Page 1 of Cheap surround sound?

I went into maplins the other day and they were offering a a set that included a dolby decoder or amplifier (i dont know) sub woofer and 5 speakers for £150. i was wondering if anybody knows if this is a good deal. I think its about time I upgrade from mono sound.

Well, OK, it *sounds* too good to be true - what exactly are they offering?

Just been looking on the website and they have a JBL ESC230 for £199, which includes speakers, prologic decoder + amp, and has 6 channel input for DD5.1. Showing as discontinued on the site, so maybe it`s this knocked down to clear.
If so, you`ll need a DVD player with 6 analogue outputs (i.e. with DD decoder on board) to benefit. Remember you will be paying for a Prologic decoder that you probably won`t use.

If you have DD decoder on your player, then there`s always that Bush system that Tesco were doing for £79 - sub, 5 speakers plus amplification (all built into the sub). There were a few posts on it here, never saw a *definitive* comment on it`s sound quality, but feedback seemed to be reasonable. If Tesco don`t have it, then www.qed-uk.com have it at £99.
http://www.qed-uk.com/cgi-bin/q?basket=d489dde03b776da1&b-grp=216&b-code=3006&v-bar=8

If you want CHEAP surround sound, how about this - front channels in to current hifi, use TV as centre (OK it will have full 5 channel mix, but you`ll get the dialogue), and use you PC speakers (as long as they are amplified ones) for the back channels. VERY Heath Robinson, but it has proved to me that it`s worth splurging on a proper solution as soon as I can (thanks Neon for amp advice!!)

Richard

This item was edited on Monday, 13th August 2001, 17:23

Was picking up some Scarts from Maplins when I saw this deal, or what I think you might be on about.

Its a 6 speaker set up and a DD card for the PC (Southampton retailing it at what I thought was £99, but my bank account is beyond empty)

Speakers looked a bit tacky but no doubt, for PC games they would suffice, and if you`ve a DVD drive in the PC with a decent screen, well.......

if its for you pc get the sound blaster 5.1 card and ddt2200 speaker set up speaker take digital input so you can link it up to your home hi fi dvd etc. card is great price card£50ish speakers 5.1£75ish

Earlier tonight I saw my local Tesco had a new batch of the Bush Surround Sounds speakers/Amp that RichardH suggested. Currently as part of a Sound System VAT free promo it is £68.07 (not sure how long the promo lasts).

As Richard says this is only an option if your DVD player includes a Dolby Digital Decoder and has the 6 Channel Outs.