Good Gaming Speakers?

[Greco101]

Anyone know of a good system? There aren't very many 7.1 systems, and the ones that are out have reviews stating the system dies after a few months.

There are quite a bit of 5.1 systems out there but 70watts doesn't exactly strike me as quality sound... or is it? for the last 2 years I've had my 450w stereo hooked up but thats only 2.1...

I'd like to take advantage of the 7.1 card but if i can't (without buying a new system every year because they go bad..) would it be a better idea to go with a 5.1 card? or would I get better quality with a 7.1 card?

:think:

[jdbnsn]

I use the Logitech Z-5500 to play games and as a home theater setup on the XBox360 (optical spdif connection) and have been very impressed with it.

[Luke122]

I maintain my opinion that a 2 channel setup will always give you the best sound quality... but I'm biased. :D I run a Super T-amp with a pair of book shelf speakers, through an M-Audio Mobile-Pre USB external soundcard. Sound quality is STUNNING.

If you are really hung up on the 5.1 or 7.1 stuff, your best bet would probably be to build your own system.. you can still build something really affordable, but the sound quality will easily beat a regular computer sound system.

Plus, if you are into movies, you'll get a much better theatre experience. :D

[Indybird]

I have the Logitech Z-5500's and let me tell you, you will not regret getting those. They are powerful, clear and have all the inputs you'd ever need... Those are a little more than computer speakers, they are really real home theater speakers. If you get those you will not be disappointed.
If you want a review I could write some long-ass review like I tend to do...

-Indybird

[jdbnsn]

Yeah, of all the speakers I have owned these Logitechs are outstanding. Watching a DVD in the XBOX360 through the optical connection and DTS enabled...will blow your mind!

[Indybird]

I love DTS! When they bring DTS Live to games then forget EAX.

[Zephik]

Logitech Z-5500 gets my vote.

[Computer-Geek]

i have to get those :)

[Redundant]

Not to thread hijack, but are there any good sub-$100 USD speakers?

I plan on getting a 360 soon so I wanted to get speakers for it too. Is there any other way to get 5.1 sound without using optical?
I've seen the Logitech 530 and 540 and they look pretty good.

[MaxOC]

get the full abit i dome setup, itll set you down about 3-400 but its worth it, its 2.1 but everyone that has used it says it sounds better than 7.1,gotta love digital sound

[onelegout]

I can't game with speakers. Headphones give you such a huge advantage in games like CSS. Seriously, with a good pair of headphones (Don't buy anything apart from sennheiser!) you get accused of having wallhacks when in fact you can just pinpoint their position the other side of the wall using headphones. :D
H

[luciusad2004]

Did you say the logitech Z-5500 has optical input? I was on newegg but i couldn't tell. Does anyone hear use optical input? Is it all that its made out to be?

Thanks guys.

[jdbnsn]

Yes, they have 3 options for inputs (4 if you count the single line in jack on the side of the control station). The standard 6 channel direct inputs, and 2 digital (coaxial and optical). I have never had much luck getting coaxial to work well (I believe it's because I don't own a decent coax cable) but I LOVE the optical cable. I run my Xbox 360 to the control station via optical and it sounds out of this world, DTS enabled for movies is a whole new experience if you haven't used it.

[luciusad2004]

Ill have to look in to it then. A good speaker system for my 360 is what Im looking for. I don't need anything out of this world but this doesn't seem like that bad of a deal. Thanks for the info : )

[jdbnsn]

No problem, you won't be disappointed with those.

[Crimson Sky]

I <3 my Logitech Z-5500's. I use the digital input, and its clean as a whistle.

[Greco101]

I can't game with speakers. Headphones give you such a huge advantage in games like CSS. Seriously, with a good pair of headphones (Don't buy anything apart from sennheiser!) you get accused of having wallhacks when in fact you can just pinpoint their position the other side of the wall using headphones. :D
H

I love headphones but they give me a headache because of the pressure on my head. Maybe I just dont have good enough headphones?

[luciusad2004]

i used some headphones a couple of times when playing halo pc and i also thought it was pretty nice. They weren't gaming headphones though. Mine are just a set of fifty dollar sony headphones, nothing extraordinary. The only problem i had was how odd it was playing with such a vast separation between the left and right channels. I would love to try a set of those headphones that can supposedly replicate surround sound.


Speaking of headphones, I wish console manufacturers would start putting headphone ports on them. It would be a great help with the advent of console lan parties and I'm sure late night gamers would love to be able to connect their headphones directly to their console when the neighbors/parents don't want to hear the noise. I personally run my 360 through a computer monitor and headphone port would negate the need to buy speakers for it.

[Redundant]

In-ear headphones bother me too after a while (I have $40 Apple in-ear headphones (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=17F6F30F&nplm=M9394G/B)) and the regular kind (on the ear) won't work for me either because it presses my ears against my glasses.

So are there any suggestions for Sub-$100 Speakers?
Are the Logitech X-540 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121006) the best ones?

[Greco101]

I'd save up a bit more and buy a better setup... odds are you get what you pay for.

[B1Gtime]

ALTEC LANSING FX5051 89 Watts 5.1 Music & Gaming Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836113009
There pretty nice^

I was looking at those for my system that im building this summer than i was looking at these: Logitech THX Z-5300e 280 Watts RMS 5.1 Speaker
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121121

Im still deciding one to get.

What would you guys get out of those 2?

Greco it depends on your budget.
If you have $300 for the Logitech Z-5500, go for it. Its out of stock on New Egg tho.

[Luke122]

I've had good luck with Altec Lansing speakers. :)