Klipsch Promedia Ultra or Gigaworks?

[xiaobao12]

Hello everybody,

This is a question that I've been dying to ask you people. Some people have reviewed this topic but I wanted to hear it from the people. And after reading the post on the Logitech z5500s, I had to post this. So the question is: which system is better - Ultras or Gigaworks? Both the systems have similar specs; the Gigas have a little more wattage but as somebody said, that is not really important. The Giga system is also a 7.1 system. Does this make any difference? Also, the Giga system comes with a remote.

I personally own a Klipsch system. I love them because they reproduce highs so clearly and accurately. And the sub just sounds amazing - doesn't puff at all (except in some rare instances). I don't know anybody that owns a Giga system so I have not heard one at all. My impression from the reviews (I Googled them) is that the Giga has a more powerful and tighter bass with a better midrange reproduction and with a slightly more mellow high. Is this due to the difference with the different kind of spec - titanium tweeters vs horns? Whats the difference? What do you guys think about this? Thanks a lot.

 

[Gurck]

I have the 7.1 gw system, haven't heard the klipsch for comparison nor am I an audiophile, but I like them... another poster here, Nebor, would almost certainly recommend the klipsch, and he's heard both. If you want a remote I'd go with one of the ~$30 r/f jobs from newegg; the gw remote only controls the speakers, obviously, and isn't the most user-friendly remote I've ever used - I wouldn't let it factor into your decision.

 

[xiaobao12]

Thanks for your reply. I actually have a remote - it came with my audigy platinum pro. The only problem is that there is no way for me to turn the speakers off with the remote; a small con.

can you post a link for the remote, gurck? thanks.

EDIT - n/m gurck. i found it, thanks.

 

[Gurck]

Yeah, I meant a remote to control a media player, but the audigy 2's will work. You'd have to turn the klipsch off manually either way, I believe... *shrug* if it's important then perhaps it should figure in to your choice, I guess I replied without thinking since I'm generally at my desk and can simply reach up and turn mine off.

 

[PizzaDude]

a vote for klipsch.

 

[Machine350]

The klipsch promedia systems kick major @$$.

 

[fstime]

Hello, these are the facts, pretty simple.

Gigaworks - Better satilites.

Klipsch - Better subwoofer

They are both quality systems that will blow away any LOUDtech system, you will be happy with which ever one you choose

 

[PinchyCM]

klipsch's margin in the sub is a lot larger than the margin between the sats, which IMO is pretty small.

 

[xiaobao12]

Thanks for all your replies. So Pinchy, what do you mean exactly? Thanks.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: xiaobao12
Thanks for all your replies. So Pinchy, what do you mean exactly? Thanks.

He means the GW sats are only marginally better than the Klipsch sats, while the Klipsch sub is a good deal better than the GW sub. Pretty consistent with what I've heard from others. On the GW side though is the remote and the fact they come in 5.1 or 7.1 flavor, both of which use the same sub/amp piece, so you could buy or sell the extra two speakers on ebay to go from one to the other.

 

[PinchyCM]

thanks gurck, that's what i was trying to say.

i do miss a remote though

i do prefer the sound of the ultras over the gigas though - i find the sound of horns more pleasing, but that's just a personal preferences. i see it this way: if you like your older promedias, you'll love these ultras. they're much more refined from previous models.

 

[VirusVooDoo]

I say if you are really into music, go for the GigaWorks. For movies and games, the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultra would be better. I listen to music 90% of the time which is why I bought a set of GigaWorks S700 5.1 THX speakers. That plus, I got it for $280 USD after tax.

Read this comparison between the top two multimedia system:
http://www.dreamnid.com/theear...ve/clgw750/default.php

"So here you have it,the S750 stands with the Ultra 5.1 as the two best PC sourround systems in terms of quality.I feel the S750 will not get the praise it deserves based on its less potent subwoofer,and do we know reviewers love the BIG FAT thumping Z680's.For pure musicality the S700/750 lead the whole MM pack,for bass might and a solid dose of balance the Ultra 5.1 is a winner.There is no clear winner,and no clear cut choice,as what one systems does better the other bests it in another aspect.To me the S750 is of beter overall quality and would be my choice if I had to have only one PeaSee speaker system.What is best for YOU,you decide.Know none will disapoint and both elevate the overall PC speaker bar." -theEAR

 

[The J]

I have the Cambridge MegaWorks 550 THX and my brother has the Klipsch ProMedia 4.1s. In my opinion, there is very little difference between the way the two sound. His can go louder and may have *slightly* better highs due to the tweeters. I realize that I am comparing previous generation speakers, but if they are any indication you can't go wrong with whichever you choose. <--I'm guessing that this didn't help you much in your decision, did not? My point is that it'd be too close to say one is "better" than the other.

 

[Gnoad]

Dude, look at these logitechs
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=36-121-120&amp;depa=0
totally own klipsch and megaworks

 

[PinchyCM]

lol, yeah right. logitech and quality in the same sentence is an oxymoron. nothing more than 12 year old's love for boomy bass.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: PinchyCM
lol, yeah right. logitech and quality in the same sentence is an oxymoron. nothing more than 12 year old's love for boomy bass.

:beer:
good to hear some informed people are actually fighting back over the abunduance of bass happy logitech kiddies here.

 

[OMGoddess]

Originally posted by: VirusVooDoo
I say if you are really into music, go for the GigaWorks. For movies and games, the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultra would be better. I listen to music 90% of the time which is why I bought a set of GigaWorks S700 5.1 THX speakers. That plus, I got it for $280 USD after tax.

