Advice on buying speakers

[armi]

I'm looking to buying speakers for my upcoming computer. I know speakers are things that generally don't change like CPU's or Video Cards.

What should I look for when buying speakers?

I'm looking for 5.1 speakers or better but I don't want to buy those $200 ones. Advice please?

 

[Proximon]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121006

 

[Wolfshadw]

^+1

I have the older version (X-530s) and they do give great sound. While not a "Full Room" sound, for the money, they are excellent.

-Wolf sends

 

[armi]

How are you able to tell they're good? Assuming no past-experience?

 

[ausch30]

What level of quality are you looking for? I have both the Klipsch Pro-media Ultra 5.1 and the Logitech Z-5500 which are both considered the best computer speakers you can buy (the Klipsch are much better)

 

[armi]

I just want speakers that can produce quality sound. The music is played how its supposed to be played and the movie actors sound like how they're supposed to sound.

 

[Proximon]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Logitech+X-540+review

That should cover it.

 

[kamkal]

Buy THX Certified speakers. Cant go wrong!

5.1 = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120
2.1 = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122

those are logitechs listed above
THX certified means they are good quality and those two are THX

Klipsch is also another good brand but more pricey

 

[Andhrimnir]

Not 5.1, but sounds better than most 5.1 systems. You should consider it.

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-GigaWorks-Multimedia-Technology/dp/B001RNOHDU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246336458&sr=8-1

I have the original grey version of these, and as far as I know the difference is only cosmetic.

Most of the reviews say that these are some of the best speakers out there, and an amazing value. I couldn't agree more. They are without a doubt the best ones I've ever heard.

 

[505090]

5.1 is a pain with computer speakers because the wires are usually to short. For most my customers i tell them to get the best 2.1 system they can afford.

As for computer speakers logitech and kilpsch are generally accepted to be the best. I have a set of Logitech Z-5500 that sound good but not nearly as good as my buddies bose system.

The other thing you need to look at is what are you sources and what are you pushing them with. Speakers like the Z-5500's are a waste of money if you pushing them with onboard sound or playing music ripped at 128

Also THX in it's hayday used to be a good standard, but even then it was flawed because it cost companies a small fortune in licensing to get certified, causing many to skip getting certified even though their product meet the standards. Then Lucas sold the THX standard to Creative and it's plummeted since, notice almost all creative products have the THX logo. It's like GM making the h2 and h3 they have nothing to do with the original Humvee, but whoever owns the name can do what they want with it.

Simple answer logitech and kilpsch are the two standards of computer speakers with kilpsch generally being considered the better.

 

[armi]

I'm going to be using onboard sound but playing 320kbps music or 192kbps at the very minimum.

I'll also be playing video games.

Is 2.1 as good as 5.1?

I have been using 2.1 my whole life and my sister and my dad all have 5.1 so i'm thinking about moving up to that.

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

 

[505090]

2.1 is better for music all the power is in the two speakers where it is supposed to be, 5.1 speakers will matrix the sound to put it out all the speakers but it doses not sound as good.

5.1 can be helpful in games, but i'm not much of a gamer so i couldn't give you a suggestion either way for that. Play with your sister and dad's computers and see how much sound your getting doing what you would be at home that will help you decide if it's worth the switch.

 

[505090]

if you are listening to 320 music i would suggest a sound card, the onboard sound will not play as well as the music is recorded. the xonar d1 card sounds awsome and is well under 100 on newegg.

 

[armi]

Wow. Thanks for the advice. Very helpful.