Anyone use 5.1 speaker set? Worth it?

Step · 9th July 2002, 2:29 PM

Is it worth getting a 5.1 speaker set?

Which ones you recommend?

Jag7799 · 9th July 2002, 3:13 PM

I reccomend getting a proper 5.1 setupo.. none of those crappy computer ones, but A proper amp followed by proper speakers and a proper 5.1 sound card.. best way to go..

icewind · 9th July 2002, 3:42 PM

this would be best suited in the Audio/Visual forum.

Also, whats ur budget?

i agree with Jag, dont get the cruddy computer 5.1 speakers if you can help it.

SyN · 9th July 2002, 5:59 PM

well you cant get proper hifi 5.1 if you have a small budget

ive seen crappy compyuter 5.1 systems for $150

i reckon its just basically get what you pay for

Tony · 9th July 2002, 6:08 PM

Hercules XPS510? $160.

Energy Encore 5.1 System? $2,195.

VAF DC-X 5.1 System? $2,947 base price - sub. extra.

One of these is not worth the money... take a guess which one.

T.

phantompisser · 10th July 2002, 9:04 PM

even worse value?
$100 yumcha 5.1 system from strathfield
god knows what i was thinking........

Bigmick · 10th July 2002, 9:28 PM

Cambridge DTT2200's - $199 a year ago, well worth the money.

frombrosis · 10th July 2002, 11:08 PM

Yeah, I got the Cambridge DTT2200's... hell they're great... I paid for what I expected to get... Awesome for DVDs and games and mp3, abominable for hi-fi music.

But really. I can only recommend a 5.1 setup if you're gonna watch DVDs on your computer, otherwise it's better to go with a 4.1 or even a good 2.1 system, like Sirocco or Klipsch. But please god please, steer away from any "computer speakers" over $500 (the cambridge DTT3500 come to mind...) the only computer speakers worth getting IMHO are klipsch, sirocco (hard to find) and midiland.

The CK · 11th July 2002, 12:45 AM

its worth getting a 5.1 speaker set if:
a) you have (or will buy an audigy) and play lots of modern (ie not released yet) games such as first person shooters where sound is important... for these eax advanced hd games 5.1 is apparently noticably better than on a 4.1 setup
b) you watch dvd's, and either you dont want to waste a lot of time trying to get it sound right without the centre channel or a 4.1 setup (and even then dosent sound nearly as good IMO as a good 5.1 setup)

its not important for music (a lot of people who own 5.1's turn the centre speaker off anyway for music) and games if you dotn have an audigy or they are pre eax advanced hd games.

for 5.1 speakers.. if youre really on a budget, get the hercules xps510 systems, ive seen them for $150... just keep in mind though you get what you pay for... not sure if the inspire 5300's are worth it over the xps... i would doubt it though their specs seem pretty simalar (the inspire 5700's are definately not worth it though)

on the high end there really arent a lot of options.. the klipsch promedia 5.1 hasnt been made in 220/240 volt setup yet (approx release date september i think), the cambridge megaworks 510 isnt sold in australia as far as im aware... and other 5.1 setups found in the US are also not available here as far as im aware... so for high end (for multimedia anyway

) 5.1 setups, really your only option is to look at budget home theatre's, or to wait...

if your looking at 4.1 then you should consider the logitech z560's ($360 form InstantIt) and the altec lansing 641's (in the states they are the same price as the z560's, and sound slightly better depending on the listener, but here the cheapest ive seen them is $485 from gamedude, would like to know of any cheaper places)... these will sound far better than the cheap 5.1 setups such as the xps510 and inspire 5300's and 5700's... even for dvd's and eax advanced games with an audigy...

Step · 12th July 2002, 9:22 PM

Im using an Audigy...

I want it for watching movies and playing games.

I don't want to spend much more than $500-$600.

phantompisser · 12th July 2002, 11:22 PM

i noticed that a retailer in perth (rick hart hifi corporation ) have the sony 5.1 system on sale for $699 . Normally reatails for $1000 and would create a way better experience than any computer speakers .

DC3/DTS MINI AMP + SUB & SURROUND SAT HTK215
Features:
25W x 5 RMS 50W RMS Subwoofer
24-Bit DTS, Dolby Digital & Dolby Pro Logic Decoding
Cinema Studio A/ B/ C Modes
Virtual Multi Dimension Mode
2 X Optical Digital Inputs
2 X Analogue AV Inputs
5.1 Channel Input for add on decoders
Colour Coded Connectors for Easy Hook Up
Remote Control
Optional Speaker Stands (WSFV10S)
Speakers (WxHxD): 76 x 100 x 86mm
Subwoofer (WxHxD): 240 x 285 x 355mm

seems not a bad deal to me . It's not real hifi but definately better than any 6500watt PMPO POS that your average electronic's purveyor pimps

GreyWolfe01 · 13th July 2002, 2:44 AM

I have Cambridge DTT 3500s + Audigy and they are sw33t.

