Which speakers?

[XenThazor]

Hi, I am looking for new set of speakers. I can't now decide for what should I go, if 2.1 or 5.1 or 7.1.

Until now (for many years) I have used only headphones so I really don't know much about speakers. Right now I am using Razer tiamat (http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-tiamat-71) with its 7.1 audio. I want the speakers for the same things like my headphones and that is: gaming, movies and music (EDM).
From what I've read people say that 2.1 is for music better since most of music is made for 2.1, and for movies and some games is better 5.1. And 7.1 is just too much and not worth the money.
I don't know how it's with speakers, but my 7.1 headphones are better than many 2.1 that I have listened to. For gaming, movies and music as well.

After all the discusions I have read I would now probably go with 5.1 speakers since I will use them in a big room where I can position them as needed. But now I don't know if I should buy some preset or 1 by 1 (Subwoofer from some label, center from another, ...). And I also don't know for what too look exactly (what features). But even tho I am not any pro and I don't know well speakers I still am a bit audiophile.

BTW I don't have yet any budget but I don't want to go too high, but I am willing to pay for quality.

Thanks for all the comments. Every help is welcomed.
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-tiamat-71

 

[fralexandr]

the 2.1 is better for music thing is mostly related to budget. More speakers == more money. If you're limited to X dollars, then spending all that money on stereo gets you noticeably better sound quality, up to some point.
Depending on your set up, the source may playback only on the relevant speakers by default, or settings can be adjusted in Windows.

Without any indication of budget, it's kind of hard to suggest things.

are we talking ~
5.1 computer speakers ~$50-$100?
"low end" 5.1 home theater type ~$500?
"low end" audiophile? $∞ ?

How big of a room are we talking? without any rough idea, big could mean anything.

on computer speakers:
I've heard some of the logitech 2.1 z313/523 i think, and they were surprisingly ok, but weren't as clean as my more expensive 2.1 swan m10 (~$100).
I'm guessing the logitech z506 should be ok for ~$80.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Surro...s=logitech+5.1
This is the part where 2.0/2.1 > 5.1 for music. You can buy much better 2.1/2.0 sets for ~$100 than you can 5.1, and budget computer speakers are generally subpar compared to similarly priced headphones. I.e. $50 headphones = pretty good, $50 computer speakers = not so good.


In the high end computer 5.1 space, the logitech z5500 and the klipsch 4.1 promedia are both discontinued, and there's no equivalent replacement for them.
The next best thing is the z906, which might be acceptable @ ~$300.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Surro...&keywords=z906
for reference, the z5500 are now $660 new at amazon. Note: I remember them retailing for $300 when they were in their prime.

there are audiophile grade 5.1 computer speakers starting around ~$1k+ (powered speakers, don't require amp/receiver, amp may be built into subwoofer)
These are awesome. My sister's bluesky mediadesk 2.1 sound awesome <3.

-----
based on the big room and a bit audiophile comments I'll assume you could want something better than budget 5.1 computer speakers.

Do you run a multi-monitor (computer screens) setup? It's possible to run multi-monitor on a receiver setup, but there may be some minor annoyances.
does your monitor support hdmi? Graphics card -> HDMI -> receiver -> HDMI -> monitor. Easiest to do if monitor accepts HDMI, minor annoyances if monitor doesn't accept hdmi
Do you plan on going with a 4k display? HDMI 2.0 allows 4k @ 60fps or potentially higher. otherwise 4k limited to 30fps

If you don't run multi-monitor, you might think about getting a home theater receiver + speakers. This is one of the more expensive options, but gives you some of the best sound quality for the price, and lots of flexibility.
Since you're using a big room, this would be the best way to go, especially if you like to listen to things loud.
This kind of set up takes up more space (due to the added receiver and bigger speakers), but should provide better sound quality than a z5500. Also, you're probably not limited to near-field speakers due to the big room.

