going beyond logitech 5.1 speakers for PC

[Jackka]

Hello everyone.

I am looking for help in figuring out a decent and reasonably priced setup for my PC (up to $500), if such a thing even exists.

I have never been one to appreciate fine audio quality, but recently I've bought a HT Omega Claro II soundcard for my computer and the difference in the music I played on my computer sort of threw me into a shock, albeit a good one.

I have the Logitech x540 speakers, which is a relatively cheap ($90) 5.1 speakers for basic surround sound, I assume. I didn't expect much difference from the on-board sound I was using since most of my music were low bitrate mp3s and I thought my speakers weren't good enough to show the difference, but I was pleasantly surprised at how the music sounded much clearer and the different instruments each separately became fuller. The music seemed to have gone from flat to multi-dimensional.

So I started wondering if music sounds this much better with only a $90 set of speakers, how much better it would be with a proper set.

My first thought was to buy the new z906 set from Logitech, but I kept getting a feeling that I could set up something better without breaking the bank. For example, Definitive Technology's ProCinema60 is available for less than $300(probably because it is an old model), but I am not sure if I also need to buy an amp and/or receiver with those speakers and if I do, which ones would be appropriate. I'd like to use the DAC on my soundcard and connect the speakers through the analogue outputs from my sound card if I can.

It seems as though speakers such as Logitech's z906 aren't considered proper sets of speakers among audiophiles. I am wondering what kind of setup would give me the best bang for the buck around $500.

I couldn't find any forum specific to PC audio, so I hope I'm not asking in the wrong place. If anyone knows where I can find related information, I'm all ears.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I had a similar experience years ago when I went from onboard audio to a Creative sound card. It really is a nice change, isn't it? I was also shocked at how much better it sounded.

How big is your room, and are you set on 5.1? I'm just asking because I've purchased 5.1 systems for my PC in the past, but I always end up using 3.1 just because I don't want to deal with the hassle of the surround speakers in my office.

 

[Jackka]

Welcome to the forum!

I had a similar experience years ago when I went from onboard audio to a Creative sound card. It really is a nice change, isn't it? I was also shocked at how much better it sounded.

How big is your room, and are you set on 5.1? I'm just asking because I've purchased 5.1 systems for my PC in the past, but I always end up using 3.1 just because I don't want to deal with the hassle of the surround speakers in my office.

Yes, I don't think I could ever go back to on-board sound. haha

My room is about 10' x 12', but it also has my bed in it, so I have front speakers on my large desk and rear speakers on speaker stands right by my chair. So I'm assuming that it's a small room set up?

I want to go with 5.1 only because the speakers are for music as well as movies and gaming. I think that 2.1 or 3.1 would be better for music only, but I don't have the space or money yet to have a separate setup for music. So, for now, the speakers will have to serve multiple duty

 

[sholling]

That's a mighty fine sound card. How about starting with 2.1 or 2.0 and adding the rest later? For 2.1 you could go with a pair of Audioengine's or A5 or A5+ for $300-400/pr depending if you catch a good deal. Or Behringer's B1030A for $142ea. Both are powered speakers and won't need an amp. Add a subwoofer and you're in good shape and then just add additional speakers as money allows. I'd try to find a local store to test them and see what you like. I'm not sure who carries the A5 but I think some Guitar Centers carry the Behringer.

It'll take you $100 over budget but a $320 Hsu STF-2 would be a decent sub for a room that size and not too huge - Hsu makes good stuff. I've never listened to a Bic F12 but they have a decent rep for a bargain basement $200 first subwoofer but again I haven't heard the Bic and can't endorse it.
STF-2 Subwoofer

 

[zieglj01]

Also, this Energy sub will take care of your room.
Newegg.com - Energy S10.3 Subwoofer Each

 

[Jackka]

That's a mighty fine sound card. How about starting with 2.1 or 2.0 and adding the rest later? For 2.1 you could go with a pair of Audioengine's or A5 or A5+ for $300-400/pr depending if you catch a good deal. Or Behringer's B1030A for $142ea. Both are powered speakers and won't need an amp. Add a subwoofer and you're in good shape and then just add additional speakers as money allows. I'd try to find a local store to test them and see what you like. I'm not sure who carries the A5 but I think some Guitar Centers carry the Behringer.

It'll take you $100 over budget but a $320 Hsu STF-2 would be a decent sub for a room that size and not too huge - Hsu makes good stuff. I've never listened to a Bic F12 but they have a decent rep for a bargain basement $200 first subwoofer but again I haven't heard the Bic and can't endorse it.

Ah, I see that it will be harder to fit quality speakers into a $500 budget if I go 5.1 to begin with. Starting with 2.0 and going to 2.1 and 5.1 later as you suggested would indeed give me the best bang for the buck in the long run.

I've looked into the powered speakers you mentioned and have a few questions if you or anyone could help me.

Do you think the Behringer MS40 wouldn't be worth it compared to the B1030A or B2030A?

Also, the Audioengine 5+ and the Behringer MS40 seem to come in pairs where one side contains the amp and power cord connection. So how would I add a center speaker if I want to form a 5.1 setup later, provided I don't want to mix and match speakers from different companies? (the NHT SuperPower also seem nice and appear to be sold in single operable units as opposed to pairs. maybe I can use these for my purposes?)

Are 5.1 setups usually only done with passive speakers?

Having 5 quality active speakers and a quality subwoofer for my PC with a high end soundcard seems like a really cool idea, but I just can't figure out how the power cords would work in such a setup. Would I have 6 power cords each going into a speaker and the sub? Or perhaps 4 power cords(front, rear, center, sub)? Sorry I'm such a newbie, haha.

Oh, and another thing that has been confusing me the last few days: if I were to get passive speakers, do I need both a receiver and an amp? or one of the two? The only thing I have to connect to my speakers is my computer soundcard, which already has a DAC. So a receiver with all different types of inputs and decoding features seem kind of pointless to me. Is it possible to have just an amp and no receiver for a 5.1 setup?

If these questions sound like I have not a clue as to how audio systems work, it's because I don't! lol Don't laugh at me!

 

[sholling]

Z's Energy sub suggestion is a good one for a room that size but be sure to read the Tips & Tricks section on main Audioholics site to learn about calibrating your system and getting good bass. There is a wealth of information there!

As for which speakers - that's personal taste and budget. I'd try to find a Guitar Center with the Behringers and listen to them a bit and decide what you like or if you like them at all. Just keep in mind that the bass below 80hz will be handled by the sub. For what it's worth I've owned the passive version of the B2030(P for passive) and it was a pretty decent speaker for the money but the prices have nearly doubled since I bought mine. They're optimized for listening from 3-5 feet away but still sounded pretty good 8 feet away which is as far as I could get in my jam packed 13x13' home-office.

Passive vs active speakers is again personal taste and budget. I had an old AV receiver laying around and so went with passive speakers. Your sound card is actually overkill for that approach because with a digital connection from computer to the receiver the receiver's DACs are handling the digital to analog conversion and are usually just as good as the sound card's.