Which Audio System Would you Choose and Why?

[mclaren85]

Hello everyone,

I have two audio systems, one of them is 5.1 Sony, the other one is 2.1 Altec lansing. Which one would you choose for gaming and some movies? Will there be much difference?

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[QckSilver]

I would choose the 5.1 system if i could place the speakers in their respective position, otherwise i really wouldn't bother with a 5.1 surround, unless of course the sony speakers delivers more quality over those ALTEC you have, then i could just set it up for 2.1 instead

Oh yeah about the difference, well not so much IMO

A friend of mine have a nice Onkyo 5.1 surround in his living room to play games and movies, and although it's quite nice to hear things coming from different positions from where you are sitting, i just rather big high quality stereo speakers instead

 

[mclaren85]

I would choose the 5.1 system if i could place the speakers in their respective position, otherwise i really wouldn't bother with a 5.1 surround, unless of course the sony speakers delivers more quality over those ALTEC you have, then i could just set it up for 2.1 instead

Oh yeah about the difference, well not so much IMO

A friend of mine have a nice Onkyo 5.1 surround in his living room to play games and movies, and although it's quite nice to hear things coming from different positions from where you are sitting, i just rather big high quality stereo speakers instead

Yes I couldn't grasp the difference between the two. Though I doubt I place correctly the positions of 5.1.

 

[QckSilver]

Well then, just stick to whatever brand you like the most!

The 5.1 experience can be quite nice at times but not really worth it IMO.

But one thing i can tell you is that, BIG High quality stereo speakers will blow you away much more than any surround system could, the difference is gigantic. You could sure try both given the opportunity and decide for yourself what makes you tingle more

 

[Noci]

I went with the loudest one (Logitech Z906), so I can't hear my wife nagging about spending too much on the PC .

But as QckSilver mentioned 5.1 can be nice for gaming & movies if you are able to positioning them right. If it is too much of a hassle the 2.1 system will do the job also.
Then again, I expect the Sony system to have a better overall spectrum somewhere between 20Hz and 22kHz and better connectivity.

Just try them both and go with what best suits you.

 

[oobymach]

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[Noci]

By the way, put the subwoofer on the floor instead of on the desk, it will decrease vibrations on your desk and you won't hear the difference.

 

[mclaren85]

I went with the loudest one (Logitech Z906), so I can't hear my wife nagging about spending too much on the PC .

But as QckSilver mentioned 5.1 can be nice for gaming & movies if you are able to positioning them right. If it is too much of a hassle the 2.1 system will do the job also.
Then again, I expect the Sony system to have a better overall spectrum somewhere between 20Hz and 22kHz and better connectivity.

Just try them both and go with what best suits you.

Thank you. I'm not sure if games nowadays still supports 5.1. Sadly youtube videos are not.

 

[Noci]

I'm no audiophile but I enjoy my 5.1 system even if it is supported in some games or not, some peeps will say I've low standards but I don't care. It makes me king of my hill and feels good.

For you I would like to say, just go with what makes you happy and if you can afford and want it go for a higher tier sound system it could be a revelation.
If you wait like me getting old and not hearing high frequencies anymore due to years of industrial noise exposure, you're probably missing out.
In my younger years I owned a TEAC HiFi set with an amazing Wharfedale speaker set and enjoyed the art of sounds called music very much to it's full extend.

But then again, you can't miss anything if you don't have it or know it. If you're current options fullfil your requirements stick with it.
Alternative is to buy a nice headphone with good reviews, what I've heard it does the trick also. You have a high end MB with the 1220ALC Audio Processor and headphone amplifier up to 600 ohm impendance which can deliver the premium experience

 

[AusWolf]

2.1 is easier to set up and fits any room. 5.1 is great for spatial sound, but can be a pain to set up, especially in a small room.

Personally, I'm fine with 2.1.

 

[mclaren85]

I'm no audiophile but I enjoy my 5.1 system even if it is supported in some games or not, some peeps will say I've low standards but I don't care. It makes me king of my hill and feels good.

