I'm going to upgrade my current Altec Lansing 2.1 setup to something a little nicer and THX certified, but still 2.1 - unless it is really worth it to go to 5.1. I was wondering what you thought about the two brands that carry this certification. Is either one actually better than other and if so, why? If they are similar I would like to go with the Klipsch for the aesthetic value of having them completely black. Let me know what you all think about this. Thanks.
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Klipsch vs. Logitech
- Thread starter FastBu
- Start date
It comes down to the z 2200's and the Promedia 2.1's.
I have the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's THX, and they are great. The Klipsch, IMO, have more power and a way cleaner sound. Although, the logitechs have louder bass, it still doesn't make them better.
I would go for the Klipsch.
I have the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's THX, and they are great. The Klipsch, IMO, have more power and a way cleaner sound. Although, the logitechs have louder bass, it still doesn't make them better.
I would go for the Klipsch.
Circuitbreaker8
Supreme [H]ardness
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The logitechs need a lot of make up to sound good ( ie adjusting EQ, bass boost, boosting treble through soundcard ) Klipsch is a lot cleaner than the logitech speakers also, and has much smoother bass. I have the 560's and love them, but they are far from the best. Might get the gigaworks 7.1 soon though 
I have the older Klipsch 4.1 system and when I bought it in December of 1999, it was $249.00 USD. It was worth it I like them a lot. Of course, it was my first ever mass speaker system I ever bought so I am not sure how to compare, I can only speak for what I have experience with. If I do buy another speaker system, I will most likely go with Klipsch again, but I am thinking of the 5.1 THX system from Creative Labs. So to answer your question, I would go to a local mega-store and test each set if you can. Then decide after that. Also depends on your budget.
I have owned both the Klipsch Promedia 5.1s and the Logitech Z680 5.1 systems. While I haven't had to upgrade my speaker sets in the last 3 years, I find that my Klipsch system is, as was mentioned earlier, a much cleaner system FOTB (fresh out the box). The logitech systems are nice, but you have to do a lot of tweaking to get them to sound right. If you're looking for something decent in a price point though, I'd recommend the Z640s, which newegg has for $50. Best 5.1 system under $75. I use this in all the computer packages I build for my budget/mid-end gaming systems and I have never had a problem or a complaint. If money isn't an issue, go with the Klipsch.
-DVA
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zachary80 said:
They can but you need an amp to power them decently otherwise you'll fuck them up running directly from the soundcard. Plus they will not sound all too well without one. The money you spend for an amp, you might as well buy a cheap speaker system. It all depends on what you want though. The only gripe I really have with the z680's is the bass and satellites freq range. They crossovers aren't tuned the way i'd like. The sub plays too much into the midbass, somethign the satellites should be playing. But I can live with them, they definitly aren't bad for the money. But they sure do NOT sound like 500 watts.
Agreed, do you have any experience with headphones shitting out after plugging them into a soundcard? I've never heard of this before. Also, I would argue that you need an amp to make your headphones sound good. I tried my Hd650's off an A2ZS, and I thought that the sound quality was pretty decent. Sure, the amp I have mighta been a bit of an improvement, but it's certainly not like it was unlistenable.
Lastly, hook up a wattmeter and 'crank' your 680's. I bet they will only be chewing through 50ish watts of power. Any reasonably sensitive speaker will make some serious sound with even 10W.
Lastly, hook up a wattmeter and 'crank' your 680's. I bet they will only be chewing through 50ish watts of power. Any reasonably sensitive speaker will make some serious sound with even 10W.
philodox said:
My soundcard is a GTXP, which has a cheap headphone amp similar to the ones in speakers, but a little better quality. While they sounded pretty good out of that 'amp', they were a lot better once I got my Pimeta back from X. So I never truly used them unamped, just the other headphones (497 and mdr7509).
Ok, we're getting a little off topic here. I dont want headphones at all. I'm just trying to figure out the differences, if any between Klipsch and Logitech and whether or not it is worth it to get a 5.1 system vs. a 2.1.
Zachary80 - why do you say the THX certification is worthless. I have to believe otherwise, since it is not only found on high end/ high dollar pc speackers (which didnt fully convince me), but is on all Monster audio cables. If it truly was worthless Monster would have nothing to do with it. What are your thoughts?
Zachary80 - why do you say the THX certification is worthless. I have to believe otherwise, since it is not only found on high end/ high dollar pc speackers (which didnt fully convince me), but is on all Monster audio cables. If it truly was worthless Monster would have nothing to do with it. What are your thoughts?
