Sorry if this is in the wrong thread, but is it worth it to get nice speakers (Micca MB42x's) for older systems (Xbox and older)?
All depends on what you want to get out of it really. Some of the 16 bit era consoles sound great through a high quality set up and with some mods. 32bit era was mostly CD based so you'll benefit if the game in question has CD quality play back. As for the "128bit" era then you'll find consoles began to introduce Pro Logic and DTS support in various configurations, well worth setting up to take advantage of. Rogue Squadron II on the GameCube with Dolby Prologic is impressive.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the only difference between a 2.0 and 2.1 a subwoofer? If so then you're only going to lose bass if you're using two 2.0 but then if the two speakers are good enough and provide their own quality bass it won't matter. Their isn't an additional channel mix for the .1 the woofer just picks up on the bass frequency.
Well, yes, but I was asking about the Pro logic/DTS/etc. making a difference in comparison to standard sound. I thought these systems only did surround sound
From their standard output they will do stereo unless fed into a receiver usually via optical out (Both Xbox and PS2 will to either DTS or 5.1 from an optical out). In the case of the GameCube it uses Pro Logic II which is just a clever re-interpretation of the signal sent from stereo channels (so I understand). I kinda feel like I'm either A: Patronising you or B: Misinterpreting exactly what you're asking or C: Both A and B. Someone else will likely know more but I think to be honest, anything you use which is greater than standard TV speakers will be a great improvement and there is technically no limit to the amount of quality any given console will give out. The only time you're going to notice poor sound quality on a high end audio rig is if a game developer has added additional compression to an audio sample due to space requirements or poor implementation.
since 1990 I've had every console ever owned connected to a stereo. TV speakers in General are total crap. To me audio is just as important as the image. What you need to get is a Dolby Digital / DTS amp that allows analogue and digital inputs. That way the amp can automatically detect the audio signal and used the correct number of speakers. Connected to my 5.1 system are the following: Mega Drive, Super Famicom, PC Engine Duo R, PS2, Dreamcast, Saturn, Xbox 360 and other stuff such as the TV, DVD and BluRay player. Oh and my emulation Laptop. Buying a good amp with speakers used isn't as expensive as you may think.
Well, I only have the money for a 2.0/2.1 system. I do have a 5.1 system, but it's a really cheap, generic one produced for black friday a couple of years ago. It can only do 5.1 if there's a seperate wire for each speaker, plus the speakers aren't that great. Here's the setup I'm planning on: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049P6OTI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AM1AKWRN957PC http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E7H8GG2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AFKH6OU9WWNFS
Nah, you don't need any of that DSP crap. Just a good solid amp and a nice pair of speakers and a sub woofer.
