Should I get a 2.1 or 5.1 setup?

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PenPen

Weaksauce
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Nov 26, 2005
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I was wondering if I should upgrade my logitech z3-i speakers to either a

ALTEC LANSING MX5021 90W 2.1 Speaker
Logitech Z-2300 200 watts RMS 2.1 Speaker

or if I should get

Logitech X-530 70 watts 5.1 Speaker

I'm not a PC Gamer, though I play some games like Counter Strike and Warcraft, but other then that, most of use of my speakers are music.
 
If it's just for music, the Logitech X-230s are a great set.

Most music only contain 2 channels anyway. 5.1 systems are mainly for surround sound for gaming and DVDs. You'll need an EAX card for surround sound in games, too.
 
I have surround sound (a budget HTIB with digital inputs) and it sounds pretty good with music, videos, and games. Your main consideration should be how much space do you have? I've seen people with 5.1 setups that had VERY poor placement of speakers due to a lack of space. If you don't have room to spread the speakers around, then it's a moot point.

That said, for the same price, a 2.1 setup will be of better quality than a 5.1 setup. What do you want more? Richer sound, or or surround sound? Each has their own benefits.
 
Look into the Klipsch 2.1s, $150

I have been a Logitech fan for years but once I listened to the Klipsch, I decided it will definately be my next set of speakers.
 
I was also wondering, should I just avoid upgrading my speakers and just buy something like an audigy2 instead? Right now I'm using the Onboard on my A8N-VM CSM. Its the one with the HD audio and it sounds pretty good so far, but if a soundcard like the audigy2 is going to make a huge difference I might as well get a sound card instead. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131570
 
I dont know..my Z-2300's EQed have some of the best sound I've heard in years. If you dont EQ them they are heavy on bass, and lack depth however. I used Winamp + iZotope Ozone.
 
I'll advice you to buy sound card first! Creative 5.1 Live! Digital is good. Then you can use 5.1 speakers for best listeneing to music!
 
Well at least out in the home audio world a speaker upgrade gives you much more noticable improvement in sound than just replacing the reciever. I would expect the same to be true in the computer world with sound cards and speakers.
 
PigCorpse said:
You'll need an EAX card for surround sound in games, too.
Click to expand...
Not true. Most onboard audio has EAX capablility already. Not the latest revision, but EAX 1 or 2 in most cases. Here's the rap sheet for the RealTek ALC850, which is a commonly used chip.

As more and more games are developed for multiple platforms (PC, XBox, PS2, etc), they are straying more and more away from Creative's EAX requirements. Many games right now don't even need an add-in card to get full 5.1 (or more channels) surround.

Half Life 2
Never Winter Nights
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Just a brief list off the top of my head.
 
If you've got one of the Realtek 8 series HD codecs then a new sound card isn't necessary. If it's another chip, then an Audigy 2 ZS or X-Fi would be a better upgrade, since if your sound card isn't good then having better speakers is useless.
 
I got the x-230 then added another x-230 for the rear. So I now have a 4.2 system (2 subs). I tell you, its been a few weeks and I still cant wipe the grin off my face. Quake 4 with OpenAl on my 2zs and those strogg sneaking up on you in the corridors scares the crap out of me. Must get some diapers soon. :p
 
Lol. I have 2 Klipsch Subs with some Sennheiser 595 headphones. You FEEL the gunshots man. Improves the sound dramatically too,
 
Since he uses his PC mainly for music, EAX support isn't particularly important compared to overall sound quality, which the Realtek codecs do a good job with.
 
PenPen said:
I was also wondering, should I just avoid upgrading my speakers and just buy something like an audigy2 instead? Right now I'm using the Onboard on my A8N-VM CSM. Its the one with the HD audio and it sounds pretty good so far, but if a soundcard like the audigy2 is going to make a huge difference I might as well get a sound card instead. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131570
Click to expand...

Onboard solutions can only use up to EAX 2 and Realtek audio doesnt appear to do that very well.
Most games are using EAX 4/HD/advanced HD which is only supported by Audigy cards and the XiFi.
The XiFi also supports EAX 5.

If you want a really good surround sound in gaming you dont have a choice but to get an Audigy 2, Audigy 4 or XiFi sadly.
 
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