Need decent speakers for about $150

Post by **obsidian** » Thu May 19, 2005 2:12 pm

I've been using these really cheap Creative stereo speakers for years and I think it's about time I replaced them. I've been using those Zalman "surround sound" headphones for games.

I don't have a particular budget in mind but I don't want to go crazy so I figure $150 ought to get me something decent, though I don't mind spending more or less if I can find a really good deal or something really worth while.

I'm a bit torn as whether to get a 2.1 or a surround sound set. With surround sound, I have no idea how I'm going to set up the rear speakers in my room, since it's a large room and they'll look odd just sitting behind me on a stand or something (can't mount it on the walls - they're too far back). Also, I don't like the idea of having wires trailing around on the floor. I can get those speaker arms that mount onto the desk that the rear speakers hang off of, but those are expensive and will probably cost more than the speakers I'm going to buy. 2.1 speakers on the other hand are obviously not as good for gaming since most new games are going to be built with 5.1 support.

Anyway, I need suggestions:

Should I just get a decent 2.1 set and use my headphones for games or should I really invest in 5.1?

Any brands and models that you would recommend?

Oh, and I'm a speaker noob, so what should I look for in terms of specs when buying speakers and what do they mean (Watts, RMS, frequency response, signal to noise ratio, etc.)?

Post by **SOAPboy** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:37 pm

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6836121121

Post by **Magestic** » Thu May 19, 2005 5:37 pm

SOAPboy wrote:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121

That's the best you can get at that pricetag AFAIK.

Post by **SOAPboy** » Thu May 19, 2005 5:58 pm

Magestic wrote:
SOAPboy wrote:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121
That's the best you can get at that pricetag AFAIK.

I can get a set of Logitech Z680 5.1s for 165 shipped..

refurbed but under 200 bucks..

same place i bought my 5300s from for 90 shipped.. and they might as well of been new when i got em..

Post by **Kills On Site** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:05 pm

Here is an awesome 2.1 setup for $150 Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. Of course shipping from newegg is high, if you got a Best Buy near go there, I got mine for $120 at Best Buy. Awesome speakers, great bass, 2.1 is very nice for a desk, and it has a single hookup so you can hook up an mp3 player and get music through the speakers without the computer on. I am going to buy the Monster Cables for them later, broke right now.
Anandtech Review

Post by **obsidian** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:28 pm

SOAPboy wrote:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121

Cool. Those were the ones that I was leaning towards getting anyway. Thanks.

Post by **SOAPboy** » Sun May 22, 2005 3:09 am

obsidian wrote:
SOAPboy wrote:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121
Cool. Those were the ones that I was leaning towards getting anyway. Thanks.

Yep np..