For around 75$ what would sound better?

[wahoyaho]

n/t

 

[LOUISSSSS]

DEF the 2.1, QUALITY OF QUANTITY!

which 2.1's and 5.1's are you considering?

 

[Peter]

I have an entirely different suggestion.

For that kind of money, I'd go with proper audio kit, not some overpriced halfbakery from a computer accessory maker. After kicking a handful of 5.1 and 2.1 options around a bit, I've gone with a 2.0 (yes, just stereo) set of nearfield studio monitors from a proper audio gear manufacturer.
Well designed digital sound decoder and an adequate amplifier inside the right speaker, twin inputs (one digital), and either 20 or 40 watts of well defined, clean and pure audio bliss. They're big, but so is my desk and the quality is stunning, no PC multimedia speaker set even comes close. And even with them directly next to my CRT monitors, there is zero magnetical interference even at high volume.

Behringer MS20 or MS40, dunno if they're even available in the US. But look, there's a "regional availability" button right there

http://www.behringer.com/MS20/index.cfm?lang=eng
http://www.behringer.com/MS40/index.cfm?lang=eng

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Peter
I have an entirely different suggestion.

For that kind of money, I'd go with proper audio kit, not some overpriced halfbakery from a computer accessory maker. After kicking a handful of 5.1 and 2.1 options around a bit, I've gone with a 2.0 (yes, just stereo) set of nearfield studio monitors from a proper audio gear manufacturer.
Well designed digital sound decoder and an adequate amplifier inside the right speaker, twin inputs (one digital), and either 20 or 40 watts of well defined, clean and pure audio bliss. They're big, but so is my desk and the quality is stunning, no PC multimedia speaker set even comes close. And even with them directly next to my CRT monitors, there is zero magnetical interference even at high volume.

Behringer MS20 or MS40, dunno if they're even available in the US. But look, there's a "regional availability" button right there

http://www.behringer.com/MS20/index.cfm?lang=eng
http://www.behringer.com/MS40/index.cfm?lang=eng

Peter brings up a good point about monitors instead of regular 2.1 speakers. But it might make you want to upgrade your audio(sound card and files).

 

[LOUISSSSS]

better quality 2.0 wouldn't be a bad idea either..

BUT not all people would be satisfied with the lack of bass from 2.0's. some people would sacrifice some quality for some boomy bass while gaming or listening to some hip hop/rap if they like.

THEN AGAIN, those speakers cost $175 + shipping USD.

 

[zig3695]

keep in mind, studio monitors are designed to accurately reproduce whatever the input signal is. creative and other pre-made speaker kits for pc's are designed to make bad sound, sound good. big difference. if you have a really good soundcard and the money to shell out for monitors, get them for sure. if you have basic audio gear then you will likely enjoy the pre-made speaker packages more. oh yeah, and i also have the same feeling about 5.1's- if they are cheap they are NOT worth it. for a budget, a 2-speaker setup will blow away a similarly priced 5.1 kit.

 

[KAZANI]

Originally posted by: Peter
I have an entirely different suggestion.

For that kind of money, I'd go with proper audio kit, not some overpriced halfbakery from a computer accessory maker. After kicking a handful of 5.1 and 2.1 options around a bit, I've gone with a 2.0 (yes, just stereo) set of nearfield studio monitors from a proper audio gear manufacturer.
Well designed digital sound decoder and an adequate amplifier inside the right speaker, twin inputs (one digital), and either 20 or 40 watts of well defined, clean and pure audio bliss. They're big, but so is my desk and the quality is stunning, no PC multimedia speaker set even comes close. And even with them directly next to my CRT monitors, there is zero magnetical interference even at high volume.

Behringer MS20 or MS40, dunno if they're even available in the US. But look, there's a "regional availability" button right there

http://www.behringer.com/MS20/index.cfm?lang=eng
http://www.behringer.com/MS40/index.cfm?lang=eng

Thanks, I was on the lookout for an audio solution like this for quite some time. After some research and positive user feedback I decided to go ahead with the purchase so I just ordered the MS-40 for 145?.

Hopefully this should get me out of my current embarassing reality.

 

[Peter]

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do

As for soundcard updates ... well, not needed really. The MS20 and MS40 have an SPDIF input with broad format compatibility. I'm currently running them off a $8 SPDIF bracket for the mainboard's chipset-integrated sound and AC97 codec.

They even take AC3 passthrough 5.1 and render that into 2.0, so your soundcard's quality is no influence even if you're running positional audio from a DVD.

 

[KAZANI]

Nice one. I will try using onboard 7.1 (Realtec ALC850 AC'97 2.3 Audio Codec) and probably will not have to spend more on discrete sound.

I am not really parsimonious, just trying to make ends meet most of the time, but man, it is truly amazing I have been using that lame mini system connected to my computer as my main sound system for the last 7 years!

 

[Peter]

Prices: Froogle says MS20 from $82, and MS40 from $106.

Side note: As usual, that's massively cheaper (almost half price in fact) than over here in Germany.