Need some help upgrading my sound system.

[HeXploiT]

I've been using a SoundBlaster Live! value with an Altec Lansing 251 5.1 speakers system for some time now and i think i'm ready to move to the next level. I want louder/better quality sound. I listen to a lot of mp3s and do some gaming as well. So much sound hardware on the market today though and i don't really know where to begin. I'm thinking <$225.

Any help/tips are appreciated.

 

[Mr Bob]

Have you thought about saving up for a small home theater system?

I was looking at the Klipsch speakers for awhile, then heard a few better words about the Logitech ones. I ended up spending around $900, and got an entire home theater system, that blows away all those other computer speakers. Not only that, I have it the sound going to my tv, cable box, dvd player, and my games on my computer sound awesome.

If you do want to have better speakers for maybe a tv that is in the same room as your computer, I would save up a bit and get something really worth the money. You don't even need that great of a sound card if you have your computer plugged into a receiver.

 

[HeXploiT]

Thing is i do all my multimedia/dvd stuff on my computer and i don't really watch tv all that much. I like the external hardware i just don't feel that i need it. My next upgrade might be forced there but i figure there's gotta be some speakers on the market for under $200 that can blow away my current setup.

 

[Mr Bob]

Yeah, good point. I only suggested it because I do use my TV, and love it. Figured if you were in the same situation as me, I had to pass along the good info.

Would you be willing to spent another $100 and get the highly rated Logitech Z-5500? They come out to around $289 shipped when they are on a sale. You would have to get help with someone else to determine if your sound card is good enough for these speakers.

The Logitech 680 is also pretty good, I thought they were priced around $260, but it seems like the price jumped up on them.

----
Btw, after checking price grabber, you can pick up the z5500 for around $270-$280 (depending on shipping costs). http://www.pricegrabber.com/se....php/masterid=4117156/

 

[HeXploiT]

I was actually already checking those out after you had first mentioned logitec. The sub on that Z-5500 system looks like a little powerhouse. Saw some of the 680's on Ebay for around $240 as well. A 5.1 system is probably enough for me. It's what i have now but i think my soundblaster live! value only does 4.1 so i'll need to find another soundcard as well. Think i'll also search for some reviews on the logitch speakers and see what other systems they're compared with.

 

[Mr Bob]

I was in your position not too long ago. Take a look at my thread here: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...57&amp;highlight_key=y

Somewhere in there, you will find a reccomended audio card (audigy zs) or something like that. There is a noticable difference between the 680 and the z5500. A lot of people have upgraded to the 5500 just because of that. Anyways, if you can cough up the extra $ for the z5500 + sound card, i would definately suggest you do it.

Try the FS/FT forum here, you might get lucky and find someone with a used sound card 😉

From the reviews I read, you should be happy with either set, the 680 or the 5500. Both sound great (from what I hear). If you do the 680, you can get away with <$300. If you do the 5500, expect to reach the $300+ range.

 

[Cawchy87]

Get some Logitec z-5300's.

 

[Mr Bob]

why

 

[Cawchy87]

Cheap, and can be coupled with a good soundcard to keep under his budget of 225

 

[Mr Bob]

Good point, you will meet your budget with the z5300. I read up on a few reviews, seems like a lot of people were happy with them. Right now, all you save is around $40 (including shipping) from the retail price.. it isn't that much, but still not a bad deal.

It will meet your budget, but the z5500 and 680s will sound better. It just comes down to how much you want to spend. If you want to upset your neighbors, go with the 5500, if you just want an upgrade, go with the 5300 (instead of the 680). Make sure you get the 5300e, for some reason they are the same price, but the e is a newer model (not sure what the difference is).