Power cut blew 7.1 speaker system - advice wanted HTPC/Audio gurus

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Power cut blew 7.1 speaker system - advice wanted HTPC/Audio gurus

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#41852 24-Sep-2009 09:22

Well 5.34am this morning (UPS software told me) the power was cut and when I got up the Creative Gigaworks 7.1 speaker system wouldn't turn on. No power. Changed power cable just in case and no different.

Anyway, we are going to try to get some sort of insurance to cover it but I have had one of these creattive units die on me before and it was not fixable.

I would like to future proof whatever I do get so that would mean to me that it is 7.1 again, has HDMI input and maybe output, spdif, and analogue connections. It would be good if the speakers are relatively small and budget without any HP would be $999 ok you can make it $1000.

I also need to take into account WAF and BAF (8 month old Baby Approval Factor). Something easily knocked over or easily poked would be a worry but not a major.

I have a Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 Soundcard link here. I also have available but currently not used a Creative DDTS 100 decoder Link Here. TV is a Sony Bravia KDLW4000, but I would rather not use it for audio as the HTPC has better options.

What options do I have?

Thanks
db

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vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

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#258998 28-Sep-2009 14:12

have you tried replacing the fuse? apparently it's removable with a flat head screw driver and on most of those speaker systems it's located just below the Power plug? although it could be actually inside the amp :( in which case, yeah insurance job it, then try fix it :)

If it's not the fuse though, um, insurance job i guess:

http://www.pp.co.nz/products.php?pp_id=CM00843
Jazz neofusion, should be baby proofish, tie the tops of the speakers to the wall with nylon fishing line and some screws in case, but they aren't too big or heavy so if they fell, they wouldn't injure a child

Otherwise:
http://www.playtech.co.nz/product.php?action=showdetail&id=824
A set of Logitech Z5500s would be perfect :) baby proof and give you the doof doof

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edge

410 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#259041 28-Sep-2009 16:39

A quick google suggests a significant number of problems with the S750 7.1 systems - not necessarily related to surge issues. But if you can relate it to the surge, then definitely give the insurance a go!

As an alternative to the "computer system" manufacturers, there are some real potential hifi bargains (receiver/amp plus speakers) to be had that could be tacked onto the audio card to provide a superior sound. e.g. I've recently go an ex-demo Onkyo 705 for $500 and a set of ex-demo Ceratec (German) hi-fi 7.1 speakers for $1000 - the latter a real bargain (retailed around $7000 in Europe new) mainly because no-one seemed to know what they were in NZ as they seem to have been imported by Eastern HiFi as a one-off trial.

I hasten to add that my system isn't hooked up to a PC - but its a thought?! Have fun.

[EDIT]: meant to say that it would be worth trying vinnieg's suggestions, but be aware that a range of complaints online (about the S750 mainly) indicate that the problem might be more than a fuse replacement.

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

BazzaA

16 posts

Geek

#259062 28-Sep-2009 17:52

I'm a little confused here? Were the speakers plugged into the UPS, and if not was there any form of surge protection on them at all?

I have the S750's, but luckily no issues (so far), even with power cuts, but they have been attached to a UPS.

If you can, most speakers are probably wall mountable, but that would have its own set of hassles. The stands I have for the S750's are definitely a no go with babies around, I find them too easy to unbalance myself.

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#259661 30-Sep-2009 11:25

Thanks for the replies. I have checke the fuse and it looks fine, testing it is another story as I have no test equipment.

S750's seem to have power issues. The last set did the same thing and wouldn't power on bet was covered by warranty. I do leave them switched on 24/7 though and only turned them off if unplugging the jacks on the computer.

Will try insurance, but first going to get a quote from a repair shop just in case it is cheaper than the excess.

Since this problem developed I have found some other issues with my setup which may lead to some upgrades of the HTPC. Mainly a new video card with HDMI instead of DVI -> HDMI. But the potential options for 7.1 speakers is low and I would push insurance for Sony's Muteki 7.2 kit....call me greedy.

Anyway we will see what happens.
thanks
db

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#259662 30-Sep-2009 11:26

UPS protecting HTPC, and another one protecting WHS. TV, Speakers, overload them so are left with surge protection only.

cheers
db

Jaxson

7680 posts

Uber Geek

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#259690 30-Sep-2009 12:14

browned: But the potential options for 7.1 speakers is low and I would push insurance for Sony's Muteki 7.2 kit....call me greedy.

Total aside, but I saw the other day that Auzzie gets a 7.4 option in that range.

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#259704 30-Sep-2009 12:38

If you get two extra subs it will be 7.4. It comes ready and waiting for 4 subs. Reciever splits sub to amp which splits sub to 4 outputs.

2 will do in our current house. WAF is important.