speakers 2.1/5.1 setup for computer?

[zijin_cheng]

I have been using my X-mini speaker for my computer for 4 months now, and I'm looking for something more.

I'm looking for speaker deals in Canada only, since driving across the border to U.S. will be too troublesome.

Right now they have a Logitech LS21 2.1 Speaker system for $12.99 after rebate, and the X-540 5.1 for $88.

I have 2 questions:
1. I use XBMC and games, if I do get a 5.1 will it be troublesome to set up because every game and movie will need a different config for the surround to work nicely? (what i read somewhere else) Or is 2.1 enough?
2. I want some nice bass to fill my room (small room maybe 4x4meters), so what is the cheapest 2.1/5.1 setup I can buy with nice bass at normal price? I say normal price so that I can wait for it to go on sale.

Because I already spent so much on my desktop (at least for a student) $12.99 sounds like a good price to me, while anything about $40 is a lot.

 

[MontyAC]

Personally I feel 2.1 system is all I need for a computer. I use a 5.1 system for my TV/stereo.

 

[moonbogg]

I prefer 5.1 but I have to use headphones a lot these days, so meh. It is not hard to set up. Just select 5.1 in windows and configure the driver to your liking. Also, select 5.1 in whatever game you are playing. Games are simple. Movies confuse the crap out of me. I don't understand what all those dolby this and dolby thats mean and how that relates to channels.

 

[zijin_cheng]

I prefer 5.1 but I have to use headphones a lot these days, so meh. It is not hard to set up. Just select 5.1 in windows and configure the driver to your liking. Also, select 5.1 in whatever game you are playing. Games are simple. Movies confuse the crap out of me. I don't understand what all those dolby this and dolby thats mean and how that relates to channels.

Exactly what I was thinking, games are easy, just click and set up, but I have no idea what channels are, and I thought they should be standard.

I posted this in overclockers so I'll post what I'm looking for here as well.

I don't care much for clarity, as long as it beats or matches my X-mini, I just want more bass, so the explosions in movies arent screechy but more vibration and low pitch.

 

[moonbogg]

When I watch movies on my PC, I just leave the speaker setting alone in windows and the movie does the rest. It seems to know how to play the sounds correctly all by itself. I just did a quick search and found these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-pla-_-NA-_-NA

They look pretty good to me for a nice little setup. You may have a hard time finding a decent setup for around $40. Keep in mind that there are plenty of good setups that are 2.1 (2 speakers with a seperate subwoofer).

 

[zijin_cheng]

Again I'm in Canada, so Newegg.ca only. I was shown this:

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-A220-Multimedia-Speaker-System/dp/B003FWHTTA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

It costs $33 at my local future shop

 

[zijin_cheng]

Got a Z506!!! super awesome for borderlands 2!!

 

[tweakboy]

12 bucks for speakers LOL You have toy sounding speakers and don't buy toy this time.

If you don't watch Dolby Digital 5.1 movies all day, you don't need the rear and its more costly.

IMO Buy yourself a Klipsch 2.1 system . check amazon for that. My dad uses Klipsch 4.1 and its been going strong since 2001.

Grab the Klipsch Pro Media like I said. Any questions let me know...

 

[thelastjuju]

I guess its a little too late, I too would have suggested a 2.1 system over a 5.1 at this low of a price range.. think how much lower the quality per speaker is with 2 vrs 5 speakers given the same price.

Take a $100 budget for example.. not including a sub, that's $50 per speaker.. while a 5 speaker system is only $20 per speaker. I would always prefer 2x nicer quality speakers up front to being surrounded by mediocre sound.

 

[know of fence]

I guess its a little too late, I too would have suggested a 2.1 system over a 5.1 at this low of a price range.. think how much lower the quality per speaker is with 2 vrs 5 speakers given the same price.

Take a $100 budget for example.. not including a sub, that's $50 per speaker.. while a 5 speaker system is only $20 per speaker. I would always prefer 2x nicer quality speakers up front to being surrounded by mediocre sound.

