Shiobock

Because I have a tendency to ramble I'm trying to be brief. With $1000 (or 900€ actually but with taxation they're about the same) I should be getting an amplifier, four (or five) speakers, an active subwoofer and the needed wires.

I'm fine with any 5.1 amplifier as long as it has digital coax or optical input, no idea if I need Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD and the such, although I'm sure budget amps will have more of them when the date of purchase is nigh. I'm also fine with any speakers as long as they have some attention to detail (bass reproduction not important, I just wish any ambient sound effects would be easy to hear), and I believe I can settle with any home theater subwoofer that can cover up with the lack of bass from the speakers part. I'll mostly be playing games and watching movies through my computer, so I'd want the surround effect to be distinguishable.

Wharfedale Diamond 10.0 + stands would fit my price-range, and they'd have sophisticated sound too (heard them numerous times), but are there any other options?

Thanks for your time!

Shiobock

As a follow-up question, are DTS HD and Dolby TrueHD needed to be able to enjoy surround effects on Blu-ray movies? Was just wondering that perhaps I'd want to invest into a bit dinky, older generation 7.1 amp and 7 small standmounters, but dunno how future-proof is that in the end..

Mikecdm

You can watch blu-rays and play them in DD or DTS. The HD versions are just an added perk of blu-rays.

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LukeG

I notice a slight difference. The bass is better and not as much random noises.

No point in paying 200+ for it if you don't need to though. You would need a lot better speakers as well.

Just get a receiver with DD and Dts, and that should be fine.

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Sound system: ED 6T6 MTM, Pioneer 5.1 receiver, IXL 18 2.2, DIY towers LR and side, 2 Tactile subs, Yamaha HP-3 headphones

Shiobock

Thanks, is there a chance the DD and DTS will be phased out in the near future? Because if there is then I guess it's more sensible to future proof the system a bit.

Also would it be difficult to use a 5.1 system consisting of five same type speakers (ie. no "center speaker" type center speaker) with a 27" LCD monitor for PC gaming? I'm thinking of hooking the center speaker on top of the monitor sideways, or just getting a center speaker of the same set although I bet that'll affect the surround image negatively

Mikecdm

5 identical speakers would be ideal. If you used a regular bookshelf as a center, it would work fine. Turning it sideways would probably have negative effects. People buy the dedicated center because it looks better above or below their tv and it saves room. But with 5 identical speakers they all should have the same exact sound characteristics.

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Shiobock

I see, although I don't know how well would the front speaker fit on top of a PC monitor because the listening distance is so short. On another topic I've been browsing for the speakers for a short while in my price range and all I've found that don't seem low quality are M-Audio B5Xa active monitors and the Wharfedale Diamond 10.0's..