FastBu said:
High end? Hardly. Most good speakers go without it. Maybe I shouldn't have just said worthless, since there is obviously cost to the company that pays for the THX badge, but rather worthless to the consumer. Did you just namedrop Monster cables as a high quality company? Lots of marketing and price gouging doesn't make a good product. Monster sees consumer whores thinking, "THX means its good", so they pay and get it tagged on. Same with Klipsch.
By the way, I have a bet going on right now. Are you 13 or are you younger?
zachary80 said:
You're wrong. Face it. Don't try to defend yourself or flame others. You're just so wrong.
Here's why: THX Certification is just that, a certification. The speakers are tested by Lucas and if they pass they get the 'badge'. THX Certification is accepted as the highest standard of speaker performance. Also, Monster products can, and do, make a significant difference especially when it comes to audio quality. Get your facts straight. Oh, and remember, you're wrong.
uhh... lol. Ok. You forgot to mention that the THX badge on those PC speakers are MULTIMEDIA CERTIFICATION. It is vastly different and has a much lower standards from home theater certification. Any company could buy the badge to slap on their productsJayD said:
That and Creative now owns the THX label. I wouldn't hold any weight on THX label, even on home theater equipments if I were you. As for Monster cable, they make OK product. Won't make a significant difference. You could do alot more with that money. A cable is a cable is a cable, as long as you don't buy shitty 2 dollar a pool, I doubt you'll hear any difference, placebo is entirely another topic however.
P.S. Oh, and remember, you're wrong.
Ub312g0d654
Limp Gawd
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monster cables are deffinitely the biggest waste of money somebody could spend on an audio system. If you want some decent cables but some canare star quad and some decent terminators for each end. Would be ALOT cheaper and sound ALOT better.
I totally agree with Irons82 with the thx certification. Sure a 2$ set of speakers isnt going to get certefied but it shouldnt even be a consideration when youre buying speakers.
Klipsch and Logitech arent even in the league imho. If you want really nice 2.0 speakers get swans, if you want 2.1, klipsch promedia. And if youre getting into more channels its klipsch/gigaworks.
And I wouldnt dismiss headphones so fast, I just a pair of sennheiser hd-500's, (yes I actually like them more than the 497's somehow) and they sound incredible and are much less invasive to others while still being able to crank up the sound to rediculous volumes. You can make a cmoy amp for like $20 if any cans need an amp and you dont want to spend the cash.
I totally agree with Irons82 with the thx certification. Sure a 2$ set of speakers isnt going to get certefied but it shouldnt even be a consideration when youre buying speakers.
Klipsch and Logitech arent even in the league imho. If you want really nice 2.0 speakers get swans, if you want 2.1, klipsch promedia. And if youre getting into more channels its klipsch/gigaworks.
And I wouldnt dismiss headphones so fast, I just a pair of sennheiser hd-500's, (yes I actually like them more than the 497's somehow) and they sound incredible and are much less invasive to others while still being able to crank up the sound to rediculous volumes. You can make a cmoy amp for like $20 if any cans need an amp and you dont want to spend the cash.
Irons82 said:uhh... lol. Ok. You forgot to mention that the THX badge on those PC speakers are MULTIMEDIA CERTIFICATION. It is vastly different and has a much lower standards from home theater certification. Any company could buy the badge to slap on their products
As for Monster cable, they make OK product. Won't make a significant difference. You could do alot more with that money. A cable is a cable is a cable, as long as you don't buy shitty 2 dollar a pool, I doubt you'll hear any difference, placebo is entirely another topic however.
P.S. Oh, and remember, you're wrong.
What is your problem? Didn't I tell you not to say anything? You are just talking out of your ass it seems like. They really shouldn't let 12 year olds join these forums. I've tested and heard the difference high end cable makes, such as Monster.If you want to go on believing that being cheap is the way to go, be my guest... but there might be a reason why you've never gotten a second date....
hooting_monkey
Limp Gawd
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It's true that Monster does mark up their products vastly. The only things that would make a difference between two cables at the same guage are twisted vs straight cable;
type of metal, aluminum or copper; wether if is oxygen free or not; and thickness of insulation if it is a very high guage and low signal strength. Physics is not gonna care what the name of the cable is. Infact, you are just as well off getting OFC house wiring at the Home Depot. You can find 12 guage twisted, oxygen free, heavily insulated, copper cable at Home Depot for much less than the equal ammount of Monster for the same price. Infact, Monster doesn't even make their wire anyways, they justput their name on it.
type of metal, aluminum or copper; wether if is oxygen free or not; and thickness of insulation if it is a very high guage and low signal strength. Physics is not gonna care what the name of the cable is. Infact, you are just as well off getting OFC house wiring at the Home Depot. You can find 12 guage twisted, oxygen free, heavily insulated, copper cable at Home Depot for much less than the equal ammount of Monster for the same price. Infact, Monster doesn't even make their wire anyways, they justput their name on it.
