2.1 Speaker System Suggestions?

[Alex_120]

I'm looking to upgrade my decade old 2.1 ~50 watt speakers, with something a bit nicer. I was originally planning on getting a higher end computer speaker setup, namely the Logitech Z623. But in doing a bit of research on this site, I'm interested in trying a couple bookshelf speakers, a hi-fi amp, and hopefully a sub.

So I guess my question is how will the Z623 compare to a more customized setup? The Z623 is a 200 watt 2.1 system for < $150, and the plug-and-play functionality is definitely an attractive option... But lets say I have a budget of ~$200, will that buy me a better custom setup?

It's probably worth mentioning that this is primarily going to be used for gaming/listening to music.

Any help/recommendations is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[ssddx]

logitech sets have bloated bass that is a bit flabby. for pc speakers generally they are good value but hifi speakers are going to sound better.

z623 is plug and play but so can be hifi systems. you dont need an amp version they do make powered speakers as well if you dont know.

if you want a subwoofer you might be a little hard up for budget. unless you needed alot of low end (deep bass) you may not need one. bookshelves are capable of down to mid bass levels generally.

for low end subwoofers you would be looking at something like daytons sub- prefixed models. eg, sub-800. the polk psw10 is also decent but more expensive.

good powered speakers? mackie cr3/cr4, m-audio av30/av40, micca pb42x, audioengine a2. edifier has some nice ones too.
good passive speakers? micca mb42x, pioneer bs22, klipsch kb-15, some sony models arent terrible, dayton b652 maybe
good amplifiers? dayton dta-120. you could get away with a cheap lepai amp sometimes but i suggest something quality.

i will say that we personally own a dta-120

given your budget i think you would do best with a pair of powered speakers instead of needed to spend extra for a good amp (powered speakers include this inside them already) since this may give you a little extra for a subwoofer. if budget was flexible or if you dont necessarily need a subwoofer then i'd say going with an amp and passives may be a good option as well.

i personally have a 6ch klipsch setup (love it) after owning something equivalent to the z506. i've heard the z623, own the 323 and 313 and have heard many other options as well. a "good" hifi setup is really night and day compared with pc speakers. yes, you do spend more for it but in the long run if you want quality sound the extra you spend is worth it. i will say that my speakers are out of the range of this budget.. but even things like a cr3/cr4 (heard in person) sound quite good.

active speakers are normally rca input. plug and play if you use a 3.5mm to rca cable from pc.
if using a subwoofer, you would just need a splitter on the line for another cable. again, not a big deal.
the same type of connection is how amplifiers generally are although you will need speaker wire to go to the speakers as well.

 

[Alex_120]

logitech sets have bloated bass that is a bit flabby. for pc speakers generally they are good value but hifi speakers are going to sound better.

z623 is plug and play but so can be hifi systems. you dont need an amp version they do make powered speakers as well if you dont know.

if you want a subwoofer you might be a little hard up for budget. unless you needed alot of low end (deep bass) you may not need one. bookshelves are capable of down to mid bass levels generally.

for low end subwoofers you would be looking at something like daytons sub- prefixed models. eg, sub-800. the polk psw10 is also decent but more expensive.

good powered speakers? mackie cr3/cr4, m-audio av30/av40, micca pb42x, audioengine a2. edifier has some nice ones too.
good passive speakers? micca mb42x, pioneer bs22, klipsch kb-15, some sony models arent terrible, dayton b652 maybe
good amplifiers? dayton dta-120. you could get away with a cheap lepai amp sometimes but i suggest something quality.

i will say that we personally own a dta-120

given your budget i think you would do best with a pair of powered speakers instead of needed to spend extra for a good amp (powered speakers include this inside them already) since this may give you a little extra for a subwoofer. if budget was flexible or if you dont necessarily need a subwoofer then i'd say going with an amp and passives may be a good option as well.

i personally have a 6ch klipsch setup (love it) after owning something equivalent to the z506. i've heard the z623, own the 323 and 313 and have heard many other options as well. a "good" hifi setup is really night and day compared with pc speakers. yes, you do spend more for it but in the long run if you want quality sound the extra you spend is worth it. i will say that my speakers are out of the range of this budget.. but even things like a cr3/cr4 (heard in person) sound quite good.

active speakers are normally rca input. plug and play if you use a 3.5mm to rca cable from pc.
if using a subwoofer, you would just need a splitter on the line for another cable. again, not a big deal.
the same type of connection is how amplifiers generally are although you will need speaker wire to go to the speakers as well.

Thanks for the reply! You definitely seem to know what you're talking about and I appreciate the help.

I think I'm definitely leaning towards either a pair of powered speakers or passive with an amp, over the Logitech z623s, but I'm not really sure in the difference in sound quality between those two, especially where bass is concerned.

For example...
Let's say I go with the Mackie CR3's, they're powered (so no amp, if I understand correctly) and are more or less plug-and-play. How would those compare in sound (both highs and lows) to something like the Logitech Z623 which has it's own 130 watt sub?

Or let's say I decide to go for the amp + passive speakers route... A Dayton DTA 120, Micca MB42, and a Dayton Sub-800. Is the sound quality from this setup noticeably better than either the powered Mackie CR3's or the Logitech Z623? What would the difference in sub wattage mean between the Dayton and Logitech? Would the wattage not really matter if the quality of the Dayton is higher than that of the Logitech?

 

[ssddx]

i've not heard all speakers for comparision but i have heard the cr3 vs z623. the cr3 felt overall better quality but without a subwoofer lacked just a bit on the low end. sound was more crisp and clear and not bloated like the logitech.

on bigger bookshelves.. say the pioneer bs22, klipsch, sony or similar sized units they are of the bigger bookshelf design so will offer a bit more low end due to larger drivers. you may not need a subwoofer with those as much as you may with smaller bookshelf or satellite designs.

remember, output is different than quality. sure the logitech subwoofer may claim higher output (its likely much overrated as well) but its also flabby and not very tight. i've owned many sets and while i have been happy with them in terms of value, they are what they are. while certainly not high end, the dayton and polk subs are highly respected for the price. a good subwoofer easily costs $300 or more like my klipsch unit and even that is still entry level in the big picture. if you need a little more bass, the subwoofers listed should be enough. pay attention to the hertz rating though. the lower the first number the lower it can go and the deeper the bass it can produce (note: deep not quantity).

as for passive vs powered, it depends. i cant say i've heard them all compared. my own preferences lean very heavily towards klipsch given that i've owned a set for a long time now and love the sound they produce. the horn design (instead of dome tweeter) gives a very detailed bright treble response while the rest of sound is just smooth. i wish i could own a whole set of bookshelves but that was not in budget at the time. sorry that i cannot help too much on which of those is better but i will say a few words:
-bigger drivers will be a bit more capable of bass usually
-needing to buy an amp costs more in total budget, but gives you upgrade options later on if you change speakers and a nice knob to control volume with
-read comments and reviews on the speakers to get a feel for their sound signature but all of what i listed are considered great budget level choices