Budget Gaming Sound Systems?

[Mr._Clark]

I have two extra TVs, two PS3s and two steering wheels/seats I'm planning to set up solely for gaming so I can race against my son in GT6 (the wifey vetoed having two racing seats in the middle of the family room). These two setups will be used almost exclusively for PS3 racing games.

I'm planning to set these up in a relatively small room in the basement with hard floors, walls, and ceiling. The goal is to get 2 halfway decent budget sound systems set up (or possibly just go with headsets?). Appearance is not a factor, and the room is small so I doubt I'll need much power.

Any suggestions for sound systems in the $300-$400 per system range? Perhaps just soundbars? I find headsets uncomfortable, but I haven't ruled it out.

 

[shadyJ]

I might be looking at headphones if you are going to play against your son at the same time. That way the sounds don't get mixed up with each other, and it may be less confusing. Alternately, if your TVs have analog outputs, you could get some of these: JBL LSR305 active monitors. Those are very good speakers. Connect them directly to your TVs and skip the AVR.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

fanatec wheels/pedals?

 

[Mr._Clark]

I might be looking at headphones if you are going to play against your son at the same time. That way the sounds don't get mixed up with each other, and it may be less confusing. Alternately, if your TVs have analog outputs, you could get some of these: JBL LSR305 active monitors. Those are very good speakers. Connect them directly to your TVs and skip the AVR.

Thanks for the suggestion, the JBLs look like a most excellent option for this! (Or for playing those old Wyld Stallyns albums gathering dust). Have you heard the LSR308s? I'm guessing the LSR305s will be more than enough, but, there's always this temptation to go one more level up.

I'm somewhat concerned about the sound mixing, but I'm not sure how much of an issue it will be. I'll probably try the speakers to start, then switch to headsets if it turns out to be an issue.

 

[Mr._Clark]

fanatec wheels/pedals?

Just a couple Logitechs. I think one is a G25, I'm not sure about the other. I have not used these wheels for awhile, but they actually worked quite well with Grand Turismo.

I take it the Fanatecs are significantly better? I have a Logitech G920 hooked up to an Xbox One for Forza 6, but I hate it right now. Perhaps I need to play with the settings some more. I find it almost impossible to keep the cars going straight on high speed straightaways without excessive fishtailing. Also, the brake pedal requires huge effort and the cars do not brake well. I've read online that there's a bushing that physically limits the travel of the brake pedal to range of motion that is less than the range of motion that the sensor will detect so that it's impossible to move the brake pedal to a position in which the sensor sends a "full brake" signal. Apparently the solution is to take the brake pedal apart and cut the bushing down so it allows more pedal travel, but I have not tried this yet.

Most reviewers seem to prefer FZ6 over GT, but I much preferred GT on the old PS3, at least the way I had them setup.

If the Fanatecs are better, I may need to try one.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Fanatec are not just better than Logitech, they are in whole different league. I own few pieces for xbox360 (also compatible with the pc, but not Xbox one or PS). The pedals especially good. No comparison. One big problem is that they are expensive.

Sim-racing is bigger deal than you think.

 

[shadyJ]

Thanks for the suggestion, the JBLs look like a most excellent option for this! (Or for playing those old Wyld Stallyns albums gathering dust). Have you heard the LSR308s? I'm guessing the LSR305s will be more than enough, but, there's always this temptation to go one more level up.

I'm somewhat concerned about the sound mixing, but I'm not sure how much of an issue it will be. I'll probably try the speakers to start, then switch to headsets if it turns out to be an issue.

The 308s will have a bit more bass capability. I didn't recommend them because they are a bit out of your budget. Be sure you have analog outputs that you can run to these type of speakers.

 

[slipperybidness]

Thanks for the suggestion, the JBLs look like a most excellent option for this! (Or for playing those old Wyld Stallyns albums gathering dust). Have you heard the LSR308s? I'm guessing the LSR305s will be more than enough, but, there's always this temptation to go one more level up.

I'm somewhat concerned about the sound mixing, but I'm not sure how much of an issue it will be. I'll probably try the speakers to start, then switch to headsets if it turns out to be an issue.

Keep in mind that the 308 is larger too, more real estate, more difficult to hang.

If you think about the arcade setups, they always have the competing race cars set up side-by-side, not back to back. I would think back-to-back may be distracting from sound leakage, but less distracting side by side. Maybe even set it up in a V shape nose-to-nose to better isolate the sounds.

Reminds me of my college days, Super GT at the arcade!