I live in a quite small apartment (one room and kitchen) and currently use my stereo as audio output.. I would like to know if getting a very basic surround system (cheap receiver + speakers) is worth it for gaming ? (esp. xbox). I just noticed when I was playing PGR2 that when I look back I hear a different engine sound than if i'm looking forward. So it feels like I'm getting only half the engine sounds normally when I'm playing. How big of an improvement is it? Can anyone recommend some cheap receivers + speakers?
Surround Sound: Is it worth it?
- Thread starter thorns
- Start date
radioheadrule83
Banned
I haven't got the cables to take advantage of it on my Xbox yet... I've been meaning to get them for ages. The pro logic II shows quite a bit of difference as it is though on all three consoles. I can't imagine not playing them with this fat bass sound etc.
I picked up my receiver and speakers as seperates a few years back. It's a panasonic SA-HE70 I think. DTS/DD 5.1, Pro Logic II -- I can switch between all my sources with ease. I got some nice Acoustic Solutions speakers for it and used the dismountable speakers off our plasma as the front Left/Right speakers. The set up is great, but I'll probably pick up a receiver with more speaker support in the next two years.
I personally think its totally worth it. But if its a small room, you'll have to weigh it up.
I picked up my receiver and speakers as seperates a few years back. It's a panasonic SA-HE70 I think. DTS/DD 5.1, Pro Logic II -- I can switch between all my sources with ease. I got some nice Acoustic Solutions speakers for it and used the dismountable speakers off our plasma as the front Left/Right speakers. The set up is great, but I'll probably pick up a receiver with more speaker support in the next two years.
I personally think its totally worth it. But if its a small room, you'll have to weigh it up.
How good is something like this, for example?
http://hardware.gamespot.com/Samsung-HT-DS100-9262-O-10-12
I don't need something cutting edge or really good, just "decent".
http://hardware.gamespot.com/Samsung-HT-DS100-9262-O-10-12
I don't need something cutting edge or really good, just "decent".
Scottlarock
Banned
thorns said:
I live in a apartment and it makes a HUGE difference(movies are awesome too)... playing halo or RB6 and listening as bullets wize by you...awesome... plus you play better because you can hear footsteps of people sneaking up on you or people shooting behind you.... you kind of know where they are.... buy one even a cheap one. 5.1 rocks
Scottlarock
Banned
thorns said:
my system has 300 watts... I never turn it up that loud or even come close.... I say 100 watts and a decent sub and you should be good..... sub makes the difference...
Marty Chinn
Member
I think it really depends on what games you play because not all games are done will in surround sound. Pretty much every Xbox game is labeled Dolby Digital but most of them don't utilize it well. I've heard Dolby Pro Logic II sound better than some Dolby Digital mixes. It can be better when done right, but I don't think most games do it right. It's nowhere near as good as the difference when it comes to movies. So really, it depends on what games you ahve to see how big of a difference it will make.
Myoclonic Jerk
Member
Resident Evil 4 without DPLII = less 40% of thrill ... maybe more
Myoclonic Jerk
Member
Wario64 said:
In that case, its almost a MUST if you play MGS 3 lol ..
johnjohnson
Member
You haven't played Halo if you haven't heard it in it's DD5.1 greatness.
cubicle47b
Member
Aside from Halo, I haven't cared about surround sound in games. Movies, though...
firebricks3
Member
YES!
Dr. Zoidberg
Member
It's a personal preference, obviously but I say definately. Many games in PL2 and especially the Xbox games in DD 5.1 are hugely improved by a good surround system.
Notice I said a "good" surround system. If you aren't going to spend more than $300, then I'd say forget it or save your money. Buying separates are best but there are some damn good all-in-one sets for around $450-$500 from Onkyo.
Notice I said a "good" surround system. If you aren't going to spend more than $300, then I'd say forget it or save your money. Buying separates are best but there are some damn good all-in-one sets for around $450-$500 from Onkyo.
I bought some cheap speakers a few years ago, and I have since been spoiled by Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultras.
However, it's still good to have the surround aspect of it, even if it sounds like crap. But as opposed to what you have now? I dunno, even cheap 5.1 setups have much better sound than TV speakers but I don't know about your stereo.
However, it's still good to have the surround aspect of it, even if it sounds like crap. But as opposed to what you have now? I dunno, even cheap 5.1 setups have much better sound than TV speakers but I don't know about your stereo.
I'm thinking of this samsung:
http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?prod_id=HTDS100TH%2fXAA
or the philips lx3600D
one question though:
Is optical out/in important or necessary? I have a cable for the Xbox that has optical out, so I can connect it like that. The samsung has optical in, the philips doesn't and they're roughly the same price.
http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?prod_id=HTDS100TH%2fXAA
or the philips lx3600D
one question though:
Is optical out/in important or necessary? I have a cable for the Xbox that has optical out, so I can connect it like that. The samsung has optical in, the philips doesn't and they're roughly the same price.
