Dolby 5.1 HELP PLEASE!!!

March 14, 2002, 8:55 AM CST by tjastro

Hey guys. Will Soundblaster Inspire 5.1 speakers work with the Xbox. They are powered speakers designed for PC's but seeing as how I DON'T have a reciever, I figured they were the best way to go. Anyone know if I can use them? If so, what do I need? Optical cable? Standard A/V? Help please!!!
Thanks for your input.

March 14, 2002, 9:06 AM CST by chairmansteve

Creative Inspire 5.1 5700 or 5300? Probably 5300, yes?

The 5700 would work since it has a decoder with optical digital input. The 5300 doesn't have a decoder, so you'd need a Dolby Digital decoder still. Sound Blaster Extigy?

Do your speakers have an optical input?

March 14, 2002, 9:17 AM CST by tjastro

I haven't purchased them yet. The speakers I was quickly looking at were 150$ Canadian (10,000$ US). Seeing as how they are so cheap they must not contain a decoder of any sort. I definatly need a decoder without a reciever huh? I'm a student so I'm kinda strapped for cash - are external decoders expensive? Thanks chairmansteve.

BTW I am making fun of Canadian currency.

March 14, 2002, 9:46 AM CST by chairmansteve

Yes, you always need a decoder to make sense of an encoded audio stream, either external or built into a receiver or pre-amp.

$10K US? How would that be making fun of CAN$?

There is a speaker package with decoder for something like $150 US. It's from InterAct.

March 14, 2002, 9:50 AM CST by chairmansteve

Here's some info on the InterAct speakers.

DSS-900 5.1 Digital Speaker System

You want to get the most out of your gaming system, and the DSS-900 5.1 Digital Speaker System delivers with true Dolby Digital surround sound in 5.1 discreet channels. Also included is a decoder box and multi mode selector that lets you determine how the system will perform depending on what you’re using it for.

True Dolby Digital Quality 5.1 Surround Sound
1 15-Watt Subwoofer With Internal Amplifier
5 5-Watt Satellite Speakers And Stands (Two Front, Two Rear, One Center)
Dolby Digital AC-3 Decoder Box With LED Display
5.1 Digital/Analog Output
Three Audio Modes: Dolby Digital AC-3/Pro Logic/Stereo
One Digital Optical Input
One Coaxial Digital Input
One Analog Input

March 14, 2002, 10:21 AM CST by tjastro

Our dollar is worth zilch. When Americans come to Toronto to shop where I work, and they quote me a price, I'll say something like:

"That's $19.99, or $0.30 U.S." and they usually laugh.

So pretty much, the cheapest I'm looking at here is 150$US or 250-300$ Canadian (no exaggeration). Correct?

March 14, 2002, 10:35 AM CST by chairmansteve

I just looked up the prices (not MSRP, but street):

Creative Inspire 5.1 5300 = US$78 (no decoder)
Creative Inspire 5.1 5700 = US$240
Interact Accessories DSS-900 5.1 = US$115

March 14, 2002, 1:27 PM CST by khaid

How about this bad boy? :)

Yamaha TSS-1B
http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel/?gSPK00007TSS1B

Turn Your Computer, TV or DVD Into a Home Theater
Built-in Dolby Digital®, DTS®, and Dolby Pro-Logic® decoding for premier theater-style surround sound.

Distinct Speaker Modes for any application:
5.1-Channel System for DVD movies, games and music
4.1-Channel Surround Sound for PC and Console Games
Virtual Surround Stereo for music and multimedia CDs

It's nice cuz it does DTS decoding also.

Go here for a deal:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=715496

Start reading at Parys's post, it's like the sixth post down. Ends up being like $96 after rebate.

March 18, 2002, 5:36 PM CST by rpcor2

Or, you could just save up and buy yourself a decent hifi, (seperates), and connect the Xbox to that! - rather than finding things to connect to the Xbox!

That would work! (lol)

May 11, 2002, 2:26 PM CST by clevagamer

I'll defitnetly go for the interact. I passed by EB yesterday and i saw them, i fell in love with them. for just $99.99 US... They blow the competition!

May 20, 2002, 8:19 PM CST by hemogoblin

with the interact dss-900. will i need to buy a digital output coaxial for my ps2 ?

May 20, 2002, 9:06 PM CST by khaid to hemogoblin

Why would you? If I remember correctly, the ps2 comes with an optical in. Just go that route because it's superior to digital coax.

Or maybe you mean cable? Well, I would say go look up what it has for contents. My Cambridge Soundworks came with all cables you need, but I can't say the same for all systems.

May 20, 2002, 9:12 PM CST by pvcHH to hemogoblin

Just use the optical. It's disputable about whether coax is better then optical or vice versa, so I wouldn't even worry about it. If you're bored enough get both and see which one you like the timbre of better.

May 20, 2002, 9:17 PM CST by OG10 to pvcHH

Depends on the processors and cables you can get Coax cables for home use well over 10k and optical well over 10k too. But for HT it has been said that Optical cant be beaten but for music the concensus is that Coax is better.

May 20, 2002, 10:47 PM CST by hemogoblin

id really like to buy the cambridge playworks dtt2500 but i just cant find the darn thing anywhere. can anyone recommend some good 5.1 speakers for a bedroom ?

May 20, 2002, 10:51 PM CST by khaid to hemogoblin

id really like to buy the cambridge playworks dtt2500

:D Those are the ones I have. Very very nice. It comes with every cable possible that you can you on that thing and surround sound speaker stands.

I don't know where you can find them now though.. they might be discontinued?

May 24, 2002, 11:02 AM CST by hemogoblin

what are some other good 5.1 speakers with digital input for under $250 ?

May 24, 2002, 1:37 PM CST by khaid to hemogoblin

The first 2 listed in this thread. Yamaha and Interact. The Creative Inspire 5700 is supposed to be pretty good too. It even comes with a remote control. It might a little more than $250 though. Probably $299.

May 25, 2002, 11:38 AM CST by hemogoblin

well i guess the ones im leaning towards are the interact speakers. maybe i can still get the yamaha tss1b from amazon.com anyway, how are the interacts? those seem to be the only speakers around in l.a. for a good price.

February 25, 2003, 3:41 AM CST by scatteh

if it has a built in dolby digital decoder and an optical input you'll be sorted

February 27, 2003, 8:48 AM CST by scatteh to tjastro

get the argos book and get the 4gamers 5.1 set its £150 and its good value bacause i have one and it sounds great