i need some advice

[shovenose]

First off, the attached pictures are somewhat relevant. One is of the computer area where I will be using this sound system and how I have my computer set up, and also under my desk where the sub (if I got one) would go.

I'd put the center right either behind or under the front of my middle computer monitor and the left and right behind the left and right monitors. I'm assuming it's OK to put speakers behind LED LCDs like this?

The computer would go under the left side of the desk where it's supposed to go not behind the monitors like it is now...



I want to get a 5.1ch capable thing so that in the future I can expand, even if I don't do that right away. Right now I'm just going to use it for my computer.

Should I just get the entire thing now? I think the biggest problem is where would I put the Rear Left speaker? Like in the middle of the room? lol.

Or would it make sense just to get sub, left, and right for now? Can I use 2.1 on a 5.1ch reciever? Or will it not work? Would it be advantageous to have center as well and just not have the two rear surround speakers?

Next up, should I be using the SPDIF connector to go from my Creative Sound Blaster Z sound card? Or something else? Or is it even still called SPDIF? lol.

Anyway, I'll need help choosing speakers and a reciever unit.

Here are my thoughts so far based on Newegg and Amazon reviews and other sources as well.

First off, the reciever:
Harmon Kardon AVR 700

or would it be worth the extra to get the AVR 1700?
Or is this not at all what I want?

For the sub I'm thinking:
BIC America V-1220

For the center speaker (if I get one), how about this?
BIC AMERICA DV-32CLR

Then for the main speakers I saw these, but they're a bit pricey.
Polk Audio RTI A1 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black)
Any suggestinos for something smaller and cheaper, but that's still really good?

Thanks a bunch!

PS: The purpose of all this is to make both movies I stream from Netflix (I usually use my center computer monitor for this) and music sound f*cking amazing! I won't be really able to max the system out as far as volume is concerned because I've got a noise-sensitive upstairs neighbor.

[rhomanski]

Re: i need some advice

In 2002 I bought a computer 5.1 system made by klipsch. It will rock the house. I have the center channel under the monitor and the satellites on small pedestal tables. I recently bought another set of the speakers for making it 7.1 in the future. Look for klipsch 5.1 on ebay and you'll se the system. Mine was the first one they came out with and it is THX certified.

It has one problem, A resistor gets hot inside of it if you run it 24 hours a day. I have a small fan ziptied inside to blow air on it. Haven't had mine burn out. The later non THX may not have that problem, but still a small fan inside would help.

I would wait until I got a real living room to plan for surround sound. The processors are changing so fast buying for the future doesn't make much sense. My processor doesn't do HDMI. I have to replace it one day. It does 6.1 with on board amps and will do 7.1 with an added two channel amp. The surround sound has gone to 9.2 in the top of the line units now. I fully expect 13.2 eventually.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProM...item3cd415e363
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProM...61256242019%26

[rhomanski]

Re: i need some advice

Those are the ones. Only, I paid $500 for them when they were new. They have great low frequency and clear mids and high frequencies. You would have to spend a lot more money to equal them. I have heard that Logitech has comparable units today but I have never heard them. I first bought a 2.1 from Logitech but was dissatisfied. They cost $80 and didn't get near as loud, nor were they clear and bassy.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

Those are the ones. Only, I paid $500 for them when they were new. They have great low frequency and clear mids and high frequencies. You would have to spend a lot more money to equal them. I have heard that Logitech has comparable units today but I have never heard them. I first bought a 2.1 from Logitech but was dissatisfied. They cost $80 and didn't get near as loud, nor were they clear and bassy.

Hmmm...
I'll consider it. But I still like the idea of having a setup where I can replace anything at any time.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

ok well I am waiting on slow Amazon to get my stuff here. It may as well come all the way from the fucking Amazon rainforest at this pace.

Anywya...
How'd I do? (see screenshot) I'm gonna start with this and order sub/center/surround if I think I need it.

by the way I'm planning on using SPDIF from the Sound Blaster Z sound card in my computer to connect my computer to the thing. Anyway, is the sound quality of Spotify Premium good enough or should I find a better way to get my music?

Thanks,
shovenose

[goontron]

Re: i need some advice

you did better than i even tried http://www.walmart.com/ip/FileMate-P...ystem/22134605 but this thing has bass from all hell! (that means very good and very powerful)

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

you did better than i even tried http://www.walmart.com/ip/FileMate-P...ystem/22134605 but this thing has bass from all hell! (that means very good and very powerful)

*shudder* well, uh, it's cheap?

