Buying a 5.1 computer speakers but only using as 2.1

[Dave3000]

I'm looking for 2.1 computer speakers but none of them appeal to me in their asthetics and lack of optical input. I was thinking about the Logitech Z906 but it's a 5.1 sound system because it has optical inputs and it comes with a more powerful subwoofer and speakers than the Z623. I only have space for 2 small speakers and a subwoofer. Can the Z906 be configured for only 2 speakers and a subwoofer? If I only use 2 speakers from the Z906 would I still be able to get Dolby Digital decoding without missing sounds if I use the optical input?

 

[SithSolo1]

Umm, don't plug-in the center or rear speakers: Bam! 2.1
Complete waste of money but it will work.

Whether you lose sound or not I can't tell you. I know receivers will often detect channels are unplugged and mix the sound stage accordingly. I don't know if the Logitech pod will do that. Why is optical so important?

 

[shingletingle]

Yeah, why is optical real important to have?

 

[mfenn]

If you tell Windows to only output 2 channel audio over S/PDIF, it will only output 2 channel audio. That also tells most (intelligent) playback applications to downmix a surround recording into a stereo won. Of course, it is preferable to use a studio-mastered stereo track if one is available.

 

[Dave3000]

Yeah, why is optical real important to have?

It's just not the optical input. I prefer the appearance of the speakers in the Z906 5.1 system than the Z623 2.1 system. The subwoofer in the Z906 is more powerful and the drivers in the speakers of the Z906 are bigger than the drivers in the speakers of the Z623.

 

[weez82]

if you're going to spend that much why not just get an amp and bookshelf/sub combo?

 

[Dave3000]

if you're going to spend that much why not just get an amp and bookshelf/sub combo?

I would if I had the space. I don't have room for an AV receiver, and bookshelf speakers. I already have a TV in my bedroom with bookshelf speakers and an AV receiver but that's used for when I watch movies and play with my consoles. Heck, I don't even have a good spot for a subwoofer in my HT 2.0 system in my bedroom becaues of lack of space so I'm not even using a subwoofer for that. I can't have my cake and eat it too. I finally went with the Logitech Z906 system and I'm using only 2 front speakers and the subwoofer right now.

 

[Dave3000]

Well I returned the Logitech Z906. I wasn't satisfied with the way music sounded on them because of thought that they were lacking midrange even though I thought the highs and bass were good. I currently have Creative T20 Series speakers but I find that they lack bass but I find that they had a little better midrange than the Logitech Z906. I was thinking about buying a micro component stereo system and most likely a subwoofer. This is the one I had in mind:

http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeEntertainment/Audio/XLHF200P.aspx

The amplifier is small enough for my computer desk and it should not be an eye sore on my computer desk. Maybe the speakers will fit on my desk but they would have to be touching my monitor but I'm not sure if they are magnetically shielded. They are one of the narrowest booskelf speakers I could find in a stereo system. Or maybe I'll upgrade to the Creative T40 Series computer speakers.

 

[mnewsham]

I currently use Logitech Z623, I found they had better sound than the Z906, when using the Z906 for movies I enjoyed them more for the surround but for music the Z623's were more enjoyable and had a better sound stage. If that still wouldn't cut it I would start looking at a custom set up, like two of these and this, plus a receiver. While that suggestion is at the extreme end you get the point, you don't have to go with a set, you can take speakers on newegg throw on a sub and a receiver and make a 2.1 setup. This way you can look at audio forums and find speakers which perform well for the money where you like (highs, mids, etc)

 

[mfenn]

Well I returned the Logitech Z906. I wasn't satisfied with the way music sounded on them because of thought that they were lacking midrange even though I thought the highs and bass were good. I currently have Creative T20 Series speakers but I find that they lack bass but I find that they had a little better midrange than the Logitech Z906. I was thinking about buying a micro component stereo system and most likely a subwoofer. This is the one I had in mind:

http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeEntertainment/Audio/XLHF200P.aspx

The amplifier is small enough for my computer desk and it should not be an eye sore on my computer desk. Maybe the speakers will fit on my desk but they would have to be touching my monitor but I'm not sure if they are magnetically shielded. They are one of the narrowest booskelf speakers I could find in a stereo system. Or maybe I'll upgrade to the Creative T40 Series computer speakers.

:thumbsup: There's no replacement for displacement.

 

[SithSolo1]

Topping TP30 desktop T-amp w/ USB Brown-Burr DAC - Much smaller than that Sharp unit
Mordaunt-Short Carnival 1s - They are small, sealed, and shielded. They also come in black.
Dayton Audio SUB-800 8" subwoofer - Not much bigger than the z906 sub

This is just to give you an idea of what you could have for roughly the same price as the z906