Speaker Questions

[screw3d]

First of all, you really should read up on dolby's website to clear things up on the various standards. (especially the knowledgebase).

Hey all,

One review said that the 680s werent worth the money over the 560s. How do you all feel about this?

Obviously, the built in decoders are nice, but the thing that really matters to me is whether Pro Logic II is that better than "Matrix Mode" on the 560s.

Someone who could comment on that would be great.

Thanks
Jim

I would say that without venturing in to HT stuff, 680 would not be worth the money if and only if you already own the 560. That's probably what the author meant. If you want a decent set of 5.1 speakers, the 680 is definitely a good option for the price.

I think that there isn't such thing as M3D or Prologic II is "better" over the other, but a matter of personal preference. You'll have to listen for yourself. Personally, I don't use either (I have the Z560 + Audigy2).

However, since you mentioned that you would mainly use your speakers for music in your dorm room, 4.1 or 5.1 is rather irrelevant, since most music now (assuming that your music are mainly from/encoded from Audio CDs) only utilizes the left and right channels. Unless, of course, you want your music to "envelope" or "surround" you, and that's where ProLogic II or M3D comes in (there are many other software solutions). I'm not sure how ProLogic II works, but I do know that M3D creates a surround effect that has the effect of widening the sound stage rather than just reproducing the front channels in the rear speakers.

Unless you are sure that you have the space in your dorm or might move into a new place with the space, I'll suggest that you go for a good pair of 2.1 if you only care about music.

Edit: Spelling + BTW, good thread!

 

[beatle]

Your Audigy 2 will do CMSS/CMSS2 which is a similar algorithm to Pro Logic II. I like it better than PLII, in fact (my receiver does PLII). Since you already have a very capable soundcard, you don't really need a speaker system to do the work. I still think the Z5300's would be your best bet based on your budget and their features. The Z-680s would be a waste, IMO, even if you don't notice the awful hissing.

 

[UVAJim]

Originally posted by: beatle
Your Audigy 2 will do CMSS/CMSS2 which is a similar algorithm to Pro Logic II. I like it better than PLII, in fact (my receiver does PLII). Since you already have a very capable soundcard, you don't really need a speaker system to do the work. I still think the Z5300's would be your best bet based on your budget and their features. The Z-680s would be a waste, IMO, even if you don't notice the awful hissing.

Beatle, thanks for the post and for making me think.

What exactly does CMSS/CMSS2 do? Also, how do i configure it on my soundcard?

The things that really appeal to me about the z680s is the multiple inputs, and the built in decoders. I assume though, that I could get a similar effect with some kind of adapter for the 5300s? That I could switch the input based on an adapter?

How does the speaker quality of the 5300s compare to the 680s? They are both thx, which is obviously a good sign.

Thanks
Jim

 

[UVAJim]

*bump*

 

[beatle]

CMSS/CMSS2 is a matrixing algorithm that the soundcard puts the sound through before it leaves the card. ProLogic II and other proprietary matrixing algorithms like Logic 7 do the same thing, just a bit differently. It allows you to hear music/sound from all 5 speakers (and sub) even from a 2 channel (or even mono) source. It's better for movies with only 2 channel audio tracks, but you might like it for music too.


Don't put any stock in the THX logo. In fact, I'm more leery of speakers that are THX certified because I question how much money the company had to pay THX to let them use it. This would mean that part of my money is going for a "feature" that doesn't do anything. Some of the best speakers out there will have nothing to do with THX.

If you can listen to the 2 sets of speakers (it can be difficult, I know) side by side, or at least on the same equipment at different times, then you can tell which sounds better, and how much the better sounding speakers will be worth.

Like I said before, since you already have an Audigy 2, you don't need anything with a decoder. I have my Audigy 2 hooked to my receiver via the 3 analog cords and I get it all. I didn't like the 3 sets of Z680s I auditioned (4 if you count the one in CompUSA) due to the hissing.

 

[yhelothar]

I personally think logitechs are bad speakers for music. The bass is really boomy and will drown out your music. Unless you like that kind of stuff, I would avoid logitechs.
I would go with the klipsch 2.1, telex EV 2.1, or the altec 621, which IMO all 3 beats the logitechs. They have tight punchy bass, and has much better defined highs because they have tweeters.

 

[rhawk79]

i have the z-680's and they are absolutely amazing.

but jim, for your dorm room, do not buy them. You will not be able to use them without complaints. In my house I can barely use them and I get people screaming at me from two floors up to turn them down

too much overkill for a dorm room

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: rhawk79
i have the z-680's and they are absolutely amazing.

but jim, for your dorm room, do not buy them. You will not be able to use them without complaints. In my house I can barely use them and I get people screaming at me from two floors up to turn them down

too much overkill for a dorm room

I agree completely

 

[UVAJim]

Can they not be played at low volumes?

Jim

 

[UVAJim]

Don't get me wrong, I like the 500 watt aspect, but the main reason these speakers interest me is their versatility. A lot of the time I would play them at low volumes, and sure, I could play other sets at low volumes, but other sets do not have the features or versatility that the 680s do.

So if anyone could comment on the low volume, (if they can be played at low volume), that'd be great.

