18. Conclusion

These tests show that, on the whole, the quality of each system matches its price, so each user should make a choice based on budgetary considerations, personal requirements and the intended use of the system. 5.1 systems are supposed to be the best option for movie viewing, but sometimes it would be better to pass on the center channel and gain in quality instead. So you'd be watching your DVD with an Altec Lansing 641 rather than a Hercules XPS 510. Obviously, the absolute tops are the big 5.1 systems designed for all situations, like the MegaWorks 510D by Cambridge SoundWorks. Though it must be said that these, however good they are, cost an awful lot more than most people are prepared to invest in a PC sound system.

We can separate sound systems into two price groups. For the "entry-level" group, the choice is between the Inspire 5300, the Creative Labs FPS 1600, the Logitech Z-540 and the Videologic ZXR-500. We definitely preferred the Z-540, which has the best quality/price ratio in the test even though it is only a 4.1. As for the bigger, more expensive systems, three of them stand out: the MegaWorks 510D, the 641 and the Z-560. If money isn't an issue, then you can go for the 510D with your eyes closed, though the other two will still give you pleasure. Of these three giants, the best quality/price ratio is the Z-560. For design and sweet sound, the winner is the Altec Lansing 641.

We would award a well-deserved medal to the Altec Lansing 4100 for its unusual innovative design that does no damage to its quality. And if you absolutely want an external AC-3 decoder, go for the Inspire 5700 which has a good quality/price ratio compared to some of the other entry-level home cinema systems.