Don't know if I should of gone to google some and come back with some choices but I think some people here have a very clear idea when it comes to speakers.

So I have about $600 to spend, on 5.1speakers and a subsequent sound card to go with it. Recommendations on either?

Logitech 540 - 85.00
or
Logitech Z-5500 - 325


Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro - 159
or
Asus Xonar D2/PM Ultra Fidelity 7.1 - 204.75

with a few dollars left over..

It seems the best bang for buck are the 5500's, however I didn't expect to spend that much on a sound card though! (looking at the xonar)

5500's for 325? Where from?

pricing is from umart except for the xonar that was from shopbot

Is there a cheaper alternative in the asus xonar range you would recommend? Going to try and stay away from creative this time around if possible - no real reason other than to try another brand.

z-5500 are great, just don't get the wireless system that logitech have since it's actually a crappier set of speakers.

What are you planning on using them for?

Just a little entertainment system in my computer room. games/movies.

oh yeah.. seems some of those high end sound cards require a pci-e slot, don't have one of those to spare :(

Damo, which xonar were you referring to?

I had mine hooked up to optical on my Xbox, digital coax on my TV and component on my PC. Worked really well but I had to move my PC to another room and got a amp/speaker home theater combo and it made me realise there is a big difference between good PC speakers and a decent amp/speaker setup.

I was running off my motherboard audio too, I'm not sure how a PC card could really improve it since the Z-5500's have an inbuilt amp. Home theater components like DVD players and digital TV decoders don't have dedicated audio cards and sure as s*** have less processing power then a PC so I don't see why a PC would need a dedicated card when you already have an amp and on board audio.

lol, the guys at MSY have that xonar d2/pm for 199

i would go the one with dolby/dts technology..better sound then.

do couple quick checks online for reviews about em..but im sure they've gotten better review than the creative card..

Jensen FTW

I was running off my motherboard audio too, I'm not sure how a PC card could really improve it since the Z-5500's have an inbuilt amp. Home theater components like DVD players and digital TV decoders don't have dedicated audio cards and sure as s*** have less processing power then a PC so I don't see why a PC would need a dedicated card when you already have an amp and on board audio.

It has nothing to do with processing power and amplification.

Do you also use onboard video to play games?

(unless you are referring to digital out on the MB for audio, then yes there really shouldn't be a difference between onboard or dedicated card).

last edited by mission at 11:43:16 19/Sep/08

5.1 sound

get some razor barracuda 5.1 channel headphones ;)

True In-Game Surround Sound for Enhanced Positional Audio
A 5.1-channel surround audio enables accurate positional audio in gameplay.

altec lansing's are pretty good.

Wished TDK still made thier speakers, shame they didnt do 5.1 too.
All they did was make 2.1 sets. The Subs from TDK were the best I reckon.

Logitech Z-5500 and a Optical input soundcard. Thread Over.

MSY has them cheapest.

Yamaha YHT-195

Should be able to get them for around $450. Real HT speakers, but will happily take PC input.

Logitech Z-5500 and a Optical input soundcard. Thread Over.

For anyone that cares, I ended up buying the z-5500's with the xonar d2. Which turned out really well since the xonar came with an optical cable, and that saved me the few dollars extra that the card cost over the creative alternative. Took an hour or so to set up but soon after, got room shaking goodness :)

PS: anyone got tips whether to turn off the system at the subwoofer (it has a power switch that controls the whole system) or is it fine to just leave it on standby overnight?

do you turn ur compy off at the psu every night?

although mine did blow a fuse :/

last edited by reload! at 07:29:24 24/Sep/08