Reccommend me a 5.1 home theatre system

[Leonheart777]

Hey guys, I am fairly new to the whole Blu-ray scene, I have a Ps3, and a Full HD 16:9 24 inch monitor.

It's surprisingly really good, only paid 350 for it, BenQ G2411hd.

I have my Ps3 hooked up to it via HDMI, and Logitech x-540 speakers hooked up to the headphone jack in the monitor (Green cable plugged in, the yellow and black cord not even in use)
X-540's> http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/sp...s/234&cl=au,en

It's 5.1 surround sound, I really like them and it sounds really good. Although I don't think they are purely doing 5.1 properly because I have the speakers in matrix mode, which makes them 5.1, they are not even connected properly.

I am thinking of buying some speakers, I thought you guys could help me out.

$600 budget, I am in year 12, so I am still with the parents haha, my room is...very small, I have a wall directly behind me, which can be used for rears, as I am right now, http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2029/rears.jpg

My desk is against a wall as well, so I could mount the speakers on the wall, as I have done here, http://img299.imageshack.us/i/frontspeakers.jpg/

Here is an overview of my desk, as well as the wall where the potential fronts can be put http://img81.imageshack.us/i/overviewz.jpg/, the wall is about a 1m higher than the picture is showing.
I have a sub on the floor to the right, next to my desk. It is infront of the wall, so it gives a really good sound.


So yeahhh, as you can see, there is not much space, There is hardly any room on the desk, I use it for my laptop as you can see, I also use my monitor for my laptop.

I will be watching movies from my bed, which is behind the desk.

I was thinking of getting a reciever and then the speakers, which I then hook up the ps3 via hdmi into the reciever, then get another hdmi cable from the reciever into the monitor, would that work?

The monitor only has one HDMI input, and the Ps3 has only one HDMI output, soo yeahh, kinda out of my depth here haha, I just want the proper 5.1 surround sound eh.

So yeahhh, hopefully I gave enough information for a good reccomendation, thanks guys.

I also live in Australia if that's relevant

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by Leonheart777

Hey guys, I am fairly new to the whole Blu-ray scene, I have a Ps3, and a Full HD 16:9 24 inch monitor.

It's surprisingly really good, only paid 350 for it, BenQ G2411hd.

I have my Ps3 hooked up to it via HDMI, and Logitech x-540 speakers hooked up to the headphone jack in the monitor (Green cable plugged in, the yellow and black cord not even in use)
X-540's> http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/sp...s/234&cl=au,en

It's 5.1 surround sound, I really like them and it sounds really good. Although I don't think they are purely doing 5.1 properly because I have the speakers in matrix mode, which makes them 5.1, they are not even connected properly.

I am thinking of buying some speakers, I thought you guys could help me out.

$600 budget, I am in year 12, so I am still with the parents haha, my room is...very small, I have a wall directly behind me, which can be used for rears, as I am right now, http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2029/rears.jpg

My desk is against a wall as well, so I could mount the speakers on the wall, as I have done here, http://img299.imageshack.us/i/frontspeakers.jpg/

Here is an overview of my desk, as well as the wall where the potential fronts can be put http://img81.imageshack.us/i/overviewz.jpg/, the wall is about a 1m higher than the picture is showing.
I have a sub on the floor to the right, next to my desk. It is infront of the wall, so it gives a really good sound.


So yeahhh, as you can see, there is not much space, There is hardly any room on the desk, I use it for my laptop as you can see, I also use my monitor for my laptop.

I will be watching movies from my bed, which is behind the desk.

I was thinking of getting a reciever and then the speakers, which I then hook up the ps3 via hdmi into the reciever, then get another hdmi cable from the reciever into the monitor, would that work?

The monitor only has one HDMI input, and the Ps3 has only one HDMI output, soo yeahh, kinda out of my depth here haha, I just want the proper 5.1 surround sound eh.

So yeahhh, hopefully I gave enough information for a good reccomendation, thanks guys.

I also live in Australia if that's relevant

Well, you have essentially the same setup I had about 2 months ago, got tired of the fake 5.1 sound from my logitech speakers. I was essentially hearing stereo through 5 speakers and muddy bass from the sub. My budget was a bit more than yours. If you check out the polk audio speaker thread there are many many recommendations for the polk audio cs series, monitor series, and even TSi series on newegg.com.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...+audio&x=0&y=0

These are great speakers, I have the newer RTi A series and absolutely love them. A 600 dollar budget might have to be considered for the speakers themselves and then to purchase a nice receiver, like an onkyo sr607 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=onkyo%20607, or a nice yammy receiver that have multiple HDMI inputs and only one HDMI output for your TV as you have stated. A good receiver will cost you between 300 and 600 dollars and even better for more. Do research on here, very helpful. Best recommendation is to read read read and then to hear them for yourself at a store. That may not be possible though. I know I love my Polks and if you read the Polk thread you can pretty much be convinced by everybody there talking about them. Now this is not including a nice sub, which does not have to be from the same manufacturer. Subs are a whole new matter, still doing the research for one myself. Hope this was a bit helpful.

