Speakers For Gaming Rig?

The_Man12

Estimable
Mar 22, 2014
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4,570
Hi

I was thinking on buying the Logitech Z623 speakers but then I started to read reviews and how the audio was not that good so I decided to go for bookshelf speakers. I picked these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=10ZVNC1UO7WVB&coliid=I174P8FCRR87RR&psc=1 and a sub http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NCD2PC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=10ZVNC1UO7WVB&coliid=IQE1XDA9K6HNM&psc=1 . I won't be getting the sub right now, that'll come later. However, I have a problem, I can't find a good amp for them, I was thinking on going for this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0070Z87YO/ref=s9_simh_gw_g23_i2_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=1VBZ2DXN9H5T5HNAB05V&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop but i don't know if it'll be powerful enough (I want to get the most out of these speakers). I don't know which amp to get, which one should I get? What speakers and amp do you have?

Thanks!
 
Solution
Well if you are looking at getting a full 2.1 system as far as I know you are fairly limited to packaged deals, like those z623's you picked out, and getting bookshelf speakers and a sub isn't really an option. However a decent set of bookshelfs will probably give you the bass response you need for gaming when paired with a decent amp, and on top of that you could get them for pretty cheap and will last you a long time until you are willing to shell out a bit more cash for a better amp/receiver. It's not uncommon for people to swear by 20 year old bookshelfs that sound as good as ones you would purchase nowadays.

So I would say that if you find you absolutely must have a full 2.1 system on a $200 budget, you're either going to have to...

arlemedra

Estimable
Jul 22, 2014
8
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4,520
Amplifiers tend to be the most expensive part of a speaker system. Do you have a budget in mind? The lepai will power those speakers fairly well, but they won't be able to play to their max volume.
 
agreed, they would likely power the speakers for now but certainly not to the fullest. they also will start to distort fairly bad once you start pushing the volume up with such a cheap amp.

also, that is a powered subwoofer so it does not need a powered output jack (it should be used on an unpowered line-out jack ideally or subwoofer jack).

there is a lack of any decent mid-priced amplifier choices as you have mostly either cheap amplifiers which are only so-so on quality (and rarely live up to their claimed specs) and very expensive (but good) hifi amplifiers used in expensive setups which are overkill for you.

perhaps your best option would be to look for a nice audio video receiver as there are tons of choices for mid-ranged prices and is the reason why there are not many mid priced amplifiers on the market.

now there are stereo receivers (2.0 only) and 5.1+ receivers on the market. while you could certainly get by with a stereo receiver i'd recommend going with a 5.1 or greater model since you gain a subwoofer jack (for easy hookup) and the ability to expand your setup in the future to 5.1 or greater.

sony, pioneer, yamaha, onkyo all have good budget options available you can look at. we have a sony unit in the other room (was $200 on sale a few years back) which has performed well and on my own pc system i use a pioneer elite ($500 back in '10) which also is a good unit and we have been happy with both.

given your impedance load of 6ohm and max wattage of 80 most any choice can power them well. the strdh550 for $200, the vsx523 for $180 or other options.

eventually when your budget is larger you may want to pick up a center channel.

also of note if you havent bought anything yet: you could get a whole 5.1 setup (minus receiver which is extra cost) like the energy 5.1 classic take for $330 or the very similar knockoff (but good) monoprice 10565 for $229. both include 5 speakers and a subwoofer. just add a receiver and speaker wire and you would be all set with a big 5.1 setup. both are highly rated as one of the best value speaker sets you can buy for the money.

 

The_Man12

Estimable
Mar 22, 2014
17
0
4,570
Uff... I'm now confused, I don't know what to buy. I want a 2.1 system for my computer, I don't have space for a 5.1 sadly and I don't think I'll be moving anytime soon. What speakers, sub, and amplifier would you buy with a $200 budget? I'm honestly just thinking on going for the Z623s but I know they have horrible mids :(
 

arlemedra

Estimable
Jul 22, 2014
8
0
4,520
Well if you are looking at getting a full 2.1 system as far as I know you are fairly limited to packaged deals, like those z623's you picked out, and getting bookshelf speakers and a sub isn't really an option. However a decent set of bookshelfs will probably give you the bass response you need for gaming when paired with a decent amp, and on top of that you could get them for pretty cheap and will last you a long time until you are willing to shell out a bit more cash for a better amp/receiver. It's not uncommon for people to swear by 20 year old bookshelfs that sound as good as ones you would purchase nowadays.

So I would say that if you find you absolutely must have a full 2.1 system on a $200 budget, you're either going to have to look at something like a z623 system or something you could find off craigslist or secondhand. You could either do that or work on building a decent system that you will evolve or the next few years, but will wind up better but more expensive. What I've done myself is I bought the Micca MB42s with a $20 lepai amp, then upgraded those with a crossover when I found a little bit of money and time, as well as buying myself a budget Polk subwoofer and a decent receiver when I found the cash later, and I've found myself VERY satisfied with this system, and I do consider myself to be a beginner audiophile. You will end up buying more than one set of speakers in your life so you might as well do whatever suits you best right now, and the z623's may very well satisfy you for the foreseeable future.

EDIT: The Micca+Lepai combo netted me around $80 and I found their bass response to be good enough for listening to music and perfectly suitable for games, and I am a bit of a basshead.
 
Solution

The_Man12

Estimable
Mar 22, 2014
17
0
4,570
You're right I agree with you, I feel like bookshelf speakers give me the ability to customize the system to my own taste and can be upgraded easily, instead of just having to buy a whole new set. I kept reading reviews on the Z623s and people either love them or hate them, so nah, don't want to dealing with that... Right now the SP-BS22-LR is on sale at $100, so I'll just grab those and an ok amp (Lepai LP-168HA) while I dig up some money, I don't want to miss the offer and I'm sure I will be keeping the speakers for a long while. Then in the future I'll grab the SW-8MK2 and an amp (might not be necessary though, I'll find out eventually) Thanks a lot!