What 5.1 speakers?

[squads]

I think the subwoofer on my Monsoon MM-702 speakers just kicked the bucket after about 7 years so it might be time for some new speakers. I wish Monsoon was still in business so I could get another set. They are basically a collectors item (http://cgi.ebay.com/MONSOON-2-1-SPEAKER-MULTIMEDIA-MM-702-POWER-ADPTR_W0QQitemZ120287913116QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m120287913116&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A13&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318) at this point.

Anyway it might be time to move along to the glory of surround sound. Are Klipsch still the top as far as 5.1 computer system speakers? I prefer better sound fidelity to sheer volume and supposedly they are the best (and quite expensive). I'm running an X-Fi xtrememusic if that makes any difference.

[iamcanadian7]

My buddy is running the Klipsch .51 Ultras and I use the Logitech Z-5500's. To be honest, unless your a big audiophile the difference is barley noticiable. IMO the price difference, 250 for the z-5500's to $400+ for the Klipschs ones, isin't worth it.

From reviews I read when deciding between the two the only thing they really knocked the Z-5500's for is the bas being not as clean as the Klipsch's.

[Shiggity]

Logitech Z5500's all the way

[Blackstar]

If you want great quality but can't justify getting the full blown 5.1's I'd suggest the middle choice and get a set of Klipsch Pro Media 2.1's. I have a friend who has a 5.1 set of the Logitech's and even he admits to my Pro 2.1's sounding better. ;)

You can get them for between $100 - $200 bucks depending on where you shop around.

- Blackstar

[nicspits]

Having heard both the Klipsch and once owning the similar Z580?s I'll tell you that my current choice is something I'll never go back from: a receiver and real speakers. Whether it's 3 Y cables, optical, or digital connection, the sound quality and especially high volume low distortion quality (as long as you don't get POS items of course) kill "PC Speaker Systems".

Also, it's a lot better for game surround as it's easier to fine tune the surround channels, you don't have to worry about amp embedded decoders messing up the signal, etc. you get the straight EAX or 5.1 programmed signal straight to the speakers.

Lastly, you can get a used receiver with 5.1 capability and 100 watts a channel for ~150, sub for ~75, and 5 bookshelf\center speakers for ~125: 350 and you've beat Klipsch and it can double as your home stereo if you have your\a pc in your living room. Just check Craigslist and you'll see what's out there.

[Shiggity]

Having heard both the Klipsch and once owning the similar Z580?s I'll tell you that my current choice is something I'll never go back from: a receiver and real speakers. Whether it's 3 Y cables, optical, or digital connection, the sound quality and especially high volume low distortion quality (as long as you don't get POS items of course) kill "PC Speaker Systems".

Also, it's a lot better for game surround as it's easier to fine tune the surround channels, you don't have to worry about amp embedded decoders messing up the signal, etc. you get the straight EAX or 5.1 programmed signal straight to the speakers.

Lastly, you can get a used receiver with 5.1 capability and 100 watts a channel for ~150, sub for ~75, and 5 bookshelf\center speakers for ~125: 350 and you've beat Klipsch and it can double as your home stereo if you have your\a pc in your living room. Just check Craigslist and you'll see what's out there.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I was leaning towards the Z5500's + receiver for a budget home theatre setup just because the price : performance on the Z5500's is so good.

If you don't mind me asking how much was your receiver + speaker setup?

[nicspits]

funny you should ask.... i'm still using the speakers from my Z580s that I bought in 2002!!

I ended up "receiving" a total of 3 sets because the first broke, something wrong with the amp\sub unit and they sent me two, after I sold one to a buddy my second one broke and I gave up. It was fun to take apart though.

Anyhoo, I had purchase an AIWA reciver, really nice model but I forget which one (gave to GF when I left college) and a KLH 10" forward firing subwoofer (also left). So when I got back I got to buy all new used stuff. Went with KLH again, can't beat the value ($70, 10" 100 watt independently powered) and a JVC RX664V for I think $100 with a set of really crappy JVC speakers. I can shake my row house from the basement... it has 3 levels and pacifist neighbors?

