How do I get good 5.1 sound?

Hi,

I got a Sony STR-K660P and Kenwood KR-V5570 receiver and I really want to use them with my HP DV2000t but I don't know where to start. I got a mash up of different sound equipment so what's the best way to connect them for 5.1 or even 5.0 sound?

Briefly, I got:

An old Boston Acoustics Media Theater 2.1 system (I use only the subwoofer) http://www.3dss.com/reviews/bostonmt.html
5 speakers (2 rear, 2 front, 1 center) Cambridge Soundworks Newton MC100
Sony STR-K660P
Kenwood KR-V5570
HP DV2000t with SPDIF output I think.

What should I do?

 

A digital decoder is your best bet, if your 5.1 system cannot support incoming SPDIF - that your HP has.

Search the net for "SPDIF to 5.1" for more different inputs and suggestions.

cheers ...

 

i duno if this helps just throwing this out there. the creative usb sound card? http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=17751

 

If both AV Receivers have SPDIF input, use the Sony STR-K660P with the 5 speakers that you have and the sub from the Boston Acoustics Media Theater system. Use your HP SPDIF connection with your AV.

 

Perfect. The Sony input says "Optical" and "video in" right next to the port. The port itself looks like a toslink input. Is this the right port? Would I need a 3.5mm to toslink cable to hook the computer up to the receiver? I'm also unsure how to hook the subwoofer to the receiver because it is a self powered, active sub. It has a control pod that plugs into it to manage volume, bass level, etc. and a 3.5mm audio in cable. Thanks for the advice.

 

Doesn't your laptop have a SPDIF or Toslink output port?

-Also what ports does the sub have?

 

I believe that the laptop has a 3.5mm output that doubles as SPDIF. Because of this, would I need something like:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320353405812&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching?

My subwoofer has a 3.5mm input, the power port, 2 RCA ports for each speaker, a special connector for the control pod, and a special plug to add 2 more speakers for pseudo 4.1 sound.

 

That adapter would work.

As for the sub, what connection does the AV offer to connect to the sub?

 

The receiver only has the red and black wire switches for the subwoofer.

 

Hmm, the only thing I can think of is getting a 3.5mm to Red White audio cable and stripping the Read and White and connecting that to the AV. And hook the 3.5mm to the sub.

 

Sounds good, thanks a lot for the information. Hopefully, I can get a decent sounding 5.1 system. Any other advice before I start buying lots of wires and cables?

 

I would get a cheap 3.5mm to Red White audio first to test it out, I know they sell them at my local dolalr store.

 

Thanks. I appreciate it

 

Don't go over board on the cables, you don't need over priced monster cables that perform the same thing as much cheaper cables will do. Not sure if thats what you meant, but I'm just saying you can spend ALOT of money on cables that aren't needed.

 

Yea forgot to mention that, cheap cables work just as well, My local dollar store also sells speaker wires.