Best 5.1 speakers for under $300

[Thraxen]

Yea, and all of us that want to drive fast would buy a Lamborghini. Sometimes it isn't in the budget. I'd like to see what kind of HT setup you'd build for $300.

Just as a side note...if I only had $300 to spend on an HT sound system I would get something along the lines of the Kenwood HTB-505 It won't blow anyone away, but it's a great starter system for someone on a budget and would almost certainly blow away any PC speakers.

 

[chizow]

The center channel is used for more than cut-scenes and dialogue, positional game sound effects are refocused on the center channel as well. War 3 uses the center channel for sound fx as well as dialogue. Most of the games I've bought in the past year offer 5.1 sound for both dialogue and positional sound, with the only notable exception being NWN (which does use EAX HD, but its only 4.1). The list continues to grow, and game devs are getting better at implementing it with each new game release (Splinter Cell, for example).

EAX HD support isn't a requirement either, as both BF1942 and StarLancer use 5.1, and the center channel is never reserved for speech or dialogue. Games like Hitman 2 or JK2 never restrict speech to the center channel, as the sound of someone's voice shifts from speaker to speaker according to your character's bearing. There's a reason why the center channel is always rated higher than the rest of the satellites in a computer/multimedia 5.1 setup....as long as the action is happening in front of you, the bulk of the sound you hear will be coming from the center channel.

As for not benefitting in other applications, both the Audigy 1 and 2 have CMSS (CMSS2 for the A2) which upmixes any analog or stereo source into 5.1 surround. Throw in some EAX environmental effects and audio cleanup and the result is quite impressive even on noisy MP3s. Hell, it even upmixes the sound from my TV tuner and Windows.

Chiz

 

[Pariah]

whether its the A2's DSPs, DACs or the source's sample quality at fault, the Audigy 2's analog LFE output pales in comparison to a DVD, XBox, or SoundStorm.

That doesn't make any sense. The XBox doesn't have a LFE channel. Neither does a DVD the way you phrased it. Without comparable sources I don't see how you are making any sort of meaningful comparison.

 

[thorin]

The center channel is used for more than cut-scenes and dialogue, positional game sound effects are refocused on the center channel as well. War 3 uses the center channel for sound fx as well as dialogue. Most of the games I've bought in the past year offer 5.1 sound for both dialogue and positional sound, with the only notable exception being NWN (which does use EAX HD, but its only 4.1). The list continues to grow, and game devs are getting better at implementing it with each new game release (Splinter Cell, for example).

Interesting. I'm glad it's being implemented more and more (games should be more and more like movies in all aspects not just video) however I still think all we've proved is that game devs use the center channel for things it was never meant for (check a THX spec or something .... I can't think of what exactly but it's gotta be out there .... it really is ONLY meant for onscreen voice).

Maybe I'm being overly critical. We are progressing in the right direction, I just don't yet see any convincing reason to purchase a 4.1 set over a 4.1 set for a computer.

Thorin

 

[Funyuns101]

Originally posted by: toant103
Z-680

i have the z560s... they're plenty good and quite powerful...
i watch movies, listen music and play games...
i don't think you NEED 5.1s but they would be really nice to have~

has anyone upgraded from 560 -> 680s?
i'm considering exchaning/upgrading... 5.1 would be awesome for movies...
if so, is there a drastic improvement besides a cool pod, remote, and center speaker?
what about that supposed 'hissing noise' from the center speaker? has logitech fixed yet, or should i wait?

but yeah, definitely a preference thing, i would suggest going to the local store listening to them before buying~

 

[psy44]

Klipsch GMX-D!!!!!!!!!Dunno if they are out yet.

 

[Auric]

Sadly, such discussions invariably degenerate into dogmatic diatribes. Some people want to justify their own "faith".

As I recall, there was a little game called Unreal in the late 90's that featured Dolby Pro-Logic Surround. Probably most gamers failed to take advantage of it, just like they failed to use the second disc for high resolution textures. Do you want mainstream or do you want to take full advantage of what is available and forthcoming?

Real-time encoding is the next step so why limit yourself now just because most games currently only use up to 4 speakers with DirectSound3D?

Music also benefits from PC DSP's as mentioned and receiver DSP's in addition to Dolby Pro-Logic, PL II or Neo:6 so 5.1 (or 5 full range) systems with those decoders are a benefit with more than just movies. 5.1 PC systems if not mainstream now certainly will be in the near future -at least for enthusiasts or convergence setups.

One of the most important points is that those little narrow-range cube speaker systems with seperate sub-woofer are really only adequate for movies (and presumably for games) but should not under any circumstances be considered for music.

If you were talking about whether to get a $100 two speaker system versus a $300 six speaker system that would be different and I might recommend the former, but if you are going to spend $300 anyway for a five-six speaker system then why get a crappy overpriced PC kit when there are several HTB's including the aforementioned Kenwood that make them look and sound like toys? Though I am not necessarily recommending the Kenwood as my research with a similar budget led me to an Onkyo system. Another option is to purchase a receiver and speakers seperately or even take the DIY approach and assemble your own speaker boxes for the best bang for your rupee.

-
P.S. speaker hiss is usually associated with cheap amps