Creative Inspire 5.1 T6060 speakers

[jodoog]

Hi there, I was looking to buy these speakers for around £45, for use with a Xfi sound card. I couldnt find many reviews about them 🙁 Just wondering if anyone has heard anything or personally had experience with these speakers?

Thanks 🙂

Joe

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm not sure of pricing across the pond, but I think a good place to start with speakers / soundcard budget is 2:1.

I'm guessing you're maybe closer to a 1:1 ratio with your current plans? Not a huge deal, but your end product might be better if you spent more on the speakers and spent less on the soundcard. There have been some very good X-Fi deals lately over here that kind of makes the point moot, but if something along the lines of an A2zs is significantly cheaper where you are it might be a good option for you if it means increasing your speaker budget.

If you have specific plans to use the surround headphone feature of X-Fi etc., then I'll shut up 🙂

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you just want to hear games in surround sound (no music) then a 5.1 system under $100 is fine. I have a $60 Logitech X-530 5.1 set that works well for boom! bang! yeaarggh! and in-game music., with big boomy bass.

But for real music listening, the Logitech (and Creative) 5.1 systems under $100 have very weak midrange that sounds as bad as a $20 portable radio.

If you want to hear music, take Yoyo's advice and get a 2.1 system at that price, or save up 4-5 times as much for a 5.1 system with better satellite speakers.

 

[Hyperlite]

for a 2.1, i would suggest either the klipsch or the logitech Z-2300. i have the latter, and i really love it. if i were to go to a 5.1, i would move to a Z-5500. this is on a notebook being powered by a PCMCIA A2ZS

 

[jodoog]

Thanks for your reply 🙂 Unfortunately im on a very tight budget, and although I could degrade sound, upgrade speakers, the step down on the sound card side, would be a "SoundBlaster Audigy 4 7.1 24 bit player" for £17 less (could upgrade to T7900 speakers)

or a SoundBlaster Audigy SE 7.1 24bit (Digital and Analogue) for £34 less

or finally built in sound for £50 less. The more expensive speaker over an Inspire T7900 would be too expensive however 🙁

So complicated 🙂 Anyways I appreciate the help!

Joe

PS: I will only occasionly be using headphones (not high quality ones either)

 

[jodoog]

Woops, too late on reply, I was kinda hoping for the experience of surround sound, its 90% gaming that matters to me. But I can go 2.1 if really needed =/

Thanks.

Joe

 

[jodoog]

(PS: Im buying from a website so I have limited choice, however they have the "Creative Itrigue 2.1 3330 for the same price as the 5.1, would be my only choice as far as 2.1 goes unfortunately)

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: jodoog
Woops, too late on reply, I was kinda hoping for the experience of surround sound, its 90% gaming that matters to me. But I can go 2.1 if really needed =/

Then get the 5.1, it will be good for games but weak for music.

 

[jodoog]

Thanks a bunch, guess surround would work better, last question i promise 🙂 Is there much difference between the 5.1 and the £15 more T7900 7.1? Thanks 😀

Joe

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The most significant difference is probably just the additional two speakers.

I think most people have a hard enough time placing 5 speakers well. I imagine 7 would be pretty darn tough if you're not planning on using stands.

Is your desk in an area that placing 5 - 7 speakers around you would work well?

 

[jodoog]

I guess so, should have room for quite a few, including in front/back of me, guess Im wondering if it makes a noticeable difference to sound? If not might as well save a bit of money 🙂

Joe

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

From my own experience, 5.1 vs 7.1 isn't a big deal.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The only difference is 2 more speakers, the other 5 sound just the same. I wouldn't bother with 7.1 in this price range there isn't much if any difference.

 

[0roo0roo]

your budget is too tight to bother with buying a soundcard.
if you want an xfi justify it by spending atleast 300 dollars on speakers first. otherwise its a horrible mismatch and thus a waste. spend money on speakers first, then soundcard.

 

[jodoog]

Damn ok, I guess im not ready to degrade my GFX card for speakers (1950XTX to 1900XT). Would an Intrigue 2.1 + Onboard Sound be ok for gaming/music? Saves a lot of money as well...

Thanks everyone whos replied (and your patience!) 🙂

Joe

 

[jodoog]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
your budget is too tight to bother with buying a soundcard.
if you want an xfi justify it by spending atleast 300 dollars on speakers first. otherwise its a horrible mismatch and thus a waste. spend money on speakers first, then soundcard.

Based on your advice, another option I guess would be to get a 1900XT and xfi sound card, saving £150 on a speakers? If you think this is also a viable option, any speakers you recommend for this price? For 70-30 gaming-music ratio or so 🙂 Thanks again! 😱

Joe

 

[0roo0roo]

70/30? you play games that much? do the games you play really have any x-fi only 3d enhancement? not all do. whats your onboard sound? with cheap speakers even the lowest end creative labs soundcard would suffice. do you have any old soundcards lying around at all? if you do i'd suggest you just try that first.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Based on "I was kinda hoping for the experience of surround sound, its 90% gaming that matters to me.", I would say go ahead with 5.1

Sounds like you're ready to reduce your budget and put the money towards something else, which is fine too.

The Audigy SE + your original speaker choice may be a good match for a 5.1 set below what you were originally planning on spending.

I don't want you to give up on wanting to experience surround sound just because an X-Fi may not be in your budget.