Computer speakers vs home theater speakers, HDMI + DAC vs onboard audio?

[shovenose]

A while back I had an awesome home theater setup with an HDMI Yamaha receiver and two Pioneer speakers. Unfortunately I didn't use it enough to warrant keeping it so I sold the reciever to pay the bills and now mom uses the speakers with a $20 Amazon amp. Now, I finally have space to put a TV back in my room so I'll be using a cheapy LG 32" 720P... I gave my big Westinghouse 1080P TV to my uncle as I simply didn't use it enough to warrant keeping that either.

Anyway, now I have to decide whether to reclaim the amp + pioneer setup from my mom or use a spare set of Bose Companion 2 Series II computer speakers (hey, I paid $15). I use the same exact set of speakers for my computer (I did buy those new, before I found the set used for $15 lol)...

Anyway, is there a difference in the accuracy of the sound between a set of computer speakers and a set of speakers more designed for a home theater system?

Primary use of the system is for movies and TV shows AMD APU HTPC build (once I get it back from a friend who is borrowing it). The PC and TV will be connected with HDMI.

Next question, the LG TV has a digital optical audio output (SPDIF) from the HDMI. Should I get a DAC to adapt that to my speakers, or should I simply connect the speakers to the computer's headphones port?

If I put a Blu-Ray drive in the computer I think I need everything to be "HDCP" compliant(ha, I typed DHCP like 10 times trying to remember what that shit was called) - am I right that I would HAVE to use the DAC through the TV then?

I found this one (FiiO D3) on Amazon for $25. Is that a good enough DAC for my purposes? Remember, I'm using a $20 amp (or a regular set of computer speakers) so I don't need a high end unit.

[Khron]

Re: Computer speakers vs home theater speakers, HDMI + DAC vs onboard audio?

If anything, the "home theater" speakers (assuming they're not the same size as the "computer") ones kinda-sorta ought to be at least capable of higher SPL's.

Keeping the signal all-digital, and using the TV's digital out into a separate DAC shouldn't be an issue. Granted, they've improved a lot over the years, but the mobo's integrated headphones-out still wouldn't be my first choice

[shovenose]

Re: Computer speakers vs home theater speakers, HDMI + DAC vs onboard audio?

If anything, the "home theater" speakers (assuming they're not the same size as the "computer") ones kinda-sorta ought to be at least capable of higher SPL's.

Keeping the signal all-digital, and using the TV's digital out into a separate DAC shouldn't be an issue. Granted, they've improved a lot over the years, but the mobo's integrated headphones-out still wouldn't be my first choice

Hey, thanks for the reply I think I'll get that DAC in a few weeks and report back on how it sounds - still fully aware that my cheapo amp is the weak point in my system, though the volume levels I can do in my apartment will not stress even the cheapest amp.

[Khron]

Re: Computer speakers vs home theater speakers, HDMI + DAC vs onboard audio?

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvireu2SGZM

Enjoy

If anything, your room will affect the (perception of) sound waaaaaaaaay more than the gear itself will

[nstevens]

Re: Computer speakers vs home theater speakers, HDMI + DAC vs onboard audio?

When it comes to speakers you can get accurate comparisons at http://consumertop.com be it home theatre, computer speaker, car speaker, gaming etc. It is a website of speakers that would help you answer all your questions.

[Khron]

Re: Computer speakers vs home theater speakers, HDMI + DAC vs onboard audio?

For some reason, "consumertop" and "accurate", especially when it comes to speakers, somehow just don't go together, imho :P

"It sounds good to me" (at the very least, in an unknown room, and without any sort of... reference / standard, for lack of a better term) is a pretty far cry from "accurate", wouldn't you agree?