5.1 Surround and PS3

Hogzy

Does anyone have a 5.1 surround sound hooked up to their PS3, THinking about doing it but does it make gaming much better?

Royale with Cheese

Have a 5.1 system hooked up to my xbox. It's quite cool, but not really a neccesity like a HDTV would be.

They're not cheap either, I've got the Logitech Z-5500's which cost almost €300. Very good speakers though, and you'll definitely get your money's worth if you're using your ps3 as a media centre.

noodler

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Have a 5.1 system hooked up to my xbox. It's quite cool, but not really a neccesity like a HDTV would be.

They're not cheap either, I've got the Logitech Z-5500's which cost almost ?300. Very good speakers though, and you'll definitely get your money's worth if you're using your ps3 as a media centre.

I have a monitor so the sound ain't great. I hooked up a fairly old surround sound Hi~Fi Dolby Pro Logic System (two main speakers, a centre and 2 sub_woofers), it ain't digital but it sounds alot better, gunshots sound more realisitc, gutar riffs sound more beefy etc. Defo a plus if you play your music through it.

Just wish Sony atracs or Mp3s used 5.1

grames_bond

Hogzy wrote: »

Does anyone have a 5.1 surround sound hooked up to their PS3, THinking about doing it but does it make gaming much better?

i do and it does make a big difference with certain games.....mgs and resi evil are far more intence (and a whole lot more fun) when you can hear gunshots over your shoulder or an enemy (or zombie) to your right etc! and the football games are great with the crowd behind you!

TestTransmission

Hogzy wrote: »

Does anyone have a 5.1 surround sound hooked up to their PS3, THinking about doing it but does it make gaming much better?

Yes and Yes

superweld

definitely makes an improvement. if you can afford it then it is without doubt worth it. if you can't really afford it then you can easily live without it.

lots on here have got the logitech ones as they have the optical connection to ps3 and are a really really good 5.1 system.

gstar

i did my sound system on the cheap. I hooked up my stereo which has quite good sound quality to my tv via an auxilliary connection - its the red & white phono connection at one end and a regular headphone jack at the other, it goes into the headphone slot on the tv, even that in itself is an improvement on the sound from my tv. cable shouldnt cost u more than a few quid, and if you like it/get used to it, then invest in a proper surround sound system

noodler

Christ 280e, they look nice. Whats the deal with the one big speaker?

Wonder would I notice the difference between analogue and digital straight away?

Hogzy

noodler wrote: »

Christ 280e, they look nice. Whats the deal with the one big speaker?

Wonder would I notice the difference between analogue and digital straight away?

They vary in price. That speaker is a Subwoofer

noodler

gstar wrote: »

i did my sound system on the cheap. I hooked up my stereo which has quite good sound quality to my tv via an auxilliary connection - its the red & white phono connection at one end and a regular headphone jack at the other, it goes into the headphone slot on the tv, even that in itself is an improvement on the sound from my tv. cable shouldnt cost u more than a few quid, and if you like it/get used to it, then invest in a proper surround sound system

Hey I have a similar setup to you, I think you could improve what you have by using the PS3 lead you got with it (the one with the red, yellow and white connections at one end and the av on the other) and plug that from your PS3 straight into the red and white slots on your stereo (ignore the yellow-Im sure your using HDMI for picture anyway).

Then just go into audio settings and set your ps3 to output audio via the AV. Cuts out the middle man of the TV and should be a little better I believe.

Eoinsku

It's definitely worth it. In certain games it is important to know where the sound is coming from e.g. in Call of Duty you can hear if someone is coming up behind you. Also, you'll get 5.1 from movies, which really adds to the experience on certain films e.g. the beach scenes at the start of Saving Private Ryan where the allies are getting hammered from all sides!

Also, with regards to the Logitech, they work very well, especially in a small room. I have the z-5450 wireless ones, and they are superb. Also, there are no messy wires going to the rear speakers, which is great if you have wood flooring. I picked them up for about €300. The only downside to them is they don't have HDMI in (only optical and co-axial), but that's not a major issue really at this stage.

L31mr0d

yes it adds a lot to games and movies. I'd budget 50% for the surround sound. A good surround sound set up with a decent sub and amp (i.e. the exact opposite of the one that comes with the z-5500) will add loads to a game, hearing bullets fly over your shoulder, and the reassuring boom and thud from firing and driving a tank. Race games are also half a game without it. A lot of the time while playing GRID i'll move left and right instinctively as I can hear a car behind me trying to overtake and I'll block them without even having to look behind.

