Speaker Buying Guide.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

So you want some badass speakers to accompany your new kickass PC worthy of defeating Fata1ty. While your chances of beating Mr. Wendel are slim, you can still get those bass bumping hits going on. Let’s take a look at what a couple long time producers of some of the best PC speakers have to offer us.

Budget:
Logitech X-540:
These recently released speakers offer a much sleeker appearance to its predecessor, the X-530, famed for their cheap, but quality, 5.1 speakers. The X-540s offer the same run as the X-530, just in a better frame. Only running from a 70W RMS amplifier, these speakers are clearly not for power and bass junkies, rather for people who watch an occasional movie and enjoy listening to surround sound music clearly. Regardless, the subwoofer’s 5.25” driver delivers the bass when it’s needed.



The speakers come attached with color-coded RCA cables, which can be relatively short if you want a 5.1 setup around the room, but you should probably invest further into another system if you’re looking for a room setup. The speakers can still be wall mounted easily. The center channel even features a clip to snap the speaker on top of an LCD panel, a nice feature. They also pack in a dedicated remote for the speakers, a nice feature with a power button, bass control, and volume control.

Overall, the X-540s sound and look great and delivers everything a multimedia junkie needs at a low price. If you can let the few nicks go by, you’ll have no problem going with these speakers.

Creative Inspire T6100:
Creative, a long time audio fanatic and producer of great speakers and sound cards, offers the Inspire T6100 5.1 speakers. These 5.1 speakers offer a RMS of 76W, close in line with the X-540s. As said before, these speakers aren’t for power and bass junkies, but for people who want to get the job done but still have great sounding speakers.



The speakers are styled with a modern view. Each satellite offers a 2.5” driver with the front speakers sporting a small tweeter to deliver highs. Each speaker features a hole on the rear to mount onto a wall with a nail. Just like the X-540s, these speakers also have attached speaker wire; so again, these aren’t for a room setup. Something that’s a little PITA is that the right satellite holds the volume control and the headphone port. Depending on your setup, the right speaker can be somewhat of a distance from you. The volume control and headphone port would have been better to have on the center channel, which is usually within reach in most setups.

These speakers offer great sound and clarity for the price, but the volume control placement agitates me a little. However, as I said, this depends on your setup, so it’s not the same for everyone.

Bass Junkies:
Logitech Z-2300
Logitech’s bass junkie 2.1 system has lots to boast. Featuring a 200W THX-certified amplifier, the Z-2300 delivers an amazing bass response with it’s amazing 8” subwoofer putting out 120W RMS, unheard of in a system of this size. As overpowering as the bass is, the 40W satellites are incredibly clear, worthy of the THX-certification, though the highs are a bit lacking. These speakers are perfect for the gamer and someone who doesn’t need a 5.1 home theater setup, as well as the bass junkie.

The system is sported in a nice, silver finish. The satellites are small and nice, but the subwoofer box is enormous. If you’re looking for something small, go elsewhere. The speakers are attached with 6ft RCA cables, more than enough for a 2.1 system. These speakers also come with a dedicated remote featuring the bass control, volume control, and headphone port.
If you need a bass thumping system and don’t care for surround sound, don’t look anywhere else. Get these Z-2300s hands down for the price.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Klipsch offers a comparable product to the Z-2300, their ProMedia 2.1 system. Just like the Z-2300s, the ProMedias offer a 200W THX-certified system with an amazing bass-response as well. Amazingly, the ProMedias sport a 6.5” subwoofer driver, rather than a 8” like the Z-2300s, but still pack the same punch as the Z-2300s. The satellites sport 3” mid-bass drivers and .75” tweeters to deliver the highs.



Comparing these speakers with the Z-2300s, the ProMedias sound much clearer and produce a warmer sound. On top of that, the ProMedias hit the highs much better than the Z-2300s can. Overall, it’s a much better sounding experience than the Z-2300s, but come at a higher cost. A few turn-offs could be it’s strikingly ugly appearance, and, just like the T6100s, the volume control/bass control is placed on the right satellite. A dedicated remote at this price range should be a default.

Overall, these speakers are a much better experience than the Z-2300s, but fall behind in old-age looks and a dedicated remote. However, these shouldn’t be issues with the true audiophile. Well worth the money.

Logitech Z-5300e
Logitech’s bass-bumping middle class 5.1 system blasts out the volume quite well. The Z-5300s boast a 280W THX-certified amplifier. Unlike the Z-2300s, the Z-5300s have a 6.5” driver, but regardless, many complain of the overpowering bass. However, the overpowering bass may be graciously accepted for the bass junkies, the point of this section. On top of the great performance, it looks damn nice.



The attached remote is just like the Z-2300s, with the same identical features. Once again, however, these speakers come with fixed RCA speaker cables. Basically, these speakers are the Z-2300s with 3 more speakers. So, if you like the power pumping of the Z-2300s and want surround sound, go with these.

