anonemus

Hello folks!

I'm planning to buy a 2.1 speaker set for my PC under $45. I'm torn between Logitech's X240 or Creative's T3130--both the only models available locally and within my budget.

X-240 2.1 Speaker System

Inspire T3130 | Creative Labs Online Store

Please vote (and explain your choice, if you want to).

Thanks!

Tyrsonswood

The Logitech has better specs......... I have to LOL at a 4 inch woofer though......

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anonemus

I just bought a Logitech R2 for $24.40 a couple of days ago and am severely disappointed by its audio quality. Well, my fault really for expecting much from such a cheap set and just relying on net reviews

My previous speaker, a Creative Insipire 2500 was way better (bought for $55 more than 3 years ago).

Now I'm torn between the two choices above as Logitech is more preferred (I assume) over Creative.

Tyrsonswood

Well only one guy voted, me....... I was just going by the specs I found from the two links you provided. If the listed specs are accurate the Logitech should sound better, but in this price range I don't know........


No offence to your choices but I wouldn't expect either to knock my socks off...


My basement system has a 100 watt per channel stereo power amp and a set of speakers with 15" / 8" / and dual horns....... It can move my house.

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anonemus

No offense taken, Tyrsonswood

At my price range, I'm not expecting my socks to be knocked off but just to be loosened a bit

anonemus

Any more votes please?

simonw

Just based off my own experiences buying budget/entry-level speakers and having owned both Logitech and Creative brands, I prefer the Logitech which is what I have voted for. I can't remember which Creative model I had, but it had the better bass, but the Logitech had better sounding satellite speakers.

Also Newegg has customer opinions of the Creative T3130 if that helps to make your decision.

Tipstaff

Stay away from the X-240's. Unlike the X-230's, which I have sold countless numbers of let alone even own a pair, the X-240's sound like s**t. The X-230's were the best bang for the buck speakers out there at the time, but these X-240's... crap. I've only sold 1 set EVER. The only exception is the X-540's, but given their price I don't sell them a lot. Why the X-540's? These use the same speakers as the previous X-230's and X-530's, and sound about the same.. only in 5.1.

Either go with the Creative T3130's, or search around for the older Logitech X-230's. An alternative would be the Trust 2.1 SP-3850. You'll have to search around for them as they are mostly sold in the UK and Canada, but these are a very decent speaker set that you can get for less than $30. These, btw, I sell a lot of now, and I do mean a lot of.

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anonemus

@simon -- thanks for the newegg link, really helps!

@Tipstaff-- I actually tried looking for an X-230 as I've read several good reviews about this; unfortunately, this has been replaced by the X-240 in our local market. What made me suspicious that the X-240 is inferior is the fact that the X-240 is cheaper (and looks cheaper as well) than the X-230.

Unfortunately, the Trust speakers are not available here in my country.

Even though I myself am leaning towards the Logitech brand, the Creative T3130 seems to provide better audio quality at this price range.

Tipstaff

The key thing about the X-240s is that Logitech made them look more impressive by making the housing for the speakers bigger (something like 1-2 inches top and bottom). THAT is where they made a mistake. The housing should be holding 2 speakers, but it only holds one in the center, and that excess housing can vibrate at normal to higher volumes.

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anonemus

When you say two speakers per housing, do you mean the top speaker as the "tweeter"? Sorry for the noob question, Tipstaff

Tipstaff

Probably better if I say driver (not device driver, that is) instead of speakers.

Think design wise. If you look at the old X-230s each speaker held 2 separate drivers. They were tall, and held 2 drivers (so they were more rigid height wise), but they were also deep. With the Creative speakers each one holds 1 driver, but the design of the speaker box is smaller, less excess plastic height wise, but they are also deep. That depth helps fill out lower tones. With the X-240s the design of the speaker box is very big considering it only holds 1 driver. Logitech made the X-240s not as deep, instead making them taller, and placed the driver in the center. While you still get a lower tone due to all the space, the problem is that you have excess plastic in the wrong location that can cause the speaker to vibrate.

I know I'm going a bit overboard explaining things, and I'm sorry about that. I'm very particular about the way something sounds. To be perfectly honest, if there is a way that you can return whatever speaker set you buy, try them out first. If you don't like them, return them.

Just a parting message that isn't mine, but describes things perfectly. It's from a review of the X-240s:

"The sound of the X-240 system was lackluster, due in part to the insubstantial satellite speaker enclosures, whose sympathetic vibrations colored the sound unacceptably, and deprived the satellite speakers of their detail."

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anonemus

Unfortunately in our country one can't just return a bought product unless it's damaged. I really should listen to the speakers first before buying them. Another lesson learned.

As usual, thank you for the very informative reply. I didn't know that even the horizontal or vertical box design has bearing on the audio output.

If I don't find an X-230, I'm gonna buy that T3130...after I listen to it first in the store, of course!

