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Thread: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

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    The LHC rulez! DataMatrix's Avatar
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    High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    I recently bought an X-Fi Prelude and I am only using headphones on it. Does anyone know of any good speaker setup that is around the £80-160 range (can be more or less as long as they are good).

    I am looking for a 5.1/7.1 setup depending how expensive they are.

    Suggestions needed please

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    The LHC rulez! DataMatrix's Avatar
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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    Nevermind, I've made my choice with these babies

    http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/56092

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    I would personally recommend these. had them for over a year now, awesome quality, and all the inputs you could ever need.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    Nice choice. A lot over your original budget lol

    Hope you like them.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    I have some of these, awesome speakers you'll love em

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    They are awesome speakers
    I brought some DTT3500's a loooong time back and im still amazed at how few of todays come near to them.
    They were about £250 at the time IIRC, but I don't regret it one bit. Infact, its the only part of my 'system' Ive not changed for over 6 years
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    Between the Gigaworks and the Logitech, I prefer the Gigaworks - they are more well rounded IMO. I find the Logitech's subwoofer too boomy for my taste, and less controlled than the ones on the Gigaworks (which is by no mean weak - mine is not even half way). There is some subjectivity here, a lot of people who choose Logitech do so because of they prefer the bass. When it comes to mids and high (more crucial for music listening), the Gigaworks is definitely one of the better MM speakers though.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    I too have the gigaworks, and am missing them greatly, as my pokey computer room in the new flat doesnt really have the room for them, nore am i allowed to drill them in the walls.

    The sub is actually pretty overpowering imo, i always need to knock it down a couple of notches everytime they reset themselves, (which is far too frequently, as i assume people who own them will know) But other than that fantastically annoying trait they are fantastic, and currently serving my dad very well hooked up to his tv.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    totally agree. creative are better. logitech are nice but as already said, to boomy!

    i have a custom 2.1 system


    { Sugo SG-01e }{ E4300 @ 2.8ghz }{ Cellshock 2x1gb pc2 8000 }{ X1950XTX sapphire }{ Gigabyte DS2R }
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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    This is a rather naive question: why do PC users with high end systems buy speaker sets aimed specifically at PC users, rather than just feed a regular amp? Those speaker sets have always looked a little weedy or poorly built, but I've never tried a £250 set. I've always either used el cheapo PC speakers, or an amp (stereo or home theatre) with mid range speakers - usually courtesy of Richer Sounds. Do these £250 kits offer any advantages?

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    All Ill say is Ive had 3 sets of Z-5500 die on me so after getting my money back Ive gone and got an amp speakers and a huge sub so I have a 2.1 system for £100 which blows the Z-5500 out of the water for sound quality.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by mroz View Post
    This is a rather naive question: why do PC users with high end systems buy speaker sets aimed specifically at PC users, rather than just feed a regular amp? Those speaker sets have always looked a little weedy or poorly built, but I've never tried a £250 set. I've always either used el cheapo PC speakers, or an amp (stereo or home theatre) with mid range speakers - usually courtesy of Richer Sounds. Do these £250 kits offer any advantages?
    Most of the PC systems are built with size in mind
    A lot of the speakers from Richer will be much bigger in comparison (of course, not all )
    There is no reason why you can't just hook up a normal amp and speakers though, and I know a fair few people who do for home entertainment systems (my dad for one )

    It depends on what you go for, but a good 5.1 amp with speakers can cost a fair bit more than £250
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    All fair points. I was just wondering if I'd missed some other reason. It didn't sit right that if these kits are any good why are they only bought by PC types & not for general audio use; equally, why do guys who'll spend a fortune on PC components buy these rather than a regular audio set up?

    Maybe it's merely a combination of size & cost as you say. I suppose I was wondering if I'd missed out on some secret or had overlooked something specific to the requirements of PC audio.

    Any idea how the above would compare to a RXV361 & NSP110 say? It would be interesting to find a comparative review of amp/speaker packages crossing the boundary between PC & Home Theatre.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    Yeah at the end of the day a lot of this will be down to personal preference, for me personally the Logitech suit my needs perfectly, mainly due to the fact that i have a number of different devices hooked up to it (not sure whether the creative systems have the required inputs), also i would never see myself needing or having the space for 7 speaker system, 5.1 is perfect for the size of room i have. As for the quality of the Logitech, had mine for a year and never an issue although i have seen numerous posts where people have had dodgy z5500. Also the price was a consideration, i paid £160 from Amazon, my budget was £200.
    Last edited by grizzla; 17-09-2007 at 10:03 AM.

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    I've been using the Logitech 5.1 speakers (£250 range) for the past 5 years or so and use them for the Xbox 360, Sky box and my PC. They're a little boomy at the default setting but decreasing the subwoofer's output sorts that out and avoids conflict with the neighbours too

    For the price, I've found them to be pretty damn good for my needs. I did consider opting for an amplifier and speaker combo but to get similar quality I would have needed to spend a lot more money.
    My only concern is should I hide my true identity? A costume maybe?

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    Re: High Quality 5.1 Speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by herulach View Post
    The sub is actually pretty overpowering imo, i always need to knock it down a couple of notches everytime they reset themselves, (which is far too frequently, as i assume people who own them will know)
    Ah, yes, I know exactly what you are talking about. Pretty much happens every time you switch them off or send them on standby.. which is why I usually just mute them when not in use. Probably waste mote energy, but I was getting tired having to turn the sub down a few notches too.

    As to why MM speakers versus proper hi-fi, the size is partly the reason (although the upper end of MM speakers aren't as tiny as the £10 satellite you find), and for magnetic shielding. I do not have huge amount of floor space nor desks space, hence the left and right speakers need to be pretty near my monitor (a big CRT back then). To be honest though I do find the Creative to do reasonably well against home theatre in the same price range. It does loses out in terms of input though (not an issue for me, but could be for others).

    I must say though, I've shifted much of my music listening through headphones. From a strictly sound quality point of view, there is no contest. It really takes a very good hi-fi setup to be in the same league. Yet for comfort's sake, I do still use my Gigaworks for music still (just not exclusively).

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