New speaker recommendations

[kcbass]

Ok, my speaker system just died (it was old and needed to be replaced anyway) and I've been trying to decide which way to go...I've narrowed my search to the logitech z-5500 digital 5.1 system and the gigaworks s750 7.1 non-digital systems.

My confusion comes in when I try to determine which is better: a digital 5.1 system, or an analog 7.1 system. I will be driving the system with a creative x-fi elite pro. My understanding is a digital system works well with a not so great sound card since the speaker system does the decoding of the digital stream, and if you've got a great card, then an analog speaker system is ok since the card can be trusted for the decoding. Is this accurate?

Which system would you recommend? Are there any other speakers I should consider that aren't listed (with a reasonable price)?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kcbass]

 bump

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Yikes, after spending that much on a soundcard I would hope you'd have a bigger speaker budget

Here's my digital audio thread
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=30&threadid=1940133&enterthread=y

You'd want to use either system in analog since you have that soundcard.

If you can find Klipsch promedia ultras still, that would be another strong choice before you leave the realm of computer speakers.

Beyond computer speakers, you can really get the full benefit of the added quality the Elite Pro gets you over the other X-Fi cards. Kind of like buying a videocard that could do 100fps at 2560x1600 and then hooking it up to a 1280x1024 display

If budget is the limiting factor, then yeah... these computer speaker sets are pretty good. If you have the option of spending more, then you can really get better results going. Not sure what "reasonable price" means to you.

EDIT:

Oh, and http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=42&threadid=1715668&enterthread=y

 

[kcbass]

wow...great info on that first post, and lol...thanks for the second. My rig isn't up to date anymore anyway...hoping to build a new one soon, but I'll definitely get it right next time.

Bump for any other comments on speakers

 

[kcbass]

bump again for any other speaker model suggestions. And....is there a place to buy with decent prices that also supplies a warranty? I noticed that creative doesn't supply a very good warranty with their systems. 

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you're worried about things lasting a long time, a set of "real speakers" and a receiver would probably have a lot better chance of standing the test of time rather than the computer speaker sets.

You'll also have some great options to actually get the most out of your speakers.

Klipsch computer sets have had serious amp issues in the past and it looks like Klipsch is going to stop selling their 5.1 promedia sets.

The logitech z-5500 set is also becoming much harder to find. I'm not sure if they're going to come out with a refresh of them or not.

 

[kcbass]

Do the gigaworks have similar amp issues? I was probably about a day away from purchasing them. I know a real speaker system would last me longer, but how much are decent systems, and how difficult is it to connect them to a computer sound card?

 

[tphss]

I have the Z-680's and they are great.
I would go with the Z-5500.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: kcbass
Do the gigaworks have similar amp issues? I was probably about a day away from purchasing them. I know a real speaker system would last me longer, but how much are decent systems, and how difficult is it to connect them to a computer sound card?

I have not heard about major issues with the gigaworks, but I also have not heard much about them at all since they're not nearly as popular as the Logitech/Klipsch options.

For a decent HTIB system, ~$400 would get you a system like this:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-Ho...atOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Connecting up to a receiver with a 5.1 (or higher) analog input (like the one in that Onkyo set) is as easy as just getting a few adapters and hooking it up to the same analog outputs that you would have used to hook up a set of "computer speakers"

If you really want to put together a system that will start to benefit from the quality of the Elite Pro, you could start with a 2.0 / 2.1 setup for about that much and build from there.

Lots of options.

The sky is the limit really with what you want to do. I'm resisting the urge right now to play with my new sub that just arrived, but AT gets priority

 

[kcbass]

wow, thanks so much for that post...I think the onkyo system is now my top choice since it's better AND cheaper than the gigaworks based on the reviews I'm seeing. Plus I'm pretty sure it has a better warranty.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Another big advantage it has over "computer speaker" sets is that you have a great upgrade path then. Switch out the speakers or sub as you want more from the system.

