Best 2.1 or 5.1 speaker setup!

[jodoog]

Hey again all, just wondering what your preferences are on the best 2.1 or 5.1 speaker setup for under £200. Its mostly for gaming, and some general music listening (ability to use on xbox would be nice) I will be using an XFI extreme music card. The LOGITECH Z-5500 has some nice reviews, any opinions on it? Thanks! Apreciate any replies!

Joe

 

[cmdrdredd]

Probably Logitech. For a simple computer speaker system you'll need to go much more expensive I think. I have the Klipsch Ultra 5.1. They're excellent but very expensive.

 

[jodoog]

Awesome thanks, just wondering, is there a big difference between a Logitech Z-5500 (or your Klipsch Ultra for example) and say a Promedia Ultra 2.1? Or is it mainly power? Wondering if I should save the money for a headset...Mostly for gaming, some music, in a medium size room where volume can be decent.

Thanks

Joe

 

[Molinjir]

If you don't mind a large set of cans, get Sennheiser HD-555 or HD-595. If you want speakers, check out either Klipsch Promedia 2.1, Swann 2.0, or the flagship Altec Lansing 2.1 (the model number escapes me at the moment), or concievably a pair of bookshelf speakers if you have an available reciever. Unless you really want the gaming surround, the 5.1 is more trouble than it's worth. I had the Z-5550 for about a year before switching out for 2.1s. Too many wires, and it's really not geared at all towards music (poor midrange, boomy, unfocused bass).

 

[dBTelos]

5.1 = Z5500
2.1 = PM 2.1

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: jodoog
Awesome thanks, just wondering, is there a big difference between a Logitech Z-5500 (or your Klipsch Ultra for example) and say a Promedia Ultra 2.1? Or is it mainly power? Wondering if I should save the money for a headset...Mostly for gaming, some music, in a medium size room where volume can be decent.

Thanks

Joe

For something like Promedia 5.1 vs Promedia 2.1, they are going to be fairly similar with the major differences obviously being price and number of speakers.

The Logitechs would be good gaming speakers but you can get more accurate sound going with a set like the Klipsch 2.1s.

On any of these sets you're probably going to be quite satisfied with the volume output you can get from them.

 

[mleonard]

I've been considering the Z-5500 to use with my tv and music system. I like the compact size, modeate cost, and that I wouldn't need an amp/receiver. They are THX certified, but from Monlinjir's comment, the sound isn't good enough?

 

[jodoog]

Thanks for the reply, I think ill go Promedia 2.1 and headset. Although I think I might go with the AudioTechnica ATH-900 for a headset (any opinions about this headset for gaming compared to a HD 595?).

Joe

 

[jodoog]

Late reply, prety sure I dont need 5.1, but intersted on sound comparison now also

Joe

 

[Molinjir]

I'm actually using the Z-5500 as my TV surround set. It's fine for my minimal use, but they aren't really designed for that purpose, and again, the midrange is horrible. Fine for movies and games, but really not good if you want to listen to much acoustic music, especially jazz, and classical. The soundstage is good, and they are very crisp, but they just don't have the midrange or precision.

 

[jodoog]

Hmm..thanks. Im not too picky about clear sound, since to me its mostly gaming and metal. On a side note, how portable are they? Also, how bad are the wires, I.E are they small enough to ignore, or do they cause some hassle? Thanks

Joe

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

For stereo sources like music, 2.0 / 2.1 playback is going to get you the intended experience. You can do some fake surround mode effects that can expand stereo sources to 5.1, but that can do more harm than good. I think most people that do it try it because they feel like they are wasting their other speakers if they don't.

It messes up the soundstage among other things.

Nothing is preventing you from just playing 2.1 back on a 5.1 set of speakers though.

One big issue with 5.1 is a lot of people do a terrible job setting it up. If you don't have room to set up 5.1 well, then you're not going to be getting the full benefit. Worst case is where I've seen people have all five speakers right in a row in front of them.

By sound comparison did you mean 2.1 vs 5.1 or specific brand comparisons?

 

[jodoog]

Thanks for reply, I guess its Promedia 2.1 vs Logitech Z-5500. I guess I should be able to set up 5.1 easy enough, as long as there arent too many wires.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: jodoog
Hmm..thanks. Im not too picky about clear sound, since to me its mostly gaming and metal. On a side note, how portable are they? Also, how bad are the wires, I.E are they small enough to ignore, or do they cause some hassle? Thanks

Joe

Portability is relative of course. Going back to a 5500 set would be a dream for moving for me. The wires are standard speaker wire. I think they come with 18 gauge maybe? How bothersome they are is all about how you set them up and your wiring skills

You can get longer ones if it makes wiring easier, just get some standard speaker wire.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: jodoog
Thanks for reply, I guess its Promedia 2.1 vs Logitech Z-5500. I guess I should be able to set up 5.1 easy enough, as long as there arent too many wires.

Each speaker is going to have a wire going to it from the sub, the sub is going to have to be plugged into an outlet, and the control pod plugs into the sub as well.