However, the PS3 is currently limited in regards to audio output. The best option is to use the HDMI audio out as the optical is not true lossless 5.1. But that being said the PS3 also does not allow for complete pass through of the audio stream to a dedicated amplifier. The PS3 forcibly processes the audio for the 5.1 format in the game or movie and then outputs it to the amp and speakers.

This is ok for your cheap PC speaker set ups like the z-5500's, but when you have a dedicated amplifier it is preferable to have it do the processing. Why Sony have not at least given this option to offload audio processing onto an amp I don't know. It's thought it might be unlocked in an update, but then I've also heard its actually a hardware limitation.

Still HDMI is preferable to optical. For decent packages and amp advice head over to this forum:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=866

Also, richersounds.ie (where I got my set up from) do a lot of deals specifically for members of boards. Their interaction forum is here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1105

noodler

Christ, are you trying to make us coaxials feel bad?

I don't think I could spend 300e on the Logitechs never mind what you are suggesting!

So what is your setup exactly?

L31mr0d

noodler wrote: »

So what is your setup exactly?

AV receiver: Onkyo TXSR606
Speakers and Sub: Mordaunt Short Avant Premiere.
Wiring: 76 strand stuff from maplins.

It would be considered medium/low range and really only for Home Cinema set ups for movies/games. I'd consider what I have to be the bare minimum for decent audio on a budget.

The logitechs wouldn't even be considered low range. I had the z-5500 myself and found the sub absolutely awful, I mean you couldn't have it up past 2 bars before its audible "booming" started to overpower the surround sound setup. You should never be able to hear the sub, it's supposed to add depth to the audio from the speakers, your supposed to feel the sub, not hear it. The speakers themselves also lacked depth and range for games. It's really meant for use with a PC desktop set up in a medium/small room.

superweld

may as well chip in on the side of the logitechs

i think they are a great system. i'm fairly into my rock music and the sound is fantastic and would seriously get you in lots of trouble with the neighbours when you want. the subwoofer pounds out phat/fat (?) bass when you want to turn it up. the satelite speakers are excellent quality too and it's brilliant for films and games.


not going to get into any arguments over them -just saying that i'm certainly not disappointed in them but maybe my neighbours are

DUBLINHITMAN

superweld wrote: »

may as well chip in on the side of the logitechs

i think they are a great system. i'm fairly into my rock music and the sound is fantastic and would seriously get you in lots of trouble with the neighbours when you want. the subwoofer pounds out phat/fat (?) bass when you want to turn it up. the satelite speakers are excellent quality too and it's brilliant for films and games.


not going to get into any arguments over them -just saying that i'm certainly not disappointed in them but maybe my neighbours are

anyone look @ the tritton axpro 5.1 surround sound headphoes ..they look a bit mad but atleast the neighbours wont be complaing lol

Eoinsku

L31mr0d wrote: »

AV receiver: Onkyo TXSR606
Speakers and Sub: Mordaunt Short Avant Premiere.
Wiring: 76 strand stuff from maplins.

It would be considered medium/low range and really only for Home Cinema set ups for movies/games. I'd consider what I have to be the bare minimum for decent audio on a budget.

The logitechs wouldn't even be considered low range. I had the z-5500 myself and found the sub absolutely awful, I mean you couldn't have it up past 2 bars before its audible "booming" started to overpower the surround sound setup. You should never be able to hear the sub, it's supposed to add depth to the audio from the speakers, your supposed to feel the sub, not hear it. The speakers themselves also lacked depth and range for games. It's really meant for use with a PC desktop set up in a medium/small room.

You must bear in mind that the average joe is not an audiophile, nor has sound insulation (or forgiving neighbours). The majority of 'low range' 5.1 systems are more than enough for a small room or an apartment. The majority of people I know with mid to high-range set-ups never get the chance to truly appreciate the benefits of said set-ups, for fear of alienating the neighbours.

With my Logitech Z-5450 I rarely have the sub more than 20% and the overall volume more that 35% as the sound becomes almost too much and I worry whether the neighbours are getting pissed off (I live in an apartment block). If you have the budget and the freedom to go for such as system, do so, by all means. If not, you won't be disappointed by the Logitechs (plus, you'll save a few bob). Stay away from Creative 5.1 systems though. From experience, they are pants, and of shoddy build quality.

Still, if you are worried about future proofing, it would be wise to get a system with HDMI inputs.

L31mr0d

Eoinsku wrote: »

You must bear in mind that the average joe is not an audiophile, nor has sound insulation (or forgiving neighbours).

My setup is far from that of an audiophile. Most audiophiles would consider what I have low end.

