My speaker options

[admin_exported]

I currently have a Sony tv (kdl 26T3000), a new dell pc (with integrated 5.1 and optical output), and a playstation 3. The sound for the tv and the ps3 just come out of the tv speaker, and i have some cheap computer speakers for the pc. However i want to have one set of good speakers for all three, is this possible? I assume i would need an amplifier, and hifi speakers, or would i be able to do it with a home cinema style set up?

Some speakers I am considering these as they are the top rated; http://whathifi.co.uk/Review/Jamo-A102HCS5/

http://whathifi.co.uk/Review/Tannoy-Mercury-F1-Custom/

http://whathifi.co.uk/Review/Monitor-Audio-Bronze-BR2/

I am working to a budget, and would prefer not to have an amplifier with big speakers as I am rather short on space, but if the situation requires it, then I can do that.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Teddd:
I currently have a Sony tv (kdl 26T3000), a new dell pc (with integrated 5.1 and optical output), and a playstation 3. The sound for the tv and the ps3 just come out of the tv speaker, and i have some cheap computer speakers for the pc. However i want to have one set of good speakers for all three, is this possible? I assume i would need an amplifier, and hifi speakers, or would i be able to do it with a home cinema style set up?

Some speakers I am considering these as they are the top rated; http://whathifi.co.uk/Review/Jamo-A102HCS5/

http://whathifi.co.uk/Review/Tannoy-Mercury-F1-Custom/

http://whathifi.co.uk/Review/Monitor-Audio-Bronze-BR2/

I am working to a budget, and would prefer not to have an amplifier with big speakers as I am rather short on space, but if the situation requires it, then I can do that.

Yes, you will need an amp/receiver. The speakers you mention, the Monitor Audios would be the best. The Jamos are great (I used to own them) but they will be beaten by the traditionals. What is your budget?

 

[Anonymous]

When i said I was working to a budget, all i meant was, I would rather not spend too much. So if i can get the job done well for £200, then that's good. If I NEED to spend £500, then in theory I could.

So can the home cinema speakers be linked to the amp? I don't know whether surround sount, or 2 speakers would be better? I guess for films/tv/games, then surround sound would be better. But for music then 2 would be better? How much would you look to spend on an amp with either the Jamo's, or the Monitor Audio's?

I could also buy a sound card for the pc if necessary.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Teddd:
When i said I was working to a budget, all i meant was, I would rather not spend too much. So if i can get the job done well for £200, then that's good. If I NEED to spend £500, then in theory I could.

So can the home cinema speakers be linked to the amp? I don't know whether surround sount, or 2 speakers would be better? I guess for films/tv/games, then surround sound would be better. But for music then 2 would be better? How much would you look to spend on an amp with either the Jamo's, or the Monitor Audio's?

I could also buy a sound card for the pc if necessary.

Well first things first, 5.1 with the Jamos would cost circa £180. 5.1 with the MAs would be around £700. Obviously music will sound a lot better with the MAs but films are much better with 5.1. You have to work out what's most important to you. You could get the Jamos and the new Sony receiver the STRDG820 for circa £400-450. This would give you a nice little system - discrete too. You would also get HD audio through your PS3 and Bluray playback.

I wouldn't bother with a new soundcard if I were you - optical to the Sony receiver would be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay thanks. My dad has some spare amplifiers around the house, how do I know if the amp will work with the speakers? I think i need two optical inputs (for the ps3 and the pc)! But will it be obvious if it is compatible with surround sound?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Teddd:Okay thanks. My dad has some spare amplifiers around the house, how do I know if the amp will work with the speakers? I think i need two optical inputs (for the ps3 and the pc)! But will it be obvious if it is compatible with surround sound?

If they are stereo amps they won't be ok for surround. You will need speaker ports for at least front left and right, centre, rear left and right and subwoofer. Stereo amps will only have front left and rights and maybe a subwoofer.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry but I am very confused now! Do I need a home cinema 'av' amplifier? Because I don't want to use the amp for picture, only sound. But I need it to have surround sound. Do normal hifi amps have surround sound?
All the amps I have are stereo.

 

[professorhat]

Nope, normal stereo amps are unable to produce surround sound. To get this you need an AV amp or AV receiver (the difference between the two being the receiver has an inbuilt tuner - don't let this put you off as it's very common for the best ones to come with the tuner even if you're never going to use it). AV amps and receivers these days will also generally also allow you to connect your video sources to it as well so the receiver acts as a hub, switching your video sources and their audio at the same time. Again, don't worry too much about this, if you only want to use it for sound, you can do this without issue.