I'm new to audio equipment and I have no idea what my options are...

Polly Tadpole

Overseas I had a nice Microlab 5.1 setup, but it was pretty simple to connect out of the box, no receiver necessary nor the purchase of any additional cables/wire cutting, etc. I have never run my own speaker wire I've cut, or anything like that. I just don't know what to do. So, I don't have a receiver but I still want to use my sub (PSW505) and my CS1 center channel speaker) with a standard 3.5mm male plug so I can get nice sound from my computer, PS3, or iPod. I'll eventually accumulate more speakers, perhaps a 7.2 setup (I actually have two of these beasty PSW505 subs--obviously, right now, I only intend to use one). I've had them for a year and a half, and never opened them or connected them... Same for the CS1 center channel, not quite as long on that, about a year though. I'm interested to see how these sound, but I don't know if it's possible to do what I want to do with them... And if it is, what cables do I need to accomplish this? Would be so grateful for some pointers to all kind enough to offer.


Thanks again.

Nightfall

You're going to need:

An AVR
A pair of speakers, unless you plan on just using the CS1 as a mono channel
Speaker wire
3.5mm to RCA cable for the iPod
A HDMI cable to go from PS3 to AVR
Depending on your computer either another HDMI cable or another 3.5 to RCA cable

Polly Tadpole

Thanks for being the first to respond. So, is all speaker wire the same? Or is there something in particular I should be looking for? What is a mono channel? What will this sound like, if you could describe, with just the sub and the center channel? I think I have a 3.5mm to RCA cable around. Is that the cable with the red and white ends on one end and the standard 3.5mm on the other?

Nightfall

All speaker wire is not the same. If, however, you're on a budget, it's okay to get something cheap to get the ball rolling. Check out monoprice.com for cheap cables/wiring and when you're ready for something better down the road check out douglasconnection.com

Mono, means one. Stereo is two channels, 5.1 is five channels, so on.

I've never listened to just a center channel with a sub, but it wouldn't be my preference.

Yes, red and white on one end 3.5 on the other.

Polly Tadpole

So, I guess this is one reason I never got the ball rolling on this, because I didn't know what to do here. But also, now I'm going to need a receiver... There's absolutely no way to put these together without a receiver? My Microlab 5.1 setup contained no receiver. I guess the sub was the receiver, as it had a remote and the speakers were controlled through that as well.

Nightfall

You need to amplify the signal somehow. What city are you in?

Nightfall

Also, what can you spend? Sounds like you are preferring as little as possible, but how much would you be willing to put into decent sound?

Polly Tadpole

I'm in Pasadena. I do have a budget, but I just really want to get the ball rolling on this, as I have begun to stare at these huge boxes and think to myself it's never going to happen. I'm more concerned about space than anything. I can't imagine making space for a large receiver. Those things are at least half as massive as the sub. The sub's alright, as it can just sit on the floor, the receiver, on the other hand, couldn't. Speakers, I'd definitely be purchasing more of those soon. I plan to get some Polk Audio Monitor40 Series II Two-Way Bookshelfs...I hope they hit their $110 low that they did last black Friday that I didn't act on. When they hit $110 or $120 I'll jump on those, probably buy two sets of them, then with my center channel, I'll have a 5.1 or a 5.2. It looks like the wire here: http://douglasconnection.com/Raw-Speaker-Cable_c33.htm is pretty high end. Will all of these listed there be sure to immensely beat the sound quality of AmazonBasics 16-gauge Speaker Wire - 100 Feet spool that's $9.43 on Amazon?

Nightfall

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ele/4197509587.html

Something like this would get you going. It's not the best, but probably good enough for you.

Also, I suspect monoprice.com will be cheaper than Amazon.

If you don't have the space for an AVR, there's no getting around needing one, then maybe you would be better suited by selling what you have and buying a Polk soundbar or another home theater in a box type deal like you used to have?

Nightfall

DSkip wrote: »

Equate the cables to putting premium gas in your geo. You know it's better gas, but the likelihood of it doing anything to better the geo's performance is next to nothing.

Very user friendly way of putting it, Skip.

leftwinger57

Going used for you is more than likely the way to go .Your not going to need every bell and whistle accessory avrs have to offer but if you do by used make sure you get the remote w/ it and on the back it has pre/outs which affords you the ability to add an external amplifier way down the road( do not be concerned now but if it has them your in better shape than if not).The most basic of stereos you need 2 front speakers,interconnecting source cords, the formentioned avr that also has subwoofer outs so you can use those subs your talking about. FOR absolute starters go w/ the 16 gu spker wire .I imagine your runs are not that long and your wallet is very constricted.

tonyb

DSkip wrote: »

Equate the cables to putting premium gas in your geo. You know it's better gas, but the likelihood of it doing anything to better the geo's performance is next to nothing.

Disagree here champ. A system is the sum of all parts used, cables being one of those parts.

The quality of the cables should rise with the quality of the gear used. Your not going to put 500 buck cables on an entry level AVR running M40's. Still, buying the crappiest wire for 10 bucks a 100 ft roll is not doing yourself any favors regardless of the gear.