best 5.1 pc speakers?

phantommenace2 · Oct 26, 2005, 08:47 AM

what are the absolute best 5.1 speakers out now?...I'm planning on building a top of the line system soon and I want the best 5.1 speakers to go aloong with my new Creative X-Fi sound card...I will use it mostly for PC gaming and DVD watching...also it must have DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 support and preferably be THX certified...thanks for any help

P.S. are 7.1 speakers really worth it?...do a lot of DVD's and games support 7.1?...would I be better off getting a 7.1 set over a 5.1 set?

**could a mod please move this thread over to the "Audio General and Technical Discussion" forum****

***craig5320*** · Oct 26, 2005, 09:25 AM

moved. If you're building a top-of-the-line system, you may as well go to 7.1 sound. The software/hardware should mix up to 7.1 as long as you get a soundcard that supports it. I like creative for PC speakers

daedal · Oct 26, 2005, 12:17 PM

Klipsch all the way.

Sandok · Oct 26, 2005, 12:42 PM

I have altec lansing but logitech is great too

Zelig · Oct 27, 2005, 10:04 PM

Klipsch and Creative are pretty much tied in terms of quality, with the Klipsch sub having the edge and the Creative satellites for their system being slightly better.

If you're looking for the BEST 5.1 system, you could easily be spending $10000+ for a wicked assortment of speakers.

EDIT: Oops, I meant to say Klipsch and Creative are pretty much tied in terms of sound quality. The Logitech set is inferior to either of them.

Raptor · Nov 4, 2005, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantommenace2

what are the absolute best 5.1 speakers out now?...I'm planning on building a top of the line system soon and I want the best 5.1 speakers to go aloong with my new Creative X-Fi sound card...I will use it mostly for PC gaming and DVD watching...also it must have DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 support and preferably be THX certified...thanks for any help

P.S. are 7.1 speakers really worth it?...do a lot of DVD's and games support 7.1?...would I be better off getting a 7.1 set over a 5.1 set?

**could a mod please move this thread over to the "Audio General and Technical Discussion" forum****

I just hooked up my new Logitech Z-5500's and I can highly recommend them. Amazing set to say the least.

Clear and distinct mids/highs, with a HUGE subwoofer which might upset the balance of the set if the user is not careful but it can be tamed quite nicely with the systems console and correct room placement. (in a corner) I've been breaking them in all day and haven't tired of listening to them at all. They even sound great at low volume levels. 500 watts rms!!!! Need I say more?

Lowfat · Nov 4, 2005, 02:48 AM

I recently switched from a set of Logitech Z680s (last years version of the Z5500s) to a pair of Athena AS-B1 home theater speakers. Although i only 2 speakers currently, it sound difference is amazing.

I highly suggest picking up either a good home theatre in a box (i.e. Onkyo, Yamaha, etc) and use that. Or if you know a big about Home Theatre, you could piece one together yourself.

sovietdoc · Nov 5, 2005, 11:39 PM

I dunno about all you guys. I picked up a nice set of the Z-5500's from Logitech (the latest revision) and they're awesome. I tried Creative's Gigaworks S750, Klipsch Promedia 5.1 and Z-5500 for DVD Audio playback in full 6 channel 24 but 96 khz and the logitech's seem to have much better clarity for both high and very low sounds, though yeah, the klipshces dominate at mid range sounds. Gigaworks are kinda useless, those two extra speakers make no differece in sound quality for me. Maybe because my room is almost a perfect square with speakers mounted in each corner, so i don't need those 2 extra speakers for better acounstics.

GeneralClaymore · Nov 6, 2005, 04:56 AM

i would say the Z-5500 or the klipsch they both Great ones and if u not gonna spend that much then the z-5300e would be a great buy too.

Shakey_Jake33 · Nov 12, 2005, 03:33 AM

It's only really worth going 7.1 if you've got a fairly large room, otherwise it can actually sound really strange.

7.1 is for living room usage really, stick to 5.1 if you've got your machine in a smaller room like an office or bedroom.

Another Z-5500 owner here.

g35x · Nov 16, 2005, 01:04 PM

[color=slategray]dont go 7.1 unless u can spend ALOT of money,good 5.1 blows away cheapo 7.1[/color]
[color=#708090][/color]
[color=red]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121[/color]

Shaga · Nov 16, 2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tulcakelume

I recently switched from a set of Logitech Z680s (last years version of the Z5500s) to a pair of Athena AS-B1 home theater speakers. Although i only 2 speakers currently, it sound difference is amazing.

