Squigster

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't subs use vibrating quartz to generate a certain frequency? If this is correct, then you need specific quantities of electricity to resonate the quartz at a certain frequency. Since woofers are metallic, Neodymium magnets are used to vibrate the thingy. (The magnets are moved via an induced magnetic field created from electricity?)

Good suggestion blackmesa. I'll probably get a set of ultras and expand on them with RSX's and an RCX as my funds come in, then get the reciever, the sub, and some respectable front speakers and move the RSX's to satellite duty, or replace them altogether. I already have an Audigy 2 ZS. Plan on getting the X-Fi card when its available.

I don't need concert level sound. I'm more concerned with accuracy and fidelity. And since I'll be in a rather small dorm in a year, portability is a bit of a concern (don't want to have to lug 100lb speakers up 10 flights of stairs). Are the Harman-Kardon Recievers high quality, or should I look more at specs than brand? Edit: Good suggestion Juba. Would it be worthwhile to hook the Ultras up thru a DDTS-100 decoder?

Up to $1000 for the basics (reciever and 2.1) but if a center speaker and 2 surrounds is doable with that budget. An alternative: is there any way to fix the problem with the Promedia Ultras?

I've been looking for a 5.1 multimedia system have been a bit disappointed. The Promedia Ultra 5.1 has the performance level that I want, but it seems to have some reliability issues. The Z5500 and the S750 do not have the fidelity I am after. I was looking into sound systems a little more and noticed that you could build your own... but I'm a little out of the loop on what brands are good and what would be practical. Do you have any suggestions on what reciever, amplifier (if necessary), and speakers I should get. I don't have any problems with electronics, but I'm new to the area of sound and am shaky on what brands to go with and what sized speakers to get.