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    home theater system vs pc speakers

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by someone777, May 30, 2007.

  1. someone777

    someone777 Notebook Evangelist

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    well my dad was saying that home theater system is way better than pc speakers because they are cheap (250 for amps w/ speaker) and capable with anything.. so i was wondering what is better about pc speakers than home theater...???
     
    someone777, May 30, 2007
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  2. mikeymike

    mikeymike Notebook Evangelist

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    well one thing is THD (total harmonic distortion)

    PC component speakers are terrible. Thats because the build in amplification is the PC speakers components is terrible. Its as bad as 10X.
    10% THD vs .10(or better) THD in a home system
     
    mikeymike, May 30, 2007
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  3. someone777

    someone777 Notebook Evangelist

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    sry but so something in system is better.....
    right?? in conclusion the home theater speakers are way better...?
     
    someone777, May 30, 2007
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  4. mikeymike

    mikeymike Notebook Evangelist

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    In home theatre, speaker space is usually not a problem and sound accuracy is usually more demanding. In the computer application space and the overall footprint of a PC speaker system is at a premium. And also sound accurancy and quality is not that big of an issue.
    You will always have better sound from an outboard amplifier and separate speakers than a PC system.

    Heres just a simple Sony 5.1 amplifier. You'll notice the THD is 0.09%. Now go look at most of the computer component systems and look at the THD in them. Big difference
    http://www0.shopping.com/xPF-Sony-STR-DE595-21815781

    But theres a cost factor too. Buying seperates will be twice or more expensive. It all depends on what your needs are
     
    mikeymike, May 30, 2007
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  5. Ethyriel

    Ethyriel Notebook Deity

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    ++

    Really any cheap receiver and home theater speakers will be a huge improvement over most multimedia speakers (monitors are more debatable). I know a lot of people over at the Arstechnica Audio/Visual forum go this route, you might read over the archives. I think Axiom speakers tend to be a popular bang for the buck suggestion.
     
    Ethyriel, May 31, 2007
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  6. Dell_6400_fan

    Dell_6400_fan Notebook Consultant

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    That's my current setup now...

    Pioneer 5.1 receiver
    2 x JBL fronts
    1 x Paradigm ctr channel
    2 x KLH rears
    1 x KLH 10" subwoofer

    This is my old system and I have a much better system in my family room, but I decided to hook it up via Coax (SPDIF) from my SB Audigy card and I get true DTS/Dolby Digital ][ from my PC when playing sources (ie. Movies with that material) and it sounds 10x better than my old 2.1 Harmon Kardon setup I got with my PC a few years back.

    I highly recommend going with separates than with a dedicated system ie. Logitech or whatnot unless space is a concern.
     
    Dell_6400_fan, Jun 1, 2007
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