The only con would be that the centre speaker tends to overpower the others (due to its relatively high power output compared to the sattelites).

The CK · 15th July 2002, 11:43 AM

you could look at the home theatre stuff... i wouldnt be surprised if the sound quality of some of the cheap home theatre wasnt that great...

for your $500 - 600 price range unless you can home theatre stuff the only multimedia 5.1 system in this price range i can think of is the cambridge inspire 5700's.. which quite simply... are not worth it. the 5300's are worth considering... only because they sound ok and are cheap... but note that a decent 4.1 setup (the klipsch 4.1 (or you could get 2 klipsch 2.1's and make a 4.2 system for cheap from microdirect, better than the 4.1 if you can fit 2 subs), the logi z560, and the altec 641 will all sound better than the inspire's (both versions) even though the inspires have an extra centre speaker... overall if you did get the inspire 5300's you would probably quite enjoy them... but you would enjoy the good 4.1 setups more..

also note that between the klipsch promedias, the logi z560 and the altec 641 it is really only personal preference as to which sounds better... although regardless the difference is slight...

really if your buying now you either gotta look at really cheap home theatre... or just compromise and get a 4.1 setup

Jay · 15th July 2002, 4:35 PM

Meanwhile I've had my cheapo TEAC 5.1 blow up on me and got a refund. So the waiting for the Klipsch 5.1 is still on.

MrW · 16th July 2002, 2:34 PM

I use my computer for everything... music, TV, DVD's the lot. I've been quite happy with my Creative DTT3500's

I know they aren't the best 5.1 but I believe they would be the best in the computer range. At $650 you can't go wrong either.

9th July 2002, 2:29 PM	#1
Step Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 530	Anyone use 5.1 speaker set? Worth it? Is it worth getting a 5.1 speaker set? Which ones you recommend?

9th July 2002, 5:59 PM	#4
SyN Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 6,977	well you cant get proper hifi 5.1 if you have a small budget ive seen crappy compyuter 5.1 systems for $150 i reckon its just basically get what you pay for __________________ You are now conscious of your breathing pattern. The one hundredth member of OCAU Camera Club Mark II Non-existant Fujifilm Finepix X100 club member #100

11th July 2002, 12:45 AM	#9
The CK Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Adelaide Posts: 723	its worth getting a 5.1 speaker set if: a) you have (or will buy an audigy) and play lots of modern (ie not released yet) games such as first person shooters where sound is important... for these eax advanced hd games 5.1 is apparently noticably better than on a 4.1 setup b) you watch dvd's, and either you dont want to waste a lot of time trying to get it sound right without the centre channel or a 4.1 setup (and even then dosent sound nearly as good IMO as a good 5.1 setup) its not important for music (a lot of people who own 5.1's turn the centre speaker off anyway for music) and games if you dotn have an audigy or they are pre eax advanced hd games. for 5.1 speakers.. if youre really on a budget, get the hercules xps510 systems, ive seen them for $150... just keep in mind though you get what you pay for... not sure if the inspire 5300's are worth it over the xps... i would doubt it though their specs seem pretty simalar (the inspire 5700's are definately not worth it though) on the high end there really arent a lot of options.. the klipsch promedia 5.1 hasnt been made in 220/240 volt setup yet (approx release date september i think), the cambridge megaworks 510 isnt sold in australia as far as im aware... and other 5.1 setups found in the US are also not available here as far as im aware... so for high end (for multimedia anyway ) 5.1 setups, really your only option is to look at budget home theatre's, or to wait... if your looking at 4.1 then you should consider the logitech z560's ($360 form InstantIt) and the altec lansing 641's (in the states they are the same price as the z560's, and sound slightly better depending on the listener, but here the cheapest ive seen them is $485 from gamedude, would like to know of any cheaper places)... these will sound far better than the cheap 5.1 setups such as the xps510 and inspire 5300's and 5700's... even for dvd's and eax advanced games with an audigy... __________________ Snufkin on Alessandro Headphones: "They just have an energy to them that makes you want to tap your feet, air guitar and rock out with your cock out."