Thanks you all so much
Jim

 

[jdogg707]

As far as versatility, do you mean the DD and DTS Decoder that's built in? I can understand this, but why do you want to buy any speakers that you can't really listen to, because you're turning them down every two seconds due to someone complaining? My friend's Z-680's are extremely loud when he cranks them all the way up, louder than most speaker sets at full blast when he has them at 50%, and there is still a good bit of boomy bass (which is your real enemy) when he has them down low. If you are looking to keep them quite you might as well not even have the subwoofer on, because it will produce a lot of noise even at low volumes. I made the mistake of bringing my surround sound system to college, and it was nothing but in the way. You can't really enjoy surround sound unless you have the volume up high enough to hear the sound coming from the rears, which in a dorm room, is next to never. I believe the only time I got to cut the surround sound up, was the week after exams when the dorms were closing down and everyone was leaving...I would get less speakers and a nice set of headphones, they will allow you to enjoy what you do, without people complaining about it!

 

[beatle]

Jim! You don't need the versatility! Your soundcard provides all the versatility you need, so a speaker set that does all the decoding is totally useless.

The Z680s had too much boomy bass for me, even when turned down all the way. I ended up stuffing a rolled up dishtowel into the port to tighten it up a bit.

I just noticed that you would be using these in a dorm room. I highly suggest getting a good set of sealed headphones like the Sennheiser HD280 Pros for $100, then spend the remaining amount on speakers. Have you considered Cambridge Soundworks speakers? I've been very impressed with them over the years.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: beatle
Jim! You don't need the versatility! Your soundcard provides all the versatility you need, so a speaker set that does all the decoding is totally useless.

The Z680s had too much boomy bass for me, even when turned down all the way. I ended up stuffing a rolled up dishtowel into the port to tighten it up a bit.

I just noticed that you would be using these in a dorm room. I highly suggest getting a good set of sealed headphones like the Sennheiser HD280 Pros for $100, then spend the remaining amount on speakers. Have you considered Cambridge Soundworks speakers? I've been very impressed with them over the years.

Ya, I just got a pair of the HD280's, they are great headphones for music lovers and are extremely comfortable to wear. I would look at something like the Altec Lansing 621's or possibly the Creative Inspire 2.1 sets with your left over cash, that way you can still listen to music through a quality set of speakers, but also have the versatility to change to headphones at night or if you receive a complaint.

 

[Auric]

Here's some stuff to consider. You aren't just in need of speakers but an amplifier. It is equally important a component in these kits being discussed but is oft not mentioned. Typical PC kits sport a low quality hissy amp and one or two tiny limited range drivers then try to compensate by including a subwoofer. Which in my opine is the last thing you want and only to compliment an already balanced system. Furthermore, it is not required at all for general music and may only benefit very specific sub-genres of hip hop and such. THX certification means you are paying a little more for the licensing and branding but not necessarily reaping any benefit. Sure, there are lots of kits available, but what are the chances they are the best quality or value to suit your needs? For the best quality, and bang for the rupee, I suggest you consider a better stereo mini-system or else a discrete amp and speakers (full-range multiple driver). Check out partsexpress or the like.

 

[UVAJim]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the input. I understand that my soundcard takes care of those things, but for instance next summer I was planning on hooking them up to my Xbox, in which case I would need a decoder to use the DD and DTS and what not.

I understand what all of you are saying, completely. I am however, and maybe I have not expressed it enough, looking to use these speakers for many years, possibly as part of a home theater system when I have my own place. While there may be better options, I don't plan to play the speakers ONLY with the sound card, in which case I would need a decoder for DD and DTS.

I am really looking for speakers that will last me a long time and will have lots of uses, not just being hooked up to a computer. For that reason, the external decoder and the multiple inputs sound like a good deal to me.

I do understand what you all are saying, though. Could any of you tell me where I could go to actually hear a set of the 680s? If the bass is too boomy, I will get something else for sure, but I'd also like to see how low the volume can go.

My local Best Buy only has the 5300s, and I heard those, but where could I hear the 680s?

Thanks
Jim

 

[Auric]

Why don't you just get a "home theater in a box" then and only use the two speakers desired for your dorm for the time being? Or get a receiver/amp and seperate speaker set that fit the budget and add more HQ speakers later? A decent HT receiver can be had for as little as $150 new and of course you can spend as little or as much as you want on speakers depending on quality.

 

[beatle]

If you want to use it for other than the PC, like your Xbox, then the Z680s are the logical choice (no pun intended). There aren't any other PC speaker systems that I'm aware of that support decoding. Stuff a dishtowel or foam into the port and turn the subwoofer volume down if you're concerned about bass. Also, since many (if not all) of the Z680s hiss, buy from a place that won't kill you on return shipping if they don't work out. It cost me over $50 to return a set. My local CompUSA had a set on display that you could play with.

 

[rhawk79]

well i have the z-680's but i have the creative s750 on the way as an upgrade...should be here tomorrow...700 watts, 7.1, and the ddts-100 external decoder which gives you three optical inputs, one coaxial, and three standard audio/video jacks


jim, it's obvious you want a powerful system. as i said i love the z-680's...but i'd also suggest the creative s700 5.1 system...it's a 5.1 version of the system i have on the way. and get the external decoder...this will give you more inputs for more devices and might be more future-proof...not to mention the decoder has support for newer formats that have emerged since the logitech set came out.

http://www.tomshardware.com/video/20031222/index.html

read tom's review of the s750...he loved it. the s700 is the same set minus two speakers. when i get them i'll post a comparison between the z680's...whichever set wins i am going to keep.

 

[UVAJim]

Hey all,

I went ahead and ordered the 680s today from amazon.com. Thank you all so much for all the help. In the end, I think the 680s are more of a long term investment and can be used for much more than computers. I appreciate all your help with educating a speaker noob like myself. Should I not like the 680s (doubtful) and need to get different speakers, this thread will be resurrected thanks again

Jim