PC Desktop 5.1 speakers: making them work from 4 corners of a full room.

[Niku]

I have to add stuff to my christmas list people can afford to get me. This is pushing it, but i have been looking at speakers. Whats a good 5.1 channel set of speakers i can get for a room thats about 8x11 feet? i watch movies, lengthwise, in this room and the speakers should be able to interface with a desktop PC. i would like to keep it under $99. Whats the least amount of money i can get away with suggesting be spent? Is it worth putting on the list if thats my price cap? bear in mind im using crappy LG LCD TV speakers at the moment.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

Just so you know, the LG TV wont be able to output 5.1 sound to the speakers. And, depending on your PCs sound card, you may or may not be able to directly hook up analog 5.1 speakers to that either.

 

[postmortemIA]

for $99 you can't buy 2 good speakers.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Just so you know, the LG TV wont be able to output 5.1 sound to the speakers. And, depending on your PCs sound card, you may or may not be able to directly hook up analog 5.1 speakers to that either.

95% of computers sold in the last 7 - 10 years will have 5.1 audio out.

for $99 you can't buy 2 good speakers.

Different people have different standards, so it serves no purpose to be a elitist dick here. Obviously he's looking for something "good" in the paradigm of sub $100 speakers.

OP - have you looked at the Logitech X540s?
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/234&cl=us,en

 

[Ika]

Different people have different standards, so it serves no purpose to be a elitist dick here. Obviously he's looking for something "good" in the paradigm of sub $100 speakers.

OP - have you looked at the Logitech X540s?
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/234&cl=us,en

It sounds like the OP is looking for "room-filling sound" speakers - like true home theater types, since he's considering the size of the entire room. For that type of application, the Logitech X540s are... pretty dismal, at best (I would know, I have a set). The closest to room-filling sound you can get with computer speakers are Logitech Z-series (z5500 comes to mind) and Klipsch Pro Medias, both of which run around $150-200 for the full 5.1 set.

EDIT: oops, looks like I was wrong with my pricing... the 2.1 versions of these two are about $150, but the full 5.1 sets are around $350!

OP, how big is your TV and how far away do you watch it from? It'd be really helpful to know your viewing situation and dimensions.

 

[0roo0roo]

for $99 you can't buy 2 good speakers.

bingo, tiny near field speakers, they do not work well at such distances, they need to be much closer together, not all that far to the left or right of the screen or your head.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

So, OP, what are your needs exactly? Are you looking for surround sound for movies that you'll be playing on your computer output onto your tv screen?

 

[Niku]

Its only an 8 x 11 foot room, arranged the length wise when I'm sitting on the couch. So, say i would be sitting 5 - 7 foot away from the TV , which is 32", depending on if im on the couch, or the computer chair. But to me, this raises an interesting question. I am asking "will these work in a 8 x 11 foot space, when i am 5-7 foot from the TV. " what i should also ask is "What is the perfect scenario for employing these speakers, so i might adapt if possible?". Thanks so far, every one, for your input.

And as for the uses, i am probably going to play a few games, but mostly watch movies from the couch or chair.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

Budget pretty much dictates your options.

Perfect is an anechoic chamber, I guess, but then everyone has their own tastes and ears.

 

[Swivelguy2]

Logitech X-540 is pretty much your only option at $100. They won't be very immersive, for that you really need the Z-5500 ($350). The X-540 will only play 5.1 from your computer, not from a TV tuning digital channels, although the Z-5500 can, if your TV has an SPDIF output.

 

[Niku]

I might wait for tax time then, instead of putting it on my christmas list. thanks for your input.

 

[0roo0roo]

Logitech X-540 is pretty much your only option at $100. They won't be very immersive, for that you really need the Z-5500 ($350). The X-540 will only play 5.1 from your computer, not from a TV tuning digital channels, although the Z-5500 can, if your TV has an SPDIF output.

well what he needs are bookshelves
he need 2 good speakers vs 5.1 sh*tty ones
a low priced reciever/amp+ bookshelves or floor standing, then add the surround/woofer when budget allows
tiny computer speakers trying to fill a room feel thin and strained
their job is for sound at desk computing distance, not tv

 

[reallyscrued]

Do yourself a favor and wait until the Z-5500s take a dip in price and double your budget. It might take a few months, but every once in a while they drop to like 200 dollars, and seriously these speakers are worth $200. My room is exactly 8x11 and I currently use the Z-5300s but you can't find them any more (new anyway). The Z5500s will decode a bunch of crap, use real speaker wire, has a remote, yada yada.

Don't settle for less.

