Stupid Question Alert: Speakers w/o Receiver?

[EQ3282]

OK, this may be a pretty dumb, dumb, dumb question, but here it is:

Is there any way to set up 5.1 surround speakers without a receiver?

I assume the answer is 'no', but just wanted to be sure.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

[arush5268d]

Yup.


....you just won't get any sound from them
But I'm sure your 5.1 speakers will make great decorations!

[EQ3282]

OK, thanks for the answer. That's what I figured.

But now, a follow-up:

I am on a budget (let's say the best of the cheapest is my choice), and I am noticing that most 'budget' receivers offer HDMI pass through, which I believe means that video is passed through, but the audio is not decoded, which means component cables are needed to attach from TV/PS3 to the receiver. Is this correct?

Thanks again.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by EQ3282

OK, thanks for the answer. That's what I figured.

But now, a follow-up:

I am on a budget (let's say the best of the cheapest is my choice), and I am noticing that most 'budget' receivers offer HDMI pass through, which I believe means that video is passed through, but the audio is not decoded, which means component cables are needed to attach from TV/PS3 to the receiver. Is this correct?

Thanks again.

Yup, pretty much. The budget receivers don't touch the data on the HDMI cables and don't pull anything off of them so you'll still need to use analog RCA cables / optical cable to the reciver.

Whoops...just saw that you have a PS3. There goes the analog option for you.

Just how bad is your budget for the receiver?

[EQ3282]

Thanks again.

Well, I COULD spend upper amounts ($350-450), but its a matter of paying off some current debts (furniture to be specific) before I take on that type of payment.

To add, I am in no 'rush' to buy...currently in an apt., and TV room is an 'awkward' set up/configuration (TV is wall mounted between a porch door and doorway to another room), which would mean exposed cables wired all over the place for the surrounds. So, again, I am researching and looking, but not in any rush, as I may take the advice of some and buy 'a piece at a time' over the course of the next year or so. Just trying to get my ducks in a row before I do purchase.

[callas01]

http://www.techdepot.com/pro/categor...d=1765&iid=271

Here you will find the SONY 820 receiver for less than $300 and it will decode DD True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. You can set up for anything from 5.1 to 7.1, also, driver king gives a suggestion for a Polk Audio 5.1 speaker system if you need speakers, OR I went with Sony Speakers cause at the time my budget and my wife said thats what I could spend, and they DO sound good.

[arush5268d]

They do make wireless kits for your surounds.....but those do get kinda pricey if you are on a budget.


If you haven't already done so... look into flat speaker wire and / or cable runways. Both of those are good methods to help minimize wire exposure and make things more visually appealing.

With that upper level of your budget, you could leave the "budget" receiver range and get a decent reciver in the "entry level" group. You'd probably be a lot happier down the road if you waited a bit longer and got a better receiver.

[EQ3282]

Originally Posted by callas01

http://www.techdepot.com/pro/categor...d=1765&iid=271

Here you will find the SONY 820 receiver for less than $300 and it will decode DD True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. You can set up for anything from 5.1 to 7.1, also, driver king gives a suggestion for a Polk Audio 5.1 speaker system if you need speakers, OR I went with Sony Speakers cause at the time my budget and my wife said thats what I could spend, and they DO sound good.

How is it so cheap there? Amazon has the 720 for $299, so this +1 model is $20 less than that!

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by EQ3282

OK, thanks for the answer. That's what I figured.

But now, a follow-up:

I am on a budget (let's say the best of the cheapest is my choice), and I am noticing that most 'budget' receivers offer HDMI pass through, which I believe means that video is passed through, but the audio is not decoded, which means component cables are needed to attach from TV/PS3 to the receiver. Is this correct?

Thanks again.

Actually, no. You can connect two HDMI cables from your PS3 to you receiver and then your receiver to your TV (HDMI pass-through) and for audio, you'd need an optical cable for lossy surround. Look at the 605 in my sig if you're looking for a new receiver on the cheap side.

[EQ3282]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Actually, no. You can connect two HDMI cables from your PS3 to you receiver and then your receiver to your TV (HDMI pass-through) and for audio, you'd need an optical cable for lossy surround. Look at the 605 in my sig if you're looking for a new receiver on the cheap side.

Thanks for the input. That looks like a decent receiver at a good price. The funny thing is that the Polk 5.1 speakers you listed are actually on my speaker short-list too.

[cravnsn]

There is the system made for the Xbox, which sports 2 optical, 1 coaxial digital input, one USB & 1 stereo input. The satellites are based on the Omnipolar Mirage design. Everything plugs into the amp which is built into the subwoofer. Here’s more info:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ele/789534536.html

(sorry for the shameless plug – yes, it’s my system I’m selling)