The best stereo system I have is playing right now, and there's only one piece of equipment I'm using. That would be my trusty computer, with Windows Media Player running (I have 35 hrs of music, but I'm only listenin to Dave Matthews Band right now). The next best stereo in my house still has a record player on it, so that's a little old.


Beware the thwacking stick of Steve!!

Give the the details. What kind of speakers do you have? Do you have a subwoofer? Do you have an amp? Must.. have... details...

I'm using the cheap Altec Lansing speakers that came with the piece of crap dell. They have no subwoofer, or any of that fancy stuff, not even headphone jacks. My modification is an old Gatorade bottle duct-taped to one as a muffler. It sounds better for some reason.

Edit: Took out image to help dial-uppers.

Edited by - Eh_Steve on 3/30/2004 5:02:44 PM

I had some Altec-Lansing ACS54's not long ago. They weren't that bad, but they had nowhere near enough bass (damn wimpy subwoofer). *Points at Steve* Ha, ha! Dell!

I have several hi-fi bits that I chop and change depending on my mood. My favourite combo is a Cambridge Audio amp, Gale Model II bi-wire speakers and a Sherwood Amp....but I also have a nice selection of Marantz, Panasonic (their surround amp is a fantastic budget addition) and Bose....amongst other stuff that I've made and mixed myself (it was my first course at uni).

It really is in the ear of the beholder...go with what sounds good to you.

hi fi hmm
well my amp is an akai am u2 ,my tape and record decks are sony
my cd changer is philips (bought it the year cds came out) tuner is sony
speakers 1 pair generic and 1 pair jvc which sounded the best at the time
(god i hope i dont have to explain what a record deck is ! )
never hooked it up to the pcs use the mp3 player on it for that

I went the easiest way and got some Logitech Z-680's. I'm very happy with them, very crisp, clear sounds and they pump out some serious window rattling power. Of course the price isn't to pleasant, but I like my music to be crystal clear and "piss off the neighbours" loud and the Z-680's were the only ones I knew would def. do the trick. Plus the THX certification was another selling point for me, nothing like a bit of certification to know you're getting a quality product.

Edited by - Mustang on 3/31/2004 4:07:50 AM

Grom - Cambridge and Bose? Nice, but ! I'd wouldn't say no to some Wharfedales though!

Steel - Don't worry; I may not listen to music but I am not a "n00b" when it comes to AV .

Mustang - While buying some good quality PC speakers would normally be an ideal solution, I am interested in spending my money on something that will have more than one application. My goal is to pick up a bi-wire 5.1 Dolby Amp, a good subwoofer, and some speakers, and then have them linked to my PC but also to my DVD player, in order that I can "kill two birds with one stone" as they say. I feel that this would be a good potion, as I have been imnpressed with thr quality and fidelity of my brohter's Pioneer Amp , and two Reference speakers.

There is one other option... Zalman have released some "Surround Sound" headphones (both 5.1 and no 6.1) that are supposed to be excellent in terms of sound quality and fidelity, as well as providing a cheap alternative to speakers as they offer 3D audio. Has anyone heard of them? I can provide some links to some reviews if you are interested.

kewl, how much are they?

Windows NT crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams

I like to chuck mine through my Sony pro-logic amp and output through Jamo speakers with Yamaha surround filler speakers; unf its so loud that me mrs never lets me use it much

tbh I so rarely use the stack now, i get almost as good sound from me DVD 5.1 surround system that i might as well sell the separates, shame really but I spend more time dusting them than i do using them.

ff - There is a shop near me who are selling the 6.1 set for $99 AUD.

Taw - It's always the way in shared accomodation isn't it?

Here are some reviews on those headphones;

Zalman 5.1 Headphones Review #1

Zalman 5.1 Headphones Review #2

Zalman 6.1 Headphones Review #1

Zalman 6.1 Headphones Review #2

I'm seriously thinking of picking up a set... the only problem is that I don't have a 5.1 (not to mention a 6.1) sound card. Still, supposedly you can use them with DVD Players...

@ Esq, the Z-680's can hook up to a DVD player no worries. I did have the same idea at one stage but the positioning of the speakers is a problem unless your PC is sitting right next to your TV.

True; I've actually found a way around that because I have a VHS and a TV in my room which are less than a metre away from my PC. All I need to do is add a DVD Player to that, and I'm set!

@esq:
if you want to splash out on a big system, go for a pioneer 5.1 surround. it may cost a bit, but its worth it. ive got mine pumpin out some limp bizkit, and it sounds fulli sik mate!
but if you dont have cash, just got some decent speakers for your pc, complete with subbie, and find verion 2.9x of winamp. then you shall be set.

Viator

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i used to be a guy called jake_langley