Surround sound options

When the 8890 comes out i will get the monsoon MM-2000 speakers for a 4.1 surrond sound system. I have been reviewing this company and in particular the speakers, and i'm very please with what people say about them. I've also HEARD these speakers in person and they are amazing. they aren't Super loud like the kilpsch or logitech speakers but the sound is crisp, you'll just have to heard these for your self.

Well Sound Blaster Extigys aren't too bad, although it is another thing that you have to carry with the laptop... However, if you want it as a desktop surround sound system, it shouldn't be too bad.

either klipsche(sp) or cambridge soundworks 510D's if you have a digital out on your sound card. i've heard good things about the logitch, but my girlfriend got me the CS 510D's for xmas, and they are truely heartpounding amazing, this will be your home theater system thats how powerful they are. the klipsche might be a LITTLE bit more clear on some high notes, but i think the 510's have more bass/mid range. anyways, its all about how much money you wanna spend, wahts your budget?

I am a bit of an audiophile as well, I have Z560 and I like them a real lot. 400 watt 4.1 was fine with me as I had no space for a center channel speaker. They were about $130 The logitec subwoofer is amazing... it will shake your house. Also available from logitec is the Z680 for $260 they are 450 watt 5.1 speakers
If you want the very best speakers go with the Klipsch 5.1 however they will put you out $400 so I don't think they are worth the price.

i'd check online as well....usually retail markets rack up prices, though sometimes with shipping it evens out, especially on speakers, but checkout some online sites as well.

Isn't the echo indigo only two-channel stereo? Excellent sound quality of course, but it'd make it tough to have a nice surround sound system. But then you already will have an S/PDIF digital output on the laptop that should provide great sound and pass DD5.1 or DTS through.

As for speakers, I have one of the Monsoon sets.. though the model escapes me right now. I think I have the MH-505. Personally, I personally prefer them over Klipsch. I'm not fond of the Klipsch ones for some reason. I think they put out too much upper-midrange sound for my tastes while I prefer much smoother sound. I haven't listened to their newest models yet, though.

The Monsoon speakers do have one major thing to consider. They are VERY directional and have an extremely narrow "sweet spot" for listening. For me they work fine since I'm the only one listening and am at my computer when I do listen to them and I like the sound from true flat panel speakers. Oh.. I do feel that the subwoofer that came with them isn't too good, but I don't use it much. It's connected, but I also have a full-size sub similar to the one in my home theater connected.

I also really like the logitech speakers as someone else above mentioned.


All that said.. if money and space truly weren't restrictions at all for me, I would skip over computer speakers a spend a couple thousand or so for a home theater style setup. ($500 receiver, $500 subwoofer, $1000 on speakers and cable). That's unrealistic in the majority of situations though.

My opinions anyway..

hijacking thread

if you spend a few weeks solidly at mcdonalds or burger king, then you could have a real bad ass - wouldn't that be the pinnacle of what you're trying to achieve?



Joe