India Broadband Forum

just4kix

Many of you are looking to add great sounding speaker systems to your computer. All other things considered (speaker power output, quality, size, etc.), the dilemma faced is whether to go for 2.1 or 5.1.

So what should be the ideal option? Of course, the 5.1 (or 7.1) will obviously cost more but let us put that factor aside. Many companies advertise the speaker system as capable of ______ W of power, where the total power is the sum of power handling capability of each speaker.

Remember that 5.1 does not mean more power.

Your decision should be solely be based on the content that you will listen to. Because if you are listening to pure music, you are getting stereo sound with simulated surround. In this case a 2.1 system is more than sufficient.

However, if you are going to play DVDs (or Blu Ray) then a 5.1 (or 7.1) speaker system may be worth considering. Then again, what about speaker placement. Where are you going to place the rear surround speakers. While watching a movie on a computer's small screen, you are most likely to be sitting at a desk in the corner of the room. The front speakers will be right next to the computer while the rear speakers will be behind you, at least 10 feet away. or you may be forced to place them next to the front speakers.

Hardly the ideal surround setup.

The 2.1 speakers will be able to simulate surround sound that is quite acceptable in the close vicinity of your watching space.

So in my opinion, save your money and stick to a 2.1 surround speaker system for your PC.

Opinions please.

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kirankumargb

Yes that is correct.

unless you are having a big screen and work with wireless keboard and mouse, dont go for 5.1, 2.1 is more than enough.

Even if you go for 5.1 and set it up it wont give you the actual front and rare effects of DVD it will all feel the same, 5.1 effect is good when speakers are atleast 6-8 feet away (all the speakers).

Punch Farce

It is my humble opinion of course, but laptop/desktop should be used to
do computer stuff, work, and browse.

music should be listened on a good cd/dvd player with
a good amp and two speakers.

movies should be watched on a decent sized tv with a good
receiver and 5 or 7 speakers and a subwoofer.

this is what I do.

I have two separate systems, one for music and the
other for HT which I haven't completely assembled
after a move ;-)

-F

Ookla

before thinking of speakers we should improve our on-board sound, most of the entry level motherboards supports 2 channel sound, by adding good quality sound card(5.1 or 7.1) only then we can use full potential of the speakers, on some advanced sound cards u get Dolby PRO LOGIC ll which converts 2 channel sound into 5.1 or 7.1.

just4kix

I already said "all other things being considered".

18lama

I have a 5.1 speaker setup. The new multichannel MP3s and Flac sound so much better than on standard speakers. The sound quality is very crisp and clear.

rajan1311

What 5.1 system would u recommend for an HTPC setup (hooked to an LCD TV). Plz give suggestions for all budgets (like upto 10k,10-20k,30k+ for speakers only).

just4kix

Cool. Nice to hear your opinion. But are you comparing same quality speakers?

newprouser

but the same thing can be achieved by connecting a good amp/spkr with ur compu , isn't it ?

just4kix

For an HTPC, you will be watching the content on large screen, sitting comfortably on the couch (hopefully ). I think on another thread I had recommened Bose.

Note: Bose is not the best but they are decent enough. A friend of mine in UK swears by Wharfdale. Another guy in US told me JBL were awesome.

For the price, it is best to check on eBay and look for local resellers.

rajan1311

also, most of the entry lvl mobos have 5.1 onboard.

just4kix

Oh yes, definitely. But in that case we are not talking about computer speakers, are we? We are talking about proper speakers meant for the Amp.

rajan1311

But BOSE is gr8 for the 30k+ range. What abt the ppl on a budget ?

18lama

I am comparing a 5.1 speakers with 2.1 logitech speakers.

rajan1311

How will u connect ur AMP ??? Most of the AMPs do not support new graphic cards, its a software issue no1 wants 2 solve.

just4kix

OK. That is a fair comparison. So you are definitely recommending 5.1.

rajan1311

I meant via HDMI.

18lama

Also my 5.1 has an inbuilt amplifier, which is the primary reason why the sound is always loud and never muffled, even when it is connected to a PC as it is now. Besides it also has a prologic mode which upmux the sound output from 2 channels to 6 channels.

just4kix

Don't we get a coaxial out on the new sound cards?

rajan1311

almost all 5.1 systems have an inbuilt amp na ??(in the sub) ??

u do ??... i did not know...

But those come in entry lvl cards too ?