I also have neighbours. If it's late and I don't want to be pissing people off I just use my Sennheiser HD555 cans plugged into my onkyo amp. I mean you can pick these up now for around €80 (they definitely weren't that price when I bought them 3 years ago :rolleyes:) and they'll give you HD audio clarity on a budget.

I know the logitechs have their place and they are cheap, but it really is a case of chalk and cheese. I don't think a lot of people who recommend logitechs have actually heard what a good audio set up can sound like. It's like recommending a CRT TV over a HD Plasma when you've never seen anything played on a HDTV.

I will agree that you also get people who blow a lot of money on an audio set up, and due to not knowing or caring to calibrate it correctly end up with something that actually can sound worse than a bog standard surround sound package.

RoryMac

Just my 2p worth, the logitech is an ok system but if you're gonna spend that kind of money(maybe a little more) you can easily start with a basic Onkyo, Sony or Yamaha Amp and speakers kit. The benefit being that on any of those kits all parts are upgradeable, so in a few months/years you can get better speakers/sub connect a tuner even change the Amp rather than having to change everything together. Or just keep the original kit happy in the knowledge that if anything goes faulty it's only one part to be replaced.

Also IMHO the sound from the basic Sony/Yamaha kits is hard to fault for the average user like myself

jaybee747

Hi folks, i got this one http://www.sony.ie/product/hcs-surround-kit---dvd-player/dav-dz260 haven't had the chance to try it out properly as like already said, neighbours are the issue. I bought it in powercity for 159euro (i think), works with ps3

Eoinsku

RoryMac wrote: »

Just my 2p worth, the logitech is an ok system but if you're gonna spend that kind of money(maybe a little more) you can easily start with a basic Onkyo, Sony or Yamaha Amp and speakers kit. The benefit being that on any of those kits all parts are upgradeable, so in a few months/years you can get better speakers/sub connect a tuner even change the Amp rather than having to change everything together. Or just keep the original kit happy in the knowledge that if anything goes faulty it's only one part to be replaced.

Also IMHO the sound from the basic Sony/Yamaha kits is hard to fault for the average user like myself

I agree. Like I said if you have the means, you're better off going for a 'separates' package which allows you to upgrade different elements at different times without having to replace the whole lot. Also, given the EUR-GBP exchange rates, there are some tasty deals to be had from Richer Sounds. My point was that the logitechs were decent value for money (as the OP seemed to baulk even at the mention of €300).

I would have gone down the same route (Pioneer / Yamaha / Onkyo receiver with separate sub & speakers, but I needed a wireless system for my apartment (wooden flooring and couln't be arsed putting cabling around or in the walls), and the Logitech fitted the need. The performance is enough for me. Of course they will never produce the rich, deep sound of a decent amp, sub and speaker system, but for my living room they work very well, they were reasonably priced, and of course were wireless.

I've had them about 2 years now and still going strong. Also, the price of separates where I live are ridiculous compared to the deals you can now get from the north e.g. my brother bought a Pioneer VSX-818 receiver from RS in January for £269. The cheapest I could find the same receiver where I live was around €450!

up them Schteps

Bring your PS3 to my house, and we can see what it's like!

Super Sidious

May I direct you to my advert... would love to shift this as its sitting in my room not being used! Wish I could keep it but 5.1 is not good in an apartment... basically my neighbours think theres finglas riots going on in my place every night!

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=94575&cat=500

bennyob

i bought this a few months back http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/r/ht-sf-1300

according to some of the guys at avforums it's one of the best that you can get for the price its at. i have ps3 hooked up by hdmi, sky plus by optical and then they connect into the tv by another hdmi.

the sound is class. i watched the dark knight on blu ray and it absolutely blew me away, especially the chase sequence.

more reading here http://www.avforums.com/forums/all-one-systems/883191-re-sony-htss-f-1300-part-2-a.html

Varik

bennyob wrote: »

i bought this a few months back http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/r/ht-sf-1300

according to some of the guys at avforums it's one of the best that you can get for the price its at. i have ps3 hooked up by hdmi, sky plus by optical and then they connect into the tv by another hdmi.

the sound is class. i watched the dark knight on blu ray and it absolutely blew me away, especially the chase sequence.

more reading here http://www.avforums.com/forums/all-one-systems/883191-re-sony-htss-f-1300-part-2-a.html

got that a while ago the 3 hdmi to 1 makes a big diff so much better than having to connect each devices via optical change each time 360 has none

have 360 ps3 on the hdmi in and sky on optical in

it come with a small mike place it where you will seat and it set up the level of each speaker so you don't have to have it perfectly positioned


just to say i have some problems with ps2 game that will do 5.1 from the ps2 optical when using the with the ps3 bc

ravydavygravy

I have fake 5.1 by running the audio from my ps3 out via the AV cable to my DVD player/5.1 speakers - its not real 5.1, but i still get surround sound - on some games its excellent.

