2.1 Sound System with optical inputs

[BeachChair]

I wanna simplify the whole audio/video setup in my living room. Right now I have an old stereo receiver with bookshelf speakers connected to an Airport Express, and an AppleTV2 connected to an LG flatscreen.

My problem is, the AppleTV2 can't output sound to the stereo receiver because it doesn't have optical input, meanwhile the TV can output sound to the stereo receiver, but it sounds horrible because the analog outputs on the TV are rubbish.

So getting a neat 2.1 speaker system with optical inputs would allow me to remove the stereo receiver, the bookshelf speakers and the Airport Express.

It just needs to have two optical inputs, one for the AppleTV2 and one for the TVs. (the TV has optical audio output).

What are some good systems you guys can recommend?

 

[getheledout]

From what I've read this is a pretty decent 2.1 system.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=BsF3Te3QIMTE0QG4tazUBg&ved=0CDIQ8gIwBA#

 

[BeachChair]

That looks to be pretty much exactly what I had in mind. Thanks! Now to read a bunch of reviews.

 

[mchalebk]

From what I've read this is a pretty decent 2.1 system.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=BsF3Te3QIMTE0QG4tazUBg&ved=0CDIQ8gIwBA#

I don't see where it says anything about optical inputs (it has 3 HDMI).

A couple of options to consider:

1. You might want to look at some soundbars. There are a lot of different configurations; I'm sure you could find one that suited your needs.
2. If you really didn't want to change systems, you could always get some optical to analog converters, like these:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=6884&seq=1&format=2

 

[getheledout]

I don't see where it says anything about optical inputs (it has 3 HDMI).

It has 2 optical inputs and 1 digital coax input.

From what I've read, the only shortcomings of this system are the 2 speakers and the remote. Other than that it looks like a slick system at a reasonable price, and to the OP, you would have plenty of room to "expand" with the hdmi inputs AND output.

 

[BeachChair]

It has 2 optical inputs and 1 digital coax input.

From what I've read, the only shortcomings of this system are the 2 speakers and the remote. Other than that it looks like a slick system at a reasonable price, and to the OP, you would have plenty of room to "expand" with the hdmi inputs AND output.

How are the 2 speakers a shortcoming?
What is the benefit of running HDMI video through the Onkyo, instead of just directly to the TV and then optical sound back to the Onkyo?

 

[getheledout]

How are the 2 speakers a shortcoming?
What is the benefit of running HDMI video through the Onkyo, instead of just directly to the TV and then optical sound back to the Onkyo?

The number of speakers isn't the problem. IIRC, the CNET review noted that the quality of the included speakers was not top notch, but that was expected considering the price-point of this system.

I'm not a complete expert on this topic, but I'm pretty sure that the digital audio signal sent over HDMI is not compressed.

 

[getheledout]

Also, HDMI sends video and audio, so connecting the ATV2 to the onkyo with just one HDMI cable will be the most efficient method.

Depending on if you use your TV to watch cable, you may be able to just have a single HDMI cable outputting from the onkyo into your TV.

 

[BeachChair]

This Audio Return Channel, does it *just work* or is it something only newer TVs support? I mean how will my TV realize it has to pump audio out of the HDMI port.

Thanks a lot for the help btw.

 

[getheledout]

This Audio Return Channel, does it *just work* or is it something only newer TVs support? I mean how will my TV realize it has to pump audio out of the HDMI port.

I would recommend consulting your TV's manual or navigating through it's menus. Chances are, since this TV has audio out and HDMI connections, that there will be an option to pump audio to external speakers.

I'm currently a student intern at Bose R&D, so I love this hi-fi, problem-solving stuff.

 

[dekka007]

Bose Lifestyle 235.

 

[getheledout]

Bose Lifestyle 235.

That system is great choice too, but the price difference is astronomical.

 

[mchalebk]

This Audio Return Channel, does it *just work* or is it something only newer TVs support? I mean how will my TV realize it has to pump audio out of the HDMI port.

Thanks a lot for the help btw.

ARC is not something all HDMI capable TVs can handle. You would need to check your manual to see if your TV has it (if it's a few years old, it probably doesn't).

 

[guzzlamiamor]

I have been pondering this exact thing and was about to get a Sony soundbar system:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-CT150...AO2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299773335&sr=8-1

But lately I have been leaning toward the ZVOX 550 with digital inputs, or even the 325 with a converter. You can get a digital to analog converter like the one in the second link that will work with a system (such as the 325) that doesn't have digital inputs. According to the reviews sound quality is good after the conversion, and in the end it probably boils down to what kind of system you are using.

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Audio...WK3A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1299773444&sr=8-4

 

[Tomorrow]

Sound is carried through the HDMI port of the Apple TV. Your TV will then output the sound to the receiver, either optically or over copper (depending on how you hook it up). No need for multiple sound inputs on the receiver.