Question My computer speakers are 20 years old, should I upgrade them?
- Thread starter Loonmario
- Start date
VirtualLarry
No Lifer
- Aug 25, 2001
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If they sound good, why change? They're well "broken in" by this time. I would keep them, personally. Good speakers are hard to find for computers.
mindless1
Diamond Member
- Aug 11, 2001
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What do you hope to gain from the upgrade? Higher volume? More clarity? More bass? Modern looks/different color/etc?
You can definitely get overall higher quality audio than a $40 (or whatever it should have been at retail price) 4.0 (?) system can provide but you'll probably need to spend significantly more to get much of an upgrade, unless you blow a driver and opt to replace rather than repair, or the volume potentiometer, capacitors, or audio signal jacks are going out or something.
I'm partial to bookshelf stereo speakers with a separate amp, desk space allowing (or slim floor pedistals if you don't have children or pets that might knock them over), you can get pretty good sound (except lacking bass) with low end major brand speakers, or spend as much as you want for even better speakers, add a sub if you need small satellites on the desk... depends on available space and room size.
You can definitely get overall higher quality audio than a $40 (or whatever it should have been at retail price) 4.0 (?) system can provide but you'll probably need to spend significantly more to get much of an upgrade, unless you blow a driver and opt to replace rather than repair, or the volume potentiometer, capacitors, or audio signal jacks are going out or something.
I'm partial to bookshelf stereo speakers with a separate amp, desk space allowing (or slim floor pedistals if you don't have children or pets that might knock them over), you can get pretty good sound (except lacking bass) with low end major brand speakers, or spend as much as you want for even better speakers, add a sub if you need small satellites on the desk... depends on available space and room size.
FeuerFrei
Diamond Member
- Mar 30, 2005
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You don't have to use computer speakers.
Nevertheless, if you're asking if today's "computer speakers" are the equivalent of 1999's computer speakers ... I can't answer that. Maybe someone else can.
( I personally would not be content with Logitech computer speakers. And would upgrade for sure. Who knows which ones I'd select. I'm not running a surround setup at the moment. Just a pair of Swans. )
Nevertheless, if you're asking if today's "computer speakers" are the equivalent of 1999's computer speakers ... I can't answer that. Maybe someone else can.
( I personally would not be content with Logitech computer speakers. And would upgrade for sure. Who knows which ones I'd select. I'm not running a surround setup at the moment. Just a pair of Swans. )
- Jun 4, 2019
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More clarity perhaps. Some bass but not too much. I've heard some pretty bad setups where the bass drowns out the treble. My speakers seem to have the right balance so I never thought about upgrading.
I do have a Asus Xonar DSX sound card. I know people might say why use a sound card but it was from an old build that I transferred over. I don't know if I'm missing out on some new sound technology that I'm not aware of that I may get from better speakers.
I'm open to getting non-computer speakers.
mindless1
Diamond Member
- Aug 11, 2001
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One obvious tech change would be going from analog to digital input, but makes less difference than tech that was already around at the time which won't be present on an inexpensive 4.0+ ch. setup.
Better designed cabinet using more expensive materials, better sound dampening, better drivers, more powerful amp, are all things contributing to sound quality that existed 20 years ago but then as now, they cost more money.
Today it is often "let's make a cool looking enclosure then put some speakers in it", rather than let's make an acoustically good enclosure designed around good drivers. The former is more about molding plastic. The latter takes experienced engineering.
If you want tonally balanced speakers rather than boomy bass, make sure the amp has sufficient output power (limits distortion) and the speakers are more of a studio monitor than something designed for gaming. After that, increasing the woofer size allows for deeper base that can remain more controlled, accurate.
A sound card may result in better analog output but will do nothing for digital output over motherboard integrated, except for any environmental gaming enhancements. However the analog improvement is often heard more from directly driving headphones, and along the same issue, would be better if a headamp was inserted between the sound card and the load (the headphones).
In the end it's about how much you want to spend. If you want at least 4 channels and $100 or less, maybe even $150 or less, you may get the most bang for the buck from a "computer" intended set.
What yerpuh linked looks like a good value in that price range, though sets like this with an amp in the sub, tend to have shorter amp lifespans. I wouldn't expect to get 20 years out of it, but that's such a long time that there are many class D sets out there today that I wouldn't expect to get 20 years out of purely because the capacitors won't last in a switching digital supply. Odds are your current set works still because it's class A/B and uses an unregulated big old 60Hz AC/DC transformer based PSU.
Better designed cabinet using more expensive materials, better sound dampening, better drivers, more powerful amp, are all things contributing to sound quality that existed 20 years ago but then as now, they cost more money.
Today it is often "let's make a cool looking enclosure then put some speakers in it", rather than let's make an acoustically good enclosure designed around good drivers. The former is more about molding plastic. The latter takes experienced engineering.
If you want tonally balanced speakers rather than boomy bass, make sure the amp has sufficient output power (limits distortion) and the speakers are more of a studio monitor than something designed for gaming. After that, increasing the woofer size allows for deeper base that can remain more controlled, accurate.
A sound card may result in better analog output but will do nothing for digital output over motherboard integrated, except for any environmental gaming enhancements. However the analog improvement is often heard more from directly driving headphones, and along the same issue, would be better if a headamp was inserted between the sound card and the load (the headphones).