And make sure you hook them up right, run speaker tests through your soundcard to make sure the 5.1 is being properly reproduced, remember that surrounds shouldn't be at ear level or they will localize the sound, the center should be pointing directly at you, etc. Read up on it.

A properly set up sound system is a definite luxury.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

I'd go with z5300s if you want a boxed option. The other choice is to put a home theater receiver on your christmas list and buy the speakers out of your own budget. Also, I'd like to second the opinion that 2 good bookshelf speakers are better than 5 bad ones.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

For $100, I agree options are limited. But for those who are already recommending beyond budget, ugh, why are you pushing junky Logitech speakers?

 

[Niku]

For $100, I agree options are limited. But for those who are already recommending beyond budget, ugh, why are you pushing junky Logitech speakers?

What would you recommend if i were to go beyond my budget? bear in mind i am absolutely not going to invest more then $300 in to a sound system, at any point in the near future. This is some thing i might have to wait until tax return time to get.

 

[Ika]

For $100, I agree options are limited. But for those who are already recommending beyond budget, ugh, why are you pushing junky Logitech speakers?

If Logitechs are junky, what else would you suggest, HTIB with a dedicated receiver/amp? how are you going to get close to the z5500s for the price? The z5500 is generally considered one of the better-sounding PC surround sets you can get...

 

[postmortemIA]

mid-price Logitech are more than reasonable solution for everybody but audiophiles. Most people don't want to pay more for computer speakers than for monitor or video card, etc.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

If Logitechs are junky, what else would you suggest, HTIB with a dedicated receiver/amp? how are you going to get close to the z5500s for the price? The z5500 is generally considered one of the better-sounding PC surround sets you can get...

$100ish - cheap surround receiver
$130 - Energy take 5 @ newegg
$100ish - Dayton 8" sub

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Logitechs are loud and boomy and that's about it.

I like unfalliblekrutch's suggestion, but my first reaction is: do not even consider 5.1 if your budget is $100. For desktop audio, I would get two good active monitors like the M-Audio 40 AVs, which can be had for just a hair over $100 if you look around, or some Swans. You would be surprised how immersive even a 2.0 or 2.1 setup can be.

But I understand you want these for movies and 5.1 is important to you. I would wait until your budget would allow you to get something that doesn't suck.

 

[0roo0roo]

mid-price Logitech are more than reasonable solution for everybody but audiophiles. Most people don't want to pay more for computer speakers than for monitor or video card, etc.

for computing yes. but those speakers were never made to fill a room at such listening distances, audiophile or not. they are near field speakers.

if op is on a budget he can always hunt for used equipment deals, bookshelves/recievers etc.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

Logitechs are loud and boomy and that's about it.

I like unfalliblekrutch's suggestion, but my first reaction is: do not even consider 5.1 if your budget is $100. For desktop audio, I would get two good active monitors like the M-Audio 40 AVs, which can be had for just a hair over $100 if you look around, or some Swans. You would be surprised how immersive even a 2.0 or 2.1 setup can be.

But I understand you want these for movies and 5.1 is important to you. I would wait until your budget would allow you to get something that doesn't suck.

Yeah the M-Audio AV40 are really the best solution for $100. My girl bought a pair for a party in a loud brewery (she knows the owner ) and they sounded amazing for $150 powered speakers. I wasn't going to say anything because you say you want 5.1, but COB sparked my memory. They sound really great for cheap little speakers! 10 times better than any of the Logitechs most people buy. Perfect for 3.5mm computer or iPod applications. They have RCA inputs on the one speaker with the amp and you just run a speaker wire to the other speaker.

 

[CurseTheSky]

If all you want is surround sound for gaming and general music use, something like the Logitech X-540 will be fine.

If you're looking for sound quality and clarity, stay far away. The Z-5500s (and perhaps the Z-5300s, etc.) should be decent, but it won't beat a separately purchased receiver, speakers, and sub.

Basically, if the stock headphones / earbuds that come with an iPod or similar are good enough for you, the cheaper Logitech speakers should be good enough too. If you immediately upgraded to a pair of $60-100+ headphones, stay clear of cheap PC speakers.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

If all you want is surround sound for gaming and general music use, something like the Logitech X-540 will be fine.

If you're looking for sound quality and clarity, stay far away. The Z-5500s (and perhaps the Z-5300s, etc.) should be decent, but it won't beat a separately purchased receiver, speakers, and sub.

Basically, if the stock headphones / earbuds that come with an iPod or similar are good enough for you, the cheaper Logitech speakers should be good enough too. If you immediately upgraded to a pair of $60-100+ headphones, stay clear of cheap PC speakers.

That's not necessarily true. The stock iPod headphones sound much better than the x540s, although that's not saying much. The z5300s would satisfy if you like the iPod headphones though