Speakers that will match Soundstorm

[lidistick]

OK people I had an idea .. so bear with me.

If you have a motherboard that supports Soundstorm and would like to take advantage to the dolby Digital Encoding, you have to get the right set of speakers.

There are a great number of thread that discuss this but it seems that a lot of people still misunderstand the implementation of Soundstorm and how to enjoy the DD encoding.

so here's my list of speakers and solutions to get Soundstorm working. Hope it helps.

THE BEST SOLUTION!
Connect from the motherboard to a HOME THEATRE Receiver with the home theatre speakers.
Pros: great sound
cons: $$$

The Dorm/PC speakers solution
Any 'Digital speakers' from Logitech, Creative/Cambridge Soundworks, Klipsch etc...

1) Klipsch GMX D 5.1 - $200
2) Klipsch Promedias 5.1 WITH a decoder, be it the Audio Tornado or some other form of DD Decoder. - $400
3) Creative Inspire 5700, 5600 and 5500. $250 - $165
4) Cambridge Soundworks DTT3500 $200(DTT 2500 has been discontinued but if there are any 2nd hand give them a try) - edited 16/9/03
5) Logitech Z-680 $250

Originally posted by AMDDualbooter
Well, Ive had my Sounstorm certified mobo for a while now on a set of altec lansing 400 watt 641 4.1 analogs, and they sounded great. I recently upgraded to Logitech Z680 with digital coax connection, and WOW. Soundstorm ROCKS!!!

6) yamaha Tss-10 - $120

originally posted by pooter03
I'm very satisfied with the speakers. At high volume everything sounds clear and it fills my room nicely. My only complaint is that the rear speakers seem a bit soft, but I've been able to adjust for that. It's a huge upgrade from my headphones and my XBox and movies have never sounded better .

7) Videologic DTS Digitheatre $400
8) Onkyo GWX 5.1 $150

Originally posted by Chang
I've had some time to test out the Onkyos for a while now and I'm glad I made the purchase. I haven't tried ear-drum shattering volume levels but for normal listening ranges it's quite good. The sub isn't overpowering. DTS is nice to have but I rarely use it. The Dolby Pro Logic II on the other hand is great. Watching sports is definately a new experience. Even though I'm just using a broadcast signal, the on screen action comes from the front speakers, the announcers from the center speaker, and the crowd noise from the surrounds. If I had to buy another set, I'd probably get the Onkyo's at $150 over the Yamaha's at $120 just for the Dolby PL II.

9) Midiland 8200 $300
(many thanks to Chang for getting the prices)
10) Altec Lansing ADA - 880
11) Videologic Digitheatre
12) Logic 3 Soundstation
13)Creative INspires GD580
14) Acoustic Solutions DS533

I like my ANALOG speakers but I want Soundstorm
1) Midiland decoder
2) Klipsch decoder
3) Yamaha RP-U200
4) Creative Decoder for $150
I think there are other decoders out there but I'm not sure what's in the North American market..

Notice that all of these speakers come with some form Dolby digital DECODING? WHY??
Its because the Soundstorm is the only DSP out there that ENCODES an audio signal (from music/games) into Dolby Digital 5.1 on-the-fly.

Read this thread.

So to get an already encoded Dolby Digital signal (done by the Soundstorm), you need something to decode the signal; hence the dolby digital DECODER, which processes the signal and runs it to the DACS so your speakers can get a nice discrete analog signal. cos speakers are all Analog.... heh..

so I can't get soundstorm through analog?
No.

But everyone seems to say that soundstorm is better than the Audigy 2
If they are using digital speakers, then YES, it may sound better to them. BUT I highly doubt that it would sound better over the analog connections using the Realtek DACs.

Cheers ppl. hope this helps..



Ahh the sun is out.. time for some cow tipping..


EDIT 8/26/03 : A VERY good description of the quality of Soundstorm audio and the analog outputs by LostCircuits

Edit 6/10/03 : updated prices, and some questions and answers.
Thanks to Chang, Pakman and pooter03!

[IAmGhostDog]

Nice.
Good work.

[jimzinsocal]

Wow

[John C]

Nice job. Hopefully that will explain it for people who dont understand. I have tried, but it never comes out that clear

[lidistick]

Thanks ppl. Edit:all my knowledge comes for you ppl.. so heres to U!!

[IAmGhostDog]

Originally posted by lidistick
Thanks ppl. Edit:all my knowledge comes for you ppl.. so heres to U!!

Nope.
Here's to you.
You've been stuck.

[lidistick]

WOO HOOO my first STICKY!!

[jimzinsocal]

The space rental invoice is being prepared!!
I tease.

[IAmGhostDog]

Originally posted by lidistick
WOO HOOO my first STICKY!!

It's members like you that make mine and JimZ's modship so much easier.
Not to mention the valuable information you've provided.
Nice piece of work.
GD/JimZ

[John C]

You get the Member Advocate "Union Card Of the Week"

[lidistick]

Cool!! But... wassat??

[thomas997]

hm my Midiland 8200s are supposedly home theatre speakers. but they work great with the soundstorm... and are not enough from my living room..

So I call them computer speakers..

Has a decoder box but sadly no RCA out or something like that just some special like 16pin connector

[lidistick]

Thanks.. will add it to the list above..
I'm not sure if it will become comprehensive enough.. but hopefully it should be sufficient for most people.
Cheers.

[Fiesty Platypus]

Shouldn't the creative 6100 (and is there a 6300?) speakers be up there too if the 5x00's are?

[lidistick]

Originally posted by Feisty Platypus
Shouldn't the creative 6100 (and is there a 6300?) speakers be up there too if the 5x00's are?

"From Extremetech:
The Inspire 6100s connect via analog only, which is necessary owing to DVD-Audio's inability to provide multichannel output in digital domain."

The 5100, 5200 and 5300 are also analog connection speakers. Only the 5500, 5600 and 5700 models are digital and analog.

Pls remember its not the model number but if they have a DECODER.
Cheers.