Suggestion for some speakers.

[Hellfire]

Okay, so some of you may have read that I am ordering a brand new, tits of a system. so the problem is, I want sound with it.

Only problem I am having is the soundcard is 7.1, however Ebuyer & Scan only seem to have 5.1 speaker systems max, and I cannot find 8channel or 7.1

I have a tight budget of around £50-70 max due to the new costs of the PC so I do not expect perfect quality

However I tend to go for Creative Labs products I am open to suggestions. If 7.1 in my price range isn't possible then 5.1 will do.

Regards,

 

[dark2099]

I'm sure someone will correct me on this if I am wrong, but I don't believe any media right now actually makes full use of 7.1 systems, so really you don't need the extra speakers. I think some of the best out there now are the Logitech Z-5500s if they have those, other than that, not sure whats good and whats bad.

 

[Fourstaff]

i would go for Logitech X-540 or the Logitech X-530. I have used the younger brother of the X-530, the X230 and its good for its price.

 

[Hellfire]

Yeah, I hear Logitech are good, thank you for the suggestion.

 

[sneekypeet]

i would go for Logitech X-540 or the Logitech X-530. I have used the younger brother of the X-530, the X230 and its good for its price.

Agreed, I have the 530's and they do rock for day to day. If you are an audiophile, you may want to keep looking.

 

[Flak]

I dumped my X-530's for a set of Z-2300, I heard them at a lan party and fell in love. Got them for a great price and haven't looked back. The X-530s pull back up duty on my spare rig now.

 

[digibucc]

and you can always plug a small 2 channel setup into the extra side speakers port , and use speaker fill if you really want 7 speaker sound... i did

don't do it anymore as it was kind of a pain, and as dark said not much really uses 7.1 ... empire total war had 7.1 discrete, and maybe 1 or 2 other games. no music, very few blue rays.

you can again , speaker fill , and it will just push the same audio out of the extra speakers. which isn't surround it's just more speakers.

 

[Fourstaff]

I dumped my X-530's for a set of Z-2300, I heard them at a lan party and fell in love. Got them for a great price and haven't looked back. The X-530s pull back up duty on my spare rig now.

Z-2300 is wayyyyy too expensive and its 2.1.

Oh, I am currently using a Logitech Z323. Good 2.1 speaker, but too much bass for me. I would still rate it more highly than the X-230 but the X-230 is "sharper", while the Z323 provides a solid "thump".

 

[Flak]

Yeah, reading comprehension for the win. Had to read his post a second time to see the price limit. My point was that a good 2.1 system is still better then a middle of the road 5.1.....

 

[Hellfire]

I wouldn't say I am an audiophille, eg movies etc will be watched on my TV, this will be mainly used for gaming, the odd movie and songs,

 

[sneekypeet]

the 530/540 should be sufficient. I also have a set of Creative 5.1's and they sound tin can-ish, something I didnt get with the logitechs

 

[ShadyDeth]

I've owned the Logitech X-530's for 4 years and I still love them. They still sound amazing till this day and i've never had any problems with them at all. Doubt I will be buying any new ones soon unless these ones die on me.

 

[Hellfire]

Hmmmm do I pay £20 more for the 540's.. what is the difference to people who've heard both? noticeable difference?

 

[ShadyDeth]

From what i've read there is no difference between the two models with the quality. The 540's just have a better layout of the system with the control pad, where you can adjust the volume, sub-woofer bass, and matrix mode (turns stereo into 5.1). With the 530's the volume control is on the front right speaker itself, and to adjust the bass of the sub-woofer its on the back of the sub-woofer. I myself would buy the 540's over the 530's if I was purchasing a new set of speakers.

 

[boise49ers]

I'm sure someone will correct me on this if I am wrong, but I don't believe any media right now actually makes full use of 7.1 systems, so really you don't need the extra speakers. I think some of the best out there now are the Logitech Z-5500s if they have those, other than that, not sure whats good and whats bad.

You won't touch those on your budget. Altec Lansing and Logitech make about the Best 5.1 Analog systems for under $100. I actually run a double set of 5.1 on my Gamer. I have 2 center 4 rear one set in mid room, 4 front, and 2 subs. 1 set is Creative Lab, and then the more powerful Altec Lansing. Pretty even balanced system. Both set togher were about $100. The altec new were $75 and then I bought the Creative Lab set on Craigslist for $25 for a Computer I got put in my Living room as a HT set up. It has 5.1 digital now hooked to my Home Theatre receiver running thru ATI 5000 series card and HDMI Audio. I'd love to have that set up on my gamer. The separation is perfect and I have a sub that will bring down the roof.
Point being there are a lot of options. Just play around. I'd search Logitech for the best punch for your buck though.