2.1 speakers or soundbar

raptor4216 · 9 Apr 2019 at 17:02

I am currently looking for some new speakers to replace some very old Creative Inspire 5.1 Digital 5700's. I no longer need 5.1 for my PC and I'm trying to reduce the wires/clutter so I am not sure whether to get a 2.1 speaker set or just a single soundbar. Has anyone tried both? Interested to know the difference in quality between the two.

If going 2.1 I like the look of the Logitech G560 - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/logitech-g560-lightsync-pc-gaming-speakers-980-001302-sp-10a-lg.html

Not done much research into soundbars but something like the Creative Sound BlasterX Katana looks ok - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/crea...-gaming-soundbar-51mf8245aa000-sp-186-cl.html

Any other recommendations welcome

EsaT · 9 Apr 2019 at 18:19

If you're just listening music at background and like that, then "monitor speakers" would surely have best sound quality.
Those are designed for actual sound quality, instead of some fashion/fancy look.

Teh_Next · 10 Apr 2019 at 01:14

If you have the room for cabinet speakers, then speakers it is.

bimbleuk · 10 Apr 2019 at 06:27

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Katana as it's got good clarity with a punchy bass. Both the bar and sub are slim so fit nicely on and under my desk area. The Razer soundbar is not to my taste and has less punch in the bass I believe.

I used to have a top end 5.1 Logitech system but I can better gaming surround from a decent headset and it was a hassle running cables round my room so compromised with the Katana for casual gaming and films. Downstairs the 7.1 system is for the cinema experience.

hornetstinger · 10 Apr 2019 at 13:16

Get a avr and stereo speakers. Not pc pap.

raptor4216 · 10 Apr 2019 at 14:26

hornetstinger said:
Get a avr and stereo speakers. Not pc pap.

I've got an AVR and 5.1 setup in the lounge for films etc, hence 5.1 is overkill for the PC in the office now. Just looking for a fairly simple setup that still produces decent quality sound for gaming.

bimbleuk said:
I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Katana as it's got good clarity with a punchy bass. Both the bar and sub are slim so fit nicely on and under my desk area. The Razer soundbar is not to my taste and has less punch in the bass I believe.

I used to have a top end 5.1 Logitech system but I can better gaming surround from a decent headset and it was a hassle running cables round my room so compromised with the Katana for casual gaming and films. Downstairs the 7.1 system is for the cinema experience.

Thanks for the recommendation. I would use headphones instead of speakers for gaming but I can't find a pair that don't hurt my ears after an hour or so of use!

hornetstinger · 10 Apr 2019 at 14:44

You don't need 5.1. use a avr with stereo speakers. Buy a second hand avr. Or move your avr to the pc setup and buy a newer one for the main room..

£150 will get you a new budget avr and just driving two speakers will get 70w output

Grim5 · 22 Apr 2019 at 04:25

I’d recommend 2.0 or 2.1 desktop speakers for the PC, I wouldn’t bother with the virtual surround stuff like the soundbars and whatnot. If your budget is small go second hand you’ll still get good value for your ears that way.

And if you value music don’t buy Logitech, I went through 3 different models of Logitech speakers in the last 3 years before I replaced them with decent desktop monitors and my goodness Logitech stuff is terrible no matter how much you try to rebalance them with an equilizer

raptor4216 · 23 Apr 2019 at 15:02

Grim5 said:
I’d recommend 2.0 or 2.1 desktop speakers for the PC, I wouldn’t bother with the virtual surround stuff like the soundbars and whatnot. If your budget is small go second hand you’ll still get good value for your ears that way.

And if you value music don’t buy Logitech, I went through 3 different models of Logitech speakers in the last 3 years before I replaced them with decent desktop monitors and my goodness Logitech stuff is terrible no matter how much you try to rebalance them with an equilizer

I hear that a lot about Logitech, a lot of user reviews of the G560s are not very positive. Shame as I love my Logitech mouse and keyboard and would be nice to have everything the same.

Which 2.0/2.1 speakers can you recommend?

Grim5 · 23 Apr 2019 at 23:23

raptor4216 said:
I hear that a lot about Logitech, a lot of user reviews of the G560s are not very positive. Shame as I love my Logitech mouse and keyboard and would be nice to have everything the same.

Which 2.0/2.1 speakers can you recommend?

If it must be a "gamer rgb" typoe unit then this would be much better than the logitech stuff:
However, while they are the best "gamer rgb" speakers on the market, its very overpriced

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/raze...nge-2.1-gaming-speakers-for-pc-sp-04f-ra.html

If you're good with desktop/bookshelfs then I can highly recommend these (its what I use): http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/audio-pro-addon-t14-active-speakers-pair

These are also a popular options

https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/7574/audioengine-a2-gloss-white-active-speaker-pair-/

+

https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/8442/audioengine-s8-black-subwoofer/

Here is my setup

raptor4216 · 24 Apr 2019 at 17:27

Thanks for the recommendations, not that fussed about the RGB stuff, it was just a nice to have extra on the G560s.

Think bookshelfs might be the way to go, like the look of yours (and being wireless is a bonus) but think they are out of my price range. Was hoping to find something about £150 so might have to look for something 2nd hand

Grim5 · 24 Apr 2019 at 19:30

Hey man it’s up to you.

The audio engine a2+ speakers are an option, they do come in black. They were 189 I think on the link i posted. I’m not in the UK so I don’t know where to get the best deals so you may very well find it cheaper than that if you look around. These products go on sale often too, I bought my speakers on a 40% sale which makes a big difference to the overall cost.

Alternatively if you cannot find something in your price range - Ive heard good things about the Klipsch promedia 2.1 speakers. I’m not sure if they are made anymore but you will find 2nd hand units out there

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProM...d-Computer-Speaker-System-Black/dp/B000062VUO

If you get stuck. I can at least say that while the g560 is disappointing for music, for games it should sound rather good. It’s very bass heavy, Logitech speakers tend to sound tinny as well, however you can counter some of these using a software equilizer and yeah as I mentioned you should find most reviews agree that for gaming it’s decent, so if you mainly use it to play games then it could still be a decent option