Help me find speakers for gaming, music and movies

Ok, I am looking for speakers for my Dell e1705 (specs below).

I will be using it for Music listening, Movie watching and playing some games (Music and Movies are higher priority).

I am not sure if I want 5.1 or 2.1...but I think 5.1 will provide better quality. I have looked at many models and am considering mostly Klipsch and Logitech models.

I would like good quality, good base, and overall easy to set up (not funky wire issues I think some have) and a good experience.

If you suggest something, please give me a reason.

Thanks All, and feel free to ask me any more questions to help me get what I really want .

Thanks

-popnpoper

PS. Price Max is 100$-120$ although I'd much rather prefer to spend less

 

i don't know what "models" exactly, but the brands you mentioned should easily be found for under 100 bucks for a 2.1 system. it'll take some patience and shopping around to find a decent, if not great, 5.1 system for your budget.

 

A 5.1 Klipsch system is way out of your range.

As for Logitech, your best budget buy for a 5.1 would probably be the Logitech X-530. Average price should be around ~$70-75 shipped. If you wanted to go for the higher end 5.1, I'd look at the Z-5300e. Average shipped price is around $150, which is out of your range, but not by too much.

From my experience with logitech (as I have the 5300e), the speakers are terrific. The subwoofer gives off a very good bass. It's more of the full bass you get if you are familiar with subwoofers for cars. My definition of a full bass is that it hits every note it should hit. A lot of bad subwoofers will only hit during certain parts of the songs, but then it goes quiet for a significant amount of time before it hits at the same part. If you aren't big on the subwoofer, you can always turn it down to it's lowest setting on the control pod. The amplifier is actually on the back of the subwoofer where you connect all speakers to.

I have my system connected throughout my room: as my PC speakers and I even ran my LCD TV into my soundcard, so it feeds through the speakers also. If you do it that way, use the line-in or microphone input. But your TV has to have AUDIO OUT, which I'm pretty sure about. You can even hook the speaker system to your 360/PS3/Wii, but that's if you are using it as a stand alone; ie. it can't be connected to your PC via soundcard.

When I purchased this set about a year or two ago, I got the rebate done and it ended up being $100 total at the end. Definitely a steal at the time. The price of around $150 shipped is still a very good price for what you are getting. Check newegg to read more reviews, as there are hundreds I think for the 5300e.

 

The two best 2.1 sets are the Logitech Z-2300 and the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified (the THX part is to differentiate it from the GMX).

I have the Logitech set and it's great. However, I kind of wish I got the Klipsch though...the mids and highs on the Logitech seem a bit weak (though bass is awesome at around 65%+). Techonweb.com seems to have the best price for the two sets (+shipping).

 

So for me, you are saying 5.1 is better?

Also, what kind of soundcard would I need for the 5300e's?

Thanks Again

 

Well it's tough to say which one is better for you. It depends what you are looking for. If this is a stationary setup, look into the 5.1. If you are looking for something to be more mobile, then the 2.1 would be the better option.

I'd compare price ranges from the options given to you by who8mahrice, my own, and yours. If the price of a 5.1 set is close enough to the 2.1, I'd go for the 5.1 (just because you get more). You would get the center speaker and the 2 satellites.

To be honest, I'm not familiar with soundcards on laptops. I know for the Dell XPS m1210, they have some sort of input where you can hook up a 5.1 surround system into (from what I read). On my desktop, I have a Turtlebeach 5.1 soundcard (which isn't expensive, maybe around $15 now). Any 5.1 card would work, like the one from Creative. But make sure you research your laptop and see what would work (to get surround, etc) with your inputs first before you buy anything.

 

Well, Its more for stationary.

And I still need help with the sound card thing...thanks

 

For your laptop, I think you would need an external USB 5.1 soundcard.

Something like this Creative should work.

Then you would hookup your speakers through the card, then your card hooks up to the laptop via USB 1.1. Read the reviews on it from Amazon and other sites that carry it.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007XRZ08/ref=pd_cp_e_title/105-4382089-8055663
this pcmcia would work better but it ll cost u 2 times more than the solution sweteg gave.

 

Logitech is definately a good choice. I use Labtec speakers and for the price they are really good but ive heard logitech speakers and they are very good.

 

Other than the cards already mentioned the only other option is the m-audio transit adapter. As for the speakers, if you want 5.1 the z5300e's are great.

 

Just make sure you have a PCMCIA slot and not the Express Card Slot since they are not the same thing.

Have a look at a few M-Audio products (these were suggested to me by Gophn - M-Audio > Creative).

M-Audio professional mobile audio products

M-AUDIO Transit (USB interface) - $70-100

Picture of front and back
- mobile 24-bit/96kHz USB audio
- 1/8” stereo analog/optical digital input
- 1/8” stereo line/headphone output
- TOSlink optical digital output allows AC3 and DTS pass-through
- line/optical input accommodates self-powered stereo microphones
- includes 3.5mm (male) to TOSlink (female) adapter

Read review for M-Audio Transit (audoMIDI.com)
Read review for M-Audio Transit (AudioReview.com)

M-Audio Audiophile (USB interface) - $127-250
Link for best deal on Audiophile - $127


Picture of front and back
* Easy USB connectivity and operation
* 2 analog line-level audio inputs (1/4" unbalanced and RCA)
* 2 analog line-level audio outputs (RCA) with level control knob
* S/PDIF in and out
* MIDI in and out
* Headphone output (1/4") with level control knob
* High performance 24-bit/96k ADCs (105 dB dynamic range)
* High performance 24-bit/96k DACs (107 dB dynamic range)
* Low latency
* External power supply allows higher-fidelity components

Read Review for M-Audio Audiophile USB (AudioReview.com)

 

I've got the transit and it suits my needs, but if you need the extra fetures then perhaps the audiophile is the right one for you.

 

I also have the transit and it works fine for me.