I'm finally getting a decent surround sound system.

[Empire]

I was talking to my mom and my birthday is coming up. She never has a clue what to get me and usually spends about $100 to $150 on me. I told her this year I wanted a surround sound 5.1 system. Though it may piss off my neighbors, but they are hardly around. I just got a new DVD player about a month ago so I'm totally up to speed with that. What would you suggest? My apartment is sort of small so I don't need something real powerfull. 80 watts would do just fine.

[EM3]

Does Wal-Mart have anything on their website? I have seen some stuff in store. Or maybe you could get a 2 channel system that you could add the rest of the speakers to later on. Good luck!

[sub780lime]

I'll let your know HTIB sets are not great, especially the ones that only cost a few hundred bucks. Eventually you are going to move out of that apartment and you might as well prepare for the future. I can't tell you what you can do with 200 bucks, not that much...but you might be better served saving until you can get a decent receiver...once you are there, you can use crappy speakers until you have a little more money and can upgrade those.

But now that I have scolded and ranted (sorry) and appeared useless

Are you looking to add anything to the budget yourself? If so, how much?

[sambow87]

I've just upgraded to one of the best HTIB (Onkyo ST-790) which is kind of expensive (it's like $400) but really awesome.

The sound system that I upgraded from, which sounds exactly what you need and is very very nice, is the Logitech Z-5500s.

They are nice computer speakers too. They have an optical and digital input on them and they sound amazing. They are also small and compact but deliver quite a bit of sound.

[Empire]

Actually, it's looks like I may be going cheap. Like $40 for the Durabrand at Wal-Mart. Which is fine with me. My experience is, if it craps out in a few months or years, replace it. My mom just had to spend a bunch on her Jeep for some repairs and she can't afford a lot. If I can split it with her I may get something else. But this it was I'm looking at. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...em+Description

Now that I look at it, do I need to buy anything else to go with this, or can I just plug it in. I've got a Durabrand DVD player (progressive scan) that works great with my flat screen.

I'm just a poor boy and a little uninformed. Help me out.

[umainebearman]

A receiver. To plug those speakers into.

[sub780lime]

yeah, you would still need a receiver. Also, what is your viewing distance from your TV and what size TV is it?

[Empire]

Well crap. I hadn't counted on needing a receiver. Any recommendations?

I've got a measely 20" flat screen viewing at about 9'6".

[Empire]

With having to get a receiver and all I don't think my mother is willing to pay all that much. This may be a good solution considering I have neighbors that I would bother with a 5.1 system. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5544249

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by Empire

With having to get a receiver and all I don't think my mother is willing to pay all that much. This may be a good solution considering I have neighbors that I would bother with a 5.1 system. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5544249

Im not sure how that will work. I have always plugged my headphones into my receiver and there are certain movies (Pearl Harbor) which have the headphone surround that is awesome. However, I have never tried plugging my headphones directly into my DVD player, even if you plugged it into the Digital coax on the back of your player (assuming your player has one), I dont think it will decode the signal. So you would still be dealing with stereo. Can anyone confirm what I said? Can anyone understand what I Said?

[Empire]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

Im not sure how that will work. I have always plugged my headphones into my receiver and there are certain movies (Pearl Harbor) which have the headphone surround that is awesome. However, I have never tried plugging my headphones directly into my DVD player, even if you plugged it into the Digital coax on the back of your player (assuming your player has one), I dont think it will decode the signal. So you would still be dealing with stereo. Can anyone confirm what I said? Can anyone understand what I Said?

Here's a copy and paste from the website.

True 5.1 channel audio
Comfortable cushioned ear cups and band
Six speakers total
S/PDIF optical or coaxial input
Compatible with any digital audio source
Includes battery for the decoder

Optical or coaxial inputs. I've got coaxial on my player. I think this may be my best option except when I have company over, then I can always use my 2.1 that I have now. Like I said before, I don't think my neighbors in this apartment building would appreciate me having a full 5.1 system. The headphones sound good. They have six speakers (three per ear) which would make up the rear speakers, the front speakers and the center and "woofer". I might have to order it, but hell, it may be worth it. Not to mention I can get my neighbors off my back for noise.

[Empire]

Well, it's a done deal. I was talking to my mom and she got online and ordered it for me. I'll be getting the headphones, which incidentally, are also the same brand as my DVD recorder. They should be here within a week.

