Just got a new PC, speaker recommendation required

[ShepMode]

After 3 years working on a really crappy laptop, I have decided to treat myself to a new PC. The specs are as follows:

Powercolor ATI Radeon X800 Bravo Edition 256MB DDR3, PCI-E, Dual DVI , VIVO, HDTV, Retail. Built to be Overclocked!
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 90nm (Socket 939) - OEM (CP-130-AM)
Asus A8N-E nForce4 Ultra (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-088-AS)
VapoChill Micro High End (Socket 754/939/940) (06-L-0012) (HS-002-VP)
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 120GB 6Y120P0 ATA-133 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-013-MD)
Asus TA-210 Series Midi Tower (Black) - 360W PSU (CA-004-AS)
Logitech Cordless Internet Desktop Pro Black - OEM (KB-052-LG)
Corsair 1GB DDR2 Value Select PC4200 Dual Channel Kit (2x512MB) (VS1GBKIT533D2) (MY-066-CS)
Hyundai ImageQuest Q995 19'' Perfectly Flat CRT Monitor - Black/Silver (MO-004-HY)
Panasonic SW-9584-D 16 x 16 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter - (Black) OEM (CD-001-PN)

Some things I cheaped out on to save money - the monitor is CRT not LCD, for example. Overall though, the machine looks like it's going to be powerful enough for what I need.

What I need now is a decent speaker system to go with the machine. I intend to use the machine to watch DVDs with friends, so the audio quality needs to be really good. Any recommendations?

[IgWannA]

that system sounds an awful lot like the one i made http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif it's almost like i helped you choose what to buy....

[ShepMode]

Oh yeah, sorry. Special thanks to IgWannA for giving me the advice I needed on what to get, and for pushing my budget beyond £600 when it was originally supposed to be £400 http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

[Jeff]

If you're going for a 2.1 setup, I'd get the Logitech Z-2300s. If you're going on a 5.1 budget that won't break the bank, get the Z-5300s. I own those and they are great. However, if you've got tons of money to spend, get the Z-5500s, which is the top of the line 5.1 setup from Logitech. All of them come with a 100W subwoofer, except for the 5500s, but the satellites have less power. My brother's satellites are 50W (2300s), but mine are 35W (5300s). The 5500s are 62W. Can't remember the center channel values, so you'll have to look those up. They'll piss off your neighbors if you live in an apartment though.

[ShepMode]

Hehe I live in an apartment. My neighbours piss me off. Time for revenge.

I was thinking about getting a 7.1 system - anyone got recommendations for 7.1 systems?

[Damien_Azreal]

I would say as far as brand goes, stick with Logitech.

A specific setup I don't know, I'm currently looking for one myself. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Orochi Avlis]

Jeff said:
If you're going for a 2.1 setup, I'd get the Logitech Z-2300s.


I just bought the x-230 yesterday.
50 bucks. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/love.gif

[Duoae]

Does no one rate creative anymore?
I've never had a problem with them and as long as you don't buy the top-of-the-range just been invented stuff you don't pay through the nose either...

[Jeff]

Orochi Avlis said:
I just bought the x-230 yesterday.
50 bucks. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/love.gif



The Z-2300s cost my brother $200 Canadian at the time. Those X-230s have like 64 watts of peak power, and they cost $55 right now. His have 400 watts of peak power, and are THX certified.

[IgWannA]

Duoae said:
Does no one rate creative anymore?
I've never had a problem with them and as long as you don't buy the top-of-the-range just been invented stuff you don't pay through the nose either...



i get the feeling their higher end speakers are way too expensive for what they are. i mean who in their right mind would buy a $500 5.1 setup when they could get a 5.1 setup for that price from a REAL speaker manufacturer?

[Duoae]

I think you must be getting ripped off over there or something as checking prices here you can get good 5.1 set for approx £100 and a decent 7.1 set for approx. £90....

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

Well its up too personal perception too what is "good."

[Orochi Avlis]

Jeff said:

Orochi Avlis said:
I just bought the x-230 yesterday.
50 bucks. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/love.gif



The Z-2300s cost my brother $200 Canadian at the time. Those X-230s have like 64 watts of peak power, and they cost $55 right now. His have 400 watts of peak power, and are THX certified.


Sure, make me feel inferior. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[dreweth]

Inanimate Carbon Rod said:
Well its up too personal perception too what is "good."



Too true. Selling multi-thousand dollar home theater systems everyday, I can tell you there are reasons to spend more money.

As can common sense. Just use some to buy the right thing for you, and for God's sake, demo the things. Even if that means returning them, and trying something else, if they have no in-store demo available.

[avatar_58]

I also recommend the z-5300 set. They sound pretty good and work well even at high volumes.

[Jeff]

Orochi Avlis said:
Sure, make me feel inferior. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif



Didn't mean anything by my comment, I guess I was stating that some of the more expensive models have more features. Don't worry about it. I bought a Palm PDA a couple years back, and I didn't like it, so I returned it within the 30 days.

[Orochi Avlis]

Jeff said:

Orochi Avlis said:
Sure, make me feel inferior. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif



Didn't mean anything by my comment,


I was joking,
I'm on a strict budget so these speakers fit the bill. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I don't regret buying them.

[mental stampede]

I hook my computer up to the AUX input on my home theater system. That seems to work very well.

[avatar_58]

Jeff said:

Orochi Avlis said:
Sure, make me feel inferior. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif



Didn't mean anything by my comment, I guess I was stating that some of the more expensive models have more features.



Isn't that kind of obvious? http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Spyd]

Like everybody says, buy Logitech. They're good and priced reasonably.
About a 7.1 setup... that depends.
I'm usually against more than 2.1, because if you can't install it properly, it's a bad situation: you lose sound quality and lots of cash.
Then, if you can set up properly every one of the eight speakers, go for it. I have a 5.1 speaker setup in my home theatre, and is marvelous, but for installation problems I only have 2.1 in my computer.

[Nessus]

My advice is to stay away from 7.1 systems, I just dont see the point and it must be a mess in reality. For good sound stay with either Logitech or Klipsch.

[Mountain Man]

Nessus said:
For good sound stay with either Logitech or Klipsch.


I agree. Klipsch if you want to break the bank and Logitech if your budget is a little more modest.