PC Speaker recommendation?

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zodder

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2000
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www.jpcompservices.com
Originally posted by: snidy1
I bought the Logitech 5300's and music sounds great on them
Ditto. The only time I've heard people compalin about music on them is when they've enabled 5.1 music on them instead of playing them in stereo (ie - enabling CMSS for the Audigy). I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better speaker in that price range than the Z-5300s.

 

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
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Originally posted by: JaguarSavage
I'm looking to replace my junky 3 year-old PC speakers. The main use of the speakers will be for listening to music (wide variety). I don't really have an interest in gaming or setting up a home theater system. Also, I've not overly concerned with surround sound, I would get a 2.1 system if the quality is good.
I was very close to buying the Logitech Z-5300 set, but then I read that they were primarily designed for gaming and not music listening :(
I've allotted $100-200 for buying a new set.

So, any suggestions, helpful people? :)


My new logitech 5300's just arrived in the mail today (free shipping from Amazon). I would definately recommend these speakers as the best in your price range. Great for gaming and music. I was going to buy the 680's but they are a bit expensive and not that much better (unless you have your computer in a very large room (living room).
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
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He wants a 2.1 system guys! And in his price range, he's not going to get better stereo sound from a surround system than from a 2.1 system.
 

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
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Originally posted by: zodder
Originally posted by: snidy1
I bought the Logitech 5300's and music sounds great on them
Ditto. The only time I've heard people compalin about music on them is when they've enabled 5.1 music on them instead of playing them in stereo (ie - enabling CMSS for the Audigy). I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better speaker in that price range than the Z-5300s.

Hi Zodder,

I wanted to let you know that I received my 5300's today in the mail... after hearing your recommendations. Thank you for the recommendation... you saved me a lot of money compared to the 680's and I love the speakers!!! Awesome.

Make sure you pair them up with an Audigy 2... (I plan on doing this).... right now I have the Soublaster Live! 5.1.

James
 

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
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Originally posted by: Nebor
He wants a 2.1 system guys! And in his price range, he's not going to get better stereo sound from a surround system than from a 2.1 system.

If he wants only 2.1... get the Logitech z-2220 (this is the sam sub as the 680's by logitech). This is rated as the top 2.1 set by Maximum PC!
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: jrphoenix
Originally posted by: Nebor
He wants a 2.1 system guys! And in his price range, he's not going to get better stereo sound from a surround system than from a 2.1 system.

If he wants only 2.1... get the Logitech z-2220 (this is the sam sub as the 680's by logitech). This is rated as the top 2.1 set by Maximum PC!

Maximum PC? Wow, now if only Tom's Hardware would give it the thumbs up, it would perfect! /sarcasm

The Klipsch Promedia 2.1s and Creative Megaworks 250D will both give you better music than logitech speakers.
 

zodder

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2000
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jrphoenix -

That's great to hear. They really do rock, don't they? :) Sometimes I still can't believe how little they cost. The Audigy will really do them justice, too. :)
 

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
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Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: jrphoenix
Originally posted by: Nebor
He wants a 2.1 system guys! And in his price range, he's not going to get better stereo sound from a surround system than from a 2.1 system.

If he wants only 2.1... get the Logitech z-2220 (this is the sam sub as the 680's by logitech). This is rated as the top 2.1 set by Maximum PC!

Maximum PC? Wow, now if only Tom's Hardware would give it the thumbs up, it would perfect! /sarcasm

The Klipsch Promedia 2.1s and Creative Megaworks 250D will both give you better music than logitech speakers.


I've heard the z-2200 and they are awesome... great music & gaming and a better sub than both the systems you mentioned. Here are some reviews for you ($127 at newegg):


Conclusion:

For any of you who may have drooled at the Z-680's but thought they where too expensive or don't have a need/space for a 5.1 set of speakers, Logitech has offered an affordable and smaller package for you to enjoy in the Z-2200's. Combining the critical THX certified elements in a less complicated and desk-friendly format makes them an impressive set of speakers. To provide some context of which speakers might belong where, I have the Z-680's in my living room connected to my HTPC for full theatre experience and I have these connected to my main/gaming PC at my desk. I suspect they will be living there for quite a while.

Pros:
Impressive sound
All the power you could want from desktop speakers
Affordable THX set
Control box is great addition

Cons:
Sub-Woofer may be too large for some desk setups.


LinkLink

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://secure.newegg.com/app/CustratingReview.asp?
DEPA=0&item=36-121-107">Newegg Owners</a>

Music

This is a great review (read the whole thing... the link is to page 5 the begining of the music review)

CD and MP3 Sound: CD and MP3 audio quality is excellent. In CD audio the mid- and high-ranges are very clear, able to separate and form a powerful, wide sound stage for just about any form of music. Bass is also clear and very powerful, enough to rattle the walls at high volume settings. The subwoofer frequency cut off appears similar to that of the Z680s, and while not quite as powerful overall as the similar looking Z680 system, the Z-2200s from Logitech avoid distortion of the audio range throughout all but the very highest volume levels and power output settings. In fact, I found that the satellites with their mere 40 watt rating actually seemed to better match the subwoofer in the Z-2200 system, requiring far less bass level adjustment than the Z680s.
MP3 audio is also crystal clear. As with any good speaker system, the ability to actually discern the reduced quality of lower bit-rate MP3 files is a sign of clarity and quality, and the Z-2200s do not fail to give you notice that an audio stream is at or below the 128K-bit level. As with CD audio, the Z-2200s present a separate, clean soundstage with crystal highs and punchy bass that are in balance with each other without the need for much adjustment of the subwoofer level.