A very strong argument, and it applies to the sub as well. So 2.0 ideally. Having another useless box turned all the way down, taking up space, collecting dust... that's just depressing.
In 90% of the cases you'll be using headphones/ear-buds anyway, because the filter out noise, always sound the same and don't annoy people around you.

 

[zijin_cheng]

12 bucks for speakers LOL You have toy sounding speakers and don't buy toy this time.

If you don't watch Dolby Digital 5.1 movies all day, you don't need the rear and its more costly.

IMO Buy yourself a Klipsch 2.1 system . check amazon for that. My dad uses Klipsch 4.1 and its been going strong since 2001.

Grab the Klipsch Pro Media like I said. Any questions let me know...

I understand that Klipsch Pro medias will be better bang for buck than a Z506 and I understand that, I am a video card junkie and I think like that with regards to video cards.

But not with sound. I went to future shop and listened to the Z506s and a Polk Audio RM705. To me, no discernable difference.

Let me give you another example.
I heard $5000 paradigm speakers and could tell no difference from my uncle's set, which consisted of (Have no idea what they are) Audiospace AS 3i amp? and Sonus Faber Amati Futura Loudspeakers, my uncle was up in arms .

I guess its a little too late, I too would have suggested a 2.1 system over a 5.1 at this low of a price range.. think how much lower the quality per speaker is with 2 vrs 5 speakers given the same price.

Take a $100 budget for example.. not including a sub, that's $50 per speaker.. while a 5 speaker system is only $20 per speaker. I would always prefer 2x nicer quality speakers up front to being surrounded by mediocre sound.

Ah I see. I prefer 5x mediocre than 2x high quality, because to me, mediocre isn't that bad.
I turned off the rear speakers just to see what 2.1 was like, and believe it or not, I hated it. Maybe if I never tried 5.1 I wouldn't mind 2.1, but now that I've heard 5.1, I will sacrifice quality for quantity.

A very strong argument, and it applies to the sub as well. So 2.0 ideally. Having another useless box turned all the way down, taking up space, collecting dust... that's just depressing.
In 90% of the cases you'll be using headphones/ear-buds anyway, because the filter out noise, always sound the same and don't annoy people around you.

I can turn my sub (granted its crap by your guys standards) 70% up and my roommate/landlord can't hear it, awesome for explosions!

Thanks again for advice. If you guys think your advice did nothing, it did. It moved me from a crappy no name 30W 5.1 to a Z506!!! Very big jump (for me at least, paid so much for them)!!!

 

[tweakboy]

If you watch lots of dolby digital movies and have a dolby reciever then get 5.1
If you listen more to music and games,, get 2.1

Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 ... the best comp speakers soo many awards,, it came out in 2001 ,, My dad is using the Klipsch 4.1 Pro Media and it works great after 12 years. The sub gets really hot
Also no interference with these.

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMe...49725428&sr=8-1&keywords=klipsch+promedia+2.1

Take a look 150 to the door. THX certified. Trust me its pro sound not cheap speakers..... the bass is thick.

www.klipsch.com and buy from www.amazon.com steer clear of used ones.. gl

 

[moonbogg]

Got a Z506!!! super awesome for borderlands 2!!

Really? Thats awesome because those look really badass. I love logitech and I bet those speakers rock and will last a long time.

 

[zijin_cheng]

Really? Thats awesome because those look really badass. I love logitech and I bet those speakers rock and will last a long time.

Only thing is can't mount on walls, so I have to pile cardboard boxes beside me to build a sufficiently high stand

 

[bononos]

I understand that Klipsch Pro medias will be better bang for buck than a Z506 and I understand that, I am a video card junkie and I think like that with regards to video cards.
.......

Theres feedback that the current Klipsch 2.1 speakers aren't that good as they were back then, the newer ones are built with cheaper components.