In the end it's about how much you want to spend. If you want at least 4 channels and $100 or less, maybe even $150 or less, you may get the most bang for the buck from a "computer" intended set.
What yerpuh linked looks like a good value in that price range, though sets like this with an amp in the sub, tend to have shorter amp lifespans. I wouldn't expect to get 20 years out of it, but that's such a long time that there are many class D sets out there today that I wouldn't expect to get 20 years out of purely because the capacitors won't last in a switching digital supply. Odds are your current set works still because it's class A/B and uses an unregulated big old 60Hz AC/DC transformer based PSU.
FeuerFrei
Diamond Member
- Mar 30, 2005
- 9,144
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Perhaps some pics of your speaker model would help people judge potential upgrades. Though "Logitech" is saying a lot. hehe
You might currently have tweeters at all four corners yet still be asking for more detail/clarity, for all we know. Though clarity could be improved through smarter crossovers, more solid enclosures, better positioning, or more power ... not just more/better tweeters.
You might currently have tweeters at all four corners yet still be asking for more detail/clarity, for all we know. Though clarity could be improved through smarter crossovers, more solid enclosures, better positioning, or more power ... not just more/better tweeters.
- Jun 4, 2019
- 32
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These are the speakers I have. Took me a while to find a link since they're so old.
Logitech Z540 4.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Black)
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Com..._cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8#customerReviews
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 80,287
- 17,080
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Speakers and amplifiers are the kind of technology that do NOT get better with time. At least not in terms of quality. They get smaller and cheaper but thats all the improvement we've seen for the last few decades.
High quality gear from 1975 sounds considerably better than most things made today. If you want good audio on your computer I highly recommend a home theater amp and some good speakers and lots of cheap 14 gauge wire from Radio Shack. Do not spend money on Monster cables.
High quality gear from 1975 sounds considerably better than most things made today. If you want good audio on your computer I highly recommend a home theater amp and some good speakers and lots of cheap 14 gauge wire from Radio Shack. Do not spend money on Monster cables.
FeuerFrei
Diamond Member
- Mar 30, 2005
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Have any friends/coworkers nearby with a higher-end surround set that'll let you try theirs?
Pick a game or movie (with a multichannel sound mix) and try it on both sets.
Ideally you'd have both sets in your home at once to A/B test.
Pick a game or movie (with a multichannel sound mix) and try it on both sets.
Ideally you'd have both sets in your home at once to A/B test.
Last edited:
Thump553
Lifer
- Jun 2, 2000
- 12,832
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Compared to almost everything else, speaker technology has changed very little in the last half century or so. But they are moving parts and are made out of relatively fragile material. Actually the material used to be even more fragile and would tend to dry out and crack over time, especially on larger (bass) speakers.
Give them a critical listen-my preferred method to test them is with a favorite and familiar track or two, preferably with female vocals. If the sound is acceptable no reason to "upgrade" unless the money is burning a whole in your pocket. The definition of audiophile is someone who will spend thousands of dollars to get the last one-half percent improvement.
The worst thing for small speakers is to blast them too loud. If you use them for near field audio (ie, when you are sitting in front of the computer) I suspect they are fine. I would bet the speakers on my main computer are twenty years old (give or take five years) and I use them to critically listen to music.
Give them a critical listen-my preferred method to test them is with a favorite and familiar track or two, preferably with female vocals. If the sound is acceptable no reason to "upgrade" unless the money is burning a whole in your pocket. The definition of audiophile is someone who will spend thousands of dollars to get the last one-half percent improvement.
The worst thing for small speakers is to blast them too loud. If you use them for near field audio (ie, when you are sitting in front of the computer) I suspect they are fine. I would bet the speakers on my main computer are twenty years old (give or take five years) and I use them to critically listen to music.
OP,
I had the 5.1 version of the logitech speakers you have, think they were the 640 or something. Same thing but with a center channel.
I then when to the logitech z906 which go on sale for like $200, they are better sounding but be warned they have quality problems and the controller module or amp boards go out. The previous speakers were super reliable and Im not surprised yours are still going at 20 years.
One of the things that has changed in the last 20 years is there arent really any high quality 5.1 computer speaker setups like there used to be. Everything is 2.0 or 2.1 now except a few budget 5.1 sets remain and the z906 which has its issues. Nothing really in the $200-400 range.
I use 2.0 Edifier 2000db's right now and they are great for music and general use. I have as much bass and way better mids and tremble. I dont game much anymore so I dont really miss 5.1 surround sound.
Those would only be marginally better than what OP has and not worth the bother IMO.
I had the 5.1 version of the logitech speakers you have, think they were the 640 or something. Same thing but with a center channel.
I then when to the logitech z906 which go on sale for like $200, they are better sounding but be warned they have quality problems and the controller module or amp boards go out. The previous speakers were super reliable and Im not surprised yours are still going at 20 years.
One of the things that has changed in the last 20 years is there arent really any high quality 5.1 computer speaker setups like there used to be. Everything is 2.0 or 2.1 now except a few budget 5.1 sets remain and the z906 which has its issues. Nothing really in the $200-400 range.
I use 2.0 Edifier 2000db's right now and they are great for music and general use. I have as much bass and way better mids and tremble. I dont game much anymore so I dont really miss 5.1 surround sound.
Those would only be marginally better than what OP has and not worth the bother IMO.
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