Which Surround Sound Speakers Should I Get?

[Sliquid]

Hi guys,

I'm planning on building a new PC, but can't decide what speakers to get.
I'm currently on some Creative Labs 5.1 5300s, which are decent enough for now, but for my new PC, I want something better.
I'm on a budget, so I wanna try to keep it as low as possible, but I still want good quality.

I mostly play games, and listen to mp3s, but I do occasionally watch movies etc... on my PC, and I may hook them up to my XBox aswell.

Here's my choices :-

Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 (These are real expensive, so I only want to get them if they're the only ones worth getting.)
Cambridge Soundworks/Creative Labs Megaworks 510D (Expensive, but cheaper than the Klipsch speaker, and is full 5.1 Surround Sound.)
Cambridge Soundworks/Creative Labs Inspire 5.1 5700 (Not expensive, but are they any good?)

Can you please respond with the order in which you would go for, if you were on a bugdet.

Put simply - What's the best price : sound ratio - Are the 5700s any good?
I've heard of some problems with the 510Ds, but are they any good?
Have you got one of these sets, and how would you rate them?
Have you heard all 3, and which is the best in your opinion?

Thanks people.

- Sliquid

 

[Evilmage]

why don't you get the z560s from logitech? You can find them for around 130-140 and from what I hear, they come damn close to klipsh 4.1s for half the price

 

[jarsoffart]

Originally posted by: Evilmage
why don't you get the z560s from logitech?

I concur.

 

[Piano Man]

I have listened to both the Klipsch's and the 510D's. The Klipsch's were used with an Audigy, and the 510D's which I own are used with a Terratec DMX 6fire 24/96. First with the Klipsch's, they sound great, however for listening to music, I was somewhat disappointed with the harshness of the highs. I guess for RAP and Pop, where there is little middle and a lot of lows and highs, this is fine, but I like a warmer sound. That is what you get with the 510D's. The smoothness of the sound is exactly what I look for, and these do not disappoint. For music, the 510D's are awesome, and are also great for games and DVD's. One thing about games, the Klipch's might be slightly better due to treatment of the high frequencies, but with either one, you will not be disappointed. If you check out 3dSoundSurge for their reviews, its pretty easy to figure out that they give a slight edge to the 510D's, and so do most other sites. I have not heard the 5700's, but my guess is that both of these systems blow it out of the water. I would get the 510D's.

One note about the 510D's. No headphone jack, which isn't a problem if you have one on a breakout box, but just to let you know.

About the problems with the 510D's, I'm not sure what they are, but I haven't had them, and trust me, I've tested them vigorously.

 

[hamburglar]

The logitech Z560s are great choice. Economical too!

 

[DeviousTrap]

Just like Piano Man said i dont know of any problems with the 510d, since i never had any. They were a sinch to put up and i like them better the my friends ProMedia 5.1 which i think is just overkill and a waste of money. If your on a budget and would average sound i think that you would survive with the 5700. Actually i dont thinktthe 5700 is a big improvement of the 5300s.

 

[TheWart]

1. Klipsch 5.1

2. Logitech Z-560

there are no other choices imho

 

[Mem]

there are no other choices imho

I know in the UK when you start paying Klipsch 5.1 prices you can buy a pretty good AV 5.1 amp with 5.1 Hi-Fi speakers which will give you better sound,however the Cambridge Soundworks/Creative Labs Megaworks 510D & Klipsch 5.1 are good sounding systems and probably the best(PC wise) at that price level,sound quality wise between brands ,well only your ears can decide that.

I would personally go & buy a good AV 5.1 amp/reciever and buy some decent 5.1 Hi-fi speakers with decent speaker cable .

 

[jarsoffart]

Creative Inspire 5700 Review