Tipstaff

Another set worth looking into would be the Logitech Z323 (DO NOT get the Z313). I haven't heard these speakers myself yet, but from what I've been told they sound pretty good (although when you start to crank up the bass past the midway point the sub can sound odd). They usually sell for between $50-$60.

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anonemus

Yup, the Z313 is available here but I crossed it out of my list. The Z323 really is interesting but its not yet available here and its more than my price ceiling. I'm trying to keep it at less than $45 (PC gaming and listening to MP3).

I also saw an X-210 and curious if its a good option compared to the X-230?

I also noticed that in the local market, the Creative T3100 is still available but a bit more expensive than the new T3130. Something akin to the X-230 vs X-240, no?

crowTrobot

Thanks for the informative thread. I am also looking at cheap but decent speakers. So I am in the exact same spot as Anonemus. Although I have found a deal for X-530s (5.1) costing me only $25. Is that speaker any good?

Also what do you guys think of these:
Canada Computers - Speakers > 2.1 Speakers Systems : Trust 2.1 Speaker Set SP-3850 RMS power 50 Watt.
Canada Computers - Speakers > 2.1 Speakers Systems : Philips MMS171 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System (Refurbished).
Canada Computers - Speakers > 2.1 Speakers Systems : Philips Multimedia Speaker 2.1 SPA7351 (Refurbished).

I don't mind them being refurbished as the prices sound pretty good to me. Thoughts? Thanks in advance

Sorry to piggy back on your thread Anonemus, I hope you don't mind. ^_^'

anonemus

I don't mind, crowTrobot. In fact I welcome your thoughts as well! $25 for an X-530 seems a good bargain...based on the assumption that the X-530 is in the same model range as the X-230.

As to the three speakers in the list, I really am not familiar with them except to say the Trust comes with recommendation by Tipstaff and it looks more professional looking than the Philips...

crowTrobot

Thanks anonemus. I went ahead and bought the used x-530. I am testing it now and its pretty good so far after a few minutes of CoD4 (pretty damn good considering the price!). The guy was very honest when I asked how old it was and if there were any damages. He said it was 4 years old already and there is a tear on the mesh of the front left speaker (its very minor though about a cm long besid the logitech logo, doesn't really affect anything.)

I've had 4.1 and 5.1 speakers before but never had a 5.1 sound card. lol. So I never got to set them up properly. Its weird in Windows 7 though that I can only use 7.1 settings(with side speakers disabled) instead of 5.1 settings for my 5.1 (as the rear speakers aren't being read as side).

anonemus

Grats, crow! I'm still trying to sell my week-old Logitech R20 to get a new 2.1 speakers. I turned up the volume on my R20 this morning to listen to some MP3s but the out was really horrendous! I'm also thinking of just having my old Creative Inspire 2500 fixed. This one has far better audio output.

I don't have any experience with 5.1 speakers though. And I must say, the thought of setting up the wires around where I sit turns me off. But I guess for others its worth the hassle

crowTrobot

What's wrong with your Inspire 2500? Yeah It might be something that could be easily fixed. I had a Cambridge Soundworks FPS1800 and I loved them but the volume control got messed up (it was pretty common for that model) I threw them out only to find out later that they are easily fixable with replacing the variable resistor (costs like a few cents).

The wires are indeed annoying in the 5.1 and these ones from logitech are particularly short. I was hoping to put the rear speakers on both corners of my room but the rear cables are only about 3 meters long. :/ I had bought a mat to place on top of the hardwood floor to run the wires underneath so I don't trip over. lol.

Why can't wireless 5.1s just be the norm

anonemus

One of the speaker wires got cut clean, like someone used a scissor to cut it. I guess when I was moving my PC table (made of metal and wood), the wire got sliced clean. I know absolutely nothing about wiring so I just connected all the small wirings together and taped them. After that, the right speaker won't function correctly and the audio output went bad. I just might bring it to an electrician or technician later.

If there's a cheap but effective (oxymoron?) wireless 5.1, I'll buy one

crowTrobot

What does the cable look like? Is it a jack in the end or is it built in the speaker? You might be able to just replace the cable or maybe you can find somebody who can sell you a compatible satellite for that

anonemus

I'm in the office right now so I'm trying to imagine the cable. IIRC, its the cable that connects to the remote and subwoofer.



It's a simple fix for an electrician, I guess

anonemus

Yes! I was able to "fix" my old Creative Inspire 2500! It was just a matter of swapping the damaged cable (connected to the remote) with a plain audio cable. Good thing my new keyboard has volume control built in.

Now I will save up for a better 2.1 set in the future.

Thanks to all who posted here, especially to Tipstaff. I learned a lot. Now I'm determined to treat a PC's audio with greater value!

anonemus

I cant help but buy this Creative T3100



Sound output is generally the same as my 2500, but when the volume is cranked higher, the T3100 gives clerer output. I'm happy!