Can computer speakers replace "real" amplifier (1 Viewer)

[patrikr]

Hi,

Hope this is not off-topic but here goes. My home theater setup is due for replacement and instead of replacing the amp, dvd-player and speakers with new ones for thousands of dollars, I'm thinking about replacing them all with a HTPC.

Anyone knows if a HTPC with perhaps a Creative Audigy 2ZS soundcard and Creative Gigaworks S750 can replace a "real" amp and speakers? Any idea of what type of sound I'd get in a room thats 6 meters long, 5 meters wide and where floor to ceiling is 3 meters? The room is pretty much square without too much stuff on the walls. Think that setup would be enough for a powerful audio experience?

Also, I'm going to connect this to a 720p HD-ready projector (probably Epson TW-600 or Sanyo Z4), what would be a good graphics card to choose if I want to be able to run this resolution and use a DVI-to-HDMI adaptor?

Thanks!!
Patrik

 

[onkl]

On sound:
You can compare a computer speaker set with a "normal" set.
Then again, it is but marginally cheaper. To get speakers with build in amplifier of a quality comparable to a set of amp+speakers of $xxx, you'd probably spend... $xxx dollar.

I would buy a normal amp + speakers, since I still use old compact cassettes & phono lol: ).
However, maybe surround 5.1 may let the balance tilt to the other side one day.

 

[Callifo]

Depends on your budget personally. A reasonably cheap system, youd get more power out of a pc computer system (eg Z-5500), but with a budget X2+ larger theres no competition. You cant replace pure size for volume.

 

[Brocklander]

The Z5500 is powerful, but not detailed when compared to a setup 4x the cost - most noticable with music. But for the price they're unbeatable, you don't even need a soundcard as digital out on the MB works perfectly.

 

[patrikr]

The Z5500 is powerful, but not detailed when compared to a setup 4x the cost - most noticable with music. But for the price they're unbeatable, you don't even need a soundcard as digital out on the MB works perfectly.

Right. Guess you always get what you pay for
Thanks for the feedback!!