Pondering a "real" sound setup

[TemjinGold]

So after 15 years of service, the control pod for my Z5500s finally blew out. While ordering a replacement, it's made me wonder about all the people who have told me to "get a real setup" (bookshelf speakers and the like). So out of curiosity, if I go THAT route, what pieces do I need to buy, what stuff would people generally recommend, and is it hard to rig up? I would only be using it for my computer though in the future, I may get a large 4k TV screen as the monitor and it would be nice to maybe have the TV also be able to watch TV using the speakers.

Thanks!

 

[EliteRetard]

I wonder how much an improvement the Monoprice 5.1 is from Z-5500s...

They hit the same $200 price point, but with the Monoprice you need a receiver which adds cost.

Wonder how much it would cost to "double" the sound quality/clarity of these sets. For me I would prefer a much more neutral sound profile, so I would know what things are supposed to sound like and then EQ them to taste (or to adjust for damaged hearing).

 

[maddogmcgee]

Since you don't want to go high end you will need a amp/receiver, 2 speakers and likely a sub. Very easy to setup- digital out goes to receiver, speakers plugged in via included wire, change output in windows settings and you are away.

The quality will be much better. One of the issues with cheap integrated systems is they include tweeters for the high range, a sub for the low range and sometimes completely miss out on some of the mid range sounds - you don't even notice they are missing until you upgrade.

Only issue is if you decide to go down this route you can always do better eventually leading to prices that are silly. Stereophile is a great magazine to start reading to find out more about this. You really need to give a budget if you want recommendations but I have my eye on these for upstairs.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/dali-zensor-1-loudspeaker

 

[TemjinGold]

Thanks, I wouldn't want to go more than say $1000. If I watch movies and play games, is it a better idea to forgo 5.1 and just get something nicer at 2.1 or would the 5.1 still be better? Also, I know the Z5500 speakers aren't on par with actual speakers but what about the sub? Could I reuse that or is that a bad idea?

 

[Charmonium]

I would get a used receiver. Prices on used audio equipment are usually a steal. Just make sure that it supports at least 3-4 hdmi inputs. If you think you'll need hdmi 2 compatibility, you might need to buy new.

I would get 2 good 3-way speakers. These should have a wide enough range that you can get away w/o a sub unless you really like some rumbling bass. But speakers are a personal choice so you really need to listen to them in person. I like NHT's because they tend to have a flat response with good transient sound reproduction.

 

[Howard]

Used receiver
Bookshelf speakers
A powered sub

Done

 

[Randy99CL]

So you're talking about changing from using a computer and set of speakers at a desk to building an entertainment system in a room?

For a couple of years I didn't have a TV and my laptop was my entertainment center. I'd watch blu-rays, DVDs and online video on the screen and play my MP3s through the Sony 2.1 computer speakers.

Now I've got a TV, 6.1 surround system and blu-ray player. Much better. I went from the computer being the center of the whole system to the computer being a small plug-in addition to the system. An HDMI cable goes from my laptop into the receiver and through to the TV.

So yeah, just buy a TV and surround system. But if you want to play games on the computer you'll still need speakers or headphones.
The Home Theater PCs forum might help.

 

[maddogmcgee]

For pure gaming sound headphones are hard to beat for value for money.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You can always piece something together over time. The sub will likely be the majority of the cost. I know it was for me.

 

[TemjinGold]

So you're talking about changing from using a computer and set of speakers at a desk to building an entertainment system in a room?

For a couple of years I didn't have a TV and my laptop was my entertainment center. I'd watch blu-rays, DVDs and online video on the screen and play my MP3s through the Sony 2.1 computer speakers.

Now I've got a TV, 6.1 surround system and blu-ray player. Much better. I went from the computer being the center of the whole system to the computer being a small plug-in addition to the system. An HDMI cable goes from my laptop into the receiver and through to the TV.

So yeah, just buy a TV and surround system. But if you want to play games on the computer you'll still need speakers or headphones.
The Home Theater PCs forum might help.

Not exactly. I want to go from a computer with speakers to a computer with better speakers that can maybe moonlight for TV (secondary).

 

[TemjinGold]

For pure gaming sound headphones are hard to beat for value for money.