A starting budget for going the home theater route is ~$500.
A good low end 5.1/7.1 receiver starts around ~$250. I don't think any of these have hdmi 2.0 yet. Those seem to start at ~$400 now, but cheaper ones will be coming out soon (i.e. onkyo 333 msrp $300).
onkyo, denon, and yamaha provide some of the best budget receivers. If you care about efficiency & heat output, pioneer makes receivers with class D amps.

speakers may vary.
you can get a good 5.1 set (energy take classic replacements) ~$230
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?se...&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=CK7lx9eqlsACFcZDMgod-wwAyA
Other 5.0/5.1 sets that go on sale relatively frequently.
energy take classics, klipsch quintets, martin logan mlt, energy micros, polk rm)

the monoprice 5.1 premiums are always a good choice since they're a bit better than the energy take classics, and are offered at a good price.

You can also build your own speakers, or buy speakers 1 by 1. If you decide to do this, AVSForum is a good place to find more information.
There are some nice build your own speaker sets with everything precut.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2056911

newegg frequently sells the polk monitor 50/60/65/70 floorstanders, the 40/30 bookshelfs, and the cs1/2 centers.
There have been a few Pioneer speaker sales lately such as the pioneer andrew jones designed speakers.

note: center channels may or may not be necessary though usually are recommended for home theaters. If you do buy a center channel, proper positioning is crucial. It should be timbre matched to the front speakers (don't buy a completely different center). You do not have to buy the designated center channel i.e. if you buy the monitor 70 you do not have to buy the cs2. You can buy a 3rd front speaker (i.e. monitor 70x3 for Left/Center/Right) or run a phantom center (no center speaker).

Also, speaker wire to connect the speakers to the receiver. 14 or 16 gauge is fine for most applications. The longer the wire you need to run, the larger the diameter of cable you'll need, the smaller the gauge number you'd buy.
http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10239

 

[XenThazor]

So, from what you wrote I decided that I will probably go with some 5.1 computer speakers. Most likely Logitech z 906 (since 5500 isn't sellable anymore, only used ones).
Thanks for your help, it did a lot for me.

 

[Peppered]

Get 3 of these and spec one for the central.

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speakers/1099-preorder-1/1099-preorder.html

Then get two of these.

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/coaxial-speaker-kits/v8-volt-kit.html

And then get a sub woofer or two that will work for your room. DIY subs are not hard to make and they a have Flat Packs for both the sub woofers and the speakers if you don't have the tools or the skill to make the case for them.

I don't have the money yet to buy them my self, working on my sub woofer right now but hope to get the others later.

The speakers I suggested are suppose to sound close as good as a speaker that cost 1299 each.

would suggest getting a good 2.1 system first if you don't have the money. then get some surround speakers later.

 

[Peppered]

The new Logitech z 506 speakers and not of the same quality that the 5500 ones wear.
I got the Z 506 speakers for for my computer and I was not happy at all with them.
Use to have the 5500 years ago and they wear very good for a computer speaker but not sure how they would fair if you are using them in a room for home theater system.

 

[Peppered]

one last thing if you get a small cheap sub it will sound boomy. A good sub dosn't sound Boomy all the time.
One way I can describe how a good sub sounds is that you would hear the Dragon from the last lord of the rings move with real low sounds like he is suppose o sound and the cars on the track in Days of Thunder sound awesome with a good sub

 

[XenThazor]

Well I don't have any workshop + I am not very good maker . And I don't have anyone who could build the speakers for me. So I guess I will stick with some premade 5.1 pc speakers. I can have highs budget but I don't want to go over 500$. So that means I won't go to some cheap home theater and I will rather go with pc speakers that are good (for the pc speakers). And from what I've read the z-906 are not that bad. People say 5500 were better but still 906 are maybe the best if you consider the price. And I don't think I will buy any speakers 1 by 1 since I live in Czech and it's a bit harder to get them like that. (probably will.be also a bit expensive)