[enforcer_upu]

Hi everyone, I know a good amount amount HDTV's as I have had to shop for 3 in the past 18 months (not all for myself, lol), but I know very little about audio. I currently have a Samsung LN-T4661F. The on-board sound is pretty decent, but I've been looking for an upgrade. However, I don't have much $$ to spend on it, so I'm hoping you guys can help out. I got about $125 in Best Buy gift cards for Christmas, and I came across the below 5.1 speaker system from Insignia on sale:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202650703861


I was wondering how this would compare to the on-board speakers that my TV has. Would it be worth getting? Also, I don't know that I've have the space to actually place the back speakers behind me, so would it make any sense to place all 5 in the front, or is that a waste?

 

[kunuggs]

I have never heard those speakers, so I can't say for sure whether they're good or bad. However, I would wager that they are pretty bad. If I was only spending that much $$$, I would use some 2 channel computer speakers instead.

 

[Robert Cook]



Quote:
Originally Posted by enforcer_upu /forum/post/15409100


I currently have a Samsung LN-T4661F. The on-board sound is pretty decent, but I've been looking for an upgrade. However, I don't have much $$ to spend on it, so I'm hoping you guys can help out. I got about $125 in Best Buy gift cards for Christmas, and I came across the below 5.1 speaker system from Insignia on sale:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202650703861


I was wondering how this would compare to the on-board speakers that my TV has.

Hmmm...having 2.5" drivers with paper cones and foam surrounds seems an awful lot like what you'd find in a Bose system, as well as many onboard TV speakers, for that matter--shows you how much Bose puts into their systems if Insignia can add tweeters and still charge a small fraction of the price.

I don't know from experience what this system actually sounds like, but it's probably a lot like the speakers in your TV, albeit with a subwoofer and more amplification power from your receiver. It's just a very basic way to get surround sound and some "boom" in your room, but it's not likely to be of much higher quality than your TV's speakers or Bose. I dunno, you could probably get something nearly as good for $40 at Walmart.

Quote:
Originally Posted by enforcer_upu /forum/post/15409100


Would it be worth getting?

That's entirely up to you. These are very likely TV-class speakers with more power (you have to provide the receiver separately), surround sound, and some added bass. I'd only consider a system like this if I couldn't possibly afford anything better and really wanted surround sound and some bass for movies (as for music, I'd just use headphones in this hypothetical case).

Quote:
Originally Posted by enforcer_upu /forum/post/15409100


Also, I don't know that I've have the space to actually place the back speakers behind me, so would it make any sense to place all 5 in the front, or is that a waste?

That would pretty much be a waste, in my opinion. If you already own a stereo system that you like, then save your gift card funds and use your stereo for movies. On the other hand, if you can make room for surround speakers (which by the way should be positioned on either side of the room rather than behind you) and care enough about good sound quality, then there are better systems available for reasonably low prices, such as the Energy Take Classic 5.1 system.

 

[SRR]

 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138085354138

 

[Robert Cook]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SRR /forum/post/15419632


The Insignia's I linked to are a audiophiles dream speaker for $40 per speaker (if an audiophile could only spend $40 per, that is...) you get a concentric design, powerful enough bass the sub can wait, they image VERY well, they look nice with the grills off. Ok they aren't pretending to be $500 per speaker; speakers, but what they do they do well.

Actually, with their real carbon fiber woofers, silk dome tweeters, and sturdy construction, they ARE sort of "pretending" to be $500 speakers, and they do a pretty good job of it, too. If one doesn't mind their apparent "smile curve" (i.e. an emphasis on bass and treble with a slightly recessed midrange) and somewhat muddy bass, they're a steal at this price.

 

[enforcer_upu]

Thanks a bunch for the suggestion. I'll certainly take a look at these as they're right up my alley with my small price range. Should I worry about getting a sub to go with these at some point, or will the bass suffice from these?

 

[enforcer_upu]

Now that I think about it, would it make any sense for me to just connect these to the back of my TV instead of using a receiver? Outside of my PS3, I don't really have anything else to use the speakers for. If the output from my TV would be fine, I could just do that.

 

[enforcer_upu]

Just wanted to thank you guys for the speaker suggestion. I did end up going with the Insignia's, and I have to say, they put out some nice sound.

On an even better note, I placed an order for an Insignia 2.0 receiver online for in-store pickup a few weeks ago. It was on sale for $90 and I didn't need anything special so it fit the bill. To make a long story short, the manager at the Best Buy I went to pick it up at told me they didn't have it in stock, so he ended up price-matching this $350 receiver for me down to $90 to make up for the mistake!!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1205245968724

 

[ousooner2]

Wow.....tell him I want one for $90! You got a nice deal!