New speaker setup

[Mikeyboi]

Hi there,

I recently upgraded my KT333/Athlon XP 1800 combo to an nForce2 motherboard and an Athlon XP 3000. Now I'm looking for new speakers.

My mobo: GA-7NNXP

I have been using a crappy 6-year old Altec Lansing 4.1 setup and want to finally get something decent. I'm going to ditch my SoundBlaster Live in lieu of the nForce2's onboard SoundStorm audio as well. I have been mulling over the idea of getting digital speakers or a speaker/receiver combo, however I really don't feel like shelling out that much cash if the difference is not very apparent. I will mainly be playing games or listening to music on this rig, though I may watch movies from time to time. If analog speakers will fit the bill, I would like to keep my budget around $80 bucks.

I am curious what kind of speaker setups other readers recommend for this situation. I have seen a lot of good potential purchases, but not many personal opinions. Thanks for any advice!

 

[PurdueRy]

all speakers are analog devices don't get that confused. Digital is just a way of transferring a media type to the decoder. With a $80 budget your options are limited, but I guess your best bet would be to look for a cheap 5.1 set of computer speakers from either logitech or creatives product line.

 

[Mikeyboi]

Oops, just a clarification.
When I said digital speakers, I just meant the kind that have the digital input (coax, optical) built-in.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Do you need 4.1/5.1 or would 2.1 be alright for you?

Would you be comfortable getting refurbished speakers?

 

[Mikeyboi]

It's absolutely gotta be a 5.1 setup. I am using 4.1 now, but what I'm interested in, is a true Home Theater-type speaker setup.
I am gonna go retail only.

 

[PurdueRy]

theres no way you will get a "true home theater type setup" with your budget. I will recommend the same thing I recommended for another person. Use that budget and start with a 2 speaker stereo setup. I know you will think this is crazy, but in the end you will end up with a much better setup

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Mikeyboi
It's absolutely gotta be a 5.1 setup. I am using 4.1 now, but what I'm interested in, is a true Home Theater-type speaker setup.
I am gonna go retail only.

In that case, I guess x530s would be on ok option.

Please don't put true home theater and $80 in the same thread.

EDIT: I know you said retail, but take a look at these 5300s for $95 shipped before you buy anything. Also not "true home theater" but you're getting closer.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Mikeyboi
It's absolutely gotta be a 5.1 setup. I am using 4.1 now, but what I'm interested in, is a true Home Theater-type speaker setup.
I am gonna go retail only.

In that case, I guess x530s would be on ok option.

Please don't put true home theater and $80 in the same thread.

EDIT: I know you said retail, but take a look at these 5300s for $95 shipped before you buy anything. Also not "true home theater" but you're getting closer.

I don't think people realize how much a GOOD 5.1 system costs. With the flood of 5.1 systems that cost under $200, people look at the watts, see a big number and assume it will sound good. My one and only experience with one of these systems ended up with my disconnecting it and using the TV speakers...needless to say I DIDN'T BUY IT it was a friend who did and I had warned them not to lol.

 

[Mikeyboi]

A couple more quick clarifications:

I said I was looking for a true home-theater "type setup", not necessarily a THX certified super system. I accidentally added the "true". I was giving $80 as an area I would like to stay around. If there is that much of a difference in quality, I would easily go upwards to $200-300. I just figured I could save a few bucks for something else if the quality disparity wasn't that huge.
Thank you all for the advice you given me so far. It's already been enlightening.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

THX means virtually nothing
It's just a stamp companies can put on their stuff if they submit it to THX testing and it meets their guidlines. It's an indication of quality, but don't assume something isn't good if they didn't pay for THX to test it.

If you're willing to go to the $200 to $300 area, I think it would be a good idea if you intend to do a lot of listening at higher volumes.

If you can go to a best buy or circuit city or something equivalent, I'd suggest going in and listening to some higher end computer speakers.
Logitech z-5500s, Creative Gigaworks, and Klipsch Promedias are all around your new budget if you want to stick with computer speakers.
They'll have lower end sets too.
Go in and listen to some stuff on a set like x530s and compare it to the more expensive sets.
You can decide for yourself if it's worth it.

Also at those stores you should be able to listen to some entry level HTIB sets and some bookshelf speakers.

Onkyo HTIB sets offer very nice value... and you'd be getting something that you could call a hometheater and wouldn't get any sarcastic comment from jerks like us

You can also listen to some bookshelf speakers there. Listen to some athenas and some other bookshelf speakers.
A set of quality bookshelf speakers, a mid level refurbished receiver like a denon or an onkyo plus a basic sub will get you some very nice sound that you can upgrade later on to a 5.1 system.

There are also bookshelf systems designed for comptuer use. Add the dayton sub linked above and you'll have a very nice 2.1 system, but wont have the same upgrade path you'd have with a receiver combo.

For everything above, listen to them at the stores, but buy where you can get it for cheap (unless you'd feel guilty about that heh).

Of course a speaker set for over $100 isn't for everyone and I know that. If this is something you're going to use often and you think after listening to some of these sets that it's worth the price, then go for it. Very seldom do you see someone write that they regretted purchasing a sound system that was more high end than they were planning (well, except bose, but that doesn't count). Just be careful if you do, because once you get something that's good, it's easy to want to get something that's better

 

[Mikeyboi]

Thank you for the excellent advice. Gonna head to BB after work for a listen!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Mikeyboi
Thank you for the excellent advice. Gonna head to BB after work for a listen!

Let us know how it goes

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Mikeyboi
Thank you for the excellent advice. Gonna head to BB after work for a listen!

Let us know how it goes

and since it rhymes:

Stay away from bose