Best PC Speaker Clarity...

[Dregur]

I'm planning on buying my new set of 5.1 speakers for my PC, as I've become underwhelmed by the Logitech cheap 5.1's I have now that I got 3 years ago. So I was wondering what speakers are out there that have the best clarity. No necessarily the biggest boom.

I'm willing to spend up to 300 dollars, 350 if it's so incredibly worth it, for a 5.1 speakers that can easily hook up to a PC. Preferably with a digital (SPDIF?)connection. Are the Logitech Z5500's really the only ones out there with a digital connection?

I'm planning on using it for games and music equally, but again, the lack of choice is a bit concerning to me, as I have a few reservations about the Z5500. Also, if I don't know if I really need more power for clarity, and if I can get lesser 5.1 speakers that have better clarity than the Z5500's, that would be prefered as well.

-The Grinman

 

[alcoholbob]

There aren't too many choices in the $300-350 range in terms of 5.1 PC speakers. At that point in PC speakers, you've really hit the tip of diminishing returns. If you increase your budget and build your own component system, suddenly the utility curve starts leveling out again.

 

[Ichigo]

The Z5500's will be fine for you. And you don't really need digital output.

 

[0roo0roo]

klipsch. u need the tweeters. forget the logitechs

 

[Ichigo]

Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1's aren't in his price range, I don't think/

 

[Dregur]

They're in my price range actually.

My only reservation with them is the fact that it doesn't have a digital output.

Now, I do have an Audigy 2 ZS. with a possible upgrade to one of those X-Fi cards, does digital matter then? Or is analog fine?

Thanks,

-The Grinman

 

[Ichigo]

Don't bother upgrading to X-Fi if you have an Audigy 2 ZS. The whole point is to let your soundcard do the processing,and going digital is bypassing that. So go analog. Kipsch if you can afford them.

 

[0roo0roo]

output? u mean input. and no theres no real difference. you just move the decode from your soundcard to yourspeakers, rather redundant. used to matter i guess, but soundcards are very decent these days. plus it was a way for set top dvd players and stuff to offload the cost of decoding to other hardware how many high end home theater speakers do you see with built in optical in? if analog is good enoughf or them, its good enough for anything.

 

[TomtheBum]

i personally did a lot of researching on this topic and have decided to go with the z-5500 505 watt speaker systems. In all honesty this will be all you need, ots in your price range and the they ar THX certified, so you cant really go wrong

 

[Dregur]

I think going to try to get the Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultra's, as I'm also getting a Creative Decoder DDTS-100 for my DVD/Game Console room, and just use the cheap Logitechs to get a faux 5.1 surround sound system at least started. And since the thing is so portable, if I ever need a digital signal, just unplug from TV and put near my computer. Viola, instant digital decoder if I need it.

Of course, if I can't find the Klipsch easily enough, I'd have to go with the back up plan, and get the Z5500's...

Edit: And crap, did some more research and the Creative DDTS-100 decoder seems to have been discontinued. Yay.

-The Grinman

 

[0roo0roo]

theres always the klipsch.com website. u can also order replacement sats and stuff..and they have stands/wallmounts

amazon or newegg, not sure if they carry it

 

[starstern]

iquake 52 may be considered best pc speaker ?:whiste:

 

[aigomorla]

if ur not limited on space why not just get a home theatre setup and run a toslink cable from your PC to the Amp and do that?

Some HT setups even have wireless rears to keep wiring clean, and u wont beat the clarity or anything on a full sized Amp.

However for low very vol listening, its gonna kinda suck....

 

[Blue_Max]

I'm still having a hard time selling off my Z5500's... no one wants to pay more than $100 for 'em!


...but they're awesome.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Klipsch promedia 5.1's were the best pc speakers I've ever used. I now use Logitech z5500's and they are descent but nothing like the klipsch. I would consider a separate surround system before buying a dedicated pc speaker setup.