Good Sound System?, Found one any other ideas for cheap? Options

[bigphill911]

Hey guys I was looking around for a good but cheap sound system. So far I found the Philips MX6050D/17B for $132!


Let me know if this looks any good or if I can get something alot better for around the same price. Thanks!

[Hopeful]

To put it directly, that looks like it's going to sound as cheap as it is. You're probably better off with your TV speakers. There's some sound you just don't want to be surrounded in.

There's probably only one quality surround sound for anywhere near that cheap: THIS. It's what I got, and I'm amazed what I got for that price. You can get it here for about $250. These are probably the only good speakers that cheap: They've won several gaming awards, have the powerful sound and bass and the clearness to make you feel like you're there. Probably the only setup anywhere near your price that gives proper surround sound.

This post has been edited by Hopeful: Jun 14 2006, 11:02 PM

[bigphill911]

dang i was hopen this would be a half way decent system. I'll just have to wait awhile I guess.

[tejesh83]

The problem with these cheap home theater systems is they don't typically have a digital optical input for you to hook up your xbox with. So you won't get proper 5.1 sound. You can sometimes use the regular analog stereo connectors, but thats not true 5.1.

I was also looking for a cheap surround speaker set to compliment my new 360. Similar to as mentioned above, I settled for Logitech's Z-5450. They're not as powerful as the z-5500, but the rear speakers are partially wireless.

$250 shipped at buy.com, or less if you find a coupon. Cheaper than the refurbs selling on ebay.

This post has been edited by tejesh83: Jun 16 2006, 07:11 PM

[davinator456]

someone recomended these sepakers

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/...esMicra6p1.html

as a good out of the box setup.- youll still need a receiver tho- and prolly out of your price range...

read the pineed topic about home theater speakers it has some very good information. it basically steered me clear of a cheap sound system that would only piss me off-

This post has been edited by davinator456: Jun 16 2006, 07:45 PM

[Deadman1515]

You might as well get an Insignia if your looking at getting that. Lol

Surround sound systems can be a more complicated purchase than getting a modern TV. That says alot.

Spend alot of time on Cnet.com

Lots of reader reviews and editor reviews on consumer electronics. Someone also recomended the AVS site, lots of good info to be had there. If you take the time to do your homework you will be happy with what you get. Also never buy without hearing/seeing items.

I also recomend saving up money to get something nicer instead of just geting crap for the sake of having surround sound.

[VinnySem]

My recommendation: get a Home-theater-in-a-box by Onkyo. I got a 6.1 system with 4 digital audio inputs and a 220 watt powered subwoofer for $400. They have systems ranging from $200 on up.

This is the system I have: http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S68...ass=Systems&p=i


This post has been edited by VinnySem: Jun 17 2006, 04:49 AM

[bigphill911]

The Logitech® Z-5500 Digital is lookin really nice. I'm going to have to save up for that!

This post has been edited by bigphill911: Jun 18 2006, 04:38 AM

[Hopeful]

You'll probably be happiest going with the z-5500's:
-505 watts compared to 315
-Look better
-Cost slightly less even though they're the better product
-Speaker wires instead of power cords like the 'wireless' speakers
-They have a digital optical input

I have the 5500's and I can attest that they're definitely far from crap.
Is it as good as a $4000 setup? No. Does it outperform most stuff under $1000? Yes.
It's much like having loud, crisp, and thunderous movie theatre sound in your house.
It's an excellent product for the price.

This post has been edited by Hopeful: Jun 18 2006, 05:16 AM

[bigphill911]

yah I'm going with the z5500 for sure!

[paranoia4422]

You get what you pay for.......

Honestly i wouldnt spend any less then $370 for a acceptable audio system, with that you can get a Onkyo S780 7.1 1000watt system, reciever is a good backbone and will support all upgraded speakers you choose in the future.

Remember the logitechs are PC speakers, they are nice but they will not be upgradable for the future, but atleast they support opticle and coaxial

This post has been edited by paranoia4422: Jun 20 2006, 03:30 AM

[LivHard]

Woah thats insane, I was just ganna start up a thread today on this ..

I myself have heard and seen the Z-5500's and they are of true power and bass for sure..

I've read every single review and they are all positive.. I'm actually saving up to buy them in a few days , can't frikkin' wait to get these beast hoem and hook em' up.. The best part is the 500 RMS watt they have.. watt is something, but RMS is where the Watts are really at.. see the system can go up to 1010Watts, now thats just insane !!!! And by the way for anybody who has or will be buying the Z-5500, Turn the dial past the 10 on the pod, and it goes up another 10 so the 500 w its rated at actually can go up to 1000w, explaining why it says total PEAK power of 1000w.. tried it on my friends system and yea, you have to use the remote to turn it up, cuz if your anywhere near the system or sub, you'll blow your eardrums out. !! lol..

anyways, Take care, hope some more people comment on they're experience..

Go for it man.. Z-5500 are an Excellent Choice !

[davinator456]

peak power= RMS/.707

peak=500/.707 = 707 watts peak power

rms is root mean square-- since we are talking about ac current (ALTERNATING CURRENT) the power is actually alternating, RMS is basically the average or actual power your going to be getting into your speakers...


anyway if it is 500 rms it is not 1000 peak power

This post has been edited by davinator456: Jun 20 2006, 04:06 AM

[paranoia4422]

Woah thats insane, I was just ganna start up a thread today on this ..

I myself have heard and seen the Z-5500's and they are of true power and bass for sure..

I've read every single review and they are all positive.. I'm actually saving up to buy them in a few days , can't frikkin' wait to get these beast hoem and hook em' up.. The best part is the 500 RMS watt they have.. watt is something, but RMS is where the Watts are really at.. see the system can go up to 1010Watts, now thats just insane !!!! And by the way for anybody who has or will be buying the Z-5500, Turn the dial past the 10 on the pod, and it goes up another 10 so the 500 w its rated at actually can go up to 1000w, explaining why it says total PEAK power of 1000w.. tried it on my friends system and yea, you have to use the remote to turn it up, cuz if your anywhere near the system or sub, you'll blow your eardrums out. !! lol..

anyways, Take care, hope some more people comment on they're experience..

Go for it man.. Z-5500 are an Excellent Choice !

You mean the audio over drive which requires a full 360degree turn after already on the highest setting?i think most people know about it.

[bigphill911]

OK so I decided to definetly get the Z-5500. I'm wondering if I need anything extra to hook it up to my 360? What cables do I need to use? Also I want to hook them up to my new Westinghouse LTV-32w6. And lastly I want to hook them up to my Sony DVP-NS750H DVD Player that I run to my TV through HDMI. Let me know how I need to run all these to the speaker system. THANKS!