I would except I wear glasses and headphones hurt my ears after a while due to the glasses.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I would except I wear glasses and headphones hurt my ears after a while due to the glasses.

Not all headphones are created equal. I like sennheiser headphones because they are comfy even when I wear my glasses. This is something you would have to feel for yourself.

 

[stockwiz]

I love my 5.1 setup.. it used floorstanding speakers and a sub with the HDMI going out from the GTX 970 to the receiver with the old sound blaster Z card currently not being used. To me good sound is more important than having 4K and bleeding edge graphics. Dire Straits and Pink Floyd FLAC files just sound amazing as does the rest of my music, movies, games...

I pieced together my system a good 5 years ago now using newegg.com which had at the time polk monitor floodstanding speakers on sale from time to time. A lot of audiophiles recommend the TSi series instead but I've had nothing but praise for my Monitors over the years. The reviews speak for themselves... it's hard to get 5 star reviews with the ratio of 5 to 1 star ratings on newegg.

I haven't exactly researched a lot of other speakers though.. there's so many brands for each taste that I couldn't even begin to start. Troll slickdeals for speaker deals.. go to AVSforum, do some digging, check craigslist to see what's out there.

You could reuse your sub for now... don't bother upgrading unless you're willing to spend more than $500 on your next sub which should be at least a 12 inch. HSU, SVS, and Rythmik are good brands.

 

[TemjinGold]

Thanks. So 4 Monitors and a receiver and I'm good?

 

[Charmonium]

You really need to do some 'showrooming'. Go someplace like BestBuy to listen to some different speakers in your price range and decide which speakers you like, get the model numbers and then shop online. If you want, check prices on your phone while you're there to see if you're getting the best deal. Speakers are an individual choice.

I started out with a couple of Polk bookshelf speakers but didn't like them because they resonated at certain frequencies. That's the sort of thing you'll notice in the store if you bring your own music along to test with.

You can buy speakers just on specs but unless you're paying at least a few hundred bucks per speaker, you're not going to be able to find full specifications like the spectral decay rate which tells you how good the speaker is at handling transients.

The idea behind this measurement is to fire a short signal at a loudspeaker and see what emerges when it stops. Ideally, there should be nothing. In practice, energy bouncing around inside the cabinet and stored in mechanical reactance within resonant systems dissipates, out through the cone(s) and cabinet walls and port, producing a decaying signal. This isn’t wanted, as it muddies the sound and colours it.

Thing is though that a lot of people like the 'color' that some speakers give to music, so you really have to go and listen to some.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yeah best to listen to the ones you can so you have an idea. Maybe one will stand out to you.

SVS now sells a kit that comes with everything (a sub and 5 bookshelf speakers)except a receiver. It's a little expensive if you are trying to be on an extreme budget but they are very high quality and a lot of people give them great reviews. For someone looking to fill an average sized room and doesn't need huge speakers they are worth looking at.

 

[TemjinGold]

Great stuff, thanks. So regardless of model I end up with, I'm really just looking at a receiver and 4-5 bookshelfs if I keep the sub from the Z5500s, right? Should that be 4 or 5? And should they all be the same or different?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Nothing beats a receiver paired with good speakers.
If size is an issue, you can even look at microcomponents.

Also, take a peek at this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2437838

 

[purbeast0]

imo, i'd much rather have a really good 3.1 (or even 2.1) setup than a mediocore 5.1 setup. so i guess it just depends on how much you want to spend on your stuff.

 

[Anubis]

imo, i'd much rather have a really good 3.1 (or even 2.1) setup than a mediocore 5.1 setup. so i guess it just depends on how much you want to spend on your stuff.

this
I run 2.1 (2.2) on my comp (all DIY) and its glorious

 

[Aikouka]

Used receiver

You could even go with an old model that's being phased out. A $1200 Denon model will go for around $600-700 when the new model is about to come out.

Actually, I have a receiver that I've been meaning to sell for cheap. Does AirPlay and everything, I just haven't gotten around to putting it on eBay. :hmm:

You can always piece something together over time. The sub will likely be the majority of the cost. I know it was for me.

