NEED SPEAKER ADVICE.

[Comp1demon]

I have sold all my old stuff, Been scrounging and now i got the cash to build my cabinet.

I'm at a Impass.  I have been doing a ton of reseach for speakers. The logitech Z series people seem to think the Mid tones suck.  The Klipsch promedia 2.1 seem really good but they have a weird satellite shape and would probably be hard to mount - with the weird satellite shape.  I also looked at this article - http://www.retroblast.com/articles/speakers.html - And that seems like a good solution but I would probably not use the same subwoofer he used, and I really would like to avoid Drilling a hole in the Speaker panel since I didn't build me cabinet from scratch - I bought it from Mameroom and put it all together, I'm not very skilled with the drill/Saw. 

I would like to go with a 2.1 setup.  Huge sub inside the Cab - Like the Klipsch sub or another sub.  I want crisp clear sound that booms!  I really don't Know what solution to go with.  What speaker to go with.  IS there something I can screw down into the INNER speaker panel and just secure them?

What would be the best solution?

I have about $150-200 to spend on the sound system.

I would like 2.1 But would go with a 4.1 If recommended (2 speakers at bottom corner of Cabinet - if recommended).

I would like Remote Control Since I really rather not mount and have to use a Physical Volume Knob, but if remote control, it would have to be NON-Line of site or easy and small place to mount the eye. (no creative platinum solution here.)

Lastly I was thinking Of like Installing a Car Stereo inside this thing.  I actually have some old 200 watt amps around - would just need a suggestion on some speakers then.  Would this be a good Idea? Or too complicated / Time consuming?  IF not can you suggest a Layout?

Any and all suggestions would be appreciate.  I really don't know what to do here. - I would like to avoid just rubberbanding PC satellites in the marquee space by the cut out speaker grids.

[Comp1demon]

Anyone with suggestions?

Thanks and happy New Year!

[krick]

Is this just a MAME cabinet?

If so, I feel that a cheap set of computer speakers (without a sub) is actually the most authentic.

Real arcade machines (with a few exceptions) didn't have booming subs or surround sound.  They had crappy little 4 inch speakers driven by a crappy onboard amplfier on the arcade PCB.  Many were mono and only had one speaker.

Here's what I'm currently using in my cab...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=16381.msg132677#msg132677

[Comp1demon]

I want to go all out here.  I am not looking for authentic.  When the PACMAN theme plays I want the Whole neighboorhood (windows open of course) to hear it, when you hear FINISH HIM in mortal Kombat - I want it to rumble to room and scare the children, When I hear The Ghost and goblins theme I want my cats hair to stand up... you get this idea.

Seriously, this is a MAME machine but hey it will play PC games, (Kick ass pc inside) , Other emulators NES, DAPHNE (Dragons lair - A fantasy adventuire game.... you get it), PSX (EPSXE) and other stuff too.  I will also like to make it a jukebox just to have the excuse to leave it on alot and fill up the drive with Mp3's and such + I ight put a Ipod Dock inside the draw.

So I don't know what way to go.  What would be the best 2.1 Way to go?  Also the more I think about it I might go with a 4.1 setup too.  Are the Xplode Speakers I posted worth it?  I know what the Klipsch Sub sounds like since I have one - but I wouldn't use the speaker satalites Because of the Hard mounting procedure I would substitue the Xplodes or something easer to mount.  Thats where Im looking for advice.  IS there a 2.1 or 4.1 Combo or package that I overlooked in my research?  Is there a better PC SUB?  I just don't want to be Unhappy. This project has been in my mind for 3 years and only now am i atually laying out the cash for it.  SO I want it to be top notch.  But without going rediculas.  I know i could put a $1000 system in there and it be kick ass - but I really only want to spend about $200 max.

All suggestion appreciated.

[Roughy]

I think you're thinking overkill.

And, as someone who has the Mameroom cabinet, you still don't need to do "what they did at Retroblast".  Just make some measurements and get the right screws.

My point is, I've got 5x7 Sony Xplods and a Creative 2.1 system in my cab and it's more than just fine by me.  From the sounds of it, you want something more than that, but frankly, I think you should take a step back and do some asking around--of yourselves and others.

For 1, not all games are going to be fully utilizing either stereo or much of the subwoofer.  Just remember that.

2 - mounting speakers above the speaker covers in the mameroom ua2 cab is cake.  Like I said, measure, get your holes lined up and get screws that won't go all the way through.  The Sony Xplods have a fairly translucent red speaker to them and you can sort of see that through the grill in the dark... kind of cool.

3 - Volume control is going to be key.  Kind of like channels on your tv... some just come in louder or quieter than others so you'll want to have that handy.  I've used velcro to mount mine behind the CP and can easily reach back and scroll to a more appropriate volume -- easily and without worrying about getting into the PC or some other difficult to reach quickly method.

4 - If you were my neighbor, you'd start making enemies if you didn't respect my air space and noise considerations as much as I'd respect yours.  Sure, maybe you were jesting about it all, but it IS something to consider.  While MAME is a blast, like all things, consider moderation. 

5 - That $150 you've got for an audio budget is about 4x what I spent, including shipping, on eBay getting the Creative speakers and the Xplods.  Took about 12 minutes to fully splice and dice, can take less if you don't have the issues with the creative speaker plastic that I did.

6 - The extra $100 can readily be spent on other things that will satisfy your need for all that extra sound.  Like a bigger monitor.  Or fancy-colored T-Molding. Or a hooker.

7 -  Just my opinion.  Just saying.  I like "the best" for things, too, but somtimes it pays to step back and determine if it's the right move.

[Roughy]

I should also add that if it's that important to you, get a really good home system with multiple zones.

It's not difficult to line-in audio and crank that source throughout your home.  It'll provide a much more overall, reusable and "portable" experience for your money.

So, my advice:  go inexpensive.  Creative and Sony are good, solid quality in this case.  Line out to a home audio system, particularly if one already exists, and give it a shot.  If you really, really want it then, well, you've only lost $40 or so on the whole trial, right?

[Comp1demon]

Thats exactly the Responce I was looking for.

Thank you.  SO this is the way to go.  OK I bought the Sony speakers.

Im not sure if I want to go creative on the sub since i used to work for them - I like them but the sub is not that great.  I think I am going to try to go the way of a better sub with the 2.1 output with a 4 Ohm impedence amp out and a wired remote i can mount behind the right corner of the slikstik. 

I am going to be using this as a juke box too - since i dont have the room or funds to start a jukebox project.  so I think I am going to go with 4 of the Xplods instead of 2 and a slightly better sub.. Logitech or maybe even a better creative sub - Megaworks or FPS2000 or something. 

As for my neighboors I'll only blow their ears out in the middle of the day on a satuday or sunday - they always known me to be a noise maker and they can deal with it (for short periods of time).

As for multiple zone home theater system I have one of those in another room.  I guess I could jack into that If i need some more Umph!  Thanks for the suggestion there.

Thaks again for the advice.

IM off to ebay to find my sub.

THanks,
Chris