I can’t really put a hands down recommendation on these because not everyone needs a 5.1 system. If you want a bumping system for a low price and on top of that, surround sound, go for these.

High End Blasters:
Creative GigaWorks S750
These babies boast the highest power in a speaker system. 700W. Yes, 700W of bass bumping power, delivering 210W just to the sub and a whopping 70W to each satellite. It’s also the highest powered 7.1 system, with no one to compare to. The sub features an 8” down-firing driver which really hits. However, despite the great sound, the speakers come with a terrible user interface. No fancy control panels or anything, just a basic wired panel (wireless remote is included though). On top of that, a system at this price should feature digital inputs. To further it, this is the most expensive system on the market.

I think if you’re paying this much for a system (listed at $430 on NewEgg), you should at least have some digital inputs or a decent control panel. Regardless, these speakers sound amazing. If you don’t care about any of this, these speakers will do just fine.

Logitech Z-5500
These are Logitech’s most powerful and most advanced system to date. Featuring a 500W amplifier, these speakers are incredibly loud. Bass is incredible, sound is clear, but, as usual, treble/highs are lacking. The system boasts a whopping 10” sub… can’t find that in any other PC system. On top of this, the control panel is improved over it’s predecessor with a backlit screen. It features optical and coaxial digital inputs, a great feature to have. It also boasts hardware decoders, something you don’t see in the Creative system. The speakers can be found under $300, which makes them even more attractive.


These speakers are well worth the money. They offer multiple (digital) inputs, hardware decoders, great sound, and more for a price much cheaper than the Creatives. This should be the route taken hands down.

Extra Note: The Logitech Z-5500s and Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 systems are the high-end systems of both companies, however, both have been unlisted from NewEgg and a few other major retailers. I believe another product is on the way for Logitech. The Klipsch speakers, on the other hand, have been discontinued and are not included in this guide.

FINAL VERDICT:
If you're going cheap, I'd knock for the Z-540s. Sound great, look great, etc. If you want some bass, I can't recommend anything but the Klipsch ProMedias. They have the best sound in it's class. It's what the true audio listener deserves. Lastly, if you're going all out, look no further than the Z-5500s. They offer great features, powerful sound, and a price well below the competition.

[polobunny]

Nice writeup. I bought myself some Logitech Z-4's, mostly because they were extra extra cheap (open box, who said half price? :D)
They would fit nicely the budget part for someone wanting a 2.1 system with enough "oomph" in my opinion.

[Computer-Ed]

I have some room issues and a sub woofer would be hard to fit near my desk so I needed a 2.0 system

Bose Companion 2 Series II Multimedia Powered Speakers - Computer Speaker Systems

Bose Companion 2 Series II
These have some incredible sound, as good as any other speaker system in the same price range and as good as some systems with sub woofers.

[Hitman]

The question is have you personally tested these speakers?

[Computer-Ed]

Originally Posted by Hitman

The question is have you personally tested these speakers?

Hit man was that to me? yes I have the Bose and am using them I type to play some MP3s. I use them in gaming when not using a headset as well as watch movies.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by Hitman

The question is have you personally tested these speakers?

No, that was to me. And yes, at some different point, I have heard all of these speakers. Haven't heard the X-540s, but they seriously can't be all that different from the X-530s.

Out of all of them, for the price, I was utterly impressed by the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1s.... damn they sound good.

[Jokerswild]

I'd like to get the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1s I've heard before that their great. I'm not impressed with Bose I haven't heard any yet that are worth the price.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by Jokerswild

I'd like to get the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1s I've heard before that their great. I'm not impressed with Bose I haven't heard any yet that are worth the price.

None of Bose's systems are worth the money. I can spec out a JBL or Infinity system that's much better than those Boses for way cheaper.

EDIT: BTW, I've owned three of these systems at some point too.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

Out of all of them, for the price, I was utterly impressed by the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1s.... damn they sound good.

I can vouch for that, I used to own a pair awhile back. Quite possibly the best 2.1 PC speaker set out there, or at least definitely in the running.

And speaking of Klipsch, missing from the high end roundup are their 5.1 ProMedias. Pricing aside, the majority out there favor the Klipsch over Logitech's Z5500, though having owned both sets, my ears edged slightly towards the Z5500s (putting me into minority status). Very good sound, great bass, the remote can come in handy, and some of the best customer support out there.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

I can vouch for that, I used to own a pair awhile back. Quite possibly the best 2.1 PC speaker set out there, or at least definitely in the running.

And speaking of Klipsch, missing from the high end roundup are their 5.1 ProMedias. Pricing aside, the majority out there favor the Klipsch over Logitech's Z5500, though having owned both sets, my ears edged slightly towards the Z5500s (putting me into minority status). Very good sound, great bass, the remote can come in handy, and some of the best customer support out there.

You seem to have missed the note at the end. Klipsch has discontinued the high end speakers. No point in recommending a system you can't buy.

EDIT: I too own a set of Z-5500s... those are amazing. And so much cheaper than the Creatives and comes with so much more.