Creative Megaworks THX 6.1 or Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1?

[darkswordsman17]

Ok, I'm gonna upgrade my speakers here in a little bit, and wanted some help in deciding.

I already have an Audigy 2 ZS.

Ok, its down to:

New Creative Megaworks THX 6.1

or

Refurbished Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1

 

[MegaWorks]

the MegaWorks produces better sound then the logitech speakers systems, so I would say the MegaWorks
550 or 6.1. But also look for the Creative GigaWorks S700, I hear that these speakers are amazing.

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AMD Athlon XP T-Bred B DLT3C 1700+ @ 2.3GHZ (1.775v) 400FSB = 3200+
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Antec TrueBlue 480W
Thermalright SLK-947U with 92mm Vantec Tornado @2800RPM
Antec PlusView 1000AMG
Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks THX 550 5.1

 

[Nebor]

The Megaworks are far better for music than the Logitechs. Just better sound quality.

You don't need an external decoder if you have an Audigy 2 ZS.

I'd go with the Megaworks, or the Gigaworks if you can afford them

I have the gigaworks, and wish I had the Klipsch PM 5.1 Ultras... And I paid more for my Gigas.

 

[snidy1]

For gaming the Logitech Z5300, there also great for music.

 

[darkswordsman17]

So, basically, the Megaworks and Gigaworks Creative speakers will be better than the Logitech's, right? My reason for the external decoder/5.25 drive would be to run the sound from the Xbox and Gamecube so that I could have them in surround.

I was looking at the sets on Creative's website. I would go for the Gigaworks, but I can't quite talk myself into them. Now I'm having trouble deciding between the 5.1 and 6.1 Megaworks. I'm still considering the 5.1 Gigas, but I doubt I'd really use all that power, although I have a weakness in that I like to go for overkill. Ok, people, help me justify getting the Gigaworks (or comparable high end speakers). I guess I do need to balance out my system for when I get one of the new high end graphics cards don't I?

 

[Nebor]

The gigaworks aren't that powerful, they're just expensive and have very nice satellites for music.

I find my gigaworks to be woefully underpowered, so much so that watching DVDs with this is lacking. That's why I want the Klipsch Ultras.... But gigaworks aren't about crazy power I guess, they're about refinement.

 

[Bulldog13]

I had the logitech z-560 s for a time. They were absolutely insanely loud.

Bass > all .

What is the best 2.1 speaker set ? I want to get a premium set, because I can t deal with having a bajillion satellites.

 

[Jeff H]

Bulldog13, BestBuy online (as well as the retail stories I've been in) still carry the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 setup, a tough to beat 2.1 system. I've had them since they first came out and I haven't heard anything better w/ which to replace them.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Ok, so, the gigaworks aren't really powerful, more refined? Are the megaworks more power heavy (I'm looking more for the oomph, the music quality isn't quite as important to me. To be honest, even the least powerful of these would make a huge difference in my audio, but is there a noticeable difference in quality/performance between the logitechs and the creatives? It seems like I'm leaning more towards the megaworks.

Also anybody know how I could get one of the 5.25" bay input/output adapters? Since the card does decoding, I wouldn't want to buy another decoder when I don't need it. I looked on creatives site for it, and couldn't find it (I know it used to be on there, but can't find it anymore).

 

[Brian48]

Do you really need a 5.1 or 6.1 setup? I mean, it's great that your sound card supports it, but it's not very practical if you don't have the space to setup it properly in your room.

With that said, there's several good 4.1 systems to choose from. The Altec Lansing 641 (4.1) or 621 (2.1) is a good compliment to the A2 ZS. So are the similiar offerings from Klipsch. The Klipsch 4.1's are no longer being made so you can probably find them at a reasonable price as a lot of places are trying to unload their stock. The Logitechs are good, but I think the bass is way too boomy for my tastes. Sure, you can throttle it down, but then it sounds somewhat muddled.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Well, I would like to have at least 5.1 as I would use it for the Xbox/Gamecube as well as movies. I would like to have a pretty powerful system (I'm at college after all) for when I have people over and stuff like that.

 

[zodder]

The Logitech Z-5300s are perfect for consoles! They even come with the adapter. You'd be crazy not get those.

