Can I use good quality home cinema speakers with my PC?

[steve_1979]

Hello,

My PC is mostly used for playing computer games but is also used for watching TV and listening to music and I'm sick of using the low quality surround sound speaker systems that are available for PC's. I'm considering buying some Boston Acoustics Soundware XS 5.1 home cinema speakers to use instead.

I have three questions:

1. Are the Boston Acoustics Soundware XS the best 5.1 speakers available for under £330?

2. What budget amplifier would you recommend I use with them?

3. How would I connect it to my 5.1 PC audio outputs (the small headphone type sockets)?


Thanks in advance for your advice,
Steve

 

[yepimonfire]

depends on what you looking for in a receiver and what your budget is, does your computer have an optical out by any chance?

 

[steve_1979]

I used to think that the only audio outputs were the 3.5mm jacks but I've just had a closer look at the specs and it has a "Optical S/PDIF out port at back I/O". Could this be used to connect it to a reciever?

Click on this link to see details of my PC motherboard. www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=e7Zic83PvQSr80Lm

As for the receiver, my budget is between £100 - £200. I'm not too bothered what features it has because the sound processing will be done by the computer (I think?). Bass and treble controls would be a nice bonus though.

 

[steve_1979]

I’ve seen a Yamaha RXV365BL 5.1 receiver for £120 and a Q Acoustics 1010i 5.1 speaker package for £300. Would I be able to connect these to the “Optical S/PDIF out port at back I/0” on my computer?

 

[yepimonfire]

you will want to use the optical out on your computer, receivers are receivers so you should just look at them and pick one, keep in mind if you get a 7.1 channel receiver you can get 7.1 from it even though your soundcard only does 5.1 using PLIIx

 

[jinjuku]

You are either going to do 6 analog outs (L/C/R + Rear L/R + Sub Channel) or you will use a single TOSLink cable to a receiver.

Your best bet is using TOSLink. Your computer won't have to bother with doing any decoding of the audio. This will be done on the receiver. It is also less of a cable mess.

 

[jinjuku]

Since you are most likely going to do TOSLink it may be of benefit to look on Craigslist for an older, higher end receiver.

If you saw one of the Pioneer Elites or Yamaha RX 1X00 series for a song that would be a good way to go. Just make sure it has Dolby Digital and DTS processing.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I don't think that Boston Acoustics Soundware XS set is the best $500 5.1 speakers money can buy. There are plenty of alternatives:
This should give you some ideas:
http://forums.highdefdigest.com/home-theater-gear/79806-build-your-own-htib-400-800-a.html

 

[jinjuku]

I hope you have subscribed to this thread because Dell is blowing out a Pinnacle 5.1 system for $250 SHIPPED.

 

[steve_1979]

I hope you have subscribed to this thread because Dell is blowing out a Pinnacle 5.1 system for $250 SHIPPED.

Wow. They look impressive value.
I've already placed an order for the Q ACOUSTICS 1010i 5.1 this morning.

 

[jinjuku]

Are you in the UK? It helps to know if you are not CONUS.

If you are CONUS I would kill the order and save yourself ~1/2 of what you are spending.