Inexpensive 5.1 speakers

[CyberZenn]

Here are the two least expensive sets of 5.1 speakers i could find:

creative labs DeskTop Theater? 5.1 DTT2200 refurb - $75 shipped

prosonic PRO-747 5.1 System new - $67 shipped

While i would imagine the dtt2200 is a better set of speakers, they only have a paltry 14 day refurb warranty. The prosonic speakers, on the other hand, have a 1 year warranty, but ive never heard of the company and cant seem to find any reviews of the speakers anywhere. I think they are both decent deals, but what do you guys reccomend???

 

[dentalboy]

great sounding speakers
good reviews

 

[Tung]

nice price on the creative labs speakers system

 

[GoRaptors15]

The DTT2200 refurb deal has been up for awhile. Alternatively, You can get CREATIVE INSPIRE 5.1 5300 SPEAKER for $81 + $15 shipping at newegg. So for an extra $20 bucks, you got a brand new, ( better ?) speakers.

I have checked all the reviews with google but I am not sure which one is better though. Do post it here if you have some experience with these speakers or why should someone buy one over the other....

 

[redcalf]

I purchased the Pro-747 speakers from Overstock just a few days ago, but a sliver/gray version. They were $65 shipped, new. Outside Utah they'd be $61 but I think they're out of stock now anyway. I am in the proccess of returning them, as their claim was that these are a 5.1-Channel system. They are in fact NOT 5.1-Channel. They simply use 5.1 speakers to reproduce either 2-channel or 4-channel audio. 5.1-Channel Audio describes 6 discrete audio channels, and these simply do not meet that requirement. Note that it was only Overstock that actually refered to this as a 5.1-Channel system, all other say it is a 5.1 system for "multi-channel" sound (I wish I'd seen those sites before ordering). It doesn't even do 4 channel audio correctly, since the left and right rear speakers are mixed together. I tested this by hooking the speakers to my PC with 5.1-Channel audio (and also in 4-channel mode) and then muted all the speakers except right rear. Sound amazingly came through both rear speakers! Same with testing the rear left. I was too annoyed at that point to even bother checking the front speakers for the same condition. (manuf link: Text)

Summary: Don't buy these speakers.

 

[poolshark]

you will never get anything returned to overstock.
go ahead and call your credit card company and let them go to bat for you

 

[fletchDodger]

i saw those speakers for compusa for 45.99 i think. it was refurb, box was in terrible condition etc, but the speakers were on good condition. YMMV..i should have gotten it...it was cheaper then my cambridge 3pc was =\. i hate the rebate deals, i have enough $$ with me to buy it for what it would be after the rebate, but not before lol.

 

[dpham00]

it looks like these are analog 5.1, and not Dolby Digital 5.1 speakers.

 

[fell8]

If you"ve got a 5.1 sound card, it shouldn't matter.

 

[MarkM]

<< Summary: Don't buy these speakers. >>



Thanks redcalf for taking the time to post your experience & potentially save some of us the grief you've gone through. Posts like yours are the other half of what makes the Hot Deals forum so valuable.

Good luck on the return.

 

[fnbarry98]

go with the dtt 2200 it's alot better
btw imho cambridge is better than inspire
i like the bass better