 

[jrphoenix]

5300 without a doubt (just bought some a few weeks ago).... Anandtech recommends them in their high end system: Anand Link

 

[darkswordsman17]

The only problem I have with the 5300s is that they don't have a digital in for consoles (which is why I'm looking at maybe either the extra decoder or the 5.25" drive, because then I could get optical out from the Xbox).

Anybody know what the 5.25" drive is called so I can search for it? All I can see on creative's site is I/O adapter or something like that, which doesn't find really anything when I search.

Thanks for the recommendations people.

 

[Pariah]

It's called the Live! Drive. It may have been renamed Audigy Drive for the Audigy series, probably has, because they aren't compatible. Creative does sell it, but for $150, it's a complete waste of money. Try Ebay.

What is the best 2.1 speaker set ? I want to get a premium set, because I can t deal with having a bajillion satellites.

Try either of these:

Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 213

Swans T200a

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yeah, I thought it was called Live Drive but didn't find much when searching. Ebay only turned up the old Live Drive, and if its not compatible with the Audigy then that doesn't help me. I should just find some nice speakers to go with a reciever. How easy could I get digital out from my card to the reciever?

 

[Gurck]

I wouldn't call the Gigaworks underpowered at all. High volumes rattle windows and distort the image on my monitor. The sound quality is excellent. I'd absolutely recommend them. I've read reviews on all of the ones mentioned and for me it was between the Klipsch and Creative. I went with the Gigaworks because I wanted a 7.1 system. Many people complain of the amp quality on the Logitechs, especially the 680s, and on the megaworks. Hiss in particular for Logi's. Also, IIRC megaworks satellites are 1-way; no tweeters - big difference.

 

[Pariah]

I just ran a search for audigy drive on EBay, and it turned up a few results. You have to get the Audigy 2 Drive or better. The Audigy 1 was compatible with the Live! Drive, but starting with the Audigy 2, the drives were no longer compatible. All Audigy's have SPDIF out even without the Drive, so long as you have digital coax in on your receiver, it's a piece of cake to connect.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Yeah, I thought it was called Live Drive but didn't find much when searching. Ebay only turned up the old Live Drive, and if its not compatible with the Audigy then that doesn't help me. I should just find some nice speakers to go with a reciever. How easy could I get digital out from my card to the reciever?

You won't get 3d sound in games if you do digital out from your sound card. You'll only get 2 channel except when playing movies.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Ok, Audigy 2 Drive. Thanks.

I assume there is a crossover cable for digital out to coax? My card doesn't have a coax out, but I wouldn't think it'd be hard to find a cable that will crossover.

Found a link to factory refurbished Klipsch's in the Hot Deals forum. $250.00 for Promedia Ultra 5.1. Would these be really good? Should I risk refurbs, it is from Klipsch after all. Would these or the Creative Gigaworks 5.1 or Megaworks 6.1 be the best?

Klipsch Clearance

Nebor, you said that only movies will put out 3D sound from my computer to the reciever and not games or music? Would I be able to going analog, and would I even really be able to?

Thanks a lot, this is helping me get everything cleared up so I'm not stuck doing it after buying.

Edit:
What would the Promedia GMX-D 5.1s compare to?

 

[Pariah]

The digital out on the back of every Audigy is a coax connector. You just need a $5 1/8th male it composite cable from Radio shack or where ever to connect it to your receiver.

I'd pick the Gigaworks over the Klipsch. Audio is a personal thing though, I don't like the shrillness of Klipsch speakers, some do. I prefer a warmer sound which the higherend Creative speakers deliver.

If you want surround sound in gaming, you have to use analog, using digital will only get you stereo sound.

 

[T9D]

Megaworks easy.

Has the most natural sound. Everything is well balanced.

 

[calam63]

klipsch is a great choice - i think it would be better than the the logitechs or creatives

klipsch gmx line sucks - only for consoles imo

 

[ed21x]

In general, Klipsch Speakers give a very warm, pure tone that is fairly well balanced across the entire spectrum. I would definitely take the Klipsch over any other speakers for the computer.

 

[Pariah]

Klipsch speakers are the prototypical example of bright speakers. They are not warm.