Good speaker system for gaming PC setup

jacob9hawkes

Honorable
May 26, 2013
4
0
10,510
Hi all

I'm looking into buying both a new monitor and sound system for my PC.

Firstly, I think I'll be running off onboard sound on my ASUS Z87-A mobo - should I get an external amp? I've not used the onboard sound before so anyone with experience with this mobo please weigh in. I doubt I'll be buying a internal sound card though. Too much noise even on 'shielded' cards.

Secondly, what speaker system should I get? I've looked at a few creative and logitech ones already, and I'd rather not spend much over £50. But I have no idea whether or not 2.1 or 5.1 surround is best for gaming - I really don't know a thing about audio, if I'm honest. So guys, please give me advice! :) Oh and no I won't use a headset/pair of headphones, I prefer to game with nothing on my head (yes that also includes hats), so speakers please! :)
 
Solution
Actually I'm not really on a budget, i just don't really value audio enough to spend £200 or so on it :) speakers wise, I'll be going with 5.1 simply on your recommendation, and will consider spending more. I'd like the option to wall mount them, so I'll be looking at over £50 by the looks of things anyway! what you described sounded like just what I wanted. I will consider a sound card as well, probably an external one though. Dont want any annoying noise bleeding into my audio, that'd drive me mad, probably as much as whining on PSU and the such!

So as for recommendations, what speaker system and sound card would you recommend? :)[/quotemsg]

Hi jacob, good to see you go with a 5.1 system.
A recmmendation to a 5.1 system would be the "Cyber...

Sean Sparshott

Honorable
Jan 29, 2014
13
0
10,570
Well firstly, i'd definitely reccomend 5.1. To justify my reason would be that you get the full effect, depending on what games you play, such as racing games, you'd hear the cars behind you, or in a gun game such as call of duty, ever wanted to know if some bastards running up behind you ready to stab you?
If for games such as MMO's, e.g World of Warcraft 2.1 would be recommenced, as not really is there any use in having the rear speakers. However, there are always going to be ups and downs with both.
The ups of a 2.1 system is that you can get much better for a cheaper price as you're losing 3 speakers, and its also much neater, less wires and generally makes it look tidy. However in the downside, 2.1 doesn't give the high vocals separation from the center speaker and the right/left speakers. 2.1 also doesn't allow you to hear things around you, nor experience a "Being there" feel to games, movies or even listening to your favourite music!
The ups of having a 5.1 system is that you get a wider variety of different feels, such as games, you get a sense of feeling things around you, whereas in front of you, also with movies, how it feels like you're in a movie even music, musics a great example as it surrounds you in various sounds, its nice! However with everything, there are always going to be downs, such as the expensive costs depending if you were to get the same specs at a decent 2.1 system. However there are still decent 5.1's that aren't to costly, just not the best ones out there. Also you get the sense of untidiness depending on how you display 5.1 and speakers under £50 wont really look outstanding.

My best bet would be to actually see the difference in maybe a store? or a friends house. Test 5.1 and 2.1, see what you like?

Obviously i would suggest a soundcard, as the difference it makes is remarkable, i have just got my new one, so so good. But clearly as you're keeping a budget, on-board will do just fine!

I hope i helped! :3
 

jacob9hawkes

Honorable
May 26, 2013
4
0
10,510


Actually I'm not really on a budget, i just don't really value audio enough to spend £200 or so on it :) speakers wise, I'll be going with 5.1 simply on your recommendation, and will consider spending more. I'd like the option to wall mount them, so I'll be looking at over £50 by the looks of things anyway! what you described sounded like just what I wanted. I will consider a sound card as well, probably an external one though. Dont want any annoying noise bleeding into my audio, that'd drive me mad, probably as much as whining on PSU and the such!