If you're going to do that, just make sure your receiver and speakers have the same OHM level.

Another FYI, for $100 i got an old Sony component system(tuner haha, receiver,cd player, dual tape deck haha, subwoofer\amp unit) with 2x3 channel\5speaker tower speakers, center 2 speaker piece, and ok surround sound speakers for $100 on craigslist. The front speakers alone, new, would have been $150 a piece. Sure the receiver and amp\sub situation sucks but i'm cunning when it comes to hiding cords and if it wasn't for my TV\media PC, I would have got another $120 receiver but I can't justify it as it sounds great and gets loud enough.


Some free shopping suggestions:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/791122938.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/791006978.html May not have 5.1 inputs though.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/786336828.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/785650731.html

Enjoy.

P.S. Tape the remote to ur reciver, you'll never use it and if you're like me, you'll lose it.

[kevleviathan]

I'm currently using a receiver and home theatre setup.

I've got a Pioneer VSX-517 amp which is I think 110Wx6 channels. I have both analog (3 y-adapters) and digital (mono 3.5mm > rca adapter) hooked up to my X-Fi Xtreme Music.

For speakers I'm running the Canton Movie 60-CX set. I really couldn't be happier! Investing in a receiver is nice and all but it can get very expensive... the Z-5500's are QUITE good and have a receiver built in, essentially, in the control pod.
Although the Klipsch's are a little better, they do tend to break.

[squads]

I might end up getting the klipsch 2.1's like Blackstar suggested. I would love a receiver with a powerful sub and speakers, but I have limited space in my room. Need to keep it pretty simple. I usually listen to music anyway, so 2.1 is probably fine.

Although...I would be able to use my Monsoon satellites with a receiver, right? They use RCA connectors.

[Mr. Roboto]

I might end up getting the klipsch 2.1's like Blackstar suggested. I would love a receiver with a powerful sub and speakers, but I have limited space in my room. Need to keep it pretty simple. I usually listen to music anyway, so 2.1 is probably fine.

Although...I would be able to use my Monsoon satellites with a receiver, right? They use RCA connectors.

Most receivers just use speaker wire to connect to the speakers. You could cut the RCA ends off your speakers though, and plug those into the speaker terminals on the receiver.

[Blackstar]

I might end up getting the klipsch 2.1's like Blackstar suggested. I would love a receiver with a powerful sub and speakers, but I have limited space in my room. Need to keep it pretty simple. I usually listen to music anyway, so 2.1 is probably fine.

I have my Pro Media 2.1's and a Sony 5.1 STR-DE675 DTS Receiver in the same room hooked up to the same computer and video components and I very often listen to music more on the 2.1's. ;)

The output of the sub is more than fine for the 12 foot x13 foot room they are in now and I only set it to the standard 40% of max level they have marked on the knob. Klipsch are famous for getting fantastic output from much less power than the competition. A testament to their efficiency and these particular ones are no exception. Personally I think they are the best $120 I have spent on sound equipment in 20 years.

My single and only complaint about them is the power switch is located on the sub instead of one of the speakers. That's the only thing I would have preferred and is extremely minor. I think you would enjoy them very much and would be hard pressed to find any speakers of the same caliber for twice the price.

Someday I plan on getting a set of their Quintet III's and replacing the 'ok' surround sound speakers I have now. :D

- Blackstar

[Sir Barton]

I run 2.0 Klipsches, but not computer speakers :D. I have a couple of Klipsch RB-81 reference bookshelves with 8" woofers and 6" horns in em...running off 5W of power each through a T-amp and a vacuum tube preamp. The sound quality is superb...got em for $300 for a pair at a local hifi shop that went out of business...theyre normally about $800 to $900 per pair. If youre set on 5.1, you could always buy a few boxes of the Insignia bookshelve speakers from Best Buy and get a used 5.1 receiver off of craigslist cheap. I had the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s before the Insignias, and the Promedias dont compare to em. The imaging and soundstage on the Insignias is outstanding. They make plenty of bass too. Sometimes Best Buy has em on sale for $50 per pair...theyre usually about $80 per pair.