I'd like to take a census on what you think are the best PC speakers on the market. I'm lookin to buy some - probably 5.1 with optical input. I was wondering what the average joe is running. Any stellar recommendations?

 

Thanks - Merc.

I would look for a pair of Logitechs. I have a pair of 5.1 speakers that I got like 2 years ago, and they work great still .

Well, if you want the best then you'll go for the Klipsch ProMedia Series. These speakers are amazing! But they're also amazingly expensive. You'll probably pay double for the Klipsch as opposed to the Logitech systems. I personally wouldn't spend that much money unless you're going to be watching movies on your PC. For just games, a nice Logitech system, such as the Z-5300e 5.1 System. I got a friend of mine these speakers a couple of Christmas' ago and he loved them.

 

Hope this helps!

5.1 creative

I would look for a pair of Logitechs. I have a pair of 5.1 speakers that I got like 2 years ago, and they work great still .

I'm thinking these.....

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121133

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836119106

 

if your going to get "computer speakers"

 

and not home theatre speakers

 

klipsch is definetly one of the best

 

you can always spend more if you want too

 

i have a set of klipsch pro media 2.1 and i will never go back to cheap speakers again

 

and dont look at the gmx series from klipsch they suck

 

the klipsch has a bigger range 25hrz to 20khrz compared to 35 to 20,000

 

it also has more power per chanel 60 compared to 38,40,42 watt

 

sub woofer also has 170watts compared to 116

 

cant tell you difference in sound quality but i would guess klipsh is better

I'm thinking these.....

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121133

Yeah, if you're going to spend that much Merc - get the Klipsch. Go to BestBuy and take a listen to them there before you buy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRatingReview.asp?Item=N82E16836119106

 

the comments kinda worried me a bit about blown speakers.....

 

I have a huge Klipsch subwoofer for my home system so I know they make pretty good stuff. I didn't think them really knowing to much on what a PC user would want to do with speakers. I like how the upper level logitechs seem to have more connectivity options and are THX certified. My Kenwood VR-5900 Soverign system is THX certified and it absolutely delivers some great 5.1 sound. I'll do some shopping. So you guys are all running Klipsch?

 

Thanks for the help.

ive had a set for over 5 years

 

no problems

id take the chance worst case rma them and get the logitecs

Spend the money on headphones.

I'm thinking these.....

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121133

I have the wired version Z-5200 or whatever. They simply rock and can be had for about $200 CDN these days. It's a 280 watt system (100 watts for the sub). Games, music and movies never sounded so great! I get lots of "wow"'s from my friends when they come over

I like harman/kardon myself

I have Bose with their PC verison of the acustamass base speaker....they sound GREAT!

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5950214&type=product&id=1061127110349

 

I like the "touch" sensor on the remote volume control the best.

 

Actually the sound is clean, clear and smooth. Great bass sound from the bass speaker

 

Add an Audigy 2/4 sound card and you will not hear anything better from a PC

 

They will bring your game to life...

 

Go to best buy and hear these first befoe you order. ...you will see what I amtalking about.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1877875,00.asp

 

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1877878,00.asp

 

Final Thoughts

 

Klipsch may have ushered in the age of high-end PC desktop audio when it introduced the Promedia line several years ago, but it hasn't kept the line fresh enough, and Logitech and Creative have taken the baton and run with it. Logitech's latest high-performance system adds a new twist by improving the quality of the decoder and moving to wireless rear speakers.

 

I went with these after reading several reivews like the one above. Got them for about $340.

 

Bought them primarily for 1) the input options - want to use the optical input, 2) THX certification - previous experience with other certified equip have been great, and 3) I could really use the wireless back speakers - will work great in my 10x12 office.

 

I'll let you know how they go!

 

Merc

Congrats Merc, but when you have a chance, please stop buy Best Buy and hear the Bose speakers and compare the sound.

No highs no lows....... Must be Bose.

 

I have heard Bose before. They do have creative designs but then make them as cheap as possible for the masses. Sort of like Major brand light beer. It is brewed for the masses with a bland taste so as not to upset anyone. Not too much sizzle or bass in otherwords.

 

Before you start buying. What is your intent with the computer and speaker system? This will dictate what you should buy. This is very important since choices are abundant.

 

You can go crazy and get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836116142

 

Or you can go simple and get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836127106

 

As far as input goes. You would be hard pressed to tell the difference between Optical/Coaxial digital input and 3.5mm mini jacks going to the speakers.

 

Anyone wanna start debating double blind, level matching, listening tests?

 

Also THX is just a sales gimick. Double blind test a THX vs Non THX with matched volume levels and you Cannot tell the difference. This is a fact. As far as the build quality that THX specifies. Most good equipment will pass. It just costs money to certify it.

