2.1 audio. Any experience ?

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FishHo

12 posts

Geek

Topic # 29325 3-Jan-2009 13:33

Hi All

Due to house size , room shape, lack of cash, small people , a 5.1 system is not an option for us at the moment. There is no way I can find $1k for any kind of home theater system. What we are considering is a 2.1 system. We hooked up a cheap Logitech 2.1 system off the PC and to be honest it was great but that has to go back on the PC. I see some of the Logitech stuff is THX certifed. Has anybody tried them out as a HT system.

Ta,

Andy

clevedon

921 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 141

Reply # 187159 3-Jan-2009 13:47

I wouldn't bother with 2.1. Panasonic do a entry level 5.1 HT system for around $399 (was $499 ), very compact and with sub, very good sound for the money, and I am sure there would be a few other manufactures would do systems for similar pricing. We got a Panasonic via redemption and are happy with it as a fill in until funds allow something larger to complenent our 50PY800 . Big difference beteween 5.1 and 2.1 in sound quality, if you are going to spend any money around $400 will get you 5.1 with sub.

FishHo

12 posts

Geek

Reply # 187173 3-Jan-2009 14:58

Its the rears I have a problem with as we dont have a rear wall, that sounds wrong but it "flows" into a conservatory. I played POTC on the 2.1 and the bass from that went through the floor and the kids complained they could feel it in their bedrooms.

clevedon

921 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 141

Reply # 187178 3-Jan-2009 15:24

FishHo: Its the rears I have a problem with as we dont have a rear wall, that sounds wrong but it "flows" into a conservatory. I played POTC on the 2.1 and the bass from that went through the floor and the kids complained they could feel it in their bedrooms.

If the bass from a 2.1 upsets the kids already, why are you looking at upgrading? With the 5.1 you can dial in the sound from all speakers to suit your surroundings and the rear speakers are usually on towers anyway so move them when you are not using them. Why limit yourself with a small budget already just for the time your kids are in bed, remember it is your house, turn it down when they are in bed, crank it up and move the rear speakers into position when you are all watching.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 187723 6-Jan-2009 09:44

FishHo: Hi All

Due to house size , room shape, lack of cash, small people , a 5.1 system is not an option for us at the moment. There is no way I can find $1k for any kind of home theater system. What we are considering is a 2.1 system. We hooked up a cheap Logitech 2.1 system off the PC and to be honest it was great but that has to go back on the PC. I see some of the Logitech stuff is THX certifed. Has anybody tried them out as a HT system.

Ta,

Andy

Altec Lansing MX5021 ...hands down!!!
I have these in our family room (zone 2) at home and have installed them in a couple of mates places. They really are an awesome option for big, discrete sound and very affordable. Best of all they actually sound bl00dy good for what they are. So much so, I have an 'audiophile' brother and work mate, with very fussy ears, who both commented on how good they sounded, considering their price and intended application. I've always thought these would be better marketed as a compact home audio/entertainment option rather than a 'PC speaker set'... as they're too awesome to just have plugged into your PC (unless it's an HTPC).... and there does seem to be a market for this type of setup in home entertainment, but no-one (manufacturers) seem to be taking much notice..??

The satelties on these are actually a bit bigger than most pathetic wee units found in most 'non-high-end' sub-satelite packages... and put out a much better mid-range, making listeneing to music alot more enjoyable.

On the downside, I think they are becoming hard to find!? ...and the tiny remote is kinda sucky, as the buttons wear down over time... no biggy if you have a universal remote or legs that work.

happy shopping!

nav2u

42 posts

Geek

Reply # 187749 6-Jan-2009 12:19

The bass will be an issue irrespective of a 2.1 or 5.1 system and the only way is to turn it down when required. In your case I would look at getting a 5.1 with tower speakers which would give you a richer sound XP even on low volume as compared to a 2.1 system, example 5.1 system with 1080p DVD player.

If you still think 2.1 is the way to go for you then I would recommend the Logitech Z2300. They in my opinion are the best 2.1 system and I think they have them running in Dick Smith powerhouse stores if you want to have a listen.