[Lucky Luc]

Take a look at the Sony BDV-T10.

[callas01]

Dude, Let me recommend this package to you. It has a receiver that does HD audio, it is 5.1 has good speakers for a small room like you have, speakers are great for movies or video games. Not to metion that it comes with an iPod docking station that you can hook up to directly and play music from... http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.asp...S465-11SL-T300

Another thing you can look into are these http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ke-classic-5-1 For $399 along with this http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...neer-vsx-819hk which is $280, this setup is a little over your budget, but Personally I would prefer it more.

Hope these help.

[talstarone]

The Polk Speakers are a Great choice due to their price to performance ratio.
Looking over your room I see space can be somewhat tight.The larger,seperate Polk speakers need more space to perform at their best.

The new Receiver is a "Must Have".It will allow you to decode the surround sound from your Blu Ray Movies and transmit the correct signals to the correct speakers(surrounds,center,fronts,sub).

Also with a receiver you can get one that will allow you to connect 3 or more HDMI Cables to the receiver.Then you have one HDMI cable leading from the receiver to your HDTV.This will allow you to connect your PS3 and other future additions.

I would look at some of the small Home Theater Speaker Sets.Since you are across the pond,in Australia ,the great prices from NewEgg may not apply to you.If they dont then the speaker sets are even more of a good choice.

The Polk RM Series Sets and a Klipsch HD Set are all outstanding performers.They are smaller in size but produce Big sound with an outstanding Surroundfield performance.

The speakers have optional adjustable speaker stands for use with them(and to get the speakers at the exact height needed for the best sound)Then they also include brackets to wall mount the speakers to help conserve space(and for the surrounds,place them in some great positions).

These links are from NewEgg but,the prices may vary for you in Australia.

Polk RM-6750:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290066

Polk RM-705
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290113

Klipsch HD300:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882780017

You have already received and will receive much more Wise advise from the Many Outstanding Members here at the Forum.
So,I believe you will end up with a Great System for your use.

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by talstarone

The Polk Speakers are a Great choice due to their price to performance ratio.
Looking over your room I see space can be somewhat tight.The larger,seperate Polk speakers need more space to perform at their best.

The new Receiver is a "Must Have".It will allow you to decode the surround sound from your Blu Ray Movies and transmit the correct signals to the correct speakers(surrounds,center,fronts,sub).

Also with a receiver you can get one that will allow you to connect 3 or more HDMI Cables to the receiver.Then you have one HDMI cable leading from the receiver to your HDTV.This will allow you to connect your PS3 and other future additions.

I would look at some of the small Home Theater Speaker Sets.Since you are across the pond,in Australia ,the great prices from NewEgg may not apply to you.If they dont then the speaker sets are even more of a good choice.

The Polk RM Series Sets and a Klipsch HD Set are all outstanding performers.They are smaller in size but produce Big sound with an outstanding Surroundfield performance.

The speakers have optional adjustable speaker stands for use with them(and to get the speakers at the exact height needed for the best sound)Then they also include brackets to wall mount the speakers to help conserve space(and for the surrounds,place them in some great positions).

These links are from NewEgg but,the prices may vary for you in Australia.

Polk RM-6750:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290066

Polk RM-705
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290113

Klipsch HD300:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882780017

You have already received and will receive much more Wise advise from the Many Outstanding Members here at the Forum.
So,I believe you will end up with a Great System for your use.

+1 for talstarone, I always love reading his advice!! Sorry, I didn't even think to consider one of the smaller home theaters in a box, considering the size of your room. There is plenty of great advice here as Tals has said and I recommend you use it!

[talstarone]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

+1 for talstarone, I always love reading his advice!! Sorry, I didn't even think to consider one of the smaller home theaters in a box, considering the size of your room. There is plenty of great advice here as Tals has said and I recommend you use it!

Thank You My friend.
Your Advice Is Extremely Helpful and Would be the Best Route Followed ,and still could be,if he cleared the room out slightly(remove a piece or 2 of furniture)

Then the Larger and Much Better Sounding Polks would fit and work their "Polk Magic".

And I have wanted to always say Geology Nut.."I Am VERY Jealous of the Awesome Polk Speakers In Your Sig".

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by talstarone

Thank You My friend.
Your Advice Is Extremely Helpful and Would be the Best Route Followed ,and still could be,if he cleared the room out slightly(remove a piece or 2 of furniture)

Then the Larger and Much Better Sounding Polks would fit and work their "Polk Magic".

And I have wanted to always say Geology Nut.."I Am VERY Jealous of the Awesome Polk Speakers In Your Sig".

Tals, thanks for the nice words. I'm pretty new with home theater scene and to hear that my two cents is worth a little is kind of nice. I've loved hearing all the comments in the Polk thread, I think I've gone through that entire thread and I read it every day, despite not posting comments! Trying my best to fit in. I love my speakers, absolutely love them. I'm in the process of deciding on a SVS sub or two, I really want to hear one but I don't know anybody that really has a passion like you or I have in home theater. As much as you and Brokenthumb talk about them, I almost really should just buy it and go off of all the great reviews and comments.