So as for recommendations, what speaker system and sound card would you recommend? :)
 

Sean Sparshott

Honorable
Jan 29, 2014
13
0
10,570
Actually I'm not really on a budget, i just don't really value audio enough to spend £200 or so on it :) speakers wise, I'll be going with 5.1 simply on your recommendation, and will consider spending more. I'd like the option to wall mount them, so I'll be looking at over £50 by the looks of things anyway! what you described sounded like just what I wanted. I will consider a sound card as well, probably an external one though. Dont want any annoying noise bleeding into my audio, that'd drive me mad, probably as much as whining on PSU and the such!

So as for recommendations, what speaker system and sound card would you recommend? :)[/quotemsg]

Hi jacob, good to see you go with a 5.1 system.
A recmmendation to a 5.1 system would be the "Cyber Acoustics CA-5402", OR "Logitech Z506"
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Surround-Sound-Speakers-Z506/dp/B003VAK1FA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391097740&sr=1-1&keywords=Logitech+Z506
http://www.cyberacoustics.com/store/Products/Speakers/CA-5402
http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acoustics-CA-5402-Platinum-Performance/dp/B003INFEG6

They're by far both excellent speakers for a budget below $100.

Right now, i am rocking the SoundBlaster Z, soundcard, its absolutely flawless, ive had absolutely no issues with it, and i can seriously notice the difference. But of course, as you say, you're wanting one thats external, im not your expert with external sound devices, if it was the case, i'd only know about headphone amps.
My best best would be to search up, have a look a round in stores, ask, or maybe just wait until someone else replies :3 (Sorry)
But if you do change your mind and go for an internal, i'd definetly recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Beamforming-Microphone-SB1500/dp/B009ISU33E/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391097225&sr=1-1&keywords=Soundblaster
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Builder-Version-70SB150200000/dp/B00B1I0QYK/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391097225&sr=1-10&keywords=Soundblaster

Hope i helped you again :3
 
Solution

jacob9hawkes

Honorable
May 26, 2013
4
0
10,510


Hi jacob, good to see you go with a 5.1 system.
A recmmendation to a 5.1 system would be the "Cyber Acoustics CA-5402", OR "Logitech Z506"
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Surround-Sound-Speakers-Z506/dp/B003VAK1FA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391097740&sr=1-1&keywords=Logitech+Z506
http://www.cyberacoustics.com/store/Products/Speakers/CA-5402
http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acoustics-CA-5402-Platinum-Performance/dp/B003INFEG6

They're by far both excellent speakers for a budget below $100.

Right now, i am rocking the SoundBlaster Z, soundcard, its absolutely flawless, ive had absolutely no issues with it, and i can seriously notice the difference. But of course, as you say, you're wanting one thats external, im not your expert with external sound devices, if it was the case, i'd only know about headphone amps.
My best best would be to search up, have a look a round in stores, ask, or maybe just wait until someone else replies :3 (Sorry)
But if you do change your mind and go for an internal, i'd definetly recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Beamforming-Microphone-SB1500/dp/B009ISU33E/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391097225&sr=1-1&keywords=Soundblaster
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Builder-Version-70SB150200000/dp/B00B1I0QYK/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391097225&sr=1-10&keywords=Soundblaster

Hope i helped you again :3
[/quotemsg]

Thanks Sean I appreciate the help. I'll be going with the logitech ones you recommended I think, I don't believe the Cyber accoustics are available in the UK :(

As for soundcards, I'll do my research then :) may end up with an internal one in the end just to keep things tidy, the ASUS Xonar card are supposed to be the best on the market right now, so thats something I'll consider. I do like ASUS too, so thats a bonus!

Thanks for the help :)
 

Sean Sparshott

Honorable
Jan 29, 2014
13
0
10,570
[/quotemsg]

Thanks Sean I appreciate the help. I'll be going with the logitech ones you recommended I think, I don't believe the Cyber accoustics are available in the UK :(

As for soundcards, I'll do my research then :) may end up with an internal one in the end just to keep things tidy, the ASUS Xonar card are supposed to be the best on the market right now, so thats something I'll consider. I do like ASUS too, so thats a bonus!

Thanks for the help :)[/quotemsg]

Really glad i helped you out! You've made a good choice!
Hope to see you around in some other posts :3