Home Theater/Game Room Thread

SirFapsAlot

SirFapsAlot

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Chanur said:
The optical is actually probably an analog signal since it's audio. But if not your speakers might have a built in DAC since they are powered.
Click to expand...

Zindan said:
The subwoofer is the DAC and AMP for the system, it and the left/right speakers are getting an analog signal. The "purest" signal you'll get from a PC will be via the USB, as the Optical will be going through Windows and/or whatever soundcard the PC is using. I doubt you'll hear any difference between analog or digital via those 2.1's.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the insight, guys. Yeah, this shit just goes way over my head. I used to think that if it's optical, then it's some life changing audio experience, because of the digital element. After reading your responses and looking into some alternatives, I think I'm just going to keep my current speakers and if anything, possibly pick up some decent head phones.

This guy's review pretty much sealed the deal if I end up going with purchasing new head phones. I've got some cheapo ones now, but after tweaking sound / audio settings in various games and listening to music at the right volume setting,, seems OK for the time being, but these are looking great and the build quality seems top notch.
www.audio-technica.com

ATH-M50x

Trusted in both the studio and at home, the ATH-M50x are our best-selling headphones for pro audio use. The proprietary large-aperture drivers deliver exceptional clarity throughout an extended fr ...
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com
 
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Chanur

Chanur

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SirFapsAlot said:
Thanks for the insight, guys. Yeah, this shit just goes way over my head. I used to think that if it's optical, then it's some life changing audio experience, because of the digital element. After reading your responses and looking into some alternatives, I think I'm just going to keep my current speakers and if anything, possibly pick up some decent head phones.

This guy's review pretty much sealed the deal if I end up going with purchasing new head phones. I've got some cheapo ones now, but after tweaking sound / audio settings in various games and listening to music at the right volume setting,, seems OK for the time being, but these are looking great and the build quality seems top notch.
www.audio-technica.com

ATH-M50x

Trusted in both the studio and at home, the ATH-M50x are our best-selling headphones for pro audio use. The proprietary large-aperture drivers deliver exceptional clarity throughout an extended fr ...
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com
Click to expand...

Quality headphones are probably the best way to get a great audio experience on a budget. Definitely a smart way to go.
 
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Sludig

Sludig

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Wifes receiver went out. Any suggestions for a non audio snob that arnt wallet breaking but durable? 7 speaker surround.
 
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Chanur

Chanur

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Sludig said:
Wifes receiver went out. Any suggestions for a non audio snob that arnt wallet breaking but durable? 7 speaker surround.
Click to expand...
What do you want to spend and what do you want it to do? If you don't need video processing you could just get an amp or a streamer.

If you plan to spend just a couple hundred I recommend Yamaha for an inexpensive AVR.


If you want to spend 1K plus then I'd recommend the Sony as they are rock solid or the Onkyo.


 
Sludig

Sludig

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Chanur said:
What do you want to spend and what do you want it to do? If you don't need video processing you could just get an amp or a streamer.

If you plan to spend just a couple hundred I recommend Yamaha for an inexpensive AVR.


If you want to spend 1K plus then I'd recommend the Sony as they are rock solid or the Onkyo.


Click to expand...
Spend, under $500, I know nothing about them so dont know if something reasonable out there for 1-200. She had oh I forgot the brand the speakers and the receiver was like $500 off woot a decade ago. Oh yeah it was an onkyo
 
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Chanur

Chanur

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Sludig said:
Spend, under $500, I know nothing about them so dont know if something reasonable out there for 1-200. She had oh I forgot the brand the speakers and the receiver was like $500 off woot a decade ago. Oh yeah it was an onkyo
Click to expand...
Under 500 for a 7.1 system is a little tough. This is the only one I found and I don't know anything about it. Scratch and or dent


If you expand above 500 a bit you can get a new Onkyo or Yamaha.

550

600
 
sukik

sukik

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I’ve seen the rz-30 on sale for $750 recently. It’s made me an Onkyo fan. If didn’t want the high quality pass through, I probably would have been fine with one of the cheaper models.

I’m upgrading a few of my hand me down speakers this week. I would have waited but the tweeter in one of the speakers I’m using for upward firing atmos is busted, and one of the surrounds is busted. They usually sound fine, but it’s distracting on some tones. In found some r-41 sa’s to mount on the front ceiling for atmos, and some decently priced rp502s ii’s for side surrounds. Assuming they arrive in one piece, that will just leave the center channel and rear surrounds in need of an upgrade.