Thanks for all the help. When I'm making more money and actually live in a house I'll be opting for a REALLY good surround sound system. For now, I'll have to take what is more reasonable. First up will be Sin City when I get the "rig".

[j45rpm]

Originally Posted by Empire

Well, it's a done deal. I was talking to my mom and she got online and ordered it for me. I'll be getting the headphones, which incidentally, are also the same brand as my DVD recorder. They should be here within a week.

Thanks for all the help. When I'm making more money and actually live in a house I'll be opting for a REALLY good surround sound system. For now, I'll have to take what is more reasonable. First up will be Sin City when I get the "rig".

Let us know how they work when you get them.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by j45rpm

Let us know how they work when you get them.

I will let you know. I feel this is my best solution given my budget and living arrangements. I should have them by next Friday, April 6. Though I won't use them till late that night as I've got plans with my oldest friend to go see "Grindhouse". As I said before, I was going to watch "Sin City" with the new setup but are there any other 5.1 RICH sounding DVD's I should watch instead?

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by Empire

I will let you know. I feel this is my best solution given my budget and living arrangements. I should have them by next Friday, April 6. Though I won't use them till late that night as I've got plans with my oldest friend to go see "Grindhouse". As I said before, I was going to watch "Sin City" with the new setup but are there any other 5.1 RICH sounding DVD's I should watch instead?

Oldest like hes in his 80's or oldest like you have known him the longest yes i know

Seriously, Pearl Harbor has a great Headphone track (even if the movie is iffy)...but I have always done it through my receiver so I dont know how thats gonna work directly from the player.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

Oldest like hes in his 80's or oldest like you have known him the longest yes i know

Seriously, Pearl Harbor has a great Headphone track (even if the movie is iffy)...but I have always done it through my receiver so I dont know how thats gonna work directly from the player.

I've known Doug since I was 7. So that's 30 years I've known him. He was best man at my wedding. My best friend. And he's a cinematographer. He actually put me in one of his movies. Low budget, but still. I'll ask him if I can upload a clip. The footage is under copyright, of course.

As for Pearl Harbor.......I'll pass. Seen it once. And that was once too much. Since you don't know my collection, I'll throw a couple at you.

Sin City - of course
Pulp Fiction
Forrest Gump
All the Star Wars - Leaning towards Episode 3
X-men: The Last Stand
Independence Day
Matrix Revolution
Shaving Ryan's Privates
and
Reservoir Dogs

As a side note, I've also got the recently released original versions of Star Wars Episodes 4 through 6 on DVD.

[EM3]

Independence Day as far as a good soundtrack. Yes Star Wars films are always good.

However I am a fan of Pulp Fiction. Hell I even made my wife watch it one evening on vacation.

Shaving Ryan's Privates (no comment)

[sub780lime]

Fifth Element is one of my favorite demo disc...and I would hope someone like yourself would own it

[Empire]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

Fifth Element is one of my favorite demo disc...and I would hope someone like yourself would own it

Saddly, that's one I do not own, but would like to. Maybe I'll look for it this week.

[Empire]

Well, I got the headphones today. We ordered them from Wal-Mart.com and I had them shipped to my moms house as I live in this apartment building and things tend to dissappear when set on the porch.

They work pretty damn well for $19.95. Well, $27 with shipping. All I had to do was plug it into the coax in the back of the DVD player, plug it into the wall (also has a rechargeble battery as you can use it with portable DVD players), plug the headphones in and there I was. I put in Star Wars Episode I and went to the pod race for a quick spin. Sounds pretty good. Probably not as good as a real Surround Sound system as the speakers in the headphones are real close together, but I'm happy. There's also a second jack for another set of headphones if I wanted to buy them for when I have friends over.

[EM3]

Cool glad you are happy.

[Empire]

What's better anyway? The coax or the optical. I have both.

[chlngr1970]

Can-O-Worms

j

[Empire]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

Can-O-Worms

j

Yea, I found that thread just after I posted my "query". I'll stick with coax.

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by Empire

What's better anyway? The coax or the optical. I have both.

lol, I think chlngr handled this diplomatically

Glad to hear these are working out for you. I was thinking that i didnt remember an update being posted.

Did you go by Fifth Element yet?