Looking for 2.0/2.1 Speakers for PC, Limit is $100-120

DragonLS

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Oct 23, 2013
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At the moment, I'm in the market for a new set of speakers for my gaming computer. I mostly use it for video gaming and playing music. Unfortunately, I'm not absolutely sure what's great out there, and I'm not that experienced with speakers.

So I was wondering if there were any good speaker sets out there? I'd be willing to spend at most $100, or at the very most, $120 if it'll give me something of more quality. Also...

http://us.store.creative.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-XFi-Titanium-PCI/M/B001E25KDK.htm

If it helps, that's my Sound Card right there.
 

Bad_Kitty13

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Feb 26, 2014
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DragonLS

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Oct 23, 2013
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Wouldn't it be a bit pointless to go for 5.1 speakers, though? I mean, as far as I know, gaming doesn't utilize surround sound correctly, and would it even make a bit of difference?

I don't mind sacrificing a few speakers if it means getting better sound performance from 2-3 of them.
 

boju

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Yea, those prices. Was surprised Target has then for $59.99, its a steal if its accurate.
 

Bad_Kitty13

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Feb 26, 2014
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stop it i feel a burning sensation in my pocket...AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh my wallet
 

DragonLS

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Oct 23, 2013
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The Target i went to was actually selling it for $64 or something, so there's definitely a sale.

However, my concern with the 5.1 speakers is that they require a bit of setup. This is mainly going for my PC, and having wires in front and behind me would seem like a bad idea, since it would be a tripping hazard.

My other concern is the reliability, construction, and power of the 5.1 speakers. If you had to consider the reliability, construction, and the overall power of the sound of the speakers, would you go for the Logitech Z623, or the Logitech Z506?
 

Bad_Kitty13

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Feb 26, 2014
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i would go for the z506 personally they are one of the most bought pc speakers out so they cant be that bad even if you go look at the review at newegg they are well recieved you can read customer reviews here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121044
the z506 are purchased even more and you can read reviews here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121048

i can understand not wanting a spider web of wires around your desk but if you have a sound card it is insane gaming in 5.1 setup it def brings a 3d feel to the experience, the other 2 that are purchased and recieved well are thez906 and corsair gaming series but are also alot more expensive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121050
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836852001
 

AngryGoldfish

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Jun 1, 2012
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I picked up a set of M-Audio AV40 Studiophile speakers a few years ago and I've been pretty happy with them so far. I was using 5.1 prior to that, but I found them a bit of a burden. If your computer desk is in the right position and your room is built a particular way then they can be excellent, but the extra cables and hassle they bring sometimes aren't worth the added immersion. Finding a decent set of 2.0 speakers completely changed the way I listened to music, watched movies and played games, just like when I moved from 2.0 to 5.1 or 7.1 changed my perspective in the opposite direction.

Personally speaking, I think 2.0 is better for music, unless you only listen to Hip-Hop, Trance, Dubstep, House or other styles that generate a lot of bass. I have found that a reasonably priced audiophile 2.0 setup, albeit weird at first, offers finer clarity than a reasonably priced and solid 5.1 setup. That extra thump and bass often masks the details of genres like Rock, Blues, Folk, Indie, Traditional, Classical, etc., but as I said, they can be essential if you like to feel a thump. If I'm listening to Doom Metal and I want that 'thump', I just turn them up really loud and then I'm happy. They push more air and I can feel it without ever sacrificing clarity or nuance.

As I said, I'm happy with the AV40's and they've inspired me to stick to two speakers rather than 5.1 or 7.1. My next speaker purchase will probably be a £300 2.1 setup—I do like that extra bass sometimes. However, if my room was smaller, I had less people in the house, the cables were easily managed, the speakers could be elevated or attached to the ceiling, and I was willing to invest more money in high quality tweeters, then I would consider going back to 5.1. But as it stands, although you lose some immersion, you gain clarity, warmth, and a more in-your-face pronunciation.

With all that said, that's just my experience, and I recognize that others have different views. So if you really love 5.1, and I totally get why, then I suggest finding a set that is specified to have greater clarity than your average Logitech gaming set. Go to an audiophile forum (I've used head-fi.org) and ask about 5.1 speakers that are a little more sophisticated than your average 'thump thump thump' surround sound speakers that, in my opinion, offer more fake immersion than real quantifiable depth. I'm not completely against 5.1. In fact, I may go back to it when I move, but currently I'm happy with 2.0 and the M-Audio AV40's I have are good.

I've heard good things about the Corsair SP2500 and are on my personal shortlist, but they are out of your price range. The SP2200 are cheaper but I don't think they're made any more.
 

Bad_Kitty13

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Feb 26, 2014
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yea i totally agree with you. you would have to do some serious cable management and have some realestate on your desk. however imo the 5.1 setup is much better for games/movies as if properly setup 2 speakers about 30 inches on each side to the rear one center placed in front of you 2 speakers about 30inches to the left and right evenly spaced betwween rear and center. the 3d effect you get after you have your config set up is unmatched imo. just the extra dimesion it adds to games and movies is insane...comes with a lot of cable headache though and spacing issues. if you will just be putting them directly in front with out spacing properly around where you sit then there is no point in a 5.1 set up ans a 2.1 setup would do the same in this aspect.
 

AngryGoldfish

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Jun 1, 2012
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For gaming and movies, 5.1/7.1 is awesome and what I would prefer in an ideal world, definitely. I just don't know if it's worth the hassle. I guess it boils down to your specific needs and requirements maybe more than preferences, though obviously they should be counted.

For cable management, this always impressed me:

http://i.imgur.com/5CQQJGz.jpg
 

Bad_Kitty13

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Feb 26, 2014
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ha thats really cool i havent tried anything like that before. yea if you just surf the web and listen to music not really a gamer then 2.1 is good and save you some money unless you go with audiophile which will abuse your wallet