It will probably cost more than each individual speaker, but you can get a good, entry-level sub for $250 or less. The BIC F-12 is usually recommended as a good all-around movie-focused sub, and it's less than $250.

this
I run 2.1 (2.2) on my comp (all DIY) and its glorious

Yeah, most computer games don't really take advantage of an array of speakers. You can usually use some sort of software-based tool to turn stereo audio into multi-channel audio, but it's not always perfect. I'll sometimes mess with it on anime, which is notorious for stereo content, and I'll get a bit of improper spread.

Great stuff, thanks. So regardless of model I end up with, I'm really just looking at a receiver and 4-5 bookshelfs if I keep the sub from the Z5500s, right? Should that be 4 or 5? And should they all be the same or different?

From what I can see based upon photos, the Z5500 sub will not work with a dedicated system. I'd consider two floor-standing fronts and bookshelves for the rear. Polk's Monitor series is a good entry-level option. It won't break the bank, and they sound good for their price range. I use Monitor 70s up front and Monitor 50s for the surrounds. To note, Monitor 50s are the same as the Monitor 40s, but the 50s are floor standing vs. the 40s being bookshelf.

 

[Muse]

I wonder how much an improvement the Monoprice 5.1 is from Z-5500s...

They hit the same $200 price point, but with the Monoprice you need a receiver which adds cost.

Wonder how much it would cost to "double" the sound quality/clarity of these sets. For me I would prefer a much more neutral sound profile, so I would know what things are supposed to sound like and then EQ them to taste (or to adjust for damaged hearing).

Boy, can I relate to those comments! My AV receiver, while fairly full featured (but ancient now, it doesn't even support HDMI, or DVI for that matter), doesn't even have treble and bass knobs. It has maybe a 1/2 dozen equalization profiles, dumb stuff with dumb names. I had my hearing tested a few years ago and they told me that I was just about normal up to 3000 hertz and from there on up I was attenuated about 50%. The upshot of this is that I don't hear things like people with normal hearing. I also have tinnitus, but that's a different story. I figure I should replace my AV receiver with either one with better EQ control or maybe work a graphic equalization system into my home theater setup. It's been years since I decided all this but have done nothing other than stop even using the unit and instead use Etymotics ER4S earbuds when watching movies. Of course, this makes surround impossible. Hope this isn't too OT, I don't want to hijack the thread.

Used receiver
Bookshelf speakers
A powered sub

Done

I've got all that (but bought my receiver new). I bought surround speaker system (inexpensive JBL L/R/C/2-rear, a separate inexpensive 100W subwoofer). I've shopped used receivers quite a bit (scoured Craigslist many many times), but not spotted one that looks like a good idea... yet. My requirements:

I want the receiver to have good EQ control (or be able to use it in tandem with something that does this, i.e. an equalizer system of some sort) and I want it to turn on and off at specified times and be tuned to radio, outputting an FM station (I make programmed recordings of FM broadcasts). My receiver does that, plugged into a timer, however as I said, it lacks sufficient EQ control.

 

[MongGrel]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get my old 7.2 working right with WIN 10 these days with many old vintage ones.

I think I'm close but haven't played a lot lately to get it for real.

a couple weren't working awhile and I think I have the dual Subs on the second amp working right again, but just some of the things in WIN 10 is a bit werid still as far as drivers.

 

[MongGrel]

Used receiver
Bookshelf speakers
A powered sub

Done

That's over simplifying it a lot of course and 5.1 is relatively easy that way.

I'm still curious as why you attacked me in the other thread for no reason to be honest.

 

[Muse]

I would except I wear glasses and headphones hurt my ears after a while due to the glasses.

I wear glasses too, and have several sets of some pretty highly rated headphones but never use them anymore... ever since I started using Etymotics earbuds. They are 100x the comfort. Headphones always hurt me after a little while. My earbuds, I can literally use them for hours and experience no discomfort. I watch movies with them. They aren't cheap, although Etymotics makes cheaper ones than the ER4S and ER4P's I have. There are many other manufacturers of earbuds type headphones, but the Etymotics are the only ones I've used for over 15 years now. Another plus for the Etymotics, they are in my experience incredibly durable. I've stepped on them accidentally dozens of times, I've brought them into the gym literally thousands of times. They last and last. I don't believe I've ever had a cord discontinuity and I used to get those constantly with my other portable headphone systems. I repaired them and repaired them, those are sitting in a drawer or I've given them away since I got my Etymotics.