Today I am sad for my Klipsch, and now I need advice

[alcoholbob]

On pure paper specs, it won't have "Klipsch" sound for sure (which is bass anemic and shallow midbass), but in terms of overall SQ, it should be very similar, pure physics considering we're talking about different ways of implementing tiny paper drivers...

 

[archcommus]

So should I go with an entry-level HT setup or a new set of Ultras, z-5500s, or G500s?

 

[Eureka]

If you have the money, entry level HTIB.

If you're looking in the $200 range, G500s will give you better sound for 5.1.

Norm

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
If you have the money, entry level HTIB.

If you're looking in the $200 range, G500s will give you better sound for 5.1.

Norm

By "if you have the money," are you talking around $300 for that set linked to above?

 

[Eureka]

Yep, or if you're feeling adventurous I think you could do 7.1 or a better 5.1 set.

Norm

 

[rstrohkirch]

If you have an extra 5 minutes, pull the amp out and see if the fuses aren't blown. This is probably not the case with what you described in your first post but it's only 5 minutes and the cost of package of fuses is $1.

 

[archcommus]

I need more opinions on whether I should get the $220 z-5500s or that Onkyo HT set for $300, I just can't decide if that entry-level HT set is worth the extra $80.

 

[alcoholbob]

The Onkyo HT set will sound better and is capable of more inputs to TV, DVD players, consoles, although you will need to spend about $25 on RCA to stereo mini cables to connect it to your PC.

I can't decide for you, but if you need to, I can do a coin toss for you if you really can't decide yourself.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
The Onkyo HT set will sound better and is capable of more inputs to TV, DVD players, consoles, although you will need to spend about $25 on RCA to stereo mini cables to connect it to your PC.

I can't decide for you, but if you need to, I can do a coin toss for you if you really can't decide yourself.

The alternate hook-ups are really not important to me. They will primarily be hooked up to my computer, and sometimes to a TV, in which case I can use a Logitech 3 1/8" to 2 RCA converter. So the big question is, is the sound quality alone (and bass, bass is very important to me) worth the $80 difference. Keep in mind what I'm used to now is a Klipsch ProMedia set and Sony MDR-V6 headphones. I usually listen to music, sometimes movies, and play games that I like surround with.

 

[Eureka]

Yes, it is worth the extra $80. Logitech is known for poor bass quality (lots of it, but muddy). Logitech should be your last choice for sound quality.

Norm

 

[archcommus]

What kind of bass can I expect out of that Onkyo sub compared to my Klipsch 5.1 sub?

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: archcommus
What kind of bass can I expect out of that Onkyo sub compared to my Klipsch 5.1 sub?

 

[talbot3]

If the speakers are still good, why not just buy an entry level receiver and a 10" dayton sub. You should be able to procur both of those for a simular price to the logitechs and HTIB.

I am not sure on the specs of the speakers, but they are most likely 8ohms that could be driven by any amp. This might require some rewiring depending on the speakers, but nothing that would be considered difficult.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Does the Onkyo 580 have a 5.1 channel input? I don't remember if it does or not.

If it doesn't, that's going to be an issue for hooking up a computer to it.

Although not the ideal method of testing, I'd suggest going out to Circuit City or a similar place and trying to listen to some different sets to see what you like.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Does the Onkyo 580 have a 5.1 channel input? I don't remember if it does or not.

If it doesn't, that's going to be an issue for hooking up a computer to it.

Although not the ideal method of testing, I'd suggest going out to Circuit City or a similar place and trying to listen to some different sets to see what you like.

I figured any receiver would have a digital input, and of course the Audigy has a digital output. Would it have that?

 

[alcoholbob]

I think he's talking about 6-channel direct (analog), not digital input, which is a standard on a almost all receivers in the last 6 years, and doesn't guarantee 5.1 sound for games.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Does the Onkyo 580 have a 5.1 channel input? I don't remember if it does or not.

If it doesn't, that's going to be an issue for hooking up a computer to it.

Although not the ideal method of testing, I'd suggest going out to Circuit City or a similar place and trying to listen to some different sets to see what you like.

I figured any receiver would have a digital input, and of course the Audigy has a digital output. Would it have that?

Anything modern would have digital inputs, but like Astrallite said I meant 5.1 analog inputs. If it doesn't have that, you're not going to get surround sound from most games.

There are cards out there that will do Dolby Digital encoding in real time, but that's an added expense to consider if the receiver doesn't have analog 5.1

I just took a look at CC's site. Looks like it does have 5.1 analog inputs on it, so that would work :thumbsup:

 

[Wuzup101]

Originally posted by: talbot3
If the speakers are still good, why not just buy an entry level receiver and a 10" dayton sub. You should be able to procur both of those for a simular price to the logitechs and HTIB.

