Looking for new speakers

[BWMerlin]

Hi. I currently have my old hi-fi stereo connected to my computer. It?s been doing a great job but I think its dying (had it for years) any way I?m looking at getting some new speakers (I?m going to see if it worth repairing the stereo and if not then get some new speakers). Any way I?m looking at $300 max and would like it a lot if they were cheaper. I have been looking at Creative and Logitech and have come across a few possibilities. There is the Logitech Z-5300EX for $238 upwards, the Logitech X-530 for $89 upwards, the GigaWorks ProGamer G500 which I haven?t been able to find a price for are options for a 5.1 sound setup. The GigaWorks seem to have the best specs (assuming I read them correctly). What do you lot think would be the better set. I?m looking for bad ass bass, lots of it, I also want decent sound across the range but bass it?s most dear to my heart. Are there any others to consider? I don?t think I need 5.1 so would a 2.1 system like the Altec Lansing MX5021 for around $244 upwards or Logitech Z-2300 for $176 upwards or Klipsch ProMedia GMX A-2.1 for $238 (hard for me to get as I have only found one place that sells them) upwards be better options? All prices are in AUD (Australian dollars)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What's dying on your stereo setup? The speakers or the receiver?

My initial thought would be to try to get a replacement for whatever's dying in your stereo system and keep using that.

If you're going for a computer speaker set, the Logitech sets have subwoofers that are quite powerful and it seems like that's what you're looking for. It might not necessarily be the best quality bass out there, but there's plenty of it.

Is there a way you could go to a store that carries some different models and listen to them?

 

[BWMerlin]

I think it?s the receiver that?s dying; I currently run a headphone jack to audio interconnect cables (I think that?s what they are called) converter cable into the back of the stereo?s auxiliary imputes. It fades in and out of songs so I?m going to try playing a cd in it and see if the same thing happens, if it does then I no that it is dying if it doesn?t then I don?t know what to do about the problem save get better quality songs. As for shops that may have all the products it is unlikely that there is one around bit Ill have a look.

 

[Wuzup101]

The 2 sets of logitech speakers that I have have both been very pleasing (z5500 and z560). They definitely have adaquate amounts of bass and are built very well.

 

[bdww00]

Originally posted by: Wuzup101
The 2 sets of logitech speakers that I have have both been very pleasing (z5500 and z560). They definitely have adaquate amounts of bass and are built very well.

those are powered by their own amplifier built in id get a basic logitech system your hard drive could be heavily defragmented same thing happened to me and i saved them to a new hd and reformatted and they now sound good. so it could just ur computers hd needing a reformat

 

[Excelsior]

If you are not dying to have a 5.1 setup, and you also love music, do yourself a favor and use a stereo receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers w or w/o sub.

I will use an example of where I think this is a better idea than a logitech system. One of my suitemates, who has some z5300s, admitted that he thought my setup was a lot better for music. All I have is some Infinity Primus 150s (I got them for $50 each refurbished) and an old 8" 50W Sony subwoofer hooked up to a slightly old low end Pioneer receiver (VSX-D411). I got it for $60 off of ebay. Altogether (incl possible price of sub which I already had) I spent no more than $250. I am sure that a sub like the Dayton 10" 100W model would kick the sh!t ouf of my current sub, and it is only $100.

I agree with him, my system sounds a lot better for music, and unless 5.1 is crucial, it does quite well with movies/etc too. I find that his bass is far too boomy, not tight and his system lacks midrange, which I love.

Just a thought.

 

[theslickvik]

if you could expand your budget a bit you could accomodate a nice Harmon Kardon reciever

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: theslickvik
if you could expand your budget a bit you could accomodate a nice Harmon Kardon reciever

How much do HKs run for in Australia?

 

[BWMerlin]

A quick search says $720, I cannot extent my budget that fat just go get a receiver. I would be better of with crappy headphones that way I could listen to my music rather than watch the light show on the receiver. I have been looking at a DSE set up that would cost around $400 and for that I get a 60 watt per channel 5.1 receiver, powered sub and 2 floor standing speakers with 1" tweeter 4" mid range and 2 8" subs.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

So DSE is an australian electronics store?

(sorry, I've never heard of it)

 

[BWMerlin]

Yeah, they sell all electronic stuff like transistors, kits and what not. They also release there own branded version of products sort of like a generic brand but from a few things we have had of their's in the past and other peoples comments they are fairly reasonable for the money.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: BWMerlin
Yeah, they sell all electronic stuff like transistors, kits and what not. They also release there own branded version of products sort of like a generic brand but from a few things we have had of their's in the past and other peoples comments they are fairly reasonable for the money.

Oh cool.

Do they have retail stores where you'd be able to go in and listen to some stuff?

 

[Eureka]

It seems to me that you're looking for a mid-range speaker setup. You're looking at Logitech Z-5300, good for 5.1, but not really quality, and the Altec Lansing MX5021, which is 2.1, but has better sound quality. The problem with the Z-5300 is that they have too much bass (Logitech has too much bass in general). As for the MX5021, the control pod is a bit tricky to use.

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
It seems to me that you're looking for a mid-range speaker setup. You're looking at Logitech Z-5300, good for 5.1, but not really quality, and the Altec Lansing MX5021, which is 2.1, but has better sound quality. The problem with the Z-5300 is that they have too much bass (Logitech has too much bass in general). As for the MX5021, the control pod is a bit tricky to use.

Norm

Yeah, but I'm thinking that for someone that said:

"I?m looking for bad ass bass, lots of it, I also want decent sound across the range but bass it?s most dear to my heart."

That the levels of bass the Logitech products have might be just right.

 

[BWMerlin]

I think ill take a trip to Harvey Norman (big white goods and electronics seller but charge way to much for the stuff they have) and have my mp3 loaded up with songs. They have a few computer speakers there that I would be able to compare the difference with. Ill also enquire into DSE and being able to go the same thing. I have put the list in order of price and have added the DSE option and what it contains.

Altec Lansing MX5021 for $244 upwards
Logitech Z-5300EX for $238 upwards
Klipsch ProMedia GMX A-2.1 for $238 upwards
Logitech Z-2300 for $176 upwards
Logitech X-530 for $89 upwards

DSE receiver $149
DSE receiver

DSE floor standing speakers $90
DSE floor standing speakers

DSE 10? active subwoofer $148
DSE 10" active subwoofer

Total $387

I?m not sure if the receiver as out puts for the powered sub as it doesn?t say it only has 2 80 watt channels. If it can?t it brings the price down to $239 which make is one of the cheaper options available and it would hopefully have better sound. What do you guys think?

 

[Wuzup101]

I really can't comment on how it will sound, you'll have to determine that at the store if they let you. I'm thinking that for less than $100 the floor standing speakers aren't going to be all that great (compared to other component speakers of higher quality), but still would compete with the computer speakers you're talking about (abit offering a better/fuller range. You might not even need a sub with the dual 8" on each speaker. A sub would be nice, but that system would probably hold you until you could afford a sub.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Looks like you have a variety of stuff lined up to test for yourself :thumbsup:

On the DSE, if the sub has speaker wire inputs on the back of it, you should be able to run the receiver output through it on the way to the speakers and the sub will pick up the bass from the signal.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Looks like you have a variety of stuff lined up to test for yourself :thumbsup:

On the DSE, if the sub has speaker wire inputs on the back of it, you should be able to run the receiver output through it on the way to the speakers and the sub will pick up the bass from the signal.

Aye aye.