[aramis109]

Dunno if all of those options are available to you, but either the Energy setup or the Polk setup definitely gets my vote on bang for the buck.

[talstarone]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

Tals, thanks for the nice words. I'm pretty new with home theater scene and to hear that my two cents is worth a little is kind of nice. I've loved hearing all the comments in the Polk thread, I think I've gone through that entire thread and I read it every day, despite not posting comments! Trying my best to fit in. I love my speakers, absolutely love them. I'm in the process of deciding on a SVS sub or two, I really want to hear one but I don't know anybody that really has a passion like you or I have in home theater. As much as you and Brokenthumb talk about them, I almost really should just buy it and go off of all the great reviews and comments.

When it comes to the SVS subs,both brokenthumb and forsberg are well versed in their operation.
Since they each own one(brokenthumb 2 )they will be able to fill you in on the performance of these awesome subs.

I would Love one as well but they do cost a few dollars,more then some other good performers.But the SVS subs seem to be worth their weight in gold.
They also seem to blend in Very Well with the Polk Speakers.

So,bring up the topic of the SVS subs on the Polk Thread.There are a few gentlemen there that would be glad to talk to you about them.

[Leonheart777]

Hey guys, thank you so much for the replies!

Have helped immensly, I have decided to go with a set up with small book shelf speakers, like you reccomended

Although I would need to buy a reciever wouldn't I?

In order to actually connect my ps3 to it, then reviecer to the monitor.

Will this sound a lot better than my current set up?

You guys on blu-ray forums are really good, nice good advice, thsi was my first post haha (:

I post a lot on whirlpool forums, although I am pretty sure that's strictly Australian, it's more gaming, you guys certainly answered my question better.

[collingwood01]

Mate I live in Vic Aust and I can tell you a $600 budget for a new 5.1 system with HDMI and HD codecs...is well...not anywhere near enough. Here in Aust you would be struggling to buy a new HD amp for that price let alone buy speakers with it. Though you could settle for a Yamaha HTIB but this only has the 363 amp. You can buy this from JB for around $550 but would only have optical out. No HD with this one. Still good though.

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by Leonheart777

Hey guys, thank you so much for the replies!

Have helped immensly, I have decided to go with a set up with small book shelf speakers, like you reccomended

Although I would need to buy a reciever wouldn't I?

In order to actually connect my ps3 to it, then reviecer to the monitor.

Will this sound a lot better than my current set up?

You guys on blu-ray forums are really good, nice good advice, thsi was my first post haha (:

I post a lot on whirlpool forums, although I am pretty sure that's strictly Australian, it's more gaming, you guys certainly answered my question better.

Give us a little bit more information, what kind of bookshelf speakers are they?, is it a all in one home theater in a box system or are the speakers just by themselves? In order to connect everything up it would require you to run an HDMI cable from your PS3 to your receiver and then another HDMI cable from the receiver (output) to your TV. Your speakers would then be connected in the back of your receiver.

I can bet money that your current setup is not as good as it should be, so yes it will sound better if you do this. I recall you mentioned you were using your headphone jack on your TV. That is just stereo probably, you are not really even getting a true surround sound out of your current setup. Those Logitech speakers are made for computers with a nice 5.1 sound card. They usually come with a cord that has multiple inputs and outputs (rears, fronts, center), usually indicated by black, green, orange, pink, etc etc. Nevertheless, a new receiver and some nice speakers will definiately sound better than your current setup.

Don't be confused, it can be a bit daunting at first, read some more posts, read up on a receiver and let us know here what you are getting so we can give you your two cents.

[Leonheart777]

"Give us a little bit more information, what kind of bookshelf speakers are they?, is it a all in one home theater in a box system or are the speakers just by themselves? In order to connect everything up it would require you to run an HDMI cable from your PS3 to your receiver and then another HDMI cable from the receiver (output) to your TV. Your speakers would then be connected in the back of your receiver.

I can bet money that your current setup is not as good as it should be, so yes it will sound better if you do this. I recall you mentioned you were using your headphone jack on your TV. That is just stereo probably, you are not really even getting a true surround sound out of your current setup. Those Logitech speakers are made for computers with a nice 5.1 sound card. They usually come with a cord that has multiple inputs and outputs (rears, fronts, center), usually indicated by black, green, orange, pink, etc etc. Nevertheless, a new receiver and some nice speakers will definiately sound better than your current setup.

Don't be confused, it can be a bit daunting at first, read some more posts, read up on a receiver and let us know here what you are getting so we can give you your two cents."

Yeahh, well that's what I basically want to find out from you guys.

Basically, in the end, all I want/need is a reciever, 2 fronts, 2 rears, a center and a sub (5.1), from which I can then connect my Ps3 up to the reciever via HMDI input, then plug the reciever into my monitor via HDMI output, so I can then get "true" 5.1 surround sound from my Blu-ray movies.
As of right now, I hardly think using one input into teh headphone jack and switching on matrix mode is true surround sound.