Speaker help, high end 4.1 or mid level 5.1???

[shervinj]

Hi Guys,

I tried combing the old forums for an answer but I wasn't able to find one. Here is my dilemma. I have a hundred dollar gift card I got from a promotion at Best Buy. I recently bought a dell with the Santa Cruz card in it. I have yet to buy new speakers because I really want to get the best sound for the buck. I know everyone recommends Klipsch, I hope I spelled that right. They have 4.1 available at best buy. Best Buy also carries some Cambridge 5.1 with an external digital decoder. For real cheap($129) they carry some 5.1 that are not even digital. The dilemma is which one to buy. I would by the Kilpsch 5.1 but they are not available and the cost way too much. What do you guys recommend from best buy since I have that gift card?

 

[DJediMaster]

IMO i don't think 5.1 is necessary for the PC. The two speakers in front will create a good enough phantom centre channel. Some dvd enthusiasts will want the centre channel. I however find that things get a little too centralized with it. I find 4.1 enough for playing games, mp3's, and watching the occasional movie. The klipsch 5.1 set is already available online at their store. I would buy a high end 4.1 speaker set with that money. Here are some good systems: Monsoon MM2000, Boston Acoustics BA4800, Klipsch 4.1, Polk AMR150, videologic crossfire. I would listen to each before buying as sound is a personal preference. I would stay away from cambridge. I would say the best bang for the buck speaker set is the BA4800.

 

[GD695372]

Get a good 4.1. You have no real use for the center channel. If you did, you'd know it.

 

[PipesBoy]

let your ears be the guide, don't trust opinion. for instance my uncle has a pair of cambridge labs DTT 2200's (5.1) and they sound preaty good. I myself have a pair of Altec Lansing ACS-54 (4.1). Of course the cambridge labs sound better, but also cost around $200(CDN) more and i don't think there that much better, plus mine are louder. Klipsch does make fine speakers as does polk audio and bose. The quality of sound output does matter, I would not purchase a pair of speakers without hearing them first. Speakers are not a place to cheep out as the speakers will last years longer than many other component on your system. Cost is a secondary concern. Audio quality should not be sacrificed. The bottom line is listen to as many speaker systems as you can, take a checklist and at the end of the day you will have the best speaker system you could imagine. It pays off to do your homework here.

 

[Blain]

Here's a little info...

AnandTech
3D Sound Surge
Audio Review
Review Booth
Hardware Masters

 

[MasterHoss]

Yeah, if you're not going to watch DVDs religously on your computer, there is no need for a center channel. Actually, you don't need a center channel in that case as well (as noted--a phantom center channel is created from your front left and right speakers).

 

[shervinj]

Thanks for all the help. Any suggestions from Best Buy since that is where I have a hunfred dollar goft card