For you I would like to say, just go with what makes you happy and if you can afford and want it go for a higher tier sound system it could be a revelation.
If you wait like me getting old and not hearing high frequencies anymore due to years of industrial noise exposure, you're probably missing out.
In my younger years I owned a TEAC HiFi set with an amazing Wharfedale speaker set and enjoyed the art of sounds called music very much to it's full extend.

But then again, you can't miss anything if you don't have it or know it. If you're current options fullfil your requirements stick with it.
Alternative is to buy a nice headphone with good reviews, what I've heard it does the trick also. You have a high end MB with the 1220ALC Audio Processor and headphone amplifier up to 600 ohm impendance which can deliver the premium experience

Thank you so much sir, appreciate your valuable feedbacks. Personally, I thought when I install the 5.1 system, I would hear some other notes or tones which was previously unheardable. Unfortunately that didn't happen.
Btw, out of curiosity, which industry have you worked for and damaged your hearing?

 

[faye]

2.1 all the way, here.

Or 2.0, even. A pair of JBL 305p Mk2 powered monitors would work well in that space. Add a couple angled foam pads and you're set.

 

[GamerGuy]

I had a set of Megaworks THX 550 5.1 speaker setup back in the old days, and together with a Creative Surround Station (EOL a long while back) and it was the absolute best in gaming with true 5.1 surround sound. The Surround Station allowed me to actually mount the two rear speakers just behind where I was seated, I ghetto mounted the center speaker using cable ties IIRC, and man, nothing comes close to that experience. I recall playing OG Dead Space and the metal clangs behind me had me jumping outta my chair, it was that good, sometimes it was the rear left, sometimes rea right and I dreaded hearing those metal clanging.

When I had to move house, to small apartments and I had to get rid of it.....much to my regret. Nothing beats having the rear speakers actually behind you, IF you can't do that, forget 5.1 and just go for a 2.1 setup. Even 2.0 isn't half bad, as long as you do not unrealistically expect deep bass, maybe some measure of mid bass is good enough. I'd recently gotten a pair of Gigaworks T40 Series II (because it was on sale) and I must admit, the sound reproduction isn't half bad at all.....

 

[jarablue]

2.1 is easy and nice. I say go for 2.1.

 

[mclaren85]

2.1 all the way, here.

Or 2.0, even. A pair of JBL 305p Mk2 powered monitors would work well in that space. Add a couple angled foam pads and you're set.

Dude, those JBL's are beast!

 

[unwind-protect]

I am in the camp of getting a good stereo system, probably with a subwoofer. I prefer musicians' brands or even studio monitors. JBL and Presonos instead of Razer and Logitech.

Professional audio gear, especially speakers, can be had cheap on local Craigslist.

 

[Vayra86]

Yes I couldn't grasp the difference between the two. Though I doubt I place correctly the positions of 5.1.

For 5.1 and good surround you want sufficient distance between speakers, and ideally also satellite speakers positioned a good 20cm away from any objects in a 360 degree radius. Sufficient distance depends on the size of the room but further = better, barring extremes of course. You'll want to create a nice circle with speakers pointing inward towards your seating position. Position the center speaker a bit further towards the back of your desk. It tends to be pretty loud otherwise. If you decided on positioning, place the sub close to a wall, ideally a corner, and as central to your seating position as is feasible, but its not a huge bother. Then adjust phase of the sub so you get the most 'bang' for your volume level, usually testing tones are provided to tweak this. Adjust the volume of the satellite speakers so they can be heard over your center, giving front L/R a bit more than back L/R, the back's just there to complete the circle, not be really present.

Sound needs to travel to create a soundscape. If you place speakers very close, just wear headphones

Also, a stereo setting should be available on any set, so you can just use the front LR speakers and the sub that way for music. I personally found myself eventually defaulting to just 2.1, so I've got a bunch of speakers laying around unused now It really has most benefit for movie content, beyond that, surround is a gimmick. For gaming, good stereo is great for positional sound.

The 2.1 Altec Lansing looks to be a lower class of speaker, its damn small. In speakers, size usually matters.