For optimum results you're going to want to have the five speakers close to equal distance from you at around ear level. For movies you'd want to do something like
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html
For gaming, I think you would want the speakers would be more evenly distrubuted around you with the surrounds more in back of you rather than to the side.

 

[jodoog]

Wow, thanks for the link, helping a lot I can put two speakers either side of me and then 2 behind me at an angle, but where would the sub go? I have no room in front of me, but I do have room behind me or underneath the monitor Or is it matter of opinion? Sorry for the newb question, but your helping a bunch

Joe

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: jodoog
Wow, thanks for the link, helping a lot I can put two speakers either side of me and then 2 behind me at an angle, but where would the sub go? I have no room in front of me, but I do have room behind me or underneath the monitor Or is it matter of opinion? Sorry for the newb question, but your helping a bunch

Joe

The sub can go anywhere however, every area might not sound as good as eachother. It is best to setup your sub in a random location then walk around the room listening for where the sub sounds the best. Once you find this location move the sub there.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

It's easier to place a sub from a "real system" because with more capable speakers, you'll be able to set the crossover to the sub at a point low enough that the sound is less localized.

80hz is pretty standard for setting a crossover point in a decent hometheater. With that crossover point, you can place a subwoofer pretty much anywhere in your room and you'll have a fairly hard time localizing the sound source.

The problem with these computer speaker sets is that the sats are so small that they just can't produce sound well to a low frequency. In order to not leave a gap in frequency response, the solution is that these sets have a built in crossover that is significantly higher than optimal. The result is that a lot of the output your sub is doing is in the range that it's pretty easy to hear where it's coming from. For example you might hear part of the low end from male vocals coming from the sub rather than your center channel or something while watching a movie.

For this reason it's often the best option to place the sub towards the front and center of your system to minimize the negative effects of localized sub output.

It's not the end of the world if you need to place it somewhere else though.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: jodoog
Wow, thanks for the link, helping a lot I can put two speakers either side of me and then 2 behind me at an angle, but where would the sub go? I have no room in front of me, but I do have room behind me or underneath the monitor Or is it matter of opinion? Sorry for the newb question, but your helping a bunch

Joe

By the way, do you know how large this sub is?

I assume under your monitor was a joke, but just in case you should check out the dimensions

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: jodoog
Wow, thanks for the link, helping a lot I can put two speakers either side of me and then 2 behind me at an angle, but where would the sub go? I have no room in front of me, but I do have room behind me or underneath the monitor Or is it matter of opinion? Sorry for the newb question, but your helping a bunch

Joe

By the way, do you know how large this sub is?

I assume under your monitor was a joke, but just in case you should check out the dimensions

Hey Jello,

When I can get up the cash to buy a SVS...I can put that on top of my TV right?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: jodoog
Wow, thanks for the link, helping a lot I can put two speakers either side of me and then 2 behind me at an angle, but where would the sub go? I have no room in front of me, but I do have room behind me or underneath the monitor Or is it matter of opinion? Sorry for the newb question, but your helping a bunch

Joe

By the way, do you know how large this sub is?

I assume under your monitor was a joke, but just in case you should check out the dimensions

Hey Jello,

When I can get up the cash to buy a SVS...I can put that on top of my TV right?

Might be able to manage that with a SB12-Plus

If I didn't have my 20-39 PC+, I'd be all over this though
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homesubw&1162991310

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Oh and while we're at it, might as well throw in the Logitech 8" vs PB10 and 20-39 pic
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/Random/Log_vs_SVS.JPG

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Oh and while we're at it, might as well throw in the Logitech 8" vs PB10 and 20-39 pic
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/Random/Log_vs_SVS.JPG">https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/Random/Log_vs_SVS.JPG</a>

I always love that picture :-D

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

For this reason it's often the best option to place the sub towards the front and center of your system to minimize the negative effects of localized sub output.

It's not the end of the world if you need to place it somewhere else though.

That is definately true for computer speakers at least. I tried moving my sub closer to a wall about 1 foot to the left from the center of my seating position, and I could definately locate where the sub was. The magnitude of the sound, especially with the wall's help, did not help, but the claim that the human ear can't locate the sub's frequency range of sound is BS. Also, if you get the Z-5500, get ready to have no foot room. I have the Z-2300s and it's equivalent to about 4 cinder blocks stacked in rows of 2. The 5500's is even wider after seeing it at a store. Regardless, good luck.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

For this reason it's often the best option to place the sub towards the front and center of your system to minimize the negative effects of localized sub output.

It's not the end of the world if you need to place it somewhere else though.

That is definately true for computer speakers at least. I tried moving my sub closer to a wall about 1 foot to the left from the center of my seating position, and I could definately locate where the sub was. The magnitude of the sound, especially with the wall's help, did not help, but the claim that the human ear can't locate the sub's frequency range of sound is BS.

We cannot localize frequencies above (EDIT: I meant below!) 80-100Hz. That's a fact.

Don't forget about harmonic distortion, hm? Try again with a well-designed sub with an excellent driver.