5.1 Home Theater

Ryland answers:

They are not really comparable. It’s a bit like comparing an SUV to a station wagon. The Onkyo is a receiver and surround sound speaker package, while the Logitech is a computer surround speaker system. While both function as a combination amplifier and speaker system and either can be connected to different input devices the Onkyo is closer to a true home theater system. That said, the price is similar and either will provide good sound from a TV, DVD or Blu-ray player, etc.

See the links for reviews.

I expect the Onkyo is the better bet since it is more powerful and offers extra functionality relative to the Logitech, but one or the other may fit your needs better. And on that I can’t comment.

Neither is going to give top end sound, but either will sound adequate for many users.

Ryland answers:

You’ve probably heard this before but it can’t be said enough times… Stay away from HTiB’s. The receiver included in an HTiB is of lessor quality than the receivers the same brands sell as stand alone receivers. Yes it takes a little more effort to make selections of individual components and yes you will most likely end up spending a little more but in the end you get a much better system.

Companies like Onkyo are geared toward making electronics like receivers, they’re terrible at making speakers. The best systems are composed of at least three different brands of equipment. Receiver, Blu Ray player etc from one company, speakers from a company specializing in making speakers, and a subwoofer from a company specializing in making subwoofers. Also, if your subwoofer stops working you deal with just the subwoofer. With the HTiB you’re taking the whole thing back or worse the warranty is out and you’re throwing the whole thing away.

Look at stand alone Onkyo receivers or Pioneer ideally Pioneer Elite. I would say NAD or Anthem but these both start at about $1000 and I don’t think you’re looking to spend that much. Speakers are particularly tough in this price range, there really aren’t any that’s any good. Parts Express has some inexpensive subwoofers but you really need to spend at least $300 ~ $400 to get anything even remotely decent. Http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=620 Also Emotiva http://emotiva.com/ultra_sub12.shtm

I wish there were some inexpensive options to get good quality home theatre but there really isn’t. You really do get what you pay for. HTiB is just a particularly bad option. Even if you have to go with really cheap hardware you can still generally do better with individual components. This route also provides you with the option to build it a little at a time. Start with a good receiver and just two speakers then add the sub, center and surrounds later. You end up spending more but spending it over time.

Mk

Ryland answers:

Wattage isn’t necessarily loudness. But, assuming that the 120 speakers are from a cheap home theater in a box system, then I’d say throw them out, and buy some proper speakers to go with the Onkyo. And, the Onkyo comes with a 5.1 speaker set, anyway.

Ryland answers:

Logitech is… Err… Well, not very good. They’re considered one of the lowest-end “audio” brands, and they aren’t even an audio brand to begin with.

Onkyo on the other hand is a quality brand that makes great receivers, and decent speakers. That would be the way to go.

Get the Onkyo system

Ryland answers:

I would recommend the Onkyo system, it is a much more dependable system than the Sony. I never had a Sony product that lasted more than 3 years. Those home theater in a box are not very flexible for adding anything to them and you can not upgrade. The Onkyo is a receiver than can accept any device you want to add and you can upgrade at a later date. Hope this will help you out.

Ryland answers:

Onkyo 5.1 system.

Ryland answers:

Right click on Speaker icon on taskbar.

Select Playback devices > Speakers > Configure > 5.1 Surround.

EDIT : Have you tried connecting your 5.1 amplifiers to your computer instead of the TV? Maybe the OS will detect that there’s a 5.1 speaker system and activate the 5.1 option.

Also, what audio drivers are you using? I have the latest version of Realtek aside from the HD Audio device driver installed by Win 7 by default.

Ryland answers:

The 509 has a better amp section and is going to deliver the rated power. The 509 has a discrete amp design this ensures that the same rated and quality power is sent to all channels. The 509 power output is rated at 8 ohms 20 to 20,000 Hz this rating is a more accurate measurement of power output then the 6 ohm 1Khz rating. The 509 would have no problem with 6 ohm speakers and you could more than likely use 4 ohm with it as well if you do not crank it to loud and listen for any distortion. I make this statement because my Denon is rated at 75 watts at 8 ohms 20 to 20,000 Hz with discrete amp design and the owners manual states that it is ideal for 6 to 16 ohm loads, but can play 4 ohm speakers with care for volume and distortion.

Ryland answers:

The one with Denon receiver is better.