I highly suggest picking up either a good home theatre in a box (i.e. Onkyo, Yamaha, etc) and use that. Or if you know a big about Home Theatre, you could piece one together yourself.

Agreed! I have these only connected to my computer via multichannel and digital coaxial...

Yamaha RX-V450
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/prod...ht/rxv450.html

Audiopro Cinemaroom
http://www.audiopro.com/products/cinema_room.asp

ps. 7.1 doesn't give you anything special, pick 6.1 or 5.1, and games/dvds/audio-dvds doesn't even support 6.1/7.1 very often, quite waste of money..
pss. I though my old logitech x-530 sounded nice when I first got it, but once I bought these.. there's no turning back, I was wrong..

Judas · Nov 16, 2005, 07:00 PM

a true home amp will blow any pc speaker system out of the water any day.

IMO, Yamaha currently makes the best Home Amp that is both reasonable in price and produces a very rich set of lows/mids and of course highs. Only problem is, the cost of actually building a full set that is going to kick any pc speaker setup to hell, is going to cost approx 1200 bucks canadian or better.

Currenly i can get myself a set of 8 200 watt ported shelf speakers that can wallop out a sound that makes some peoples "superior" system that cost them 4-5k and saposedly more wattage, sound like garbage. (there is such thing and overwattage and overpower)...

For any reasonably normal sized room, anything more then 1000 watts is overkill, don't try and fill a hall or say a rink, when your actually trying to fill a 12 foot by 20 foot room (example).

Additionally, although the 200 watt ported speakers will have a good amount of low tones to make your chest feel the presure, a sub woofer will always do better.

Zelig · Nov 16, 2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

a true home amp will blow any pc speaker system out of the water any day.

The Klipsch and Creative high-end multimedia speakers are comparatively priced compared to their sound quality versus high-end home theatre systems.

If I had all the money I wanted, I'd be picking up a THX Ultra2 set from Klipsch. I'd need a new T.V., couch and a new home theatre room so as not to feel like I was wasting them though.

Drakon · Nov 16, 2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daedal

Klipsch all the way.

'Nuff said. The bass unit in this system is just insane. Coupled with an Audigy 2 ZS, it's just killer. Shakes my room plus the surrounding rooms.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836119106

Cheaper than what I paid for mine directly from Klipsch

Sandok · Nov 16, 2005, 08:36 PM

I got a nice Altec Lansing system. My house shakes too

I love bass!

Judas · Nov 16, 2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelig

The Klipsch and Creative high-end multimedia speakers are comparatively priced compared to their sound quality versus high-end home theatre systems.

If I had all the money I wanted, I'd be picking up a THX Ultra2 set from Klipsch. I'd need a new T.V., couch and a new home theatre room so as not to feel like I was wasting them though.

to each there own.... But it's a null point, reguardless of what is said, a home theater amp is still going to be better.

kinda like comparing a prebuilt computer to a costum... to each there own...

Zelig · Nov 16, 2005, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

to each there own.... But it's a null point, reguardless of what is said, a home theater amp is still going to be better.

kinda like comparing a prebuilt computer to a costum... to each there own...

A good home theatre amp/speakers is going to sound better, with a price tag to match.

The Klipsch Ultra amp powers other speakers nicely BTW, I've currently got a pair of Boston Acoustics bookshelves hooked up for the front speakers that sound awesome.

Lowfat · Nov 17, 2005, 04:49 AM

A home theatre amp isn't nessesarily better, you need good sounding speakers too. You could buy a $500+ H/K amp, and it could still sound like crap if you cheaped out on the speakers. I have a $250CAD amp, with a pair of $200CAD speakers, and it sounds gorgeous.

Oct 26, 2005, 08:47 AM	#1
phantommenace2 hexa-core gamer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 266 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	best 5.1 pc speakers? what are the absolute best 5.1 speakers out now?...I'm planning on building a top of the line system soon and I want the best 5.1 speakers to go aloong with my new Creative X-Fi sound card...I will use it mostly for PC gaming and DVD watching...also it must have DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 support and preferably be THX certified...thanks for any help P.S. are 7.1 speakers really worth it?...do a lot of DVD's and games support 7.1?...would I be better off getting a 7.1 set over a 5.1 set? could a mod please move this thread over to the "Audio General and Technical Discussion" forum** Last edited by phantommenace2; Oct 26, 2005 at 09:06 AM.

