Looking for new 5.1 or higher pc speakers, maybe soundcard too

[TC91]

right now im using an older cheaper pair of logitech 2.1 speakers, dont know the model #, but the 2 satellite speakers emit random buzzing, the left one more notably, and the sub always has a low freq buzzing/static like sound. i am looking for a speaker upgrade, mostly i listen to music and play pc games with the occasional movie/video, so i would like a 5.1 or higher set. my budget preferably would be around 200bucks or so, right now i am looking at the logitech g51's, they look pretty good; also considering the z-5500's although they are a bit over my budget. i am not in need of tons of bass, but i would like excellent sound clarity with crisp highs and mids. i will probably nab a new soundcard this summer, so far im considering the asus xonar d2x and the auzentech x-fi prelude, but i am open to any suggestions. thanks in advance.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

The 5500 are the way to go really, just shop for deals, with rebates they can be nabbed for around 200 but right now they are a little high.

 

[TC91]

thanks for the reply WaTaGuMp, i did a bit of further reading, and some people mentioned that the g51's are a souped up x-540 with a 'gamer' label but with no real evidence, i would like some confirmation regarding that as i cant find a really nice price on the z-5500's as of now (im in canada).

also have a question regarding c-media's hd oxygen sound processors (the asus xonar looks like a really sweet card so im curious), are they software cards (like the live! 24bit, audigy se, or the x-fi extreme audio) or do they offer some hardware acceleration/offload cpu cycles?

thanks again

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: TC91
thanks for the reply WaTaGuMp, i did a bit of further reading, and some people mentioned that the g51's are a souped up x-540 with a 'gamer' label but with no real evidence, i would like some confirmation regarding that as i cant find a really nice price on the z-5500's as of now (im in canada).

also have a question regarding c-media's hd oxygen sound processors (the asus xonar looks like a really sweet card so im curious), are they software cards (like the live! 24bit, audigy se, or the x-fi extreme audio) or do they offer some hardware acceleration/offload cpu cycles?

thanks again

I would keep an eye on Ebay for the speakers, see if you can grab some used or a great deal on new. Hell if you can find the 5300's they are also very good as long as you set them up right based on your sound card. As for sound cards if you are going to spend the money the Asus costs I would take a serious look at the Auzentech Prelude, I made the jump from Creative to Auzentech and havent looked back since.

 

[TC91]

how do the z-5300e's compare with the g51's? i can find both for pretty much identical prices (~140-150cad). How much of a drop off would the z-5300e's be compared to the z-5500? the z-5500 has a tremendous sub compared to the z-5300e, but how do their satellite speakers compare? thanks again

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: TC91
how do the z-5300e's compare with the g51's? i can find both for pretty much identical prices (~140-150cad). How much of a drop off would the z-5300e's be compared to the z-5500? the z-5500 has a tremendous sub compared to the z-5300e, but how do their satellite speakers compare? thanks again

The sats are the same on both the 5500 and 5300, the difference between the 2 are the subwoofer, the power and the digital control center for the 5500. The 5300 are a solid speaker for the price.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: TC91
how do the z-5300e's compare with the g51's? i can find both for pretty much identical prices (~140-150cad). How much of a drop off would the z-5300e's be compared to the z-5500? the z-5500 has a tremendous sub compared to the z-5300e, but how do their satellite speakers compare? thanks again

The sats are the same on both the 5500 and 5300, the difference between the 2 are the subwoofer, the power and the digital control center for the 5500. The 5300 are a solid speaker for the price.

Actually they don't share the same satellites... I don't think there's anything in common between them.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: TC91
how do the z-5300e's compare with the g51's? i can find both for pretty much identical prices (~140-150cad). How much of a drop off would the z-5300e's be compared to the z-5500? the z-5500 has a tremendous sub compared to the z-5300e, but how do their satellite speakers compare? thanks again

The sats are the same on both the 5500 and 5300, the difference between the 2 are the subwoofer, the power and the digital control center for the 5500. The 5300 are a solid speaker for the price.

Actually they don't share the same satellites... I don't think there's anything in common between them.

