Looking to buy new PC Speakers - Need Some Advice/Help

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jonathant5

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#1 jonathant5
Member since 2010 • 873 Posts

Hello guys. So I am in the market for some speakers right now for my PC System back in the Philippines. Due to the fact that I will be buying it there, I am a little bit limited in terms of choices, and of course they are slightly more expensive than they are in Canada.

Anyway, I will use the system to watch movies, listen to music, and play video games. I also have an X-Fi sound card so it should help improve the sound quality. I am looking at getting a 5.1 Surround Sound system, but dont really know which one to get. Here is what I am looking at right now

Logitech G51http://www.villman.com/Product-Detail/logitech_g51

Logitech Z506http://www.villman.com/Product-Detail/Logitech_Z506

Logitech Z906http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/home-pc-speakers/devices/speaker-system-Z906

Logitech Z5500http://reviews.logitech.com/7061/224/logitech-z-5500-digital-5-1-speaker-system-reviews/reviews.htm

Altec Lansig FX5051http://www.villman.com/Product-Detail/altec_FX5051

As you can see most are logitech products, because logitech is one of the easiest brands do get a hold of there (and therefore least overpriced in terms of them being more expensive than the same models in the US/Canada). I also have easy access to Creative products. May be hard to get some of the other brands though. Currently, I am using a Logtech X-540 (in my drom at Uni, quite happy with these speakers), and the new speakers I am planning to get will replace the Altec Lansing ATP3.

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kraken2109

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#2 kraken2109
Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

Most people on this board (and most audio enthusiasts in general) will tell you to noot buy logitech or cheap surround sets.

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jonathant5

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#3 jonathant5
Member since 2010 • 873 Posts
I agree that Logitech is not the best out there. That being said, I will only use the system 4 months in a year, so dont think it would be a great idea to buy something that is expensive. On top of that, like I said, my choices are a little bit limited given that I will be buying stuff in the Philippines. Lastly, what quality 5.1 Surround sound systems (for PC) are out there? Going through Newegg, Amazon and NCIX, I have had trouble finding any 5.1 PC system that is better than the Z906.
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KHAndAnime

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#4 KHAndAnime
Member since 2009 • 17565 Posts
I agree that Logitech is not the best out there. That being said, I will only use the system 4 months in a year, so dont think it would be a great idea to buy something that is expensive. On top of that, like I said, my choices are a little bit limited given that I will be buying stuff in the Philippines. Lastly, what quality 5.1 Surround sound systems (for PC) are out there? Going through Newegg, Amazon and NCIX, I have had trouble finding any 5.1 PC system that is better than the Z906. jonathant5
Look at the cheap Onkyo HTIB sets. Products that call themselves "PC Speakers" are generally poor. You want to avoid those cheap plastic satellites that are common in cheap 5.1 setups.
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#5 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

KHAndAnime has the right of it: An inexpensive HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) will vastly outperform most any PC surround sound system. Some of them are comparable in price, too, starting around $300 for a decent Samsung (HT-E5400) and $500 for a more robust Onkyo package (HTS-5500). If you're feeling adventurous you might be able to pair a set of Energy speakers with a Yamaha receiver.

You'll notice that most reputable reviewers don't even recommend a PC surround system. There isn't a single set that makes C|Net's top five, and you won't even find PC speakers in the pages of magazines like Stereophile.

Since you're using it for home theater, I agree you probably want a surround system, but look at the home theater market rather than those designed for PCs and you'll get a much better value.

Good luck,

Boz

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kraken2109

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#6 kraken2109
Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

You can get a budget 5.1 reciever from Denon or Onkyo for £150 (don't know the price where you are).

Couple this with some nice speakers and you can get a very nice system.

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jonathant5

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#7 jonathant5
Member since 2010 • 873 Posts
Ok, thank you very much guys! I will look into the Onkyo's and see if I can find them in Manila. Also, once I get one of those HTIB systems from them, how would I connect them to the PC? Do I simply connect the receiver to the ports and thats it, or is there something more complicated to the process? Thank you!
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kraken2109

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#8 kraken2109
Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts
Ok, thank you very much guys! I will look into the Onkyo's and see if I can find them in Manila. Also, once I get one of those HTIB systems from them, how would I connect them to the PC? Do I simply connect the receiver to the ports and thats it, or is there something more complicated to the process? Thank you!jonathant5
You should just need to plug in the pc with something like an optical cable.
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Bozanimal

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#9 Bozanimal
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Ok, thank you very much guys! I will look into the Onkyo's and see if I can find them in Manila. Also, once I get one of those HTIB systems from them, how would I connect them to the PC? Do I simply connect the receiver to the ports and thats it, or is there something more complicated to the process? Thank you!jonathant5
It depends on which X-Fi card you have. You will either run an optical cable as kraken2109 mentioned or, if your X-Fi card has coaxial only, a coaxial cable. Note that digital coaxial cable has RCA connectors, unlike the coaxial cable used by your cable or satellite provider which has threaded connectors. Be sure you check your X-Fi card carefully to make sure you're using the correct cables. Good luck! Boz
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jonathant5

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#10 jonathant5
Member since 2010 • 873 Posts
[QUOTE="jonathant5"]Ok, thank you very much guys! I will look into the Onkyo's and see if I can find them in Manila. Also, once I get one of those HTIB systems from them, how would I connect them to the PC? Do I simply connect the receiver to the ports and thats it, or is there something more complicated to the process? Thank you!Bozanimal
It depends on which X-Fi card you have. You will either run an optical cable as kraken2109 mentioned or, if your X-Fi card has coaxial only, a coaxial cable. Note that digital coaxial cable has RCA connectors, unlike the coaxial cable used by your cable or satellite provider which has threaded connectors. Be sure you check your X-Fi card carefully to make sure you're using the correct cables. Understood, thanks. I actually have a crappy X-Fi one (its one of the external ones for laptop, USB connection, so not too great, but I think it has an optical port). Good luck! Boz

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Bozanimal

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#11 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts
You mentioned you had an X-Fi card. Without knowing the model number, I cannot say whether it uses a digital coax or optical output. If you can get that, I can find out which you've got. Happy gaming, Boz