2.1, 4.1, 5.1 and higher multimedia speaker thread

[1a2a3a]

hi can i ask wht u guys look for in speaker? and my budget is 50-100 wht kind of speak can i get? im planning to get for usage on my laptop, mp3, and maybe phone compatiable

 

[silthfire]

hi can i ask wht u guys look for in speaker? and my budget is 50-100 wht kind of speak can i get? im planning to get for usage on my laptop, mp3, and maybe phone compatiable

50-100 not much choice....but u wan 2.0 which is no subwoofer or 2.1 which got subwoofer?...i think u look at creative web and see their price....for altec lansing and logitech...the gd ones already EOL iirc

 

[ace_mav]

can anyone suggest the cheapest speaker that have optical input?

 

[sAxman_Returns]

what's the purpose for optical input if it's a cheapo speakers?

 

[Sennett]

is G550W from creative too weak for living hall? what about Logitech's Z5500?

Get the s750, it's sounds way above GW550, price also....kekeke

I prefer the MW550 over the G550

 

[sAxman_Returns]

Get the s750, it's sounds way above GW550, price also....kekeke

I prefer the MW550 over the G550

I need wireless connection for the surrounds. Anyway, got myself a Spherex. Using a 3rd party wireless adapter instead. Omnipolar damn power!

 

[lifesgood]

aww most of the links have died :'(

 

[jujubean]

wow. 4 yrs of thread....

 

[Aloof_guy]

can anyone recommend wireless speakers? prefer 2.1. if dnt have then higher is also ok.

thanks

 

[mhadimanaf]

Reliable service/ repair shop Klipsch Promedia GMX D-5.1.

Hi, can someone recommend a reliable shop to send my spoil GMX 5.1 control pod for repair.
The digital coaxial and optical input doesn't work. Analog is ok.
Thanks in advance.

 

[bigdickking]

using MW550...

 

[Biff73]

Bros,

Let's compile a 2.0, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1 or higher speaker configuration list.
Just recommend the speakers that worked for you.

Since sound is very very subjective, the purpose of this thread is not for argument so please restrain your thoughts but list out the "decent" speakers so that other forumers can go and audition it themselves.

In no order of preference:

2.0 SPEAKERS
Creative Inspire Monitors M85-D (#) Pic $139
Harman Kardon HK 19.5 speakers Pic
JBL Compaq OEM speakers Pic
Videologic Sirocco Spirit Pic

2.1 SPEAKERS
Acoustic Energy Aego 2 Pic $299
Altec Lansing 621 Pic $199
Altec Lansing ATP3 Pic $99
Altec Lansing MX5021 (*) Pic $259
Creative Megaworks 250D (*, #) Pic $399
Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Classic (*) Pic $3xx
Klipsch Promedia GMX A-2.1 Pic $348
Logitech Z-2200 (*) Pic [Not Available in SG]
Videologic Sirocco Pro (#) Pic

4.1 SPEAKERS
Altec Lansing 641 Pic $479
Altec Lansing ADA885 (*,#) Pic
Altec Lansing ADA890 (*,#) $269 Pic
Klipsch Promedia 4.1 (*) Pic $499
Klipsch Promedia 4.2 (*) Pic [Not Available in SG]
Logitech Z-560 (*) Pic
Videologic Sirocco Crossfire 4.1 Pic

5.1 SPEAKERS
Acoustic Energy Aego 5 (#) Pic $1499
Creative Inspire 5300 Pic
Creative Inspire GD580 (#) Pic $379
Creative Megaworks 550 (*) Pic $549
Creative Gigaworks S700 (*) Pic [Not Available in SG]
Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Classic (*) Pic $799
Klipsch Promedia GMX D-5.1 (#) Pic $688
Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 Pic [Not Available in SG]
Logitech Z-5300 (*) Pic [Not Available in SG]
Logitech Z680 (*,#) Pic [Not Available in SG]
Midiland S4 8200 (#) Pic $399

