Computer question

[Chippygeoff]

I have just upgraded my computer system but would stress my knowledge is limited, I don't know the in's and outs but enough to do what I have to do. I had a ten year old i Mac and have changed that for a Mac mini 2.6 Ghz. Got a 27 inch monitor and connected to the computer and the monitor is a blu ray player, DVD re-writer, 1 terabyte back up drive, printer of course and an old dell speaker set with a woofer. Playing a blu ray movie to try it out my son said the sound is rubbish while I did not think it was to bad, anyway. He is not available for about a week now but he said what I need is an amp to improve the sound quality. Could someone please point me in the right direction as to what i should get. many thanks.

 

[Glynne]

Your son sounds like my son, if it's not state of the art it's c****.
Who is the system for? If it's you and you're happy with it then stick with it - or get him to pay for an upgrade.
I got a Chromecast as a Father's Day present and whilst it's OK, I'm more than happy with my iPad and earphones whilst my wife watches TV, but I had to have it (according to himself) so I now have it!

 

[mseries]

if your computer isn't your primary means of watching DVDs I wouldn't bother fitting an amp especially since you thing the sound was too bad. Different speakers will make a difference, a great amp with rubbish speakers will not be a great system. I use cheap Yamaha amp with my TV, a relatively cheap model (£200-£300) though my dialogue speaker wasn't cheap. No sub woofer but my other four speakers are quite good. We have a small room so we don't need a huge system. See my point, there is a lot more to it that just adding an amp to the mix

 

[Sporky McGuffin]

At the risk of annoying any audiophiles on the forum, all amplifiers sound the same in their linear operating region, so it's unlikely that a new amp will make any significant difference. I'm not even convinced that your Dell speakers will allow you to connect an amplifier- my guess is that they have one built in.

So initially I'd echo Glynne's comment that if the computer is for your use and you're happy with the sound then don't spend money where it's not needed. If you do want "better" sound then there are lots of possibilities; a better set of powered speakers might work nicely, or depending on how you have things arranged on the desk, a soundbase or soundbar might do nicely.

 

[RogerS]

I'm very happy with these in my Mac system.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harman-Kardon ... 3f502fe2be

In fact so much so that I bought another secondhand set as a spare in case mine ever goes TU.

 

[Adam9453]

If its just for you, buy a nice set of headphones, much better sound quality unless you spend serious money on speaker and amplifier system.
If you want better sound (for you and others to listen to at the same time) then I would probably recommend going to somewhere likes currys and listening to the different all in one computer speaker packages and see which one YOU like. You may value your sons opinion but you should get what you like if its for you to use. Sound quality os often subjective as it depends somewhat on what you're listening to.

That all being said, I do love listening to music from a nice set of speakers powered by a good amplifier. my preference for amps is yamaha and speakers is B&W

 

[woodpig]

If it's for movies wouldn't the best thing be some kind of dedicated (read expensive) surround sound system plugged into the Blu Ray player?
Not that I know anything about it. :roll: I'll just be getting a sound bar when I get a new telly next week! :wink:

 

[DiscoStu]

I am quite into my home cinema and have an Onkyo amp, but as other have said I wouldn't worry about it for a PC. The Harmon Kardon sound sticks sound great and look very good so if you want to spend a bit then that's the route I'd go. If you're happy with what you have though then why bother to change it.

 

[Droogs]

This is the system I have and is used as the main speakers for all our home entertainment needs.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/s ... akers-z506


To set it up in a decent sized room, you do need to run some additional speaker cable ass the lengths that come with it are pretty short. Other than that very happy with them

rds
droogs

 

[BearTricks]

You don't need an amp. I've just changed careers from working in radio, and I just got rid of a load of expensive equipment that took up far too much room and was better off going to someone else. If you're just watching films or casually listening to music, just get a decent set of speakers. I'm guessing that the speakers you have are fine, and probably wont be compatible with an amp anyway.

The money it costs to go from adequate sound to professional levels usually outweighs the difference you get. A good sound system is almost never worth it unless you're editing or mixing, or have it paired with a home cinema. In that case you'd be spending in to the thousands anyway.

I use a pair of Creative speakers that I got from Scan. I can't remember the model but they cost £30.

 

[RogerS]

You don't need an amp. I've just changed careers from working in radio, and I just got rid of a load of expensive equipment that took up far too much room and was better off going to someone else. If you're just watching films or casually listening to music, just get a decent set of speakers. I'm guessing that the speakers you have are fine, and probably wont be compatible with an amp anyway.

The money it costs to go from adequate sound to professional levels usually outweighs the difference you get. A good sound system is almost never worth it unless you're editing or mixing, or have it paired with a home cinema. In that case you'd be spending in to the thousands anyway.

I use a pair of Creative speakers that I got from Scan. I can't remember the model but they cost £30.

He will need an amp to drive the speakers unless he wants to cannibalise the amp in his Dell set-up.

 

[Chippygeoff]

Many thanks guys for all your imput. I am indeed spoilt for choice. The dell speaker system I have in very old so I think for my needs like watching DVDs and listening to music a new set of creatives will do the job just nicely. I am not looking for perfection, just a decent sound. many thanks again.

 

[DiscoStu]

all I would say is to go for some speakers that were powered (most will be). I bought some bluetooth powered speakers for the workshop and they were about £30 and work well. I think you'll be fine with something like the £30 creatives. If you want style with your Mac though then the Harmon Kardon sound stick look great and sound brilliant.