17 replies to this topic

[lindy119]

Hi all,

Was wondering if there is anyone on TMF who understands this sourt of thing, as the people in Curry's and Comet were pretty much useless!!

I'm looking for a simple surround sound system, without the DVD player, that provides surround sound when I use the Playstation and watch normal TV.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Ollie

[RobFox]

Im not 100% sure if you can do that, but I can give you info on my surround sound.

I have a DVD player and built into that is the equipment to take the TV input and put that into surround sound. The speakers click into the back of the DVD player ( Home Theatre System as it calls itself ).

You can get headphones which plug into your TV/ Gaming Console which provide surround sound and do not need a DVD player. I used to have turtle beaches ( gaming headphones ) which were great for gaming and also to watch films which did this. However the downside is that you have to wear them and only you can hear it.

[Pooky]

I was a bit of a noob to the whole Audio/visual game. But did a bit of research and ended up buying an AV receiver from Richer Sounds. All Onkyo hooked up to my PS3 and 42" Samsung Plasma. Looks and sounds fantastic, especially as my sofa is dead ahead of my tele just 2.5 metres away proud.gif

Mines an Onkyo TX-SR507 receiver.

Lots of info on Richer Sounds.

Something like this package might suit you, those are the speakers I've got and the newer model of my amp.

Edited by Pooky, 15 August 2010 - 06:56 PM.

[Domlin]

http://www.hifi-towe...eakers_c135.htm

These sorts of speakers can be attached to PS3's and TV's... You need to look for ones that have an amplifier included (usually built into the subwoofer on these types...)

Hope this helps...

[jamie_mini]

hi i have this system set up in my room with my ps3

http://www.amazon.co...l...2680&sr=8-1

its cheap and its actually amazing the base is incredible.
it simply plugs into the tv via headphone socket and if you want you can plug it into your ipod.

i seriously recomend this system

jamie

[minisilverbullet]

hi i have this system set up in my room with my ps3

http://www.amazon.co...l...2680&sr=8-1

its cheap and its actually amazing the base is incredible.
it simply plugs into the tv via headphone socket and if you want you can plug it into your ipod.

i seriously recomend this system

jamie

I actually have this (or very similar, perhaps the older model), i use for my projector, its great, cheap! if its for a small square room then its great! oh did i say it was great!

You could go mad and spend big wonga - my old flat mate had a sony system which required him to measure various distances from the tv, seats etc. and enter these via the remote control. Iy was truly awesome!

[bunch1980]

Just make sure its proper 5.1 dolby digital if you want to take full advantage of games in 5.1 and movies etc. So many peeps i know think they have surround sound because they have 4 speakers. I used to think same but then got a proper 5.1 amp much like Onkyo one above but a Sony and its amazing for movies and games like call of duty etc are just even better.

I now have a lovely set of B&W speakers that I love not mega expensive in hifie terms but most peeps think its mad to spend over £800 on just speakers alone then you need wiring stands etc to!
but for me worth it to get better than cinema sound in home as your right next to it all and dont get ******* kicking your chair or popcorn being eaten right in your ear lol!!

[lindy119]

hi i have this system set up in my room with my ps3

http://www.amazon.co...l...2680&sr=8-1

its cheap and its actually amazing the base is incredible.
it simply plugs into the tv via headphone socket and if you want you can plug it into your ipod.

i seriously recomend this system

jamie

So with this one, I could plug it into the TV, and then i would get surround sound for both TV and PS3? As simple as that?

[Pooky]

Yeah but that's not 'real' surround sound. With the system I linked to if you're playing COD4:MW2 and you've got someone creeping up over your right shoulder you'll hear it out of your rear right speaker! Works with explosions, shots fired everything!

If that set on Amazon just plugs into a headphone jack it's stereo only (i.e. right and left). The Onkyo stuff also connects using HDMI cables so you can get HD audio. For the price of the Amazon setup and based on the reviews it's obviously a nice bit of kit but it depends what you're after.

[lindy119]

Yeah that Onkyo looks perfect, but my Dads asked me to find a kit for him and he has a budget of £150. I might be able to swing him but if not, are there any alternatives.

I've noticed with that Logitech set that if plugged into a TV it won't be true surround sound - is that a big problem jamie_mini?

[jamie_mini]

hi i have this system set up in my room with my ps3

http://www.amazon.co...l...2680&sr=8-1

its cheap and its actually amazing the base is incredible.
it simply plugs into the tv via headphone socket and if you want you can plug it into your ipod.

i seriously recomend this system

jamie

So with this one, I could plug it into the TV, and then i would get surround sound for both TV and PS3? As simple as that?

yep as simple as that, it just plugs straight into the headphone socket. it really is an amazing system, worth it.

[carts60]

Yeah that Onkyo looks perfect, but my Dads asked me to find a kit for him and he has a budget of £150. I might be able to swing him but if not, are there any alternatives.

I've noticed with that Logitech set that if plugged into a TV it won't be true surround sound - is that a big problem jamie_mini?

Yeah, the Logitech kit isnt true surround sound. Its almost comparible to upscaled HD TV's - thats where the signal the TV recieves isnt HD (or is low quality HD), but the TV then makes up extra pixles from the colours it uses on the rest of the screen to make it a better picture.

Thats what the logitech uses to make it surround sound. It uses a two way input (standard stereo sound like you would get from a TV or any other 2.1 speakers) which it takes from im guessing a 3mm jack, and then uses some software to use parts of the sounds for the rear speakers to make it sound more like surround sound.

In all honesty, it will probably just sound like you've got a lot of speakers around you all doing the same thing rather than surround sound where you get different noises from each speaker calibrated to your and their location.

In fact, just watching normal TV, you're unlikely (im not even sure its possible) to get surround sound signal, and the Logitech gear would be perfect.

Unless you watch a lot of films and do a lot of gaming i would recommend just going for a 2.1 speaker system with a higher spec. More isnt always better speaker wise.

I'v invested in a high spec Logitech set of Z2300 speakers. Amazing bass and brilliant mid and trebble from the satellites. I could literally vibrate the house to pieces if i wanted to.

Perfect for gaming as you get proper boom as well as crystal clear TV sound.

Link to the speakers

[davidv]

Have a good look in PC World.I bought a fair system Altec Lansing amp in a sale changed the speakers to Mission full size.Sounds nice and less than £100 for the amp.The speakers that came with it were no good.It runs them well and has fin cooling.

[Pooky]

My system works as surround sound on normal tv (through BT vision box which has 5.1 output). Even when watching tripe like hollyoaks the background noises come from the rear speakers and voices from the front.

[bunch1980]

Sounds like peeps are getting confused with difference between prologic surround and true 5.1 dolby/dts.
Prologic is surround drevived from a stereo 2 channel sources the better the source better is sounds but this can only send sounds from front to
rear speakers but not left to right in rear speakers etc.
Where as 5.1 is exactly that 5.1 or 6 seperate channles of sound, that is only available on dvds or sky now to i believe for movie channels.
So you have front left + right, centre speaker which is usuallt dialogue to and rear left + right. the .1 is usually a subwoofer.

Hope this helps i know i thought my prologic was amazing years ago got 5.1 and im literally blown away and shaking the room! lol