[Resolved] Recommend 5.1 speakers for desktop

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ganymede

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Apr 27, 2009
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UPDATE: I went with the Logitech Z506. It works great.

So, after getting a Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro external soundcard, I've been feeling that my old 4.0 setup (actually just two random pairs of speakers) is becoming a bit aged (most notably, hissing when I touch the volume knob). So, I'm looking for a solid, mid-range 5.1 system for $100 max (I have no idea how much they cost though). I will mainly use it for gaming, music (listening and some editing) and movies.

The biggest question I have is this: should I use the optical output? Would it provide any significant quality increase? Would it require more computing power (remember, the sound card connects to the PC via USB)?

Other than that, what brands are trustworthy? My gut instinct says to go with either Creative or Altec Lansing, any input is welcome.

Final note: I live in Hungary, so please do not suggest something because it's cheap on Newegg. I guarantee that shipping costs would far far outweigh any savings I might get :)
 
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SithSolo1

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
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Well not knowing what you have available in Hungary it will be hard for many of us to recommend anything. That said even on Newegg $100 is pretty bottom of the barrel for 5.1 setups and I would suggest buying the best 2.0 setup you can afford.
 
fralexandr

fralexandr

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Apr 26, 2007
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$100 would get much better headphones, or 2.0/2.1 speakers

otherwise you should probably look into the logitech x-530 or x-540 :\. I would be surprised if they didn't have them in hungary... they used to be substantially cheaper though.
 
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ganymede

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Apr 27, 2009
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Okay, so I can get the Creative Inspire A520 or Inspire T6160 for less than the GigaWorks T20. Anyone have any experience with those?

The Logitech X-530 is roughly $89 here.

Okay, maybe I was a bit too assertive about $100 being the upper limit. As I said, I can't even conjure up a ballpark figure concerning how much these cost, $100 just seemed like a reasonable price. I definitely don't want to cheap out though.

edit: I'm seeing a lot of MicroLab systems around the $100 price point. Has anybody ever heard of them? Specifically, the MicroLab M-500 II.

edit2: Logitech Z506 just below $100. Any opinions?
 
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ganymede

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Apr 27, 2009
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Okay, so I can find systems for anything between $80 and $350. I guess the main question still is: does the optical output have any advantages over the stereo jacks (front, rear and center/sub)?
 
SithSolo1

SithSolo1

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Mar 19, 2001
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Micro Lab is not sold on this side of the pond. From what little I've been able to find people recommend it over Logitech. See if you can listen to the systems before you buy it. Logitech ranking is as follows: z906("best") > z623 >----> x-540 > z506 > x-530("worst")

As far as optical goes most lower end systems only have analog inputs.
 
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ganymede

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Apr 27, 2009
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For non-optical systems it's down to:

  • Creative Inspire A520 $59
  • Creative Inspire T6160 $70
  • Logitech Z506 for $105

Any input on those?
 
SithSolo1

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
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What are your other options?
Any more expensive sets or 2.1/2.0 sets?
Other brands to look for: Edifier, Corsair, Klipsh, M-Audio

Of the ones you listed, the z506 is probably the best but I don't know if its $35 better than the T6160.

And no, there is no reason to buy a set just because it has optical.
 
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kornphlake

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2003
1,567
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You won't notice any difference between optical and analog in your price range, to be honest the dac in your external sound card is probably as good or better than the dac in a set of computer speakers anyway.

I'd look into a set of self powered studio monitors myself, behringer truth series monitors used to get good reviews, the revised the product a while ago and I'm not sure if the newer models perform as favorably as the older products. A good set of 2.0 speakers will sound better than a marginal 5.1 system.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
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kornphlake said:
You won't notice any difference between optical and analog in your price range, to be honest the dac in your external sound card is probably as good or better than the dac in a set of computer speakers anyway.

I'd look into a set of self powered studio monitors myself, behringer truth series monitors used to get good reviews, the revised the product a while ago and I'm not sure if the newer models perform as favorably as the older products. A good set of 2.0 speakers will sound better than a marginal 5.1 system.
Click to expand...

I am partial to KRK Rokit :whiste:
 
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thelastjuju

Senior member
Nov 6, 2011
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Why does every single person just INSIST on giving into the 5.1 marketing craze? :|

Do the math yourself and tell me whats going to sound better with a $100 budget (which is FAR, FAR from mid range by the way)

You could get a 2.1 setup.. where excluding the sub, the speakers would be $50 each.. or you could go 5.1 and get 5x $20 speakers.

Despite what the advertisers want you to believe.. no matter how many crap speakers you kept adding up, they would never match the sound quality of just two higher quality speakers up front.

As far as digital or analog out.. really you should just experiment with both.. but as someone else mentioned, when we are talking about this low end of equipment it probably won't even matter at all.
 
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ganymede

Member
Apr 27, 2009
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thelastjuju said:
Why does every single person just INSIST on giving into the 5.1 marketing craze? :|

Do the math yourself and tell me whats going to sound better with a $100 budget (which is FAR, FAR from mid range by the way)

You could get a 2.1 setup.. where excluding the sub, the speakers would be $50 each.. or you could go 5.1 and get 5x $20 speakers.

Despite what the advertisers want you to believe.. no matter how many crap speakers you kept adding up, they would never match the sound quality of just two higher quality speakers up front.

As far as digital or analog out.. really you should just experiment with both.. but as someone else mentioned, when we are talking about this low end of equipment it probably won't even matter at all.
Click to expand...

Please explain how an excellent quality 2.1 setup will make sounds come from behind me. There are a lot of games where directional audio is a key element (the Thief series, for example), and 2.1 systems simply cannot convey that accurately. Headphones could theoretically work, but unless the HRTF is based on my skull exactly, there's no way they'll have the precision of binaural recordings.

So no, thank you, I'm not just falling for the marketing craze. I actually know from experience that even a low-end 4.0 outperforms quality 2.0 in terms of immersion. That's why I wanted to upgrade to a nicer 5.1 system.

I got the Z506 by the way. It sounds awesome. I'm sorry it didn't disappoint me like you wanted it to! I'll try harder next time.
 
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