For a long time now I've wanted the Z-5500 and I'm getting close to buying one, but by now it's probably aging. I was wondering if anyone knew the next best 5.1 surround setup for PC, as long as it's not very costly. I have the Xonar D2X so I want to use it to it's potential, or at least try.
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Best 5.1 Bang For Your Buck
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Adreneline
Limp Gawd
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Get two high quality fronts. See if you're satisfied. Look at recommendations using search function. There are billions of them.
Any one of them (M-Audio, Swan, Audioengine) will blow the Z-5500 out of the water. Z-5500 are overrated pieces of junk.
Use search function. Find out what's best for you, get the 2.0 you like. See if you still need 5.1, if you do, get some rears.
Any one of them (M-Audio, Swan, Audioengine) will blow the Z-5500 out of the water. Z-5500 are overrated pieces of junk.
Use search function. Find out what's best for you, get the 2.0 you like. See if you still need 5.1, if you do, get some rears.
theman7233
Limp Gawd
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http://www.buy.com/prod/altec-lansi...altec-lansing-vs3251/q/loc/101/202985106.html
i got mine in the other day and they are really good speakers
i got mine in the other day and they are really good speakers
First of all, please search, or read the front page. 80% of threads are asking the same damn thing.
Now then, here are your best options IMO:
$100 :: Swan M10 (2.1)
$130 :: Swan M1080 (2.0)
$190 :: Swan M200MkII (2.0)
$230 :: Onkyo 3100 (5.1, home theater in a box)
I will only condone the Z-5500's under a strict set of conditions:
- you need to take multiple inputs to your audio system (the Z had digital and analog and can cycle in between)
- you want 5.1 in mediocre quality, we're talking basic car audio levels here.
- you can get them for under $200, AND you are unable to find the full $230 needed for the Onkyo
Now then, here are your best options IMO:
$100 :: Swan M10 (2.1)
$130 :: Swan M1080 (2.0)
$190 :: Swan M200MkII (2.0)
$230 :: Onkyo 3100 (5.1, home theater in a box)
I will only condone the Z-5500's under a strict set of conditions:
- you need to take multiple inputs to your audio system (the Z had digital and analog and can cycle in between)
- you want 5.1 in mediocre quality, we're talking basic car audio levels here.
- you can get them for under $200, AND you are unable to find the full $230 needed for the Onkyo
skyline889
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If you like Logitech or Bose that's your problem, don't push your lack of taste onto others. Better can be had for less for both, so you're the one that need's to get off your high horse.
A better 5.1 than the z5500 for less? ok sure....
Logitech/Bose fans say "rly", everyone else uses words found in:
Onkyo 3100, better than the Z
Now then, Logitech and Bose both do the same thing: they market. They use fancy acronyms like DTS (which anything worth its salt supports) to mark their product up 40-100% of what it's worth.
Their products are okay, however they are massively overpriced. With both you are paying a lot of money for the name.
That's fine for Uncle Joe and Aunt Jill who walk into BestBuy looking for speakers. You're on a forum dedicated to performance and quality, for the same reason we don't peddle everything that has "gamer" or "hardcore" written on the box, we take issue with Logitech & Bose.
Adreneline
Limp Gawd
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Ladic, I'll buy two Z-5500 for you. Seriously. You'll be l337 pumpin' shit.
One condition though, let me throw all the satellites at your face, and save the subs for last.
K? k.
skyline889
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That'll probably sound better than what the Z-5500s are capable of.
On a serious note, we aren't saying they're total trash. If they were about $100-120 they'd be passable for the average gamer who doesn't care much about absolute sound quality but $200-300 is ridiculous. It's an embarrassment to pay that much for these.
So the Z-5500 are kaput, huh? lols. I'll say I won't spend more then $400, maybe $500. I don't wanna go hardcore because I don't live in a house, but I'll still pay for quality. So if no one has any objections I'll assume the Onkyo 3100 is the crème de la crème of best 5.1 bang for your buck. But then again my budget is higher then this.. so any recommendations would make my ears hear a better future. xD
Logitech/Bose fans say "rly", everyone else uses words found in:
Onkyo 3100, better than the Z
Now then, Logitech and Bose both do the same thing: they market. They use fancy acronyms like DTS (which anything worth its salt supports) to mark their product up 40-100% of what it's worth.
Their products are okay, however they are massively overpriced. With both you are paying a lot of money for the name.
That's fine for Uncle Joe and Aunt Jill who walk into BestBuy looking for speakers. You're on a forum dedicated to performance and quality, for the same reason we don't peddle everything that has "gamer" or "hardcore" written on the box, we take issue with Logitech & Bose.
I don't know man, once Y bought one of those onkyo HTIB and sound terrible, the one you linked doesn't even have a powered sub.
Adreneline
Limp Gawd
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Um what?
Cliff this way -->
<-- You that way.
Run this way -->
Your Z-5500 are waiting for you!
Well, I dunno about creme de la creme, they're a decent buy for the price ('specially compared to cheap plastic speakers like Z-5500's)... But if you can afford $300 or $400 you're definitely able to get something considerably better. There's a world of options out there, for $400 you're much better off piecing the system out yourself than buying any HTiB.
skyline889
[H]ard|Gawd
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If you don't want to spend more than $400, pick up three pairs of Insignia NS-B211 bookshelves off of eBay for $55 a pair (Keep the sixth Insignia as a spare...or a paper weight, really whatever you want with it), pick up the Energy ESW-8 or the TSC ASW-8 (They're both essentially the same thing) for $100, Pioneer VSX-516-K or similar for $75-100 off eBay and you'll have an amazing budget 5.1 set-up for $340-365. The NS-B211s over-perform for their price range and while the ESW-8/ASW-8 won't be killing off any HSU or Velodyne subs, they're great performers for the money and are supposed to perform better than any HTIB sub (I haven't heard this sub personally).
skyline889
[H]ard|Gawd
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Uh what??
By the way I've made my decision on the Klipsch HD Theater 300 for $399 US, if anyones heard of it. There's another version that has a subwoofer that's 2.5 inches bigger, for like $200 more. Crazy, right?
PS: If anyone can help me find where they sell this & ship internationally.. I can't find it anywhere. There's a couple 500's here and there but I need the 300. I'm currently asking some guy on Ebay right now. T_T
PS: If anyone can help me find where they sell this & ship internationally.. I can't find it anywhere. There's a couple 500's here and there but I need the 300. I'm currently asking some guy on Ebay right now. T_T
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