I bought an Onkyo 600W 5.1 receiver and speakers for $200 on sale at Fry's. It supports Pro Logic II, DTS 5.1, all the usual stuff. Is it bleeding edge top-end audio? Of course not, but it sounds great to me in my small room. The jump from simple stereo sound to 5.1 was amazing. For games alone it's worth the upgrade, and movies are a really nice bonus. The receiver has an optical and coax digital input, so all my systems and DVD player are presently pooping out digital audio. Plus I can always upgrade my speakers and sub later if I wish do to so, although I'm quite happy with the speakers it came with. I don't regret the purchase one bit. I hesitated for the longest time, and I'm glad I finally made the jump. Take that for what you will.
tedtropy said:
I bought an Onkyo 600W 5.1 receiver and speakers for $200 on sale at Fry's. It supports Pro Logic II, DTS 5.1, all the usual stuff. Is it bleeding edge top-end audio? Of course not, but it sounds great to me in my small room. The jump from simple stereo sound to 5.1 was amazing. For games alone it's worth the upgrade, and movies are a really nice bonus. The receiver has an optical and coax digital input, so all my systems and DVD player are presently pooping out digital audio. Plus I can always upgrade my speakers and sub later if I wish do to so, although I'm quite happy with the speakers it came with. I don't regret the purchase one bit. I hesitated for the longest time, and I'm glad I finally made the jump. Take that for what you will.
that looks very good.. but i don't think i can find that onkyo here for that price
this is the one i am most likely to buy
it has 1 optical in and 1 stereo in.
thorns said:that looks very good.. but i don't think i can find that onkyo here for that price
this is the one i am most likely to buy
it has 1 optical in and 1 stereo in.
How much is that one retailing for, as the center channel and receiver look very...'meh'. You can find the Onkyo system I mentioned on their site refurbed for like $220, but I'm always leary of refurbished stuff. I've seen the system priced similarly at Circuit City sometimes, so it may warrant looking around. I can vouch for it being more than worth the price.
Is surround sound worth it? Pfft... Are you really asking that question?
I'll tell you what. If you have a 'Cube, play Metroid Prime or Resident Evil 4 with standard sound, then play with surround sound afterwards. An Xbox, Halo 2. A PS2, MGS2 or MGS3. That will give you your answer.
I'll tell you what. If you have a 'Cube, play Metroid Prime or Resident Evil 4 with standard sound, then play with surround sound afterwards. An Xbox, Halo 2. A PS2, MGS2 or MGS3. That will give you your answer.
Personally, I'd pass on an Onkyo or Samsung. Neither brand is that good in general. Yamaha is the ticket when it comes to a/v receivers. This is the model I have and I've got zero complaints. It's great. Runs for $199-ish.
Yamaha HT5730
Yamaha HT5730
Onkyo are among the most respected brands. Dunno what you're talking about. I have Yamaha myself and I know about the faults associated with THAT brand. All of them have some faults that are attributed to the brand but it depends on what you want. Do you want a receiver with a strong PSU? do you want a receiver will lots of finesses etc.
TheDiave said:
Are you kidding me? Onkyo is one of the most renowned brands in high-end audio equipment. I'm glad your Yamaha receiver is working out for you, but that doesn't make them the alpha and omega of the receiver market.
Cold-Steel
Member
Fact: DVD's most credited improvement for enhancing the experience was not the visual difference - but it's ability to encode in 5.1
FYI - I'm running a Harmon Kardon AVR235, Polk RTi8 fronts, Velodyne DPS-10 Sub, Jensen 5 1/2" rears and a Pioneer centre.
FYI - I'm running a Harmon Kardon AVR235, Polk RTi8 fronts, Velodyne DPS-10 Sub, Jensen 5 1/2" rears and a Pioneer centre.
shpankey
not an idiot
Onkyo's are very well respected receievers. Dunno who told you they weren't, but they're wrong.
Pioneer has some real quality ones also. As does Yamaha (like you mentioned).
The best deal going is on the Pioneer VSX-1014TX which is unfrickenbelievable! It's a repackaged $1,200 Pioneer Elite in a vanilla shell. It normaly sells for $600, but has recently went on sale at reputable online etailers for only $375; and at that price, it the biggest steal in the history of electronics. It's a 7.1 sound system at 120 watts a channel, supports every format available (DTS, PLII, DD, etc.) and has a self tuner (it comes with a microphone) that absolutely perfectly dials itself in, to perfection (MCACC).
Pioneer has some real quality ones also. As does Yamaha (like you mentioned).
The best deal going is on the Pioneer VSX-1014TX which is unfrickenbelievable! It's a repackaged $1,200 Pioneer Elite in a vanilla shell. It normaly sells for $600, but has recently went on sale at reputable online etailers for only $375; and at that price, it the biggest steal in the history of electronics. It's a 7.1 sound system at 120 watts a channel, supports every format available (DTS, PLII, DD, etc.) and has a self tuner (it comes with a microphone) that absolutely perfectly dials itself in, to perfection (MCACC).
shpankey said:Onkyo's are very well respected receievers. Dunno who told you they weren't, but they're wrong.
Pioneer has some real quality ones also. As does Yamaha (like you mentioned).
The best deal going is on the Pioneer VSX-1014TX which is unfrickenbelievable! It's a repackaged $1,200 Pioneer Elite in a vanilla shell. It normaly sells for $600, but has recently went on sale at reputable online etailers for only $375; and at that price, it the biggest steal in the history of electronics. It's a 7.1 sound system at 120 watts a channel, supports every format available (DTS, PLII, DD, etc.) and has a self tuner (it comes with a microphone) that absolutely perfectly dials itself in, to perfection (MCACC).
Must...resist...using...credit card. Ahhh. Phew, that was a close one.
shpankey said:Onkyo's are very well respected receievers. Dunno who told you they weren't, but they're wrong.
Pioneer has some real quality ones also. As does Yamaha (like you mentioned).
The best deal going is on the Pioneer VSX-1014TX which is unfrickenbelievable! It's a repackaged $1,200 Pioneer Elite in a vanilla shell. It normaly sells for $600, but has recently went on sale at reputable online etailers for only $375; and at that price, it the biggest steal in the history of electronics. It's a 7.1 sound system at 120 watts a channel, supports every format available (DTS, PLII, DD, etc.) and has a self tuner (it comes with a microphone) that absolutely perfectly dials itself in, to perfection (MCACC).
Sounds like Pioneer is finally catching up to Yamaha when it comes to price vs finess.