Oct 26, 2005, 09:25 AM	#2
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,565 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	moved. If you're building a top-of-the-line system, you may as well go to 7.1 sound. The software/hardware should mix up to 7.1 as long as you get a soundcard that supports it. I like creative for PC speakers __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Oct 26, 2005, 12:17 PM	#3
daedal Uber Coffee Drinker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gatineau, Quebec Posts: 2,250 Rep Power: 0	Klipsch all the way. __________________

Oct 27, 2005, 10:04 PM	#5
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Klipsch and Creative are pretty much tied in terms of quality, with the Klipsch sub having the edge and the Creative satellites for their system being slightly better. If you're looking for the BEST 5.1 system, you could easily be spending $10000+ for a wicked assortment of speakers. EDIT: Oops, I meant to say Klipsch and Creative are pretty much tied in terms of sound quality. The Logitech set is inferior to either of them. __________________ -- Last edited by Zelig; Nov 12, 2005 at 05:16 AM.

Nov 5, 2005, 11:39 PM	#8
sovietdoc DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 121 Rep Power: 0	I dunno about all you guys. I picked up a nice set of the Z-5500's from Logitech (the latest revision) and they're awesome. I tried Creative's Gigaworks S750, Klipsch Promedia 5.1 and Z-5500 for DVD Audio playback in full 6 channel 24 but 96 khz and the logitech's seem to have much better clarity for both high and very low sounds, though yeah, the klipshces dominate at mid range sounds. Gigaworks are kinda useless, those two extra speakers make no differece in sound quality for me. Maybe because my room is almost a perfect square with speakers mounted in each corner, so i don't need those 2 extra speakers for better acounstics. __________________

Oct 26, 2005, 12:42 PM	#4
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	I have altec lansing but logitech is great too

Nov 4, 2005, 02:48 AM	#7
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	I recently switched from a set of Logitech Z680s (last years version of the Z5500s) to a pair of Athena AS-B1 home theater speakers. Although i only 2 speakers currently, it sound difference is amazing. I highly suggest picking up either a good home theatre in a box (i.e. Onkyo, Yamaha, etc) and use that. Or if you know a big about Home Theatre, you could piece one together yourself. __________________

Nov 6, 2005, 04:56 AM	#9
GeneralClaymore HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MI Posts: 434 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	i would say the Z-5500 or the klipsch they both Great ones and if u not gonna spend that much then the z-5300e would be a great buy too. __________________ Source: x-fi titanium hd 2x LT1124ACN+ 2x LT1115 > Matrix M-Stage V2 /w 2x LME49710NA> DT880 pro 250ohm

Nov 12, 2005, 03:33 AM	#10
Shakey_Jake33 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 80 Rep Power: 0	It's only really worth going 7.1 if you've got a fairly large room, otherwise it can actually sound really strange. 7.1 is for living room usage really, stick to 5.1 if you've got your machine in a smaller room like an office or bedroom. Another Z-5500 owner here. __________________ CPU: Intel Core2 Extreme X6800 2.93GHz RAM: 2GB (2X1) GEiL DDR2 800MHz CAS4 GPU: OCUK GeForce 7900 GTO SILENT 512Meg Motherboard: Asus P5W DH Deluxe Sound Card: Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Case: Antec P180 Black PSU: Seasonic S12 600W

Nov 16, 2005, 01:04 PM	#11
g35x Hellhound Pilot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deptford, New Jersey Posts: 1,100 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	[color=slategray]dont go 7.1 unless u can spend ALOT of money,good 5.1 blows away cheapo 7.1[/color] [color=#708090][/color] [color=red]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121[/color] __________________

Nov 16, 2005, 08:36 PM	#16
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	I got a nice Altec Lansing system. My house shakes too I love bass!

Nov 17, 2005, 04:49 AM	#19
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	A home theatre amp isn't nessesarily better, you need good sounding speakers too. You could buy a $500+ H/K amp, and it could still sound like crap if you cheaped out on the speakers. I have a $250CAD amp, with a pair of $200CAD speakers, and it sounds gorgeous. __________________