Ranking of 5.1 speakers

[Pandamonium]

I'm looking at Klipsch Promedias 5.1s, Creative Megaworks 550s, Logitech 680s, Logitech 640s, Logitech Z5500s, Logitech Z5300s, and Logitech X-530s.

Cost is (hypothetically) not a factor.
Audio fidelity is.
Absolute silence when not outputing sound in a quiet room is also very important.
Satellite crispness is more important than subwoofer power.

How would you rank these systems? I'm tired of my Altec Lansing 251 hissing... (connected to a Chaintech AV-710)

 

[Pariah]

Go for the Creative Gigaworks S700 they sound like basically what you are looking for.

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: Pariah
Go for the Creative Gigaworks S700 they sound like basically what you are looking for.

I'm seriously considering those myself but remember too that the Speakers and sound is only part of the equation....the other being the Souncard you have.

 

[slpaulson]

Originally posted by: Pariah
Go for the Creative Gigaworks S700 they sound like basically what you are looking for.

Yeah, from most people's opinions are that the Gigaworks are about even with the Klipsch speakers, with the Gigaworks having better satelites while the Klipsch's have a better subwoofer.

 

[Confusednewbie1552]

I love my Z-640's, but I got them only because i had a 50 buck budget. Best 50 bucks I've ever spent next to goldeneye.

 

[deanx0r]

I have a set of Logitech Z-680 and althought I thought it was pretty good when I bought it, I realize now it's a pretty poor set compare to some Home Theater in a Box systems that can be found for only a few bucks more.

If money wasn't a problem, I'd buy a separate A/V receiver and some quality speakers instead of any computer speakers.

If I were you, I'd go for a set of Onkyo SKS-HT240 speakers ($350~500) and Denon 1804 A/V receiver (~350-500) or the Panasonic SA XR50 all digital A/V receiver ($250-300).

That kind of setup is bulletproof when it comes to quality and polyvalence for either games, movies or music.

I am right now building that set up for a HT, but it works on computer as well.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: Confusednewbie1552
I love my Z-640's, but I got them only because i had a 50 buck budget. Best 50 bucks I've ever spent next to goldeneye.

:thumbsup: for the best multiplayer console shooter in high school.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: deanx0r
I have a set of Logitech Z-680 and althought I thought it was pretty good when I bought it, I realize now it's a pretty poor set compare to some Home Theater in a Box systems that can be found for only a few bucks more.

If money wasn't a problem, I'd buy a separate A/V receiver and some quality speakers instead of any computer speakers.

If I were you, I'd go for a set of Onkyo SKS-HT240 speakers ($350~500) and Denon 1804 A/V receiver (~350-500) or the Panasonic SA XR50 all digital A/V receiver ($250-300).

That kind of setup is bulletproof when it comes to quality and polyvalence for either games, movies or music.

I am right now building that set up for a HT, but it works on computer as well.

A separate receiver and a set of speakers + a subwoofer will definately give you much better sound. But I just dont see how this is only for a few bucks more? Z680 speakers are $230 Online. Either of your setups is about $700-1000. It is no wonder you are not satisfied with your Z680 speakers. From the speakers he listed, and if we include S700, the highest priced are Klipsch at about $350. How is that comparable to a separate custom setup? I see that you mention that you'd recommend this if money wasn't a problem and I agree with that. But then if money isnt really a problem, why is he not considering S750 computer speakers?

I'm looking at Klipsch Promedias 5.1s, Creative Megaworks 550s, Logitech 680s, Logitech 640s, Logitech Z5500s, Logitech Z5300s, and Logitech X-530s.

From these speakers it makes no sense to compare Z5300, X-530s and Logitech 640s to the other sets listed. If you want a budget quality set of speakers, just get 640s. I think X-530s are a replacement for the 640 model, so I'd go for those.

Megaworks 550s have been replaced by S700 so you shouldnt even look at those. 680s are bettered by Z5500 as well.

Z5300 fall as in-between speakers. So if you want budget i'd go wtih 530s. If you want decent quality of sound 5300. As for 5500, klipsch and s700, i'd probably go to best buy or compusa and try to listen to those sets to compare. No one is a better judge of sound than your own ears.

 

[gplracer]

I have Klipsch 4.1's and have been really happy with them. Although after years of use the sub is giving me problems. I am going to buy a receiver, SVS sub, and a klipsch promedia center channel (only $23 for the center channel from Klipsch). My father as a logitech setup that was fine and good for the money when he bought it. Although now it is a year old and something is wrong with the amp. Logitech has absolutely no support at all!!!!!!! They will not fix it for a charge and there is no parts available to purchase. At least with Klipsch you can send you stuff back for repair and get parts. Also the logitech sub is real boomy. That is good for games but bad for music when boomyness is not desired.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
I'm looking at Klipsch Promedias 5.1s, Creative Megaworks 550s, Logitech 680s, Logitech 640s, Logitech Z5500s, Logitech Z5300s, and Logitech X-530s.

Cost is (hypothetically) not a factor.
Audio fidelity is.
Absolute silence when not outputing sound in a quiet room is also very important.
Satellite crispness is more important than subwoofer power.

