Home theator receiver or computer speakers

Netriks

I'm looking to get a new 5.1 system to be used with my computer. I'm looking at either logitechs z-3000 or a 450w philips home theator receiver. They are both priced similarly, but I was wondering if there is any advantage going either way? Would a home theator receiver sound just as good as the logitechs which are made to be used with a computer?

Malus

Uh, I would assume the Phillip's home theater receiver would be way better than using any kind of multimedia speakers.

Netriks

ok thanks, I just done understand with home theators being so cheap now why anyone would buy expensive computer speakers like gigaworks or z-680's when more power can be cheaper.

Judas

...depends.... you can get cheap receivers.. but they'll be cheap.... and they don't include speakers... wireing.. or various other things... they also tend to suck up more power....

to get a good receiver.... 7 speakers.... 1 sub woofer..... and the wiring is about 1500 bucks for anything worth looking at....... anything less... and you may as well pick up a set of computer speakers....

Netriks

The receiver I am thinking of comes complete:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

I have this same model under magnavox name in my room and it is a great receiver, and my friend ordered one from this guy off ebay and it performs perfect. around $150 shipped is the total which is the same as the z-5300 I was considering.

Judas

in that case..... you would probably be better off with the Z-5300.....

Personally, i've never ever found a good "5.1 combo" home recevier and speaker setup.... they just aren't worth it.... a specifically designed and GOOD quality set of computer speakers such as the Z-5300 will in the end, and should, sound better then that IMO....

Anyone thinking of moving to a home receiver and speakers... should consider these:

A: You want to make it very CLEAR, Undistorted, Completely HIGH quality with every frequency covered.

B: Full DSP or SRS True Surround sound support with perhaps Dolby Digital (5.1-7.1) AND DTS (5.1-71) Support/Decoder built in.

C: The ability to replace/upgrade seperate Components of that "system", say the speakers, the receiver, and the Subwoofer. And in case of speakers, it can further be mixed up in the terms that you could replace different speakers as well. (although IMO, i think the BEST every way to do a good surround sound system IS with EVERY SPEAKER THE SAME!)

D: Try before you buy, Thoroughly. MOST of EVERY audio department store of any kind, if they deal with home audio, there gonna let you thoroughly test and try before you make the deal. You should and you can look at what you want to have.

Example: I built a system for someone, they set a price range, and they wanted specifics. They wanted to be able to pound and make it loud, CLEAR. I found a set of speakers, Being as they wanted the thumb, without a subwoofer, (even if they did, this is a must IMO) that the speakers should have a Ported mid range driver, providing very excellent mids but able to somewhat push the lows as best it can. Combined with a good tweeter, the highs would come out crystal clear and sharp.

Malus

Depends on the receiver. A Denon receiver would kick the crap out of multimedia speakers. How much are you looking to spend on a receiver? I would read reviews before commiting to anything.

pr0digal jenius

Cambridge Gigaworks or Klipsch ProMedia are the way to go if you choose multimedia

and i must say my speakers dominate most home theater systems

Judas

....any good set of pc speakers can easily dominate majority of home theaters.... it's like comparing a prebuilt computer to a costum made one.....

Netriks

What would be your recommendations for a set of pc speakers around $150. The z-5300's are what I was looking at, but any other suggestions are welcome.

dipstick

I bought a $400 Sony 600w receiver/5.1 speaker package(all in one) and I think my Z680's blow it out of the water. If you're only looking to hook up your PC then a good set of PC speakers will be better. But you can sacrifice some sound quality with the receiver package to be able to hook up stuff like consoles, PC, DVD and TV.

dj_stick

ok my thoughts on this
most receivers only have either 6x analog ins or 1x digital in
most people think that using this digital connection that they can get 5.1 sound from their computer - only true with an ac-3 source - (DVD passthrough mode, nForce 2 APU)
so whichever way you go - use analog

home stereo systems generally have a higher quality sound than computer speakers, and the tonal properties are designed for music and DVD movies, whereas computer speakers are designed to handle the inadequacies of computer speakers (often cranking the bass up too much)

Judas

I find sony spits out more garbage then anything now...

And i find ANY "5.1" package is terrible.... They are cheap.. and "tasteful" at first due to being marketed as 5.1 speakers.. and are generally quite a bit cheaper in price then specifically selecting speakers and paying an arm and a leg for say 3 boxs of 2...

I setup a 375 watt Yamaha (yamaha really does an excellent job IMO) with multiple digital/Fiber optics in... and even a dedicated 6 Channel analog conneciton (a seperate input for each channel)

That amp vs a sony 800 watt with a package... along with another Hitachi amp rated 3000 watts hooked up with It's own 5.1 package..... were pretty sad......

Point: Don't buy any home theater system in a "package"..... you wasteing your money