[rhomanski]

Re: i need some advice

The only problem is that Yamaha has a high failure rate for the last few years. Apparently they run hot and kill the solder joints. Denon might have been better for longevity.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

Denon might have been better for longevity.

But more expensive.

I'll treat it well I think it has a 2 year warranty from Yamaha.

But do you know anything I should specifically do to make it last longer?

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

Oh and by the way, is it bad to have my computer speakers sideways?

I've got three monitors on my desk so I'm forced to stand up the speakers behind them, muffling people's voices in tv shows and movies and stuff from Netflix which bothered me, so I finally tried them sideways and I can hear people now

This:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Bose%26%...&skuId=7933686


Thanks!

[rhomanski]

Re: i need some advice

Forced air would help immensely, but you would need to clean it like your computer. On the same schedule I mean.

Turning speakers shouldn't hurt them. In the case of vintage, large speakers , it will help. At about 10 or 12 inches the speaker is large enough for the cone to sag over 30 years or so. I've got all of mine mounted upside down in the cabinets. Of course the mechanically challenged simply turn the cabinet upside down.

Those should be okay on their side. I would rather see you get Klipsch 2.1 instead. Bose has a bad reputation in audio enthusiast circles. After buying a pair myself, I can see why. They sounded okay up to a point, but were very cheaply constructed and high priced.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

Forced air would help immensely, but you would need to clean it like your computer. On the same schedule I mean.

Turning speakers shouldn't hurt them. In the case of vintage, large speakers , it will help. At about 10 or 12 inches the speaker is large enough for the cone to sag over 30 years or so. I've got all of mine mounted upside down in the cabinets. Of course the mechanically challenged simply turn the cabinet upside down.

Those should be okay on their side. I would rather see you get Klipsch 2.1 instead. Bose has a bad reputation in audio enthusiast circles. After buying a pair myself, I can see why. They sounded okay up to a point, but were very cheaply constructed and high priced.

Thank you for the advice regarding putting it sideways. I'm just curious if it sounds worse or anything (I can't tell)...

The Bose speakers are fine, I've had them for a while now. They have an impressive amount of bass for their size.

[rhomanski]

Re: i need some advice

To each his own. I remember when Bose first came out. Someone I knew back then bought some of the first 901's. He was very impressed with them. I wasn't so much.

The old adage was to have the tweeters at ear level. Basically because low frequencies are not directional. With small speakers, the whole speaker is at ear level and will make no difference, whether it's on it's side or not.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

Well, it's really really really really nice! Movies and music sound excellent!
BUT I want the sub!! But it's more expensive than the speakers!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Should I?
-Just put the speakers on the floor
-Get real speaker stands
or
-Continue to use a stack of boxes as speaker stands?

LOL

[rhomanski]

Re: i need some advice

I think I mentioned it once, but I scoured the flea markets until I found matching pedestal tables like what some put flower vases on. Just a small tall table.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

Hmm... are those solid?

[rhomanski]

Re: i need some advice

I found a pair about 2 feet tall with a brass stalk and granite top. Top is round and about a foot in diameter. Found another pair about 2 1/2 feet tall with a wood stalk and a square granite top about 10" by 10" The brass stalks are about 3" around and hollow with a base about the size of the top. The wood are about the same.

I should add, I put the front speakers on the tall wood ones and the rear speakers on the shorter brass tables. The wood tables are about the same height as the computer desk.

[shovenose]

Re: i need some advice

I found a pair about 2 feet tall with a brass stalk and granite top. Top is round and about a foot in diameter. Found another pair about 2 1/2 feet tall with a wood stalk and a square granite top about 10" by 10" The brass stalks are about 3" around and hollow with a base about the size of the top. The wood are about the same.

I should add, I put the front speakers on the tall wood ones and the rear speakers on the shorter brass tables. The wood tables are about the same height as the computer desk.

good thought - if I can find something like that I'll go for it like at a garage sale or something

[Logistics]

Re: i need some advice

The old adage was to have the tweeters at ear level. Basically because low frequencies are not directional. With small speakers, the whole speaker is at ear level and will make no difference, whether it's on it's side or not.

Well... Infrasonic frequencies (below 20Hz, the low end of human hearing) cannot be localized by humans. One could wager he isn't in any danger of buying multimedia speakers which reproduce infrasonic frequencies, especially on any 6.5" or even 8" subwoofers.