 

[kcbass]

Any recommendations on which adapters I would need to plug the onkyo into my computer, or where to get them? Also, I will ultimately be using them with an x-fi elite pro, but right now my system has an audigy platinum setup. Will the adapters for the elite pro be the same ones I would use with the audigy?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Whoa, does that mean that you didn't buy the Elite Pro yet? If so, please save your money and buy a more standard X-Fi like the XtremeMusic or if you must have additional connections, the Platinum. This is all dependent on what kind of prices you'll be getting for each one, but if you can divert more money into the speakers, you'll end up with a better system in the end. If fact, if keeping the A2 would be an option, you might be able to get something significantly better depending on your final budget.

For the adapters, creative makes a set.
http://www.creative.com/products/produc...ategory=1&subcategory=16&product=14309

You can make your own set with more standard adapters, but creative has kind of a fvcked up way of doing 7.1 via three analog connections rather than four stereo connections.

 

[herm0016]

if you do need those extra connections check out the m-audio cards. i believe they are much higher quality than the creative stuff. we use the m-audio stuff in our recording studio.

 

[kcbass]

I've not heard of m audio before. Oh, for the record, it's an audigy I, not an A2

 

[herm0016]

m-audio's site seems to be down for some reason. they build a lot of pro gear and semi-pro gear along with some really awesome sound cards, some build for recording with built in mic pre-amps and many other features. I will post a link to their site when i can. They also build a really great set of powered monitors that would work well for a computer. they are very sensitive though.

 

[Molinjir]

I personally recommend just using optical digital out to a reciever you might buy, and then speakers. Focus on that aspect, and it's more flexible, and effective long term. Finally, there is no computer speaker in the world to rival good bookshelves or towers.

 

[kcbass]

yeah, that onkyo solution has some optical outs, but if i'm goin for a really good sound card, i'd rather keep it analog out...that way i don't have to rely on a really bulky reciever

 

[herm0016]

doing this, for a 2.1 setup you should consider getting a powered sub and bookshelf speakers from a manufacture like infinity or paradigm. then get an amp like the sonic impact t-amp. it is small, simple and sounds great.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/audio/6cd8/?cpg=froogle
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-B507dxconaW/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=37900

i recommend the primus 150's, or the Polk monitor 30's any high quality bookshelf speaker will do well.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: herm0016
doing this, for a 2.1 setup you should consider getting a powered sub and bookshelf speakers from a manufacture like infinity or paradigm. then get an amp like the sonic impact t-amp. it is small, simple and sounds great.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/audio/6cd8/?cpg=froogle
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-B507dxconaW/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=37900

i recommend the primus 150's, or the Polk monitor 30's any high quality bookshelf speaker will do well.

I'm using some AV123 X-LS bookshelf speakers with a t-amp for my office system. Works great for the kind of volume I need in there, but I'd be a bit worried about using the t-amp in a situation where I wanted something really loud.

https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/8%20Work%20System/

 

[QueBert]

Razer's AC-1 sound card based off the new Envy audio chip, blows the X-Fi out of the water. I went from Audigy 2 to X-Fi to Razer Barracuda and for music and games it's a clean cut better card. The M-Audio's rock from what people tell me. If you're going to drop that much cash on a Creative card, you can do infinitely better.

 

[PorscheMaD911]

I'd definitely go for a nice stereo receiver / integrated amp and bookshelves. I really enjoyed that setup with my 120 wpc Harman Kardon HK-3480 receiver. Had a 10 inch home theater sub hooked up to the sub out as well, and it absolutely caned any computer speakers I've ever heard. For the best SQ per $ get some nice headphones though.

Aaah yes, this is the one! Brings back memories ...

 

[kcbass]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I decided to go with the onkyo system recommended above, and it just arrived today. It's a lot bigger than the picture gives it credit for (the box weighs 90 pounds). I don't have the interface cable yet, and I'm still figuring out how to fit the system in my space, but I look forward to trying it out when I get the connectors on monday. I'll let you know

 

[kcbass]

I've read a few reviews on the Razer sound card, and I'm intrigued...does anyone know where I can find a direct comparison of this card and the x-fi's?

 

[kcbass]

bump