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Replace dying/dead Promedia Ultra

J

jesyjames

n00b
Joined
Apr 18, 2011
Messages
15
I've read all the threads, done the research, and I just can't decide what to do. Guide me, please.

As the thread title alludes to, my 5.1 Ultras are giving up the ghost. They've had a hum for a while, but it's now constant, and it's fairly loud. I can usually turn up the music loud enough to make it, but that's no way to live.'

I don't know that I need a 5.1 system anymore. For gaming where sound really matters, I put on headphones. The only system out there that seems worth it's salt under 400 is the logitech z-906. But, I am pretty sure I'd be mostly disappointing coming from this set to that(just based on feedback, maybe I'm wrong). I don't see myself spending upwards of 600 for a 5.1 system when I just don't care that much. I have a dedicated home theater room that scratches that itch.

I've done a fair bit of research and I've seen many recommendations to go with something along the lines of the AV-40 or some sorta "book shelf" situation for better audio quality. There are two problems with that for me. The first is I don't really have room on my desk for bookshelves. I could put them on stands next to the desk.. but I'm not sure that'd be ideal. The second issue is that it all seems a bit clumsy. It's entirely possible it's only clumsy in my head. The mess of wires I'm running for this ultra system isn't exactly invisible. I have a spare Nakamachi RE-3 receiver I could use.. if someone can convince me!

So then it seems to come down to "media" speaker options. And those seem to be another set of Klipsch (but with a smaller sub than what I have), the Corsair SP2500, and whatever logitech set runs around $150. I have a hard time buying the Klipsch again because of the smaller sub and the fact that they seem to die a lot. That said, I'm satisfied with the sound of them. They work good.

The logitechs don't excite me much.

The Corsair gets great reviews, but mostly from gaming oriented websites. Those same sites give "gaming" headphones great reviews too so color me skeptical. I'm of the mind that a speaker set that sounds great with music will sound great with everything, but it's not always the other way around.

One option I'm considering is the the Audyssey Lower East Side media speakers, but those lack a subwoofer and i wonder how much I would miss it. Good reviews though:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/audyssey-lower-east-side-media-speakers. I also like the digital input which would be useful the 360 I have here too. In some ways I lean towards them...

So, any suggestions? Budget is roughly 200 but it's not firm. I can stretch or shrink. Maybe I should I just buy the promedia 2.1s. I know I like them.. kinda want something different though for giggles.
 
A pair of Energy RC10 with that spare receiver would be slightly over budget, but much better than your other options. Add a sub when more budget is available. Something like an Energy s10.3 when they hit sale at ~$200 would destroy any HTIB or pc solution. We are talking about a massive jump over your current setup.
 
You can hook up a sub along with the Audysseys if you use a 3.5mm splitter. But its hard for me to recommend something for you because I think bookshelfs+amp is a lot better than "media" products. But if I had to, I would recommend something like the Swan M10, M50W, or the M200MkII, with a heavy emphasis on the latter two.
 
Coincidentally, I have a full 5.1 Energy RC line in my theater room(floor standers/surrounds/center). So.. putting them on stands, and sitting like 3 feet from them isn't a problem? They would have to be spread fairly wide. I'm not sure exactly how wide the desk is but it's about 5'-6'.

What's the best way to wire it from the computer? I have a creative titanium. I assume some sort of splitter from the front l/r jack into the receiver?
 
counterpoint said:
You can hook up a sub along with the Audysseys if you use a 3.5mm splitter. But its hard for me to recommend something for you because I think bookshelfs+amp is a lot better than "media" products. But if I had to, I would recommend something like the Swan M10, M50W, or the M200MkII, with a heavy emphasis on the latter two.
Click to expand...

I looked the MW50, but it's out of stock until december. Beautiful looks though. I'll look at the m200mkII.
 
jesyjames said:
Coincidentally, I have a full 5.1 Energy RC line in my theater room(floor standers/surrounds/center). So.. putting them on stands, and sitting like 3 feet from them isn't a problem? They would have to be spread fairly wide. I'm not sure exactly how wide the desk is but it's about 5'-6'.

What's the best way to wire it from the computer? I have a creative titanium. I assume some sort of splitter from the front l/r jack into the receiver?
Click to expand...

No problem. Keep the tweeters at ear level, pointing inwards towards the seating position. You'll likely wire optical to the receiver from your sound card.
 
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