7.1 SPEAKERS
Creative Inspire T7700 Pic $289
Creative Gigaworks S750 (*) Pic $949

* - THX-certified (Tomlinson Holman's eXperiment)
# - Either built-in decoder or digital speaker

A list of THX-certified Multimedia products can be found here:
Link

Some sample illustrations on how to position THX-certified speakers:
Link

STANDALONE DECODERS
Creative DDTS-100 Decoder Pic $279

Supports DD-EX/DD-PL2/DTS/DTS:NEO6/DTS-ES decoding. 3 optical inputs, 1 coaxial input, 3 RCA analog inputs. Can upmix to 7.1 speakers.

SPEAKER CABLES
Upgrading your multimedia speaker cables will boost your speaker performance in most instances. Not all speakers can be upgraded however. Those hardwired ones are out of luck. You will also need to find out the cable gauge that your speaker can accept.

Common speaker cable upgrades:
Monster Standard THX-certified speaker cables (16 gauge)Link 1 roll of 30m (100ft) for $99

Other speaker cables brands used by other HWZoners include Belden, Klotz, Monster Cable, QED and Supra. Different cables have different prices and will sound different on the same system. It is best that you can audition the cables from the shops that sell those cables. Most of these shops will also sell the speakers connectors and the interconnects to the subwoofer. Again, depending on your budget, you can forgo interconnects but you risk corroding your cable if you connect barewire. These shops will also provide soldering services too.

Popular places to get these cables include: Sim Lim Square, Sim Lim Tower and The Adelphi (in between City Hall building and Funan Centre).

DIGITAL CABLES
When using digital connections, there are two types of interfaces: Coaxial (SPDIF - Sony/Philips Digital InterFace or RCA) or Toslink (TOShiba LINK or Optical). These cables transfer the digital or signals to the receiver or decoder for DAC conversion.

Example of connecting to Analog speakers:
PC soundcard SPDIF out > Digital cable > Receiver or decoder > Analog speakers

Example of connecting to Digital speakers:
PC soundcard SPDIF out > Digital cable > Digital speaker system with built-in decoder

Some multimedia speaker systems may require a convertor in order to support digital connections. Check with the respective speaker manufacturer for more details.

There are convertors available for Toslink to Coaxial and vice versa. There are also Toslink/Coaxial Extenders too.

Coaxial Connector

Toslink Connector

Some cable upgrades:
Daiyo toslink cable Pic $25-$30 (Available at most electronic stores like Best Denki, Carrefour, Courts, Harvey Norman etc.)

Monster Standard THX-certified toslink cable Pic $60

CONNECTING AUDIGY-BASED SOUNDCARDS USING DIGITAL OUTPUT WITH MULTI SPEAKER SYSTEMS
For those who wish to output digital sound from their Audigy cards to their speakers. The steps are outlined below:
http://www.ask.asia.creative.com/htmlhelp/audio/audigy/audigy_dolby_digital.htm

CINEMA/HOME THEATRE SOUND FORMATS INFORMATION
Digital Theater Systems (DTS) Online | DTS 5.1 Music Discs

Dolby Laboratories

Sony SDDS (Sony Dynamic Digital Sound)

http://mitglied.lycos.de/jjraye/pages/surround.html

http://www.surroundmusic.net/articles/backward.html

http://dvd-player.cambridgesoundworks.com/media/seo/dvd_players/dvd_player_dts.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Cinema/1492/sound.html

http://dolby.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/dolby.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=uByGSt9h&p_lva=&p_faqid=135&p_created=1013441850&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NzcmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=

http://dolby.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/dolby.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=uByGSt9h&p_lva=&p_faqid=136&p_created=1015027785&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NzcmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=

Dolby Pro Logic IIx:
http://www.dolbylabs.com/press/ce_pr_0309_plIIx.html

http://www.dolby.com/Consumer/Technologies/PLIIx/

http://www.dolby.com/Consumer/Technologies/PLIIx/FAQ_ProLogicIIx.html

Dolby Labs vs Digital Theatre Systems
Dolby Labs' Stand
http://www.dolby.com/tech/mp.in.0103.DigitalVsDTS.pdf