 

[QckSilver]

I prefer musicians' brands or even studio monitors. JBL and Presonos instead of Razer and Logitech.

I agree 100% with you.
That's the reason i decided to revive a good and old JVC stereo system, this thing just sounds amazing.

I would never buy a "gamer" brand for audio now that i have proper understanding of audio brands and quality (although the Razer Electra was the kickstart for me joining the pursuit of high audio quality back in the days)

Instead of that JBL i would get a Edifier R2850DB which is about the same price (at least in my region) and based on reviews and sound samples it can get quite close to the Yamaha HS8.

 

[Vayra86]

2.1 all the way, here.

Or 2.0, even. A pair of JBL 305p Mk2 powered monitors would work well in that space. Add a couple angled foam pads and you're set.

Every time I tried 2.0 I did miss the boomy lows, especially <60hz it gets hard even on great speakers. You need to go really big on 2.0

 

[faye]

Every time I tried 2.0 I did miss the boomy lows, especially <60hz it gets hard even on great speakers. You need to go really big on 2.0

I think a 5" woofer on each side in a back ported enclosure will be plenty of bass for most. If you want to add a sub just make sure whatever DAC or soundcard you're using to feed them can also provide a sub channel.

Dude, those JBL's are beast!

I used them in place of TV speakers in a fairly large (like 20x15) room, on cheap stands, and they did well enough. Honestly big for desk use, but hard to beat for the money if you have the space.

 

[mclaren85]

I think a 5" woofer on each side in a back ported enclosure will be plenty of bass for most. If you want to add a sub just make sure whatever DAC or soundcard you're using to feed them can also provide a sub channel.


I used them in place of TV speakers in a fairly large (like 20x15) room, on cheap stands, and they did well enough. Honestly big for desk use, but hard to beat for the money if you have the space.

Do you use 3rd party sound enhancer softwares while using PC? (Like DTS, Dolby etc)

Every time I tried 2.0 I did miss the boomy lows, especially <60hz it gets hard even on great speakers. You need to go really big on 2.0

Do you think creative T40 is big enough?

 

[faye]

Do you use 3rd party sound enhancer softwares while using PC? (Like DTS, Dolby etc)

No, I'm very much a purist when it comes to sound.

 

[Vayra86]

Do you use 3rd party sound enhancer softwares while using PC? (Like DTS, Dolby etc)


Do you think creative T40 is big enough?

Creative T40 is enough for... audio. Not for good sound. A 5.1 system with an amp/receiver will do a LOT better.

Budget would be good to know. But any set of half decent entry level bookshelf or monitor speakers will already beat anything labeled 'PC audio'. Any 5.1 surround set will beat it. A soundbar will beat it - though the last one is sub optimal for a desk setup. It also matters what you feed it- if its the motherboard audio its often not optimal, though newer ones aren't bad at all. Additionally: Optical or spdif is the best connection usually - those analog 3.5mm jacks on the back are bad.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

2.1. 5.1 is a pita unless you have the space and correct shaped room. A well setup 2.1 can sound pretty sweet for music and films. 5.1 might be good for films but usually cack for music. Music sound is much more important to me than film sound.

 

[QckSilver]

Creative T40 is enough for... audio. Not for good sound. A 5.1 system with an amp/receiver will do a LOT better.

That. And a LOT better should not be underestimated here.

if its the motherboard audio its often not optimal, though newer ones aren't bad at all.

Well, the audio codec on my motherboard is the ALC1220 something, dedicated amps, isolated audio from any noise from the motherboard yada yada, still can't beat my dedicated audio card, but new motherboards definitely sounds WAY better than older ones with onboard audio.

Optical or spdif is the best connection usually - those analog 3.5mm jacks on the back are bad

Correct me if i'm wrong but SPDIF cannot stream PCM 2.1 and above, limiting to lossless or lossy compression, which i definitely think it's a bad thing. However i would say the 3.5mm jack on the motherboard nowadays is fine, but those on Front panel for example are just awful