FishHo

12 posts

Geek

Reply # 187826 6-Jan-2009 16:43

We had a bit of a think about this and our past experience is that we tend to watch movies as a family so perhaps the bass thing isn't so much of an issue. The cost and open plan of our living area still is as we flat bust after xmas. Having a look around the Yamaha virtual surround sound box would be good if it was imported.
I'm not so keen to go HTIB way , but having my Samsung series 6 tied to a Sammy HTIB soluton such as the Ht-z310 on at Farmers for $310 makes some sense (esp. the unified remote) . I could get a entry level Pioneer 5.1 system from JB hiFi for $328 but still need speakers. I've got component and optical audio out of the DVD already and thats good enough for me. The xbox is component as well. No plans for bluray.
The series six upscaler is prety good by all accounts so I dont feel i need to have the receiver/amp uscaling for me.

I'll have a look see if i can find an Altech and Logitech side by side.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 187943 7-Jan-2009 09:19

FishHo: We had a bit of a think about this and our past experience is that we tend to watch movies as a family so perhaps the bass thing isn't so much of an issue. The cost and open plan of our living area still is as we flat bust after xmas. Having a look around the Yamaha virtual surround sound box would be good if it was imported.
I'm not so keen to go HTIB way , but having my Samsung series 6 tied to a Sammy HTIB soluton such as the Ht-z310 on at Farmers for $310 makes some sense (esp. the unified remote) . I could get a entry level Pioneer 5.1 system from JB hiFi for $328 but still need speakers. I've got component and optical audio out of the DVD already and thats good enough for me. The xbox is component as well. No plans for bluray.
The series six upscaler is prety good by all accounts so I dont feel i need to have the receiver/amp uscaling for me.

I'll have a look see if i can find an Altech and Logitech side by side.

Hi FishHo

In reagrds to the bass issue... As nav2u stated, the bass issue will persist irrespective of a 5.1 or 2.1 system... This is beecause you are opting for a satellite-sub package, which are really only good at pumping out highs and lows with a big hole in the mid range. This means you always have to give these things a bit more juice in order to hear spoken voice at a decent level... meaning the bass and highs will be even louder. Whereas, a 'good' pair of floor standers (not thin plastic flimsy ones, with satelite sized drivers!!) will give you a better midrange, without having to crank them, kepping the bass etc in check. This is why I like the Altech Lansing MX5021 so much, as they actually have bigger, better mid-range than yer average satelite driver ...not as good as PROPER floorstanders, but much better than others... this means you can keep the levels dialed back a lot more and not shake the kiddies bedrooms.... The Altechs also have a very tighty puncy sub... not boomy, which is a big plus also.

...I dont have any shares in Antech Lansing btw...8)

I'd also be very wary of buying a speaker package which includes a DVD player/surround processor etc, for $3-500 ....I cant imagine much of that money goes toward the speakers .....you get what you pay for ...So I'd def suggest putting you budget toward the best powered speakers you can, and not the other rubbish... which it sounds like you dont need anyway... IMHO...

FishHo

12 posts

Geek

Reply # 188129 8-Jan-2009 00:58

mmmmmmm.

So I trolled round the shops for a few hours without the kids and I came to several conclusions. Firstly the service you receive from most big brand retailers was C**P. Ups to HN at Mt Wellington who actully spoke to me seriously even though I told him I was tyre kicking at this point.

So I got hold of a logitech system and its not too shabby. But .... I found a Yamaha YHT-195 5.1 Channel Home Theatre Package for $888. Its more than I wanted to pay but i doesnt include anything I already own. Link here Looks uogradeable and seems a reasonable starting point and I should be able to fit it into the living area..

Anybody played with one of these.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 188154 8-Jan-2009 09:22

FishHo:
mmmmmmm.

So I trolled round the shops for a few hours without the kids and I came to several conclusions. Firstly the service you receive from most big brand retailers was C**P. Ups to HN at Mt Wellington who actully spoke to me seriously even though I told him I was tyre kicking at this point.

So I got hold of a logitech system and its not too shabby. But .... I found a Yamaha YHT-195 5.1 Channel Home Theatre Package for $888. Its more than I wanted to pay but i doesnt include anything I already own. Link here Looks uogradeable and seems a reasonable starting point and I should be able to fit it into the living area..

Anybody played with one of these.

Excellent! ...great start. And as the speakers are powered by the receiver (not part of a powered-sub package) you can easily upgrade your speakers at a later date... ie, bigger fronts 8)