The Best mid-range 5.1 Speakers...

[iwantanewcomputer]

I've heard a lot of back and forth speaker bashing, but couldn't find any decent answer. Basically I'm looking for something:
1) 5.1 dolby digital, thx, and whatnot,
2) powerful but i don't need something that has more power than a bulldozer, 500 watts would be plenty, 3) of course thay sound good:
4) cheap, i'm not dropping more on my speakers than my computer, i'd like to spend 250 but would be willing to go up for good stuff

PS i have a sound balster audigy 2, note this is not the ZS which i probly should have gotten


ZS
audigy 2

***Edit this does have digital out***

 

[jacktesterson]

Logitech Z680's

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

thanks, (edit:nice sound system) ok here's some more questions.

are the z680's really as good a deal as they seem?
does anybody have the klipsh gmx 5.1, these are the sweet looking ones, linkie,">http://www.gameve.com/gve/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=SP-PRO-GMX5.1[/S</a> is the sound worth almost as much as the logitech z680's though
best deals i can find are 245 for klipsch gmx and 253 for z680s

i don't really want to go with more powerful klipsch or creative. any other options or deals?

 

[jacktesterson]

I'm an audio freak and the z680's are great speakers

not quite as good as the system in my car or home stereo, but then again i spend like 3 yrs savings at a time on audio stuff

 

[frisbfreek]

I've heard the Klipsch GMX systems aren't so great for their price. What are you going to use your speakers for though? Music? Gaming? Movies? Xbox, PS2, Gamecube? If you're hooking them up to your audigy 2 (btw, if you don't need 7.1, then you don't need the zs), then you don't really need the digital inputs (dolby digital whatnots) since it can be done by the soundcard... just use analog. Also, THX is a measure of quality but by no means the only measure... the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultras are not THX certified because Klipsch opted out of spending more money just to get certification, but those babies are some of the best computer speakers out there.

And define "but would be willing to go up for good stuff." ^_^

 

[Warder45]

The GMX line is crap compared to the older lines. If you are looking to get Klipsch then look to the non-GMX systems.

I got my friend the Z680's so far they sound great. While they aren't as good as my Klipsch 4.1's right now, that is only because he is useing a on-motherboard sound card.

Your best bet is to go to best buy or somewhere like it and at least test soem out for a bit. I've heard people say they like brand X more then brand Y alot, so it's alot of personal preference. I'd take a look at Creative, Logitech, and older Klipsch models if you do go out.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

yeah that's what i was thinking about the gmx. too bad the others aren't so awesome. i think i'm going to best buy to listen to some soon, now i'm liking the 680's

 

[Slick5150]

I have the GMX speakers (and previously owned the Promedia setup), and I can say that they are not 'crap' in comparison. In fact, I actually think they sound a little bit better (better highs in my opinion).

The only caviat is that if you don't have an nForce2 motherboard capable of encoding Dolby Digital, they aren't going to work well for you. So if you have an Audigy card or somethign else, you're probably going to want to look elsewhere.

I briefly owned a set of the Logitech 680's but returned them as I really didn't like how they sounded. They're loud, that's for sure. But they seemed very overly bassy, and the highs were not anywhere near as clear as Klipsch's sets.

Also, to the original poster, don't bother looking for something that is THX certified. It's just a marketing tool that doesn't really mean anything (companies have to pay THX to be certified, and some don't want to bother with that, so just because it isn't THX certified doesn't mean its not as good as something that is)

But speakers often end up being a preferential thing, and what sounds good to one doesn't sound good to another. In my opinion, the best sounding PC speakers I've ever heard were a Monsoon set, but they're out of business now so they're speakers are harder to find these days.

 

[tfinch2]

if the z680's are out of your price range try the z5300's.

edit: oops didn't see your 250 price range. z680's it is.