Ub312g0d654
Limp Gawd
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just because monster cables are as much as high end cables doesnt make them high end. High end cables do make a difference, but they are comprised of special designs to control signal interference. Cat5 audio cables are incredible when done correctly even.. JayD, you're sounding like a best buy sales person...
JayD said:
You can go ahead and call my opinion unedcuated. Thats fine, you obviously aren't going to listen to what I say anyway. How about everyone elses opinions? Perhaps there is a reason one of us is agreed with and the other is not?
When did Hardforum start going so downhill.....
First off, it's interesting to hear what you have to say about the THX certification. I dont agree completely becuase if it was something that could be bought as easily as you say then every PC speaker would have it, which isn't the case. As far as Monster cables are concerned I couldn't disagree more with what you are saying. Yes, there is mark up on the products but on the same hand they also make a difference. I have heard that difference in testing the ecact same stereo set up on regular cables vs. Monster so you can't tell me there isn't a quality difference, because there is. I was surprised to find it too, I used to think the same way some of you seem to be: "a cable is a cable is a cable," but that isnt the case.
It seems like most of you are saying a Klipsch set up is the most favored, so thanks for all of your input on that.
As far as my age is concerned - I'm wondering what difference it makes and why you would bother yourself with it. Let me know, because you made yourself sound pretty stupid saying someone is 13 just for asking a question.
It seems like most of you are saying a Klipsch set up is the most favored, so thanks for all of your input on that.
As far as my age is concerned - I'm wondering what difference it makes and why you would bother yourself with it. Let me know, because you made yourself sound pretty stupid saying someone is 13 just for asking a question.
Time for me to step into this thread. JayD, stfu... so far through this thread, you haven't linked a single article and any real hard facts to prove your hypothesis. I recently ran my own "blind-test" (ironically, one of the testers was actually blind) and NONE of them could tell the difference between my monster cable HT setup, and then when I switched it to the regular RS brand cables. So yea, none of the testers could tell the difference between the two. I tested everything from the fiber optical cable to the regular (composite) audio cables and even speaker wire. I even used as much as 25 feet on the speaker wire just to see if Monster cable would indeed beat out other brands at longer lengths of cable. The only test I have been present in where it does make a difference was where the cable was 1000' long. Even then, I could barely tell the difference, and I have extremely good ears. The only thing I can say Monster cable does a better job than the competition in is insulation their wires from electromagnetic disturbances, but even then, 99.9999999% of the time the amount of disturbance would be so little that even meters can't pick-up a modulation in the signal.
Now that I have that out of the way... to the original poster. I was recently in the market of getting a new speaker set to accompany my Soundstorm mobo, and I compared the three options presented to you in this thread: Z-680s, Klipschs, and an HT setup. I bought the Klipsch and borrowed my Yamaha 5.1 HTiaB system from my HT setup and took em to where I tested them against the Z-680s. The Klipschs were superior to the Z-380s, but for $ vs quality, nothing can beat a HT system, even a mid-range HTiaB system. I highly suggest that you look into a HTiaB system instead of getting Klipschs.
Now that I have that out of the way... to the original poster. I was recently in the market of getting a new speaker set to accompany my Soundstorm mobo, and I compared the three options presented to you in this thread: Z-680s, Klipschs, and an HT setup. I bought the Klipsch and borrowed my Yamaha 5.1 HTiaB system from my HT setup and took em to where I tested them against the Z-680s. The Klipschs were superior to the Z-380s, but for $ vs quality, nothing can beat a HT system, even a mid-range HTiaB system. I highly suggest that you look into a HTiaB system instead of getting Klipschs.
I already have a serious home theater system but because of the layout of my room it wouldn't be logical to use it for my computer speakers, hence the reason of the initial question.
I have to be honest, though, as far as Monster is concerened that I also ran a test and could absolutely tell a difference in quality in the cable connecting my sound card to my reciever for streaming mp3's and so could the other people in the room.
Thanks for your input though, I think I'm going to try and find a set of Promedia 4.1's. The Promedia line seems to be what most people are suggesting unless they are talking about headphones, which I dont want, or a HT set up which I have but dont want to use for my PC. The only part of my HT that will ever interface with my PC is a cable (Monster) to stream mp3's.
