Need help choosing new speakers

[chocobaR]

So my old crappy speakers don't cut it anymore. I'm in need of new ones. I mainly play games and listen to music but I don't need something hardcore. I'm using the onboard audio from the Asus A8N-SLI, 8-channel Realtek ALC850.

Do you guys think I should keep the onboard audio and just get some new speakers or maybe get a new sound card as well? The onboard audio from this mobo has been just fine for me though. If I'm buying, it will most likely be from MicroBytes.

Should I opt for a 2.0, 2.1 or maybe a 5.1 (or am I limited because of my onboard audio)? I'd rather not pay too much for them, $100 CAN or less if possible.

Thanks.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What are your old speakers that aren't cutting it?

You'll be able to get a better 2.0/2.1 system for music on that budget, but 5.1 is nice to have for games if you can set it up decently.

Would you be able to put speakers to the sides / behind you where you are?
I've seen too many pictuers where people line up all the speakers in a row in front of them

EDIT: looking at that site, Altec Lansing 4121s @ $75 for 2.1 or Logitech x-530s for $75 might be a couple decent options for you.

I would try the onboard sound before getting a soundcard for that speaker budget.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Music: stick with 2.0 or 2.1 in this budget range, come up with more money if you can.

Games: I have the Logitech X-530 5.1 attached to my A8N-E. Midrange is weak but bass is good, which works well for games. I'd hate to use these for music though. (I have Polk bookshelf speakers and a receiver for that.)

 

[Topplayer]

getting the Logitech X-530s for $75 would be a great option, but id have to say gaming is something you should do with head phones.

 

[Topplayer]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121118
my room mate has theses http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836113168 for the price the bass is great, but ive never heard anything but rap from them so im not sure how good they are. the bass is nice tho

 

[chocobaR]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
1) What are your old speakers that aren't cutting it?

2) Would you be able to put speakers to the sides / behind you where you are?

1) Some old Cyber Acoustics that came with a Pentium 3 system! That's like 6+ years ago. Those are the ones.

2) Doubt I could find a way to put some speakers on the side or behind me. Here is how my computer area is set up. Maybe if I changed the computer desk or turned it some other way?

Let me clarify something, I game a lot more than I listen to music. Music is just a past time when I'm browsing the web and stuff. Gaming is what I mostly want to sound good

EDIT: Is it worth it to get the AL 4121 for 75$ when I can get Logitech X-530 for the same price?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you don't have an option to place the surrounds well, Logitech also makes the x-230s which are a 2.1 system.

If you could move around a bit where you could get somewhere to mount the surrounds though, it can be very nice to have a 5.1 set for gaming.

 

[chocobaR]

OMG I had an idea! What if I get a 5.1 and hang them behind my head with little cords like in this picture?!

No seriously, would I be better off with a 2.1 (Logitech X-230) + headphones then? Which headphones would you recommend? I'd need a microphone too since I play WoW with Ventrilo. Headphones + microphone or headset?

 

[DaveSimmons]

The satellites are light, so that might actually work

You could always start by just getting headphones, and decide after using them whether you need new speakers at all.

 

[chocobaR]

Yeah thought about that but I know jack about audio and audio accessories. I've gotten used to these old speakers, anything pretty much would be a huge upgrade.

 

[beemercer]

I have always preferred 2.1's (I always have trouble getting 5.1 and 7.1 to work correctly), and I really like my Logitech Z230's.

 

[chocobaR]

This is how my friend set up his 5.1 system, what do you think? If positioning it like that is fine, I might find a way to do it too.

 

[beemercer]

Originally posted by: chocobaR
This is how my friend set up his 5.1 system, what do you think? If positioning it like that is fine, I might find a way to do it too.

I had trouble getting all the sattilite speakers to play audio.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: beemercer

Originally posted by: chocobaR
This is how my friend set up his 5.1 system, what do you think? If positioning it like that is fine, I might find a way to do it too.

I had trouble getting all the sattilite speakers to play audio.

Just for music or for games too?

6

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: chocobaR
This is how my friend set up his 5.1 system, what do you think? If positioning it like that is fine, I might find a way to do it too.

That's pretty decent placement.