Inbuilt Speakers - Plotloss?
Discussion
As part of my parents downstairs refurb (kitchen, dining room, conservatory) rebuild we're getting a Media Centre PC. An Aspire iDea 500 to be precise. I'm somewhat stumped as to what speakers to use and how to set it up.
• 2 x S/PDIF: one "coaxial", one "optical"
• 7.1 Channel Audio output (8 x RCA)
• 1 x 1/4-inch Headphone output (front)
• 1 x 1/4-inch Microphone input (front)
• 1 x Stereo Input RCA (front)
• 1 x FM Antenna Input
• High Definition audio with support for Dolby® Digital Live & DTS Connect
• Dolby® Surround 5.1 channel decoding
• Virtual Surround Sound by DTS Neo PC
• 7.1 Channel analogue output with S/PDIF support for digital output
It will be used in conjunction with a 20.1" widescreen TFT on an arm type pivot mount at a breakfast bar, primarily used as a PC but also as a TV, DVD player, radio and for playing MP3s.
I guess we're looking for ceiling mounted speakers, at least 4, as discreet as possible and maybe some in the conservatory too on the walls.
Budget is not a great deal for the speakers but I want to make the best of what I can, the essential thing is that is simple to toggle between the speakers, so they're not all on at once if my dad is using the PC to play solitaire.
• 2 x S/PDIF: one "coaxial", one "optical"
• 7.1 Channel Audio output (8 x RCA)
• 1 x 1/4-inch Headphone output (front)
• 1 x 1/4-inch Microphone input (front)
• 1 x Stereo Input RCA (front)
• 1 x FM Antenna Input
• High Definition audio with support for Dolby® Digital Live & DTS Connect
• Dolby® Surround 5.1 channel decoding
• Virtual Surround Sound by DTS Neo PC
• 7.1 Channel analogue output with S/PDIF support for digital output
It will be used in conjunction with a 20.1" widescreen TFT on an arm type pivot mount at a breakfast bar, primarily used as a PC but also as a TV, DVD player, radio and for playing MP3s.
I guess we're looking for ceiling mounted speakers, at least 4, as discreet as possible and maybe some in the conservatory too on the walls.
Budget is not a great deal for the speakers but I want to make the best of what I can, the essential thing is that is simple to toggle between the speakers, so they're not all on at once if my dad is using the PC to play solitaire.
Hang on, I'll have a read, just seen this.
Right, whatever speakers you choose you'll need an amplifier as all of those outputs are line level.
With 7.1 audio you'll need 7 speakers and a sub.
As this is a multi use area I would suggest that a full home entertainment setup will be overkill as you probably arent going to sit at a breakfast bar for 3 hours watching LOTR. Well, maybe you are...
Active ceiling speakers (with onboard amps) are few and far between so it will be a case of having the amp with the PC and then trailing the speakers off the amp with speaker wire.
You can run surround sound over ceiling speakers and there are even in wall subs. The audio setup you use will more depend on the use of the room than the technical details of the PC output.
I'll have a look at that specific PC in a mo...
Right, whatever speakers you choose you'll need an amplifier as all of those outputs are line level.
With 7.1 audio you'll need 7 speakers and a sub.
As this is a multi use area I would suggest that a full home entertainment setup will be overkill as you probably arent going to sit at a breakfast bar for 3 hours watching LOTR. Well, maybe you are...
Active ceiling speakers (with onboard amps) are few and far between so it will be a case of having the amp with the PC and then trailing the speakers off the amp with speaker wire.
You can run surround sound over ceiling speakers and there are even in wall subs. The audio setup you use will more depend on the use of the room than the technical details of the PC output.
I'll have a look at that specific PC in a mo...
Edited by Plotloss on Monday 14th August 13:44
Yeah, full home cinema is overkill.
Typical use will be:
Dad using it as a radio in the morning (so only using speakers in the kitchen and half of the breakfast bar)
Using it as a conventional PC
Using it to watch TV from either half of the kitchen
Using it to watch DVDs from the sofa in the dining room
Using it to play music some music through the kitchen/dining room/conservatory when I have friends over
Here's the layout:
www.muncher.org.uk/DSC00448.JPG
Typical use will be:
Dad using it as a radio in the morning (so only using speakers in the kitchen and half of the breakfast bar)
Using it as a conventional PC
Using it to watch TV from either half of the kitchen
Using it to watch DVDs from the sofa in the dining room
Using it to play music some music through the kitchen/dining room/conservatory when I have friends over
Here's the layout:
www.muncher.org.uk/DSC00448.JPG
Set or two of biggish ceiling speakers in the kitchen/diner
Set of speakers in the conservatory.
Stereo amp
Speaker selector switch.
If you go with two sets of speakers rather than three or more you could utilise the A/B output switch that is present on most stereo amplifiers which would negate the need for the speaker selector switch.
Set of speakers in the conservatory.
Stereo amp
Speaker selector switch.
If you go with two sets of speakers rather than three or more you could utilise the A/B output switch that is present on most stereo amplifiers which would negate the need for the speaker selector switch.
For in wall in the conservatory:
www.rs100.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=500
For in the ceiling:
www.rs100.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=497&osCsid=c3d1342cd1195cfbf2bb46beab589586
Will a pair of those in the ceiling be enough you think?
www.rs100.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=500
For in the ceiling:
www.rs100.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=497&osCsid=c3d1342cd1195cfbf2bb46beab589586
Will a pair of those in the ceiling be enough you think?
Next step 
How the hell do I connect them up?
We have the cable all laid ready, back to the media centre. The media centre has phono style connectors, the speakers have connectors I have never seen before, and four of them! Could anyone give any idiots guide to what connectors I need and how they should be wired up?
I have also included a photo of the cut outs in the ceiling, where the speakers will eventually go.
One final point, is an amp absolutely essential, the media centre instructions don't mention you needing one and I was wondering whether it was amplified already?
How the hell do I connect them up?
We have the cable all laid ready, back to the media centre. The media centre has phono style connectors, the speakers have connectors I have never seen before, and four of them! Could anyone give any idiots guide to what connectors I need and how they should be wired up?
I have also included a photo of the cut outs in the ceiling, where the speakers will eventually go.
One final point, is an amp absolutely essential, the media centre instructions don't mention you needing one and I was wondering whether it was amplified already?
Looking at this amp, could it be possible to wire the speakers so that using the output controls
One output = All 3 speakers sets on
Another = Two sets of speakers on
Other = One particular set of speakers on?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cambridge-Audio
Bugger, just realised there is no output selector.
One output = All 3 speakers sets on
Another = Two sets of speakers on
Other = One particular set of speakers on?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cambridge-Audio
Bugger, just realised there is no output selector.
Edited by Muncher on Wednesday 13th September 11:57
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