I am not sure on the specs of the speakers, but they are most likely 8ohms that could be driven by any amp. This might require some rewiring depending on the speakers, but nothing that would be considered difficult.

Yeah that's what I'm wondering. The speakers are still good so I would definitely go this rout. The Klipsch sats are decent speakers. Get yourself a tuner and a sub and you're golden.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Wuzup101

Originally posted by: talbot3
If the speakers are still good, why not just buy an entry level receiver and a 10" dayton sub. You should be able to procur both of those for a simular price to the logitechs and HTIB.

I am not sure on the specs of the speakers, but they are most likely 8ohms that could be driven by any amp. This might require some rewiring depending on the speakers, but nothing that would be considered difficult.

Yeah that's what I'm wondering. The speakers are still good so I would definitely go this rout. The Klipsch sats are decent speakers. Get yourself a tuner and a sub and you're golden.

I think they might be 4ohms, but that shouldn't really be that bad unless you really crank them and put a lot of stress on the amp. They're probably sensitive enough being Klipsch that it shouldn't be too difficult to drive them.

 

[archcommus]

Okay Soundman, what are you saying is the best route then. Fix Klipsch (how exactly? by buying my own amp, or tuner...I'm confused), get Onkyo, or get Logitech? Would the Onkyo be superior in every single way to my Klipsch? Would the Klipsch be superior in any way to the Onkyo?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

First try to see if it's just a blown fuse problem. I don't know how to check that with the Klipsch sets, but if that's the problem it will be very cheap to fix.

After that I think it depends on your own personal feelings.

Looking at costs:
1 Fix the Klipsch = under $150?
2 Get a New receiver and use Klipsch satellites and Klipsch sub = $175 and up probably
3 Get a Logitech set = $225-ish
4 Get a HTIB set = $300 for an Onkyo 580, about $425 for an Onkyo780
5 Put together your own HT system = $???

As far as sound quality goes, you're probably looking at
1,2 being just about exactly what it was before
3 depends a lot on who you ask. You'll probably have more bass output but it wont be as tight as the Klipsch output. Mids and Highs - personal preference, but Klipsch probably has the upper hand.
4 personal preference again - go out and listen to decide for yourself.
5 spending more money, hunting around for used products, and building up over time will allow you to get a better system hands down.

Features/Connections
1 would be the least capable giving you just the same 5.1 analog input you had before
2 would get you the same 5.1 analog input if you pick the right receiver along with a few digital inputs and several more stereo analog inputs. You would also get several more surround sound modes, DD and DTS decoding, speaker level adjustments, speaker distance calibration, etc.
3 would get you 5.1 analog, two digital connections with DD/DTS, and some surround processing options
4 would get you connection options similar to 2
5 depends on what you get and could even include equalization options etc.

Upgrade Options
1 you're stuck back at square one
2 easy option to upgrade the satellites or sub later on
3 same as 1 except the system would be better suited for use as a HT set too
4 the Onkyo receivers are good buys in these sets and are really the strongest links in the HTIB sets so they would be good to keep if you wanted to upgrade your speakers or sub later on
5 you can build up over time and leave whatever upgrade path you want to. Just getting a receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers for now and using the Klipsch satellites for the rest of the speakers for now and the Klipsch sub would leave you with a lot of upgrade options

There are other considerations like size, longetivity, etc. I guess the point is there isn't a "right" answer to this.

I have no regrets moving away from "computer speakers" to a more HT oriented system. I'd do it again. Of course the main factor here is cost with size being the second drawback. At 46 pounds, my center channel weighs more than most computer speaker systems.

So in conclusion, try to see if it's just a fuse for the Klipsch. If not, decide what your long term goals are for your audio system and how much money you think you might want to put into it in the long run.

 

[archcommus]

Thank you for the summary.

I pulled the back unit out of the sub but I had no idea what the hell I was looking for (yes, a fuse, but I mean, what it looks like). I saw nothing that resembled any kind of enclosure with a small piece of wire in it that might be broken now. Can you direct me what kind of device to look for?

Then, assuming the fuse is not the problem, can someone detail what my other option is to fix the Klipsch besides getting the amp replaced? Something about a receiver and a tuner? But if the amp was the problem wouldn't just that need replaced. I'm not sure if I'd want to buy my own and get a local shop to put it in, instead of just buying a new system.

 

[archcommus]

Also, due to my Best Buy employment, I can get the z-5500 for $200, and the Klipsch Ultra 5.1 for $250, just a small fact to aid in that decision.

 

[Eureka]

Whoa... that's the lowest price I have ever seen the Ultra... the 5500 you can find for 225 ish at times.

Norm

 

[archcommus]

That is quite low for the Ultras, but for $50 less I could get the Logitechs which would probably sound fine to me, I might trust more, and have a one year longer warranty.

But anyway...how to find this fuse...