After using my 7.1 setup for a while, I realized that what I found lacking in all my sound bar setups was a good center channel audio. It’s made a world of difference for me.
 
Sludig

Sludig

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Chanur said:
Under 500 for a 7.1 system is a little tough. This is the only one I found and I don't know anything about it. Scratch and or dent


If you expand above 500 a bit you can get a new Onkyo or Yamaha.

550

600
Click to expand...
Know if that's used or just shipping damaged, still have a warranty?
 
Zindan

Zindan

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Anyone using a good pair of powered speakers for their desktop/small room? I'd like to replace my Klipsch 2.1 Pro Media with something a bit better. I've been reading a lot of reviews and "listening" to high quality sound demos via YouTube premium (when available). So far, there are 3 systems which seem to be OK, but there isn't a shop in my area that has them on demo, so have to trust in YouTube, haha: KEF LSX II Lt's, The Fives by Klipsch, and the Kanto Ren.
 
sukik

sukik

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Zindan said:
Anyone using a good pair of powered speakers for their desktop/small room? I'd like to replace my Klipsch 2.1 Pro Media with something a bit better. I've been reading a lot of reviews and "listening" to high quality sound demos via YouTube premium (when available). So far, there are 3 systems which seem to be OK, but there isn't a shop in my area that has them on demo, so have to trust in YouTube, haha: KEF LSX II Lt's, The Fives by Klipsch, and the Kanto Ren.
Click to expand...
I went with powered studio monitors with 8 inch drivers and absolutely love them. I’ve never owned a pair of “pc gaming speakers” that come close to the audio quality. I bought with some cheaper monoprice speakers that had decent reviews, and they’ve been great. I added a 200w sub last year for a little more low end, but the speakers were pretty good without it.

If I were shopping today I’d probably start looking at reviews from the Presonus Eris line with the 8 inch drivers and go from there. There are several brands in the entry studio monitor tier, but Presonus always has decent reviews. I think they offer a sub as an option as well. The speakers take up more space, but should sound great.
 
Chanur

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Zindan said:
Anyone using a good pair of powered speakers for their desktop/small room? I'd like to replace my Klipsch 2.1 Pro Media with something a bit better. I've been reading a lot of reviews and "listening" to high quality sound demos via YouTube premium (when available). So far, there are 3 systems which seem to be OK, but there isn't a shop in my area that has them on demo, so have to trust in YouTube, haha: KEF LSX II Lt's, The Fives by Klipsch, and the Kanto Ren.
Click to expand...
I have Kanto YU6s and like them.
 
Burns

Burns

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Zindan said:
Anyone using a good pair of powered speakers for their desktop/small room? I'd like to replace my Klipsch 2.1 Pro Media with something a bit better. I've been reading a lot of reviews and "listening" to high quality sound demos via YouTube premium (when available). So far, there are 3 systems which seem to be OK, but there isn't a shop in my area that has them on demo, so have to trust in YouTube, haha: KEF LSX II Lt's, The Fives by Klipsch, and the Kanto Ren.
Click to expand...
Throwing out an alternative: You can build your own high end quality bookshelf speakers for around half the price of an equal quality store bought (or at least you could, when I did ~8 years ago). Then you get a small two channel amp for them.

I built these for around $200, but the same guy has more designs (not my picture). Unfortunately the companies that used to sell CNC precut kits, no longer stock them:
sites.google.com

Paul Carmody's DIY Speaker Pages - Speedster

Home > Bookshelf Speakers > Speedster
sites.google.com sites.google.com
2025-10-27 21.30.07 sites.google.com aaf3e9149c95.png


Parts Express and AVSforum used to have a bunch of various fairly active speaker builds to peruse (even reddit /DIYaudio isn't bad):
​
​

Parts Express also has a nice gallery of what people have built (all shapes and sizes):

Parts Express Project Gallery

projectgallery.parts-express.com projectgallery.parts-express.com
 
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Chanur

Chanur

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Zindan said:
Anyone using a good pair of powered speakers for their desktop/small room? I'd like to replace my Klipsch 2.1 Pro Media with something a bit better. I've been reading a lot of reviews and "listening" to high quality sound demos via YouTube premium (when available). So far, there are 3 systems which seem to be OK, but there isn't a shop in my area that has them on demo, so have to trust in YouTube, haha: KEF LSX II Lt's, The Fives by Klipsch, and the Kanto Ren.
Click to expand...

They recommended some AudioEnginer A3s or Kanto YU6s. How ever they have several different suggestions in the article based upon your needs and price range.

YU6 might be a bit much for a desktop, and if so YU4 would be for you.
 
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