Is 5.1 worth it for games only?

Nevrsumr22 · Oct 23, 2006

I'm going to upgrade my speaker system. I have a creative 2.1 setup and it sounds ok but it doesn't have enough bass punch for me and it gets a little distorted sometimes. If I have all the speakers in front of me will I notice anything from the 5.1? Basically the fronts and rears will be right next to each other so I'm not sure if I will get any better surround effect then just stereo. I'd rather spend the money on a better 2.1 than 5.1 if it's not going to do anything for me. I'm not even sure if games have discrete 5.1 encoded in them anyway.

redrumy3 · Oct 23, 2006

Nevrsumr22 said:
I'm going to upgrade my speaker system. I have a creative 2.1 setup and it sounds ok but it doesn't have enough bass punch for me and it gets a little distorted sometimes. If I have all the speakers in front of me will I notice anything from the 5.1? Basically the fronts and rears will be right next to each other so I'm not sure if I will get any better surround effect then just stereo. I'd rather spend the money on a better 2.1 than 5.1 if it's not going to do anything for me. I'm not even sure if games have discrete 5.1 encoded in them anyway.

i love surround sound in my games

movies too its awesome, im saving to get a better set but i like mine

Krome · Oct 23, 2006

Try the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, you'll be happy!

Nevrsumr22 · Oct 23, 2006

Krome said:
Try the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, you'll be happy!

Just looking at those. Do games have 5.1 in them though?

Dan0512 · Oct 23, 2006

I just got my Logitech z-530's, and I'm loving them. The bass is more than enough for me, and CS:S is a blast to play. HL2 as well. Next thing on the list is to watch some movies.

dan

Elif Tymes · Oct 23, 2006

Yes, games work with 5.1 surround sound, but you need to have it.. you know... surrounding you.. to have the effects.

Nothing is more intense than a game of UT2k4 in surround sound... Also gives you a slight tactical advantage, because you can hear where shots are coming from.

Lots of fun in CS too!

Owenator · Oct 23, 2006

I agree with the others that 5.1 is the way to go! You can hear "where" things are in-game. Kinda creepy in a quiet scary game but fun non the less. I can remember jumping the first time a panel fell down playing Doom III.

The only issue is sometimes speaker placement. Set them up like this: http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html

Adragontattoo · Oct 23, 2006

My alarm clock is awesome in surround sound..

and No I am NOT kidding.

Nevrsumr22 · Oct 23, 2006

Owenator said:
I agree with the others that 5.1 is the way to go! You can hear "where" things are in-game. Kinda creepy in a quiet scary game but fun non the less. I can remember jumping the first time a panel fell down playing Doom III.

The only issue is sometimes speaker placement. Set them up like this: http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html

Oh I know how 5.1 is supposed to be setup and sound. I have a nice little home theater going but like I said I'd have to have the speakers in front of me so I was wondering if it's worth it. Seems like it wouldn't. My main thing is getting louder. I have a small desk right now and can't have speakers getting in the way behind it.

Man if I could find the Klipsch for $100 shipped I'd be all over it.

I just picked up Doom III Saturday. I played the demo a long time ago but it scared the crap out of me so I never bought it. Now I've played everything else so I paid the $20 for it. I freakin hate zombies!!!! lol

updawg · Oct 23, 2006

I second the klipsch promedia 2.1's, they're on my desktop computer, and downstairs I have my klipsch promedia ultra 5.1 setup with my laptop for surround sound and blasting music. Klipsch makes quality speakers!

Krome · Oct 23, 2006

Nevrsumr22 said:
My main thing is getting louder.

I can honestly say that I have NEVER turned my ProMedia 2.1's all the way up. That's coming from a DJ who spins records on super loud club soundsystems.

jcll2002 · Oct 23, 2006

i love my logitech z5300e's. i played fear with them and holy ****.

holy ****.

Nevrsumr22 · Oct 23, 2006

How is the punch of the bass on gunshots and explosions on those? Can you crank it and not get it to bottom or distort? It would be right by my feet.

Is there anything close to those that are cheaper?

edit the Klipsch I mean

Krome · Oct 23, 2006

I play my mixes [Ragga-Jungle/Drum & Bass] through them, and have yet to get them to distort. They are worth every single penny...... TRUST!

zexmarquies01 · Oct 23, 2006

5.1 is GREAT. but then again, it all depends on your needs.

You need to make sure you CAN set it up in the correct fashion, to get the full effect. If you don't, it will be like a 3.1 setup. ( that is, Two on the left, Two on the right, Your center, and the Bass ).

Sadly, thats how i have mine setup right now, because i need some RCA cable's to extend the back two speakers behind me. and i just havn't done that yet ( i COULD do it now, but i don't want to be stuck walking on wires. I'll get some extenders, and rout tape the wires to the cealing hehe ).

If you don't have the Desk space, go for a really nice 2.1 Setup.

Also, it depends on how much cash you have too. The Logitech Z-530's ( which i'm using now ) are GREAT, and costs about 60 - 75 bucks. So the price isn't bad. But after these speakers, you can start paying some serious cash to get better ( well, if you look at the logitech brand that is ).

So if you don't have the Desk space, And don't want to spend alot, find a really good pair of 2.1's. See if you can find any deals on klipsch's everyone's talking about. you MAY even find a good deal on some bose speakers as well.

Nevrsumr22 · Oct 23, 2006

Krome said:
I play my mixes [Ragga-Jungle/Drum & Bass] through them, and have yet to get them to distort. They are worth every single penny...... TRUST!

That's cool. I'm into audio as much as computers so now that the computer is pretty much finished (until the next upgrade) its time to up the sound. This is me playing with my other toys. I just got a sub EQ (table) hooked up to the SPL meter running through the computer getting some measurments to dial it in a couple weeks ago.

Neuromancer · Oct 23, 2006

I used to put my rear speakers under the dek so I could at least get some sense of direction. Gotta say though first time I played a FPS with surround hooked up correctly... was being all sneaky sneaky..listening hard for footsteps or something cuz I could hear em faintly.

then from behind me BAM BAM BAM OMFG I jumped

It was awesome.

Nevrsumr22 · Oct 23, 2006

I wish I could go somewhere to hear all of them.

Krome · Oct 23, 2006

You can hear the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's @ BestBuy, or CompUSA. Call em first to make sure they have em setup.

Adragontattoo · Oct 23, 2006

Bose are horribly overpriced and way over rated!

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/3/10960.html
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rc-theater/thread.cgi?3651,3
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-3266.html

just for a few, work firewall blocks the better bashing.

Is 5.1 worth it for games only?

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Senior Internet Fart

Trailer Chasing Senior

Member

StarCraft II Fanatic

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Trailer Chasing Senior

Similar threads