Only problem with 5.1 is that you want to play it reasonably LOUD to get the benefit - since i play mostly at night when kids are in bed, that ain't gonna fly.
I was thinking about getting some proper 5.1 headphones, but havn't even looked at the prices yet - me thinks another thread is coming up....

Dave

Idleater

ravydavygravy wrote: »

Only problem with [cheap] 5.1 is that you want to play it reasonably LOUD to get the benefit -

The benefit of an "expensive" (read proper ) hifi system is that you get excellent audio reproduction even at low volumes.

wheatln2

So I know this is a little random but have done a read through lots of the old threads here and while I found some interesting stuff, nothing that could directly help me so...

I have a Dell 5650 speaker system. it's a PC setup which is designed for soundcards with three jack outputs. You'll get an idea of the connections here, http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/view_online.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.dell.com%2Fsupport%2Fedocs%2Facc%2Fp62507%2F5650-America.pdf or indeed at the dell site the PDF is here, http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/p62507/.

Anyway, I know the PS3 has it's optical out recommended for surround. Would there be any way to convert that to a co-axial phono/jack that could be sent into the Dell system? I know it'd be possible to output audio to the analog phono outputs but obviously that would just be 2 channel and I'd love to see if I could get 5.1 with this. Any thoughts welcome!

partyatmygaff

wheatln2 wrote: »

So I know this is a little random but have done a read through lots of the old threads here and while I found some interesting stuff, nothing that could directly help me so...

I have a Dell 5650 speaker system. it's a PC setup which is designed for soundcards with three jack outputs. You'll get an idea of the connections here, http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/view_online.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.dell.com%2Fsupport%2Fedocs%2Facc%2Fp62507%2F5650-America.pdf or indeed at the dell site the PDF is here, http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/p62507/.

Anyway, I know the PS3 has it's optical out recommended for surround. Would there be any way to convert that to a co-axial phono/jack that could be sent into the Dell system? I know it'd be possible to output audio to the analog phono outputs but obviously that would just be 2 channel and I'd love to see if I could get 5.1 with this. Any thoughts welcome!

Impossible to do, I tried every imaginable method but I only realised at the end why it was impossible. A phono connection is analog, The ps3's optical out and hdmi are both Digital, it would be impossible to connect the two without a converter box which costs atleast €200 so its just not worth the money.

BTW any real audiophile knows Analog is best for music! :pac:

Kintarō Hattori

It makes the experience much more enjoyable OP. Playing car games you can hear right behind you when another driver is coming up from behind. In shooters you can hear the shots whizzing past you and so on. If you really enjoy your PS3 it's a sound investment. People oh so often pay attention to the visuals and forget about the value a good sound system can bring.

I use a Yamaha RX-V440 receiver myself and this is paired with JBL's SCS 200.5 speaker package.


EDIT - Whoops didn't notice that it's an old thread, my apologies.

noodler

partyatmygaff wrote: »

BTW any real audiophile knows Analog is best for music! :pac:

Really?

imeddyhobbs

I have a 1000watt system connected to my ps3 and i have to say that the sound is even better than the sound out of the soundblaster card that i have in my pc,It works so well that i have started using tversity and ps3mediaserver on the ps to stream bluray from the pc

wheatln2

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Impossible to do, I tried every imaginable method but I only realised at the end why it was impossible. A phono connection is analog, The ps3's optical out and hdmi are both Digital, it would be impossible to connect the two without a converter box which costs atleast €200 so its just not worth the money.

BTW any real audiophile knows Analog is best for music! :pac:

Thanks for the response, real pity they didn't include a few analog outputs. I guess I could get a digital stereo output which may be better than nothing.

TestTransmission

noodler wrote: »

Really?

No,some people prefer the sound of vinyl records over that of a CD

weiland79

I got my surround sound around the time world at war came out and remember turning it on for the first time.The G/F was in bed and came running down the stairs shouting at me that it sounded like an aeroplane was landing in the sitting room,classic! But the one game that made it worth it for me was Dead space,turn the lights off pull the curtains closed crank it up and prepare to have the sh*te scared out of ya!

Scráib

Surroound sound realy works well with horror games. Has anyone played dead Space with 5.1 surround? With the lights off? Scary stuff, brilliant!

noodler

Does it matter if all the speakers in a 5.1 setup (bar the woofer) are small little things?

weiland79

Scráib wrote: »

Surroound sound realy works well with horror games. Has anyone played dead Space with 5.1 surround? With the lights off? Scary stuff, brilliant!

