I need advice or suggestions on a 2.1 system

BostonGeorge34

Hi, I need advice about buying a 2.1 speaker system for a HD LCD TV. Some background first, I plan on buying a Samsung LN-S3251W 32" HD LCD TV. The only criticism on this TV is the quality of the small speakers, which is typical for all flat screen TVs. So, I'm looking for a small speaker system to upgrade the sound quality. This TV will go in my bedroom, which is about 12' by 13', give or take, as far as space. Because this is a small room, obviously I'm not looking to buy a 7.1 system.

The 2.1 speaker systems I've been looking at are PC speakers and I wanted to ask if anyone has had any problems running PC speakers from an LCD TV. I've heard a few people had problems with them on cheaper LCD models, such as a quiet hiss when no audio was taking place. After they hook their speakers to a PC with a decent sound card they experienced a better sound. My first question is would I still receive quality sound from this LCD instead of hooking them up to a PC with a sound card. This Samsung LN-S3251W is equipped with SRS TruSurround XT which works with the two internal speakers. I'm wondering if that also works with added speakers and could the TV decode the audio and provide a clear transition.

At this point, I know most people would tell me to buy a receiver/amplifier and get two book shelf speakers. I'd like to avoid spending a few hundred on a receiver and spend it on my living room set, which I could get a high end 7.1 system. Again, I'm just looking for a small system to work with this TV and one of the reasons that I wanted to go with the PC speakers is because the amplifier is built in. However, the 2.1 speakers I'm looking are the top-of-the-line models but I'm still uncertain which would be the best system. All three of them are THX certified. I'll list them below.

Logitech Z-2300- I've read some really good stuff about this set. Cnet gave it the highest rating at 9.0 and other consumers feel this is the best 2.1 out there. I've heard a few complain that the mid-range is terrible although others have disagreed. It delivers 200 watts with 120 going to the sub and 40 going to each satellite.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1- This also looks like a good set. I do not read about problems with mid-range levels as I did about Logitech. The only criticism is that, at times, the subwoofer produces undesirable rumble in place of accurate low end. This system also delivers 200 watts with 130 going to the sub and 35 going to each satellite.

Creative MegaWorks 250D-THX- This system is more powerful than the others delivering 300 watts with 150 going to the sub and 75 going to each satellite. However, I've heard bad stories such as the speakers over heating and/or shorting out and the controller breaking down and affecting the level settings. Due to the problems, I'll probably skip over this model.

I'm really torn between the Logitech and Klipsch. I really don't care about the subwoofer power, just the quality of the satellites. If anyone owns either or has a preference, please let me know. I apologize for the long description, but I wanted to make sure I stated all the details. Basically, I need advice or suggestions on two things:

1) Would the PC speakers produce quality sound if I ran them from my LCD? My LCD would not be hooked up to a computer and, therefore, would not include a sound card. Has anyone here ran PC speakers from their LCD or plasma?

2) Does anyone here own the Logitech Z-2300 or Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 models? Does the Logitech produce bad mid-range levels or do you have a preference between the two?

Any suggestions, ideas, or comments will be greatly appreciated. I really need to know if the PC speakers will at least produce decent sound and I'm torn between the two models. Thanks for all your help.

DelsFan

EDIT: I got off track, but I do answer your specific questions and provide a link to read what people who own the Klipsch speakers say about them at the bottom. Cheers!


Option 1: Buy a used receiver of any kind and/or quality - actually, someone you know should have some old piece of junk they would give you. Then purchase any speakers you want. Downside: speakers like the Gallo micro's ($149 or $199/each if I recall) pictured below would probably break your budget; good option try audiogon.com for quality used stuff.



Option 2: I've never been a fan of klipsch, but these speakers for $149 look to be pretty good, and are self powered.



And I did read where one guy (amazon.com reviewer) said the Klipsch sounded way better than the computer speakers I purchased for the same price:


Additionally, mine are accurate a low volumes but don't even sniff at ooomph - the klipsch box speakers would do better until they too reached their limit. AND, you would be really happy having any kind of subwoofer, even if it doesn't go down anywhere near 20 Hz.



Option 3: Thinking outside the box, but it works: My mother's tv is in the kitchen but faces the dining room. Instead of turning up the volume loud when she is in the kitchen, and blasting everyone else in the house, I bought a cheap amplifier from radio shack and installed this one radio shack (horrors!) speaker in the ceiling to augment the television's speakers. Compared to the television's speakers, it sounds like we have added a subwoofer. (I know we haven't, but it is pretty amazingly better than the zilch tv speaker's output...)

The best thing? Yes, this speaker has two tweeters, it is actually a stereo speaker and accepts two inputs, one from each channel. Stereo separation? No. But, if you decided to add one of these in your ceiling, powered by a 10wpc amp, you would be amazed at the improvement in sound. I just question if this speaker would work or not powered just by the television. I guess I should try it!






Later: If you get a (good, more like option 1) setup you like, later think about adding the smallest used subwoofer you can find (8" is the smallest good one I've seen) - made by a good manufacturer (Velodyne, Energy, M&K, Paradigm... any higher-end audio company of repute). Hide it under the TV, set the crossover as high as it will go (as you other little speakers probably won't go down to 80 Hz), don't turn it up that loud - you will be amazed at the difference while not consiously hearing any bass, per se.


Reviewing my post, I'm thinking option 2 looks pretty good. As I said, I'm not a fan of Klipsch but they don't make junk, and junk is what you should be trying to avoid for your application and budget.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Reviewing your post!

1) Would the PC speakers produce quality sound if I ran them from my LCD? My LCD would not be hooked up to a computer and, therefore, would not include a sound card. Has anyone here ran PC speakers from their LCD or plasma?
Run good speaker wire from the RCA variable outputs on the back of your new television to the subwoofer (with built-in amp to power the two smaller speakers, if you do option 2) and you will get very good sound, at the least. The television should be sending a nice clear "line out" signal through these outputs. Really, your sound should be ten times better than the sound whose signal has been degraded by running it through a computer, regardless of the quality of the sound card.


This Samsung LN-S3251W is equipped with SRS TruSurround XT which works with the two internal speakers. I'm wondering if that also works with added speakers and could the TV decode the audio and provide a clear transition.
I don't know if that signal would be sent to the audio outputs on the back of your set or not. And, I don't know that the owner's manual (probably available to veiw on-line) would tell you. But you could look.


2) Does anyone here own the Logitech Z-2300 or Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 models? Does the Logitech produce bad mid-range levels or do you have a preference between the two?

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase any inexpensive system made by Klipsch. I would think their engineers would be quite discerning when designing even pretty cheap speakers. I would think that Logitech engineers have (more likely than the guys from Klipsch anyway) never heard even a good low-end stereo system and would accept more flaws because they wouldn't even know they were there.
Klipsch all the way in my opinion, but I have NOT heard them.

Read some favorable Klipsch reviews by people who own them.

GOOD LUCK!

Rule: I just made this up and have not proven it, but I would spend my money using it. BUY inexpensive equipment from manufacturers who make high end equipment (Klipsch, Paradigm, Energy, Monitor Audio - OK, these guys are really medium end but to the average person they make high end stuff), and not from people who make mice or other cheap (made in China) computer hardware.