If I had to pick a genre of music that plays best with the Logitech Z-2200s it would have to be older rock ballads: the range of sound and vocals are perfectly reproduced. Hip Hop and Rap music also sounds great thanks to very powerful bass from the subwoofer.
 

JaguarSavage

Senior member
Jan 6, 2001
205
0
0
wow, so many suggestions. Thanks for all the information :)
I've got my list down to the either the Logitech Z-2200s, the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s, or the Creative Megaworks 250Ds.
I'll research each more to find which would meet my specific needs better.
Again, thank you all for the info ^^
 

robisc

Platinum Member
Oct 13, 1999
2,664
0
76
I'm telling you if you are just wanting 2.1 speakers you owe it yourself to check out the EV SonicXS series NOT the XJR, if you ever pay attention to the speakers at concerts then you will see the EV logo, these things retail for around $300 but if you can find them in stock at a B&M Compusa you can usually get them for $50, IMO they are worth the $300, check out these reviews for some light reading.



review 1
Review 2
Review 3
 

JaguarSavage

Senior member
Jan 6, 2001
205
0
0
Originally posted by: robisc
I'm telling you if you are just wanting 2.1 speakers you owe it yourself to check out the EV SonicXS series NOT the XJR, if you ever pay attention to the speakers at concerts then you will see the EV logo, these things retail for around $300 but if you can find them in stock at a B&M Compusa you can usually get them for $50, IMO they are worth the $300, check out these reviews for some light reading.



review 1
Review 2
Review 3

those are definately beasts of speakers.
the first article says they aren't quite as good as the Klipsch for music :(
And I don't have a b&m compusa around here.
 

JaguarSavage

Senior member
Jan 6, 2001
205
0
0
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: jrphoenix
Originally posted by: Nebor
He wants a 2.1 system guys! And in his price range, he's not going to get better stereo sound from a surround system than from a 2.1 system.

If he wants only 2.1... get the Logitech z-2220 (this is the sam sub as the 680's by logitech). This is rated as the top 2.1 set by Maximum PC!

Maximum PC? Wow, now if only Tom's Hardware would give it the thumbs up, it would perfect! /sarcasm

The Klipsch Promedia 2.1s and Creative Megaworks 250D will both give you better music than logitech speakers.


Your comment about the Logitech z-2200s compared to the other two sets has me wary about them. The reviews I've been reading seem to say they are quite comparable.
 

taterworks

Member
Dec 7, 2003
102
0
0
You need to look at the quality of the drivers that are used in each speaker system. Swans Speakers also sells their drivers to Do-It-Yourselfers under the brand Hi-Vi Research. The drivers in the Logitechs are made by a company called Tang Band. Both the 2" driver used in the Swans and the 3" driver used in the Logitechs are available from Parts Express.

Hi-Vi B2S aluminum-dome driver
This is the wide-range driver used in the Swans speakers.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=297-432

Tang Band W3-594S paper-cone driver with phase plug
This is the wide-range driver featured in the Logitech speakers.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=264-814

You can look at the response graphs and decide for yourself. Look primarily through the midrange and treble, becasue a flat response in that range will offer the most balanced presentation, and will be less fatiguing to listen ot for long periods.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: JaguarSavage
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: jrphoenix
Originally posted by: Nebor
He wants a 2.1 system guys! And in his price range, he's not going to get better stereo sound from a surround system than from a 2.1 system.

If he wants only 2.1... get the Logitech z-2220 (this is the sam sub as the 680's by logitech). This is rated as the top 2.1 set by Maximum PC!

Maximum PC? Wow, now if only Tom's Hardware would give it the thumbs up, it would perfect! /sarcasm

The Klipsch Promedia 2.1s and Creative Megaworks 250D will both give you better music than logitech speakers.


Your comment about the Logitech z-2200s compared to the other two sets has me wary about them. The reviews I've been reading seem to say they are quite comparable.

My comments about the Logitechs are just based on the fact that they're Logitech. I've listened to Logitech surround systems compared to Klipsch systems, and they are lack luster, they cater to those who want booming bass instead of accurate sound. And so I can only assume that their 2.1 systems are the same.

Besides, you're going to buy speakers from the people who make your mouse and keyboard? Klipsch and Cambridge Soundworks have a long history of high quality sound...
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: JaguarSavage
well, surprisingly enough, I decided to go with the Altec Lansing MX5021s. After a reading a few reviews and some listeners' opinions, I was convinced. I will report back when I receieve them with more information. Thanks for all the help, guys.

http://www.dreamnid.com/theear/alteclansing/almx5021/default.php
http://www.fastlanehw.com/reviews.php?action=view&revid=73
http://www.atruereview.com/alteclansing/index.php

Those actually are very good speakers, although not in the same league as the Klipsch and Megaworks. Still, very good selection, congrats on not getting Logitech speakers. :)
 

JaguarSavage

Senior member
Jan 6, 2001
205
0
0
From what I read, they are excellent for listening to music which just what I want :) More info when I get them.
 

JaguarSavage

Senior member
Jan 6, 2001
205
0
0
The Altec Lansing MX5021 speakers came yesterday... still breaking them in ;)
I like them so far. The sub (although not the main part of the set) is still quite boomy. The sats have very clear highs and nice mids.
Side note: the volume, treble, bass control pod is really nice and sturdy. The remote control is smaller than I expected but, it very handy. :)