Did i not just say exactly that,must be an echo in here.

therokerroar

IMO, the surround sound is absolutely fantastic.

I'd really advise spending the money on it, if you have it.

I spent 250 quid on a Sony surround sound system and it's class. Great for even playing CD's.

cursai

hey. have a query. looking to buy a low budget 5.1 system for my ps3 blu ray. was looking at the philips hts3020 or the samsung htz120r. do you know of these will output full digital sound from the ps3 optical output

johnny_ultimate

I would also be curious in the best (cheapish) hook up for a PS3. I had a look around some shops today, and they all seemed to just be selling 'home cinema packages' with DVD players etc... so I'm guessing online is the best option. I want something relatively compact just to give a surround sound feel. I know absolutely nothing about audio set ups so any advice would be greatly appreciated! Uber good quality is not a concern, just a superior set up to just TV speakers! Will also be hooking up an Xbox.

cursai

the ps3 and the xbox360 have the same output i think. anyway would either of these low prices systems work with the optical out for true 5.1 surround

noodler

+1, decent cheap recommendations?

cursai

how about the sony dav dz280 or panasonic pt470. i heard somewhere on boards that the sony doesn't play the 5.1 properly from the ps3 and that the panasonic does. need to get it soon as a present.

cursai

hi. was wondering which one did you buy. the dav260??. does the sound output from the ps3 optical work

madmoe

jaybee747 wrote: »

Hi folks, i got this one http://www.sony.ie/product/hcs-surround-kit---dvd-player/dav-dz260 haven't had the chance to try it out properly as like already said, neighbours are the issue. I bought it in powercity for 159euro (i think), works with ps3

I have this one too and have been using it with the PS3 for a while now, its great! Surround sound works perfectly with it!

Cheers,
M

noodler

madmoe wrote: »

I have this one too and have been using it with the PS3 for a while now, its great! Surround sound works perfectly with it!

Cheers,
M

I am tempted, that one doesn't look too bad at all.

Not on Power city anymore though.

madmoe

I got mine around this time last year with the KDL-32V4000 from Currys.

Simply cannot fault it!

The Aviator

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Have a 5.1 system hooked up to my xbox. It's quite cool, but not really a neccesity like a HDTV would be.

They're not cheap either, I've got the Logitech Z-5500's which cost almost €300. Very good speakers though, and you'll definitely get your money's worth if you're using your ps3 as a media centre.

have the same speakers as you the Logitech Z-5500, still haven't gotten the most outta them yet though, Have the optical cable running from the control centre to the optical on the back of my tv, only get the dolby pro logic 2, which is good , but not the full surround sound,

How have you got yours hooked up?? im getting a new ps3 at Xmas , will be interesting to see its sound capabilities!

noodler

Can someone who knows their stuff re amps and speakers tell me an opinion on the following.

This Onkyo amp http://www.richersounds.ie/asp/product.asp?ObjectID=938&Mode=0&CategoryID=3&sub=24&productid=897


These Onkyo 5.1 Speakers http://www.richersounds.ie/asp/product.asp?ObjectID=938&Mode=0&CategoryID=5&sub=100&productid=972

It is with a view to Dolby Digital 5.1 for PS3 games but also for HD Audio with respect Blu Ray.

These are the built-in decoders for the amp:

Built-in decoders: DTS Express Dolby TrueHD DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 Dolby Digital Plus DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Dolby Digital Surround EX

Would this pretty much cover me?

The Aviator

noodler wrote: »

Can someone who knows their stuff re amps and speakers tell me an opinion on the following.

This Onkyo amp http://www.richersounds.ie/asp/product.asp?ObjectID=938&Mode=0&CategoryID=3&sub=24&productid=897


These Onkyo 5.1 Speakers http://www.richersounds.ie/asp/product.asp?ObjectID=938&Mode=0&CategoryID=5&sub=100&productid=972

It is with a view to Dolby Digital 5.1 for PS3 games but also for HD Audio with respect Blu Ray.

These are the built-in decoders for the amp:

Built-in decoders: DTS Express Dolby TrueHD DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 Dolby Digital Plus DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Dolby Digital Surround EX

Would this pretty much cover me?

Yes it will give you good audio capabilities, but i dont see any reason why you should pay that much just for an amp and the speakers dont really look like if there worth it, I got a logitech z-5500 system for 255 euro off komplettle.ie , It does everything i want it to, Have my pc , ps3, tv, and xbox 360 hooked up to it.