Whats the difference on the sats then, cause both are polished aluminum phase plug satellites according to the info.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: TC91
how do the z-5300e's compare with the g51's? i can find both for pretty much identical prices (~140-150cad). How much of a drop off would the z-5300e's be compared to the z-5500? the z-5500 has a tremendous sub compared to the z-5300e, but how do their satellite speakers compare? thanks again

The sats are the same on both the 5500 and 5300, the difference between the 2 are the subwoofer, the power and the digital control center for the 5500. The 5300 are a solid speaker for the price.

Actually they don't share the same satellites... I don't think there's anything in common between them.

Whats the difference on the sats then, cause both are polished aluminum phase plug satellites according to the info.

Driver size, cabinet size, probably crossover frequency, etc.
Meaning that all the specs like frequency response are going to be different

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: TC91
how do the z-5300e's compare with the g51's? i can find both for pretty much identical prices (~140-150cad). How much of a drop off would the z-5300e's be compared to the z-5500? the z-5500 has a tremendous sub compared to the z-5300e, but how do their satellite speakers compare? thanks again

The sats are the same on both the 5500 and 5300, the difference between the 2 are the subwoofer, the power and the digital control center for the 5500. The 5300 are a solid speaker for the price.

Actually they don't share the same satellites... I don't think there's anything in common between them.

Whats the difference on the sats then, cause both are polished aluminum phase plug satellites according to the info.

Driver size, cabinet size, probably crossover frequency, etc.
Meaning that all the specs like frequency response are going to be different

Yeah so what's your point!? They BOTH HAVE POLISHED ALUMINUM PHASE PLUGS!

:|



and just for clarification:

5300e
Speaker drivers: 2.5-inch polished aluminum phase plug (satellites)

z5500
Speaker drivers: 3-inch polished aluminum phase plug (satellites)

Obviously there can be many more differences internally as well.

 

[TC91]

thanks for the replies guys. my current plan is to go to my local computer shop and grab a price match on a speaker system (no shipping costs, these speakers arent exactly lightweight).

right now the lowest price i can locate the z-5500's is 262.99cad (249.99cad @ tiger direct but its an instant rebate and my local store doesnt match rebates), the 5300e's i can find for 104.99cad, and the g51's i can find for 139.99cad.

would the z-5500's be worth the notable price difference compared to the z-5300e's? if not, would the g51's be worth the price over the 5300e's? i have read a lot about the z-5300e's and their lack of midrange which is a concern, while the g51's have 2 2inch drivers on their satellites and dont semm to lack any midrange altho there arent many reviews on them but i have read that there is small flaw regarding the subwoofer and how it is a bit muddy at higher volumes. aph reviews i think also commented on their lack of treble. the z-5500's have got great reviews from what i have read, but ultimately is it worth the price difference? thanks so much for your guys' help.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Do you think you can try them out at the local computer place?

 

[TC91]

they dont have too many things on display as in demos, most of their stuff is boxed up and behind the counter, but i guess i could try asking them since i ll probly grab one of the 3 systems. if i cant get them to let me test them, should i just grab the z-5500's? just wondering if they are worth 262.99cad if the z5300e's are 104.99cad. appreciate the help.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: TC91
they dont have too many things on display as in demos, most of their stuff is boxed up and behind the counter, but i guess i could try asking them since i ll probly grab one of the 3 systems. if i cant get them to let me test them, should i just grab the z-5500's? just wondering if they are worth 262.99cad if the z5300e's are 104.99cad. appreciate the help.

Speakers are subject to the preferences of the person listening to them, I have pointed quite a few people in the direction of the 5300 and none have disliked them. My freind recently got the 5500 and was just blown away by them, if you want the best then you spend the extra on the 5500, if you wanna spend less get the 5300, I dont think you will be unhappy with either. One good thing about the newer 5500's is the sats are no longer hard wired so you can buy some speaker wire if you want to place them far away and not have to worry about extending using RCA cables. Personally if I were buying new speakers right now the 5500 would be my choice, they were still 400 bucks when I got my 5300's.

 

[TC91]

just picked up the z-5500's last night, hooked them up this morning, awesome speakers!!! what a world of a difference.