Digital Theatre Systems' Stand
http://www.dtsonline.com/media/uploads/pdfs/dolbyrvu.pdf

RECEIVERS/AMPLIFIERS/TUNERS INFORMATION
For those who wish to know about the differences and its usage in a HTPC environment. You can decode the digital signals from the soundcard through them (Receivers). An alternative to using standalone decoders while providing exceptional sound quality.

http://www.multimod.com/uk/shop/612-000-hifi-separates.html

http://www.multimod.com/uk/shop/612-000-hifi-separates-old.html

PRICES
Prices are rough estimations, Creative speaker prices taken from CreativeX. Those who wish to get Creative speakers should wait for the Creative Warehouse Sale for great discounts/freebies. Altec Lansing speaker prices taken from Ban Leong Technologies. Apologies for unable to get prices for other speaker systems. You can usually get the speakers/equipment cheaper than the prices listed above. Prices accurate as of 18 April 2004.

SPEAKER DISTRO INFO:
ALTEC LANSING
Ban Leong Bros Pte Ltd
Ban Leong Technologies Pte Ltd
No. 21, Kaki Bukit Crescent,
Kaki Buki Techpark,
Singapore 416252.

Telephone: (65) 6741 1221
Fax: (65) 6741 9295

http://www.banleong.com.sg

LOGITECH
Mclogic International Pte Ltd
10 Ubi Crescent #01-03 Lobby A, Ubi Techpark
Singapore 408 564

Tel: (65) 6748 2818
Fax: (65) 6748 4308
Email: mclogic@singnet.com.sg
Website: www.mclogic.com.sg

KLIPSCH
Tat Chuan Audio
Head Office:
213 Henderson Road
#03-08 Henderson Industrial Park
Singapore 159553
Tel: (65) 6273-3818 Fax: (65) 62783468
Website: http://www.tatchuanaudio.com/index1.htm

Tat Chuan Audio Showroom:
1 Coleman Street
#01-17 The Adelphi
Singapore 179803
Tel: (65) 6334-5566
Fax: (65) 6337-7244
Email: tcaudio@singnet.com.sg



Edit: Updated info
Edit: Added image links
Edit: Added some distro info
Edit: Added estimated prices
Edit: Added Decoders section
Edit: Added Cinema/Home theatre sound formats section
Edit: Added Audigy to Multi Speakers connection section
Edit: Added Receivers/Amplifiers/Tuners section
Edit: Added Speaker Cables and Digital Cables sections
Edit: Added Dolby Prologic IIx info and updated speaker cables info
Edit: Added Dolby vs DTS comparison section

Additional Credits:
The HWZ bros who have made their speaker recommendations and corrections.
kkktoh and AZE for the many links on various home theatre related information.

How about the Edifier S550 5.1ch?It matches up or surpass most of the speakers listed here

 

[bencheongcm]

How about the Edifier S550 5.1ch?It matches up or surpass most of the speakers listed here

for 5.1 nope

 

[Gecko]

Somethings wrong with my klipsch promedia 5.1

If i do a cold start using the control pod, it will have a very loud hum. Then if i turn the volume knob, there'll be a loud pop from the woofer and the hum goes away and everything works perfectly like normal.

Anyone knows whats wrong or where to fix this?

 

[Chong Yu Fu]

Anyone can recommend me a good 5.1 pc speaker, my current one went faulty.

 

[tmengyew]

hi can i ask wht u guys look for in speaker? and my budget is 50-100 wht kind of speak can i get? im planning to get for usage on my laptop, mp3, and maybe phone compatiable

Edifier E3100 - $79 . I have try it at Best price ,Quite good . I don`t own it

 

[Vasilli]

How about the Edifier S550 5.1ch?It matches up or surpass most of the speakers listed here

Please Add Corsair SP2500 & Logitech Z-623 to the 2.1 list