Any recommendations for 4.1/5.1 PC speakers?
07-05-03, 11:30 PM
#1
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any recommendations for 4.1/5.1 PC speakers?
Recently I've been getting back into PC gaming (I can't believe how much fun I'm having with Neverwinter Nights!) My company was upgrading and throwing out old PCs so I took one home: a P3 1Ghz, 256MB RAM. Previously my best PC at home was a 450Mhz 128MB RAM. I bought a GeForce 4 ti4200 64MB for $89 for the new PC, and now all I need is to upgrade the sound. Right now I'm using the PC's onboard audio and 2 speakers. I want to get a better sound card and some speakers for surround sound.
There's a low-end Soundblaster Live! 5.1 sound card for $49 which I think would be a good fit. But I'm not sure what to consider for speakers.
Any recommendations for a 4.1 or 5.1 speaker set? I don't need anything special - this is just for playing games. I listen to music and watch movies on my home theater system instead. The only requirement is that the speaker set has a headphone jack.
There's a low-end Soundblaster Live! 5.1 sound card for $49 which I think would be a good fit. But I'm not sure what to consider for speakers.
Any recommendations for a 4.1 or 5.1 speaker set? I don't need anything special - this is just for playing games. I listen to music and watch movies on my home theater system instead. The only requirement is that the speaker set has a headphone jack.
07-06-03, 01:51 AM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
07-06-03, 04:08 PM
#7
DVD Talk God
Altec Lansing 641. Very inexpensive for what you get. Best sounding sub I have heard for the under $200 systems. Actually, it is better than any I have heard for under $400
http://www.epinions.com/Altec_Lansin...__Speakers_641
http://www.epinions.com/Altec_Lansin...__Speakers_641
07-06-03, 04:43 PM
#8
Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Austin/Houston
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Circuit City has the Monsoon 5.1 set model: MMS MH505 for ~$42.99 + tax after a $50 mail in rebate. MSRP is $180.
I just got them today and they sound really good. They are on clearance so you may have have to hunt for them. If the price is higher try to price match to the CC in Pasadena CA, thats what I did.
Good luck
I just got them today and they sound really good. They are on clearance so you may have have to hunt for them. If the price is higher try to price match to the CC in Pasadena CA, thats what I did.
Good luck
07-06-03, 06:03 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Logitech Z-680
These are worth paying a little more, unless you are on a strict budget. Also look into the Creative Labs Audigy sound cards or Turtle Beach's Santa Cruz. Both sound much better IMO than the Live! and may not be much more expensive.
These are worth paying a little more, unless you are on a strict budget. Also look into the Creative Labs Audigy sound cards or Turtle Beach's Santa Cruz. Both sound much better IMO than the Live! and may not be much more expensive.
07-06-03, 07:12 PM
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
The only bad thing I have heard about the Logitech Z-680 is a hiss from the center channel.
This is where I heard it from, maybe another review as well...
Are you guys not hearing this?
This is where I heard it from, maybe another review as well...
Are you guys not hearing this?
Last edited by Music; 07-06-03 at 07:15 PM.
07-07-03, 10:34 AM
#11
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Logitech Z-680 is nice, but if I bought it I'd be paying a lot for extras I don't need, such as an external DTS, DD, and PL2 decoder. Like I said, I have a nice A/V system for my consoles and movies, and I don't need extra stuff like this.
The Monsoon MMS MH505 looks like a great deal for less than $50. Is it CC policy to pricematch with other CC stores around the country? The only reservation I have about the Monsoon is that the satellites are so tall. What is the exact height?
The Altec Lansing 641 looks like a nice set too. But that sub is tall! Due to space constraints it might be an issue. What is the height of the sub?
Thanks for all the help so far.
The Monsoon MMS MH505 looks like a great deal for less than $50. Is it CC policy to pricematch with other CC stores around the country? The only reservation I have about the Monsoon is that the satellites are so tall. What is the exact height?
The Altec Lansing 641 looks like a nice set too. But that sub is tall! Due to space constraints it might be an issue. What is the height of the sub?
Thanks for all the help so far.
07-08-03, 10:57 AM
#13
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Went to my local Circuit City last night and picked up the Monsoons. The satellites are a little tall, but considering the great sound coming out of them and the fantastic price, it's ok. My local CC had the Monsoons for $93.99.
I also picked up a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. Definitely better than a low-end Soundblaster and not much more expensive. Reviews for the Santa Cruz are excellent as well.
Thanks for the help everyone.
I also picked up a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. Definitely better than a low-end Soundblaster and not much more expensive. Reviews for the Santa Cruz are excellent as well.
Thanks for the help everyone.
07-08-03, 02:41 PM
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: vancouver, WA, USA, Earth, Sol, Milkyway
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ive never been a big fan of for-PC sound systems. They are usually only adequate IMO. the really good ones are VERY expensive. IMO its a much better deal to buy a DD receiver and a tradition audio system and hook ur pc up to that. just MO.
j
j
07-08-03, 06:32 PM
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I have the Logitech Z-680. Very nice speakers. Well worth it. Shop around online though. They were 399.99 at best buy but I got mine under 300 shipped. Haha! Take that corporate america!
07-09-03, 09:15 AM
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know that the Z-680 speakers are excellent speakers. In fact they are better than many HTIB systems at or above their price range. And you can easily buy them for less than $300 shipped online. With an external DD/DTS/PL2 decoder, you can hook it up to a DVD player or video game console and get great surround sound for a low price.
But the Monsoons I bought are pretty nice for my needs. A $180 system for less than $50 after rebate is pretty unbeatable. I hooked it all up last night and it sounds good for the money. It doesn't even compare to my Paradigm speakers (and my Paradigms are pretty low-end), but I didn't expect too much out of the Monsoons anyway. It's certainly much, much better than my old 2-piece PC speaker set.
But the Monsoons I bought are pretty nice for my needs. A $180 system for less than $50 after rebate is pretty unbeatable. I hooked it all up last night and it sounds good for the money. It doesn't even compare to my Paradigm speakers (and my Paradigms are pretty low-end), but I didn't expect too much out of the Monsoons anyway. It's certainly much, much better than my old 2-piece PC speaker set.