15th July 2002, 11:43 AM	#13
The CK Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Adelaide Posts: 723	you could look at the home theatre stuff... i wouldnt be surprised if the sound quality of some of the cheap home theatre wasnt that great... for your $500 - 600 price range unless you can home theatre stuff the only multimedia 5.1 system in this price range i can think of is the cambridge inspire 5700's.. which quite simply... are not worth it. the 5300's are worth considering... only because they sound ok and are cheap... but note that a decent 4.1 setup (the klipsch 4.1 (or you could get 2 klipsch 2.1's and make a 4.2 system for cheap from microdirect, better than the 4.1 if you can fit 2 subs), the logi z560, and the altec 641 will all sound better than the inspire's (both versions) even though the inspires have an extra centre speaker... overall if you did get the inspire 5300's you would probably quite enjoy them... but you would enjoy the good 4.1 setups more.. also note that between the klipsch promedias, the logi z560 and the altec 641 it is really only personal preference as to which sounds better... although regardless the difference is slight... really if your buying now you either gotta look at really cheap home theatre... or just compromise and get a 4.1 setup __________________ Snufkin on Alessandro Headphones: "They just have an energy to them that makes you want to tap your feet, air guitar and rock out with your cock out."

16th July 2002, 2:34 PM	#15
MrW Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Posts: 524	I use my computer for everything... music, TV, DVD's the lot. I've been quite happy with my Creative DTT3500's I know they aren't the best 5.1 but I believe they would be the best in the computer range. At $650 you can't go wrong either. __________________ MrW

9th July 2002, 3:13 PM	#2
Jag7799 Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 592	I reccomend getting a proper 5.1 setupo.. none of those crappy computer ones, but A proper amp followed by proper speakers and a proper 5.1 sound card.. best way to go..

9th July 2002, 3:42 PM	#3
icewind Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Toowoomba Posts: 2,379	this would be best suited in the Audio/Visual forum. Also, whats ur budget? i agree with Jag, dont get the cruddy computer 5.1 speakers if you can help it.

9th July 2002, 6:08 PM	#5
Tony Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 10,049	Hercules XPS510? $160. Energy Encore 5.1 System? $2,195. VAF DC-X 5.1 System? $2,947 base price - sub. extra. One of these is not worth the money... take a guess which one. T.

10th July 2002, 9:04 PM	#6
phantompisser Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Perth Posts: 925	even worse value? $100 yumcha 5.1 system from strathfield god knows what i was thinking........

10th July 2002, 9:28 PM	#7
Bigmick (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Will you be my friend? Posts: 262	Cambridge DTT2200's - $199 a year ago, well worth the money.

10th July 2002, 11:08 PM	#8
frombrosis Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 109	Yeah, I got the Cambridge DTT2200's... hell they're great... I paid for what I expected to get... Awesome for DVDs and games and mp3, abominable for hi-fi music. But really. I can only recommend a 5.1 setup if you're gonna watch DVDs on your computer, otherwise it's better to go with a 4.1 or even a good 2.1 system, like Sirocco or Klipsch. But please god please, steer away from any "computer speakers" over $500 (the cambridge DTT3500 come to mind...) the only computer speakers worth getting IMHO are klipsch, sirocco (hard to find) and midiland.

12th July 2002, 9:22 PM	#10
Step Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 530	Im using an Audigy... I want it for watching movies and playing games. I don't want to spend much more than $500-$600.

12th July 2002, 11:22 PM	#11
phantompisser Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Perth Posts: 925	i noticed that a retailer in perth (rick hart hifi corporation ) have the sony 5.1 system on sale for $699 . Normally reatails for $1000 and would create a way better experience than any computer speakers . DC3/DTS MINI AMP + SUB & SURROUND SAT HTK215 Features: 25W x 5 RMS 50W RMS Subwoofer 24-Bit DTS, Dolby Digital & Dolby Pro Logic Decoding Cinema Studio A/ B/ C Modes Virtual Multi Dimension Mode 2 X Optical Digital Inputs 2 X Analogue AV Inputs 5.1 Channel Input for add on decoders Colour Coded Connectors for Easy Hook Up Remote Control Optional Speaker Stands (WSFV10S) Speakers (WxHxD): 76 x 100 x 86mm Subwoofer (WxHxD): 240 x 285 x 355mm seems not a bad deal to me . It's not real hifi but definately better than any 6500watt PMPO POS that your average electronic's purveyor pimps

15th July 2002, 4:35 PM	#14
Jay Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,299	Meanwhile I've had my cheapo TEAC 5.1 blow up on me and got a refund. So the waiting for the Klipsch 5.1 is still on.