z640.

If you buy the Creative decoder and separate speakers... you can always upgrade the speakers for 7.1 in the future....

if you buy the all in one that is the Z680s then if one blows you're kinda screwed cuz the decoder is built in!
 
ummm no im sorry to say that the Z-680 speakers are far more better than the Z640, and the Klipsch ProMedia GMX D-5.1 also have a decoder in it and it is at a relly great price.
 
[quote name='CaptainObviousXl']ummm no im sorry to say that the Z-680 speakers are far more better than the Z640, and the Klipsch ProMedia GMX D-5.1 also have a decoder in it and it is at a relly great price.[/quote]

i dont doubt that the Z680s got more ummpfh than the Z640s.... i've heard both...

i'm just talking like... younever know what could happen to the speaker set.... so the external decoder + NICE (but cheap) Z640s would be a good choice since they sound so good... and one could simply upgrade the whole set to a 7.1 down the line....

also.. with the decoder box, there are far more input ports for AUX audio from multiple systems and dvd players... and can even be split to share audio out of a PC at the same time...

so my argument is not that the Z640's are better... but that the Creative Decoder DDTS-100 would be a better option with more inputs... great processing... small size.... and usabilty with any speakers (especially the Z640s)
 
The decoder is a pretty nice peice of hardware..i went looking at my local BB's and CC's and ran to TRU. Picked up the Xbox High Definition AV Pack at TRU for only $10 because of the 50% off sale they have going on.

At BB they had some of those Home Theater Systems. A few of them have the optical ports but with using the High Def pack and the optical ports on those systems would I get true 5.1 from x-box?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...3097&skuId=6421703&type=product&ref=10&loc=01

just an example......
 
thanks to everybody so far with all the info...I'm such a A/V noob!

Does anybody know of any good sites that could maybe teach me the ways of A/V so I don't have to bother you guys anymore! ;-)

Also Supernothing...thanks for the heads up...i'm almost leaning more towards that solution...my buddy has a set similar to that and with movies it sounds really nice and on a budget you can't really beat one of those Home Audio kit dealy's.

At first I was leaning towards the comptuer speakers because they are pretty cheap and would fit perfectly..but now maybe this will be a good solution.
 
Your telling me Captain...but starting this thread I've learned quite a bit. I'm taking all the ideas presented in here and workin with them.

Anybody have any Home Theater System's to suggest maybe in the 200-300 range that will produce 5.1 sound for the x-box? Any deals floating around?
 
i suggest you go to best buy see what they have there, write the stuff down and look to see if its a decent price by compairing on the web
 
Apperently according to BB's ad all sound systems are 10% off this week. Tomorrow I'm going to go with my GF and see if I can find a good deal and get some more info. Maybe an inpulse buy will happen!
 
On the Amazon Tech page for those speakers. it says..

Create breathtaking 5.1-channel surround sound from stereo, 4-channel, or true 5.1 sound sources
 
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