How would you rank these systems? I'm tired of my Altec Lansing 251 hissing... (connected to a Chaintech AV-710)

if your soundcard puts out line noise when at 0 volume the cleanest speaker setup in the world will still hiss

 

[Pandamonium]

IIRC, I read that the Envy 24HT chipset in the AV-710 was supposed to offer very clean signals. Am I mistaken?

 

[deanx0r]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: deanx0r
I have a set of Logitech Z-680 and althought I thought it was pretty good when I bought it, I realize now it's a pretty poor set compare to some Home Theater in a Box systems that can be found for only a few bucks more.

If money wasn't a problem, I'd buy a separate A/V receiver and some quality speakers instead of any computer speakers.

If I were you, I'd go for a set of Onkyo SKS-HT240 speakers ($350~500) and Denon 1804 A/V receiver (~350-500) or the Panasonic SA XR50 all digital A/V receiver ($250-300).

That kind of setup is bulletproof when it comes to quality and polyvalence for either games, movies or music.

I am right now building that set up for a HT, but it works on computer as well.

A separate receiver and a set of speakers + a subwoofer will definately give you much better sound. But I just dont see how this is only for a few bucks more? Z680 speakers are $230 Online. Either of your setups is about $700-1000. It is no wonder you are not satisfied with your Z680 speakers. From the speakers he listed, and if we include S700, the highest priced are Klipsch at about $350. How is that comparable to a separate custom setup? I see that you mention that you'd recommend this if money wasn't a problem and I agree with that. But then if money isnt really a problem, why is he not considering S750 computer speakers?

I'm looking at Klipsch Promedias 5.1s, Creative Megaworks 550s, Logitech 680s, Logitech 640s, Logitech Z5500s, Logitech Z5300s, and Logitech X-530s.

From these speakers it makes no sense to compare Z5300, X-530s and Logitech 640s to the other sets listed. If you want a budget quality set of speakers, just get 640s. I think X-530s are a replacement for the 640 model, so I'd go for those.

Megaworks 550s have been replaced by S700 so you shouldnt even look at those. 680s are bettered by Z5500 as well.

Z5300 fall as in-between speakers. So if you want budget i'd go wtih 530s. If you want decent quality of sound 5300. As for 5500, klipsch and s700, i'd probably go to best buy or compusa and try to listen to those sets to compare. No one is a better judge of sound than your own ears.

I said if money wasn't a problem (and that's what the authore of this thread pointed at), I would go with that custom set up for my computer. But I decided to use it for my home theater instead.

However, I said some HTiB (Home Theater in a Box) setups are only a few box more and usually do sound much better than regular computer speakers. They also have the advantage to be more polyvalent by accepting and processing more source than what computer spealers can.

Just check here for a listing of the models available on the market, and froogle them for the best pricing:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bn...mit.y=13&Submit=Go

When I bought my Z680 set, I really knew nothing about audio in general, I just read a bunch of reviews here and there, and everyone said they ROCKED. I thought there were quite nice too at the beginning, but after listeing to other setup, I realized that they were quiete deceiving, and it goes as well for models from Klipsh or Creatives.

Sure those aren't home theater speakers, but if you look around, you can find much better speakers that are crisp and crystal clear for about the same price in HTiB systems. Sure they ain't the top notch in HT setups, but they are surely a better solution than what Logitech, Klipsh or Creatives propose for computer use.

 

[Alptraum]

but they are surely a better solution than what Logitech, Klipsh or Creatives propose for computer use.

I totally disagree. This is largely personal opinion though so keep that in mind

When I last purchased computer speakers price was not really an object. What did I end up with...The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system. As far as I am concerned its the best thing for my computer as far as speakers go. Though if I were buying today I would probably look at those Swann's. I never wanted (nor do I see myself wanting them in in the future) a 4.1 or 5.1 set up for my PC. Though if I did the same issues would still apply and I would probably have gotten the top of the line Klipsch 5.1 set up.

Having said that, yes if you get actual stereo components you can almost certainly get better sound then multi media type speakers. With some catches. First off multi media speakers are almost always designed for near field listening. Since I usually sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 or so feet from my speakers thats what I want. HT/normal speakers are not usually designed for the listener being so close. I also like the small size, I don't want full on bookshelf type speakers on my desk or mounted on the wall near it. I also like the volume knobs built onto one of the main speakers or on a remote. While a reciever will give you the remote and volume knob, thats one more thing to take up space on my desk. With my ProMedia's its nicely mounted on the right speaker.

I can honostly say for the type of listening I do with my computer I don't think I could top the ProMedia's by mutch. They play as loud as I could want them too, and the fidelity is quite nice. Over the years I have put somewhere around $15,000 to $20,000 into my HT. And in a general sense I can't even compare the ProMedia's to it because its sooooo much better. Given that I am sitting at least 8 feet from the front speakers. If I tried to use it at the range I use my ProMedia's at it would sound like ass.

So I think you have to take a lot of things into account when getting computer speakers. One of which is how far do you plan to place the speakers away from you, how much does size matter to you, how many components do you want to deal with.?

If I were buying a surround set up for my PC for some reason I would look to Klipsch. Though Creative and Logitech would be worth looking at as well. But I wouldn't use a HTiB type set up.

Hopefully this made sense, I am abit drunk and have a tendancy to ramble and spell things poorly when thats the case, lol.