Best 5.1 speakers for $250 or less Shipped

Hi all,

I am in the market for a new 5.1 Speaker system.
My current budget is max. at $250.00 shipped.
I want a speaker system that is great for gaming and is at least good for music too.

If it includes a remote control that is surely a plus for me.

So if you have one in mind please let me know.

Many thanks in advance

Sounds like the Logitech Z-5500s meet your bill. Great sound for gaming, I think they have great sound for music. They have a remote. Can be had now days for about $200 shipped. Many people will tell you that they suck, but mostly everyone that has them love em.; depends on how picky you are I guess.

I love my Z-5500s.

I haven't got them yet, but I plan on getting Logitech Z-530 for $75.

They seem sufficient and well-priced.

GCTonyHawk7 said:

Sounds like the Logitech Z-5500s meet your bill. Great sound for gaming, I think they have great sound for music. They have a remote. Can be had now days for about $200 shipped. Many people will tell you that they suck, but mostly everyone that has them love em.; depends on how picky you are I guess.

I love my Z-5500s.

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Yeah they suck compared to what I would use for 5.1 BUT for the $$?

Sure. 5500s.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am currently thinking which would be better for me.

Logitech Z5500 or the Logitech G51 speakers.

Anybody knows the pro's and cons of these speakers?

Thanks again.

The G51 do not have any kind of digital out but are about $100 cheaper. The Z5500 are going to sound better but that also depends on what type of room you will be in and how loud you want it. Also what sound quality you are able to handle.

I'm looking too and right now the best deal I can find for the 5500 is $219 at Dell with free shipping but sales tax in most states. Free shipping is a big deal cause they weigh a lot.

Ok thanks guys, I just ordered the Logitech Z-5500 speakers

I love my Z-680s. They're the earlier version of the Z-5500, and I'm not sure if theres any difference at all except the 5500s look cooler.

Rockblaster13 said:

Ok thanks guys, I just ordered the Logitech Z-5500 speakers

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Awesome, I hope you enjoy them when they arrive. Don't be shocked by the HUGE 60+ pound box on your doorstep. Don't break your back getting it in the house.

My Z-5500's rock the house. Great purchase decision, especially for the money.

GCTonyHawk7 said:

Awesome, I hope you enjoy them when they arrive. Don't be shocked by the HUGE 60+ pound box on your doorstep. Don't break your back getting it in the house.

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Thanks man and Dang 60 pounds wow that's some heavy speakers.

Yeah the sub box is quite a piece since it has the power supply and amp housed inside of it. What I love about these speakers is the relative space and cash required for the amount of sound you get.

Another set you might consider which may have cleaner bass than the Logitechs out of the box is the Altec Lansing FX5051. These are available from Amazon for less than $140 right now and can even be attached to a computer with a USB connection with no need for a sound card at all. They have their own, onboard USB DAC that is actually very good. On top of this, they can also be connected with the standard PC analog connections to any 5.1 sound card or motherboard.

The only caviat to my knowledge is that they may not be fully ASIO compliant when utilizing the USB sound option, but they will work with most applications and games that you throw at them. Believe me when I tell you that the USB sound is much cleaner sounding than almost any onboard sound card solution--unless sending sound to an external decoder via optical or coaxial SPIDF, thus avoiding the onboard sound-card's DACs entirely... A friend of mine just got a set of these and they are much more powerful and clean sounding than I expected them to be--and I have a set of Logitech Z5500s in our office conference room at work that I setup myself for comparison. I would definitely pick the FX5051 over any of the lower model Logitechs without hesitation.

Against the Z5500s it would be a tougher comparison if not for the price difference. The Z5500 is more versatile as far as connecting other devices (TV and gaming systems) via the digital rather than analog connections. It is also rated at higher RMS power, but the Altec speakers are clearly more power efficient than the Logitech sattelites. You'll have to weigh the cost vs. features for this one. Either one will serve you well depending on the use and the source(s) you'll put to them. Good luck!

Hey thanks for mentioning these! All the reviews I've read have said great things. I'm looking for a decent surround sound setup and these look like they will fit the bill perfectly.