Top Of the range speaker sytems...

[Claki]

i want to buy some serious audio. My budget is around $300-550. I've been looking at the Creative Gigaworks series and the Logitech z-5500. what are your thoughts?

[One4yu2c]

Logitech Z-5500 speakers sound fantastic, particularly if you're into bass response. However, if you can find a pair of Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultras (not the GMX), those would get the nod over the Logitechs. Unfortunately, Klipsch's desktop solutions are largely difficult to find in stock anymore.

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Logitech Z-5500 speakers sound fantastic, particularly if you're into bass response. However, if you can find a pair of Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultras (not the GMX), those would get the nod over the Logitechs. Unfortunately, Klipsch's desktop solutions are largely difficult to find in stock anymore.

Yep, I have the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's, and they are amazing. I can only imagine what the 5.1's are like, but I bet they are phenomenal.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Yellowhello

Yep, I have the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's, and they are amazing. I can only imagine what the 5.1's are like, but I bet they are phenomenal.

And you owe me $70. After your thread asking for 2.1 speaker recommendations, I got bit by the Promedia bug from my own recommendation and ended up ordering a pair from EBay last night.

[MontanaFX]

Originally Posted by Claki

i want to buy some serious audio. My budget is around $300-550. I've been looking at the Creative Gigaworks series and the Logitech z-5500. what are your thoughts?

For the best sounding system for your money, get Hi-Fi separates made by companies that specialize in the audio field. You could get a great sounding system for your budget. The only drawback is, the size. There are many ways to combat that issue though. Things like wall-mounted speakers and new style micro amplifiers.

I currently have my PC audio connected to a Sony 5.1 surround sound amp with a pair of 100w JBL control 1 speakers and its great. Its perfect for listening to music at any volume unlike most PC specific speaker.

All you will need is: Amplifier
Speakers + cable
and a 3.5m jack (Headphone style) to phono leads

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

And you owe me $70. After your thread asking for 2.1 speaker recommendations, I got bit by the Promedia bug from my own recommendation and ended up ordering a pair from EBay last night.

LOL

I love my Z-5500's. Once well EQ'ed, those speakers are amazing. :)

[RAID]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

For the best sounding system for your money, get Hi-Fi separates made by companies that specialize in the audio field. You could get a great sounding system for your budget. The only drawback is, the size. There are many ways to combat that issue though. Things like wall-mounted speakers and new style micro amplifiers.

I currently have my PC audio connected to a Sony 5.1 surround sound amp with a pair of 100w JBL control 1 speakers and its great. Its perfect for listening to music at any volume unlike most PC specific speaker.

All you will need is: Amplifier
Speakers + cable
and a 3.5m jack (Headphone style) to phono leads

i see what you're getting at but could you list some specific components and prices? links maybe?

[MontanaFX]

Well 1st off you will need an Amp. You can spend as little as £70 for something that is going to give you a crisp sound. The biggest drawback of spending that amount will be, less watts per channel and lack of surround sound.

Link for more specs:
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO A1V3-BLK at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.

Still on the subject of amplifiers. You could spend a bit more and get something with a few more features and power/watts. Like this Sony amp. This is very similar to my own except its only 50watts per channel opposed to 100watts featured on mine. This amp will reproduce TrueHD, DDP and up to 7.1 Dolby surround sound. It also has a built in Graphic equalizer and many other features to optimize sound. All that for an amazing £100.

More specs
SONY STRDE400 at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.

Now for speakers. There generally cheaper and come in all shapes and sizes. The 2 main categories are, Bookshelf and floor standers. Bookshelf speakers are usually between 30-40 cm making them fairly discreet. They are also ideal for mounting on your walls to keep them out of the way.

These are the same as the 1s I own and have wall brackets included as standard. They have great bass response but to get the low level trebles while listen at quite volumes, you will need to adjust manually using your pc or amp settings. You will find the big brother to these speakers in cinemas all over.

Full spec
JBL CONTROL1-SIL at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.

Now for the floorstanders. As the name suggests, they are placed directly on to your floor and are considerably larger the book shelf speakers. These are usually owned by the true enthusiast who is heavily into their music or cinema. They cost a bit more due to extra materials used and shipping weight. The advantages are not 100% clear to me, but as far as I can make out, bass frequencies are improved and a richer sound is achieved due to their construction.
Reasonably prices example: costing £80 these have great presence and will wow and on lookers.

Specs
ELTAX SYMPH-6.4-LBCH at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.

To take full advantage of surround sound reproducion, you will also need a centre speaker and a sub-woofer along with 4 main speakers.

After you have selected your main components, all you will need to get up and running, is some high quality speaker cable costing about £1-5 per metre and a 3.5m jack to phono lead costing about £10-20.

[JayA55]

I would also suggest that route as well, home theatre setups trump any setup meant specifically for desktops.

If you're still deciding and want a deskstop specific setup, judging by the 2.1's Klipsch has a better system than Logitech.

[onebxr]

Woot : One Day, One Deal (SM)
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