Recommend Me a New HTPC Speaker Setup

DarthAntz on 01/07/2021 - 12:25

Hi OzBargain,

I'm about to move house and State, and so I have sold my 2.1 vizio soundbar purchased almost 3 years ago (from ebay US). The soundbar was very impressive to us and to many of our friends.

Its cheaper to sell and buy again, and because we may have a bigger place, I'm looking for advice from people that have moved on from soundbars to bookshelf speakers.

Budget is $600.

I use a HTPC setup, so sound is primarily coming from PC via optical.

I have been eyeing some of the edifiers ( particularly S880DB), as they are a popular purchase here (quite a lot of different edifier posts in the last 2 weeks alone!).

And I'd like to get an external subwoofer to partner with the sound. This post is part of my research into a reasonable setup, and if i can make everything work together.

Do you have any recommendations?

Electrical & Electronics HTPC Speakers

Comments

  • ifreddo on 01/07/2021 - 12:42
    +1

    I would consider a pair of R1855DB with sub out. Then use whatever money you have left over for a subwoofer. That will smash your soundbar and it will be simple - no amplifier needed.

    Or you can look into the Edifier s360DB.

    • DarthAntz on 01/07/2021 - 14:21

      thanks ifreddo! This is the advice I'm looking for, as there are a lot of different edifiers. Cheaper than the S880DBs. No amp, and bluetooth is a plus.

      I'm about 6-7 weeks away from this upgrade, so I'll let you know how it turns out.

      Now to find a sub…..

      • ifreddo on 01/07/2021 - 14:37
        +1

        I would buy the speakers first and then test if you want a sub. Apparently the r1855db have pretty good bass by themselves. Make sure you do your research on a good sub. You'll want one which hits low frequencies i.e. below 30hz, so that it adds more to the speakers.

  • harryaus on 01/07/2021 - 15:47

    I would recommend getting Yamaha YHT-1840 5.1.
    It will sound better than soundbar and Edifier. And you will still have an option of connecting bookshelve speakers and extra subwoofee later on.

    • DarthAntz on 01/07/2021 - 16:46

      Wow fits the budget perfectly, from melbourne Hifi/TGG. It is impressive, and I must investigate the receiver, which would also be great for my samsung TV. As above @ifreddo, I'll have to find a place to hear the speakers to see for myself. I've been through a few sets now and need to find something suitable for the long run.

      Also I am currently living in Japan, and the prices you pay for Yamaha products in Australia are incredible compared to Japan.

      • harryaus on 01/07/2021 - 17:05
        +1

        Have a look on amazon it is for $385 and was for $349 during prime days recently. Dont pay $599 bro.

      • harryaus on 01/07/2021 - 17:06

        Listen in Harvey Norman or TGG and buy from Amazon.

        • DarthAntz on 01/07/2021 - 17:07

          that is awesome. Still cant find the Japanese equivalent (of a Japanese product). Will be cheaper to ship from oz at this rate than buy locally here, especially at $350-390

        • DarthAntz on 01/07/2021 - 17:39

          $399 on bing lee ebay

  • Blue Cat on 01/07/2021 - 16:27
    +1

    Logitech Z625 if optical is important to you or Z623 if you just need 3.5mm would be the best thing that you can get IMHO. THX certified (doesn't mean much nowadays, but better than nothing!), 200W RMS and 400W peak power - you can't go wrong!

    If not that, then make sure you go for a 2.1 system for a HTPC - a single soundbar or 2 bookshelf speakers is just not good enough for any kind of cinema experience.

    • DarthAntz on 01/07/2021 - 16:49
      +1

      Thanks Blue Cat! IMO cinema experience also depends on the size of the room. That'll be a big factor for it. I'm not interested in upsetting the neighbours, and the current 5 inch subwoofer hasnt caused a problem in apartments.

      Computer speakers are compact, and I've had Logitech Z-series in the past, circa 2007. Very nice speakers and easy to source.

      Thanks again for your input!

      • Blue Cat on 01/07/2021 - 17:26
        +1

        Yeah you don't have to blast them full volume, but knowing they have high wattage rating ensures that room size will not be a problem, and the fact that you will be using them way below rated wattage will ensure long life of the speakers as your will not be pushing them to their limits.

        I know that they are considered "PC" speakers, but I am using a 2.1 (cheap!) speaker system for my TV and I think it sounds better than any soundbar I listen to at my friends/relatives homes.

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