Ok, I have a room 14x22 and want to do it all with my PC. Here are my current specs: Asus A7n8x mb w/ AMD XP 2400+ and 512 memory Pioneer trayless DVD player Lite-on DVD burner 8x +-R/RW Logitech cordless and optical keyboard and mouse 120 gig WD HD 80 gig WD HD All-in-Wonder 8500 with remote I am debating the purchase of a soundcard (Soundblaster Audigy perhaps) with a set of speakers that can do well in that size room. I want to do music, movies, games, and tv if possible. Any advise would be much appreciated! Thanks
You may have trouble finding speakers that are self-powered that will work in a room that big. Klipsch would be your best bet there. Another option would be to add a reciever/amp with a digital connection to the PC. That way you could use regular speakers and drive them with the reciever. Either way, you will probably want a good sound card. They don't cost much, and are worth it if you don't have a digital out on the onboard sound system. You may also want to think of ditching the AIW functionality for a dedicated TV tuner card. The AIW lacks hardware MPEG encoding, and if you to use the HTPC as a DVR, you will want this. If you plan on using Windows MCE as the OS, get the Microsoft remote. It's about $40 and worth it if you are using MCE.
i'll tell you if ur looking for some kick a** speakers to carrie out threw that room of ur's try theses babys..i have a set and they will do what you need them to do.. nabors may not like the but oh well... http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2177,CONTENTID=5048
I've got a set of Logitech z-5500's and can tell you they really rock!!! If you're really into HTPC's, check out this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26