No highs no lows....... Must be Bose.

Superior highs and superior lows (thumping to the max) ...must be Bose

Congrats Merc, but when you have a chance, please stop buy Best Buy and hear the Bose speakers and compare the sound.

You had to ask!

 

Didn't want to say anything but I just brought those back to Best Buy - didn't like their options and performance for the price....

 

I figured 2 speakers, no 5.1 support, no optical, and retail price tag of about $270 non-thx certified. I love Bose - have some 15 year old AM5s - but for PC speakers I played some BF2 and didn't think they faired any better than the Altec Lansings I currently have. I'll let you know the verdict when I get the logitechs. Jury's still out....

 

Bose are a great speaker though - I bet they're killer listening to the admin tool audio!

You had to ask!

 

Didn't want to say anything but I just brought those back to Best Buy - didn't like their options and performance for the price....

 

I figured 2 speakers, no 5.1 support, no optical, and retail price tag of about $270 non-thx certified. I love Bose - have some 15 year old AM5s - but for PC speakers I played some BF2 and didn't think they faired any better than the Altec Lansings I currently have. I'll let you know the verdict when I get the logitechs. Jury's still out....

 

Bose are a great speaker though - I bet they're killer listening to the admin tool audio!

You obviously did not configure the Audio Tool correctly. What kind of sound card are you using?

You obviously did not configure the Audio Tool correctly. What kind of sound card are you using?

A8N32-SLI Specs

 

Audio 8-channel AC'97 audio via nForce4 SLI and Realtek ALC850 codec

 

Realtek ALC850

 

Running great so far....

No wonder the Bose didn't sound good. Nothing beats Audigy 2/4. Realtec will never come near to the sound quality. Now get ya an audigy 2/4 card and you are all set.

Did you look at these?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121120

 

I have never seen the ones you bought, so I can't comment on their level of performance, but I know that Sam.Gen. has the Z-5500 and they are beast.

 

If you compare number to the one you bought then it is superior in many ways. Stronger bass and cheaper, only downside compared to the Z-5450 is not having wireless rear speakers.

 

At the same token you have plenty of reasons to choosing the ones you did. Looks like some good technology.

 

Oh, did you see what sound card they tested them with? Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro; it is one crazy sound card if you ask me.

just an fyi.... these speakers are great sounding and cheap and are available at your local officemax...

 

http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&expansionOID=-536879930&prodBlockOID=537405779

The first thing you want to do is get an Audigy 2 or 4 of some sort or the New X-FI basic.

 

After that spending money on speakers won't matter. You will be playing games and not using it to listen to music or DVD's with surround sound. The CPU of a computer is like an engine. Why would you use a dirty air cleaner on the engine (Dirty air ='s onboard sound).

 

Going with a sound card processes everything away from the CPU and does it much better than Software based AC97 or whatever onboard sound chip is used for that matter. You will gain better sound. You will gain FPS. You will gain smoother gameplay. You will gain EAX localization which will enable you to get more frags. It will make your system function so much better. The sound channels availible to the AC97 is limited by the audio codec/processing and therefore it will hamper you. Just b/c it works now does not mean it cannot be better.

 

You will be better off Spending $120 on a Creative X-FI sound card and then $150 on a good 2.1 system. That will kick the crap out of a $300 speaker system on AC97 onboard. Spending much more than $150 on a 2.1 computer system will not gain you much. Just as spending $500 on a set of home speakers vs $5000 on a set of speakers. You never get 10 times the performance.

 

Does that make sense now?

 

It would be like buying a Porche and going to Pepboys and getting the cheapest tires for it. Sure they look good on the car but it will suck at everything else.

 

I have been an Audiophile for well since I got my First Luxman receiver and Alpine car radio at 16. I had two jobs and earned them. It is worth the money to get decent stuff to a point.

 

I have been to two Stereophile Magazine CES Conventions in NYC, talked and reviewed numerous technolgies over the years. I have a good idea of what works and what doesn't.

 

When it comes to computers. I am a Hardware person all the way.

 

Get a sound card. You wont regret it.

Here is something to think about.

 

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Zenith-Home-Theater-System-ZHD311-/sem/rpsm/oid/118642/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

 

You could get something like this. I have one similar I use at work and the performance is great. Just throw away the speakers. Put the Amp under your monitor. Get a Separate Sub from somewhere and a set of Shielded home speakers.

 

This setup would kick the butt out of any "Computer" speaker setup.

 

For Instance....... Amazon.com: Mission m31i 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers, Pair (Graphite Black): Electronics

 

Get this Sub....... Amazon.com: Advent ASW1200 12" Powered Subwoofer, with Auto Turn-On: Electronics

 

$100 + $115 + $85 = $300 and this will Kick absolute Butt!