Read this comparison between the top two multimedia system:
http://www.dreamnid.com/theear...ve/clgw750/default.php

"So here you have it,the S750 stands with the Ultra 5.1 as the two best PC sourround systems in terms of quality.I feel the S750 will not get the praise it deserves based on its less potent subwoofer,and do we know reviewers love the BIG FAT thumping Z680's.For pure musicality the S700/750 lead the whole MM pack,for bass might and a solid dose of balance the Ultra 5.1 is a winner.There is no clear winner,and no clear cut choice,as what one systems does better the other bests it in another aspect.To me the S750 is of beter overall quality and would be my choice if I had to have only one PeaSee speaker system.What is best for YOU,you decide.Know none will disapoint and both elevate the overall PC speaker bar." -theEAR

Hey where'd you get that deal? That is sweet.

 

[bigshooter]

I bought the Logitech Z680's a year or two ago during a sale that Dell had going on. They were the worst speakers I have ever had. The subwoofer had a volume control that might as well have been an on/off switch. You could turn it one unit louder and the whole room would be booming. It wasn't good clean bass either, it was big boomy crap.

From what I've heard (the gigawork 6.1's vs. the old Promedia 5.1's) the gigaworks have a little bit tighter sound, while the Klipsch's kind of fill the room more, I would say muddled but that would mean they sound bad. I prefer the gigaworks, but I would gladly use a pair of Promedias if the price was better than the Creatives.

edit: I forgot to mention that I packed the Z680's back up and sent them straight to Dell.

 

[slightlyhuman]

ive had 2 sets of the ultras, great bass response.

vote for klipsch

ps-their plant is 30 miles from my house=]

 

[OMGoddess]

I would get the giga just cause it's 7.1

 

[MegaWorks]

Go with the GigaWorks, I like the design and power of this system. That doesn't that Klipsch is a cheap solution, I just like the GigaWorks more.

 

[VirusVooDoo]

I hear that bigshooter. I got a really good deal with a Logitech Z-560 speaker set for $100 USD about 2 years ago when it was priced at $200 USD. However, these didn't satified me so I sold them and got the MegaWorks 510D (which I still have) and the GigaWorks S700. The Logitech speakers do have volume but not definition, especially the bass. It is too boomy and not having good depth or definition.

I got a chance to audition the new Logitech Z-5500. While it is a little better than the old Z-680 speakers, it is NOT better than the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultra, even more true when comparing to the GigaWorks line.

 

[Comparisonman]

Klipsch all the way, I haven't experienced the Giga's. If they are comparable to Klipsch I will have to give them a try though.

 

[VirusVooDoo]

Oh they are. They are really made by Cambridge SoundWorks which makes home theater speakers. Creative bought Cambridge SoundWorks so they just rebrand the multimedia speakers to Creative. Home-theater speakers still carry the badgename Cambridge SoundWorks.

I am not really biased toward any single company. I used to have Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX speakers which I had sold here on this forum so I have heard the majority of the multimedia speakers.

This is what the reviewer said at the 3dss-forums.com

"theear
(member)
10/26/04 02:43 PM
Re: perhaps a new contender? [re: 007] Reply




No these are not real contenders,just some garbage systems desguised as HTIB systems.

Cyber Acoustics speakers are of piss poor quality,only their top of the line model copied on Logitech's Z560 is of descent quality.

And the other brand...give me a break...a Brembo carbon fiber quad caliper brake.Its pure suckage and reeks of cheese.

The Creative GigaWOrks S700 and S750 are THE best MM speakers below $500 end of story.Any pizza face youngster wanting to debate this with me will get spanked like a monkey.

Second comes,very close second comes the Klipsch Ultra 5.1.

I have yet to hear the Logitech Z5500 I ordered,but so far based on the Z680 I have also.The sub could be improved,the sats remain the same,thus it will be impossible to top the overall performance of the S700/750.

Thank you

If anyone wishes to argue,give me valid points to counter what I posted.I will debate point by point,as I have all the speakers I post about

Edited by theear (10/26/04 02:45 PM)"

 

[RussianSensation]

Onkyo HT-S755DVC - Rating 9.0 I think back in the days this one ran for about $500 US.

I am not sure how much this system costs though....

Here is a newer version of that system : Onkyo HT-S777C I think the Klipsch system is about $350 or so, but I am sure this blows it away not much more. You get a dedicated receiver too. You can get the speakers by themselves, they are $300 => Linky I am sure you can listen to these at Circuit City locations.

On the same website, here is the Klipsch based speaker system Samsung HT-SK6 - Rating 7.6

Strictly Computer Speakers:
Speaker System Ratings

Of course price might have come into play with ratings and the reviewers preference for bass vs. clear sounding speaker systems that can lack some of that bass punch. Since 680's cost $220 and the other sets are about $350-400, it is obvious that they offer the best bang for the buck. The Z5500 should have fixed the hissing issue and made the speakers and the subwoofer more responsive.

Of course the best judge of the sound is you. So try to go to BestBuy or CompUSA or something and listen to some of these.

You better match this to a good sound card.

What do you guys think of Athena POINT 5 MK II ?

EDIT: Oh sorry,I thought you wanted a recommendation....so I guess I cant really answer your question then since I dont own either of these models to be able to compare them based on personal experience. I was just going off the reviews.

Is it really difficult to find a decent system for $500-600US that will be better than $400 S750 computer speakers? Just curious, because I was thinking of getting a nice sound system myself.