Which surround system for nMP?

[Killerbob]

My "old" trusty Logitech Z-5500s seem to have dealt poorly with a recent poweroutage. nMP is OK as it is on a UPS, as are my Time Capsules, but not the speaker system

So, I need a new surround setup... My requirements are;

- min. 3.1 setup
- great for music, ok for films
- decent sized subwoofer (I like the bass)
- control unit with plugins for headphones

I liked the Z-5500, which I had connected to the nMP via a TosLink, but alas...

 

[Arron Rouse]

Last time I set up something like this, I decided that ready-made packages were no good. Instead I got a Yamaha RXV377 that was on offer and the best speakers I could find for the budget. The speakers were a second-hand set of Mission FS1 AVs (discontinued years ago). Total spend was £240.

The Yamaha has a microphone and tuned its output for the speakers. The resulting sound is better than anything you'll get from Logitech or Creative. By a long, long way.

 

[Killerbob]

The Logitech Z-906 looks good, and is way cheaper than almost any amp/3.1 surround speaker setup I can get...

 

[Wardenski]

Aside from Creative and Logitech (and Klipsch), consider home theatre brands like Arran Rouse suggests. I did the same, I use a Sony DN1050 AV receiver connect to Q Acoustic 5.0 speakers (1020is at front, 1000C centre, 1010i rear) which cost just £250. I splashed out on a new BK Electronics XLS200 subwoofer too. My total expenditure was £800 though . This setup is not for everyone as the AV recievers tend to be quite large (old Mac Pro size). The sound is a lot better, even in stereo compared to my old Logitech Z2300s.

If stereo is you major concern just buy a decent set of stereo speakers? Small cinema speakers, especially the PC brands aren't ideal for music IMO.

 

[Killerbob]

I was a tually pretty happy with the Z-5500s, but of course they were considered the best of the best, for computer speakers anyway. The subwoofer made a huge difference.

As for getting an Amp and a 3.1 speaker set, I think that is overkill, too expensive, and take too much space. I looked at the B&W solutions, and I wonder if I can hook any such system up without an Amp?

 

[Demigod Mac]

The Logitech Z-906 looks good, and is way cheaper than almost any amp/3.1 surround speaker setup I can get...

I'm pleased with my z906. Only complaint is the LEDs light up whenever you go from silence to sound (on SPDIF), but some black electrical tape fixed that issue.

Replaced the satellites with the ones leftover from my broken Klipsch Promedia and it's a pretty badass setup.

 

[jerwin]

I've got an AudioSource Amp100 connected to a pair of Klipsch Synergy B20 bookshelves. They sound pretty darn good compared to computer speakers

No subwoofer, no toslink, and no center channel. But on the plus side, they, don't lack for dynamic range, and the low end isn't muddy.

 

[Killerbob]

I think I'll try and see if I can have the Z-5500s fixed. If I can't, then I look around for a setup which relies on a Subwoofer with amp built-in, and sat speakers connected to it.