I have to be honest, though, as far as Monster is concerened that I also ran a test and could absolutely tell a difference in quality in the cable connecting my sound card to my reciever for streaming mp3's and so could the other people in the room.
Thanks for your input though, I think I'm going to try and find a set of Promedia 4.1's. The Promedia line seems to be what most people are suggesting unless they are talking about headphones, which I dont want, or a HT set up which I have but dont want to use for my PC. The only part of my HT that will ever interface with my PC is a cable (Monster) to stream mp3's.
www.knukonceptz.com
Try their $10 Krystal Kable and compare them to your Monster cable and report back here. If you want to compare highend, try their HT section.
Try their $10 Krystal Kable and compare them to your Monster cable and report back here. If you want to compare highend, try their HT section.
JayD: If you wouldn't mind, please detail the method in which you conducted your tests. The human mind is vastly susceptible to suggestion and bias, and our auditory memory is distressingly short.
THX is a difficult thing to truly place weight on. While I think that it means something, I'd rank it fairly low on the list of important factors. As best as I know, nobody has ever THX certified a set of truly awful speakers, so it's some indication at least somebody likes them =]
THX is a difficult thing to truly place weight on. While I think that it means something, I'd rank it fairly low on the list of important factors. As best as I know, nobody has ever THX certified a set of truly awful speakers, so it's some indication at least somebody likes them =]
FastBu said:
I said two things about Monster:
They aren't high end, and should not be used as a symbol for high end. The are better than low grade, but there is also much higher grade cables out there. I never said how much of a difference in sound there is, as that is debateable.
The other thing was that they are the Bose of cables. I am sure much of their costs come from marketing and high prices, which when some people see them, assume a good product. Alot of Bose's stuff will sound better than some, but an educated buyer can purchase a lot more for his money.
The Klipsch ProMedias are a good choice.
zachary80, How would the ProMedias stack up against a HTiaB setup (I was considering to buy the Panasonic SC-HT05)?
Link for product specs at cnet: http://reviews.cnet.com/Panasonic_SC_HT05/4505-6740_7-30898391.html?tag=lst
This HT setup is cheaper than the Klipsch setup, but it has been my experience that an HT setup that costs relatively the same as any computer speaker setup will outperform the PC speakers.
Link for product specs at cnet: http://reviews.cnet.com/Panasonic_SC_HT05/4505-6740_7-30898391.html?tag=lst
This HT setup is cheaper than the Klipsch setup, but it has been my experience that an HT setup that costs relatively the same as any computer speaker setup will outperform the PC speakers.
Kevin Lowe
Gawd
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- Jul 25, 2004
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- 766
The THX cert is really meaningful when you get into having rooms certified; if you have an installer come out, analyze the room, and set up a complete package that passes muster. Similarly, theaters can have their setups analyzed and certified.
Now, the THX label doesn't guarantee marketing fluff either - it's just that it's by no means a sole determinant of quality. I've heard great systems with and without certification.
Now, the THX label doesn't guarantee marketing fluff either - it's just that it's by no means a sole determinant of quality. I've heard great systems with and without certification.
I would not call Monster cables high end at all. The suggestions for making DIY IC's from good wire are not just because they are cheap solutions, they have high fidelity sound as well. High quality DIY IC's are as good as high end IC's that you pay through the ass for. Trust me, I've compaired my cables to DIY cables and there is little if no difference. My cables arent the best out there, but they arent the worst [monster] either. If you want to take a look at what I use, go to www.zucable.comJayD said:
I have the ash, a pair of gede's and a zu mobius AKG
Not judging from the ignorant way you are 'proving' your case.JayD said:
Pixeleet said:
I have not heard it so I can say nothing for sure. What kinds of inputs does it have? What soundcard do you have?
The Klipschs are a good value; I got my 4.1's (refurbished) for around $150. They sound a lot better than my HTiaB, the Philips P900 which retailed for $300 at the same time as the Klipschs did (which I also got for $150: Kmart was liquidating everything). Really, this does not surpise me at all. The Klipschs are speakers, and thats it (besides their integrated amp and sub). The Philips has dual cassettes, functions as a reciever, and a three disc changer in addition to what the Klipschs have.
I would not rely on those Cnet reviews. One talks about the "Great Pro Logic II", which is what makes non-surround-sound (normally stereo) into surround, and in my opinion sucks. Another says it is better than Bose -- well, yeah.....And CNets own rating is more about features than sound.