2.1 or 5.1 Setup?

sparky05084

sparky05084

sparky05084

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Evening all. As the title suggests I am curious to get your opinions on this. I am looking for a decent sound setup for my new build as I feel that my Creative Inspire T7900 speakers don't cut it anymore.

Don't get me wrong, when I first got my PC (ready built) 7 years ago they were really good and sounded superb. These were my first speakers.

However, with the ongoing Creative driver issues lark and the continued popping/clicking coming from a few of my speakers I feel they are on their way out. It's time to get rid.

This may sound a little stupid but my T7900's were initially set up as "front" sound so all the rear speakers are actually positioned at the sides on my desk. Never got round to hanging them on the wall and it was basically left as is.

This got me thinking. Unless I actually used a 5.1 system for its purpose as in surround sound would I not be better with a decent 2.1 system? Of course there are less speakers to mess about with and the space saving is a plus I suppose.

Budget it not really an issue but I don't want to go spending silly money if I'm not going to get a huge performance boost over a good 2.1 system. I have an Asus Xonar D2X card also.

It is worth mentioning that I asked a mate his opinion on getting the Logitech Z906 5.1 system and he said its all whistles and bells and not worth the money.

He has a 2.1 system and says I'd be much better off with that. Would you agree?

Thanks.
 
sparky05084 said:
Unless I actually used a 5.1 system for its purpose as in surround sound would I not be better with a decent 2.1 system?
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Definitely. It really does depend whether you want the surround or not.

There are 3 price points at the moment with 5.1 speakers really.

£50 - Logitech Z506
£170 - Edifier C6
£220 - Logitech Z906

Those are all new prices, if you want to go second hand, then there are things like the Logitech Z5500, or you could even go for a proper AV receiver and separate speakers.

Can't really advise you on stereo I'm afraid, not used any in years.
 
sparky05084 said:
He has a 2.1 system and says I'd be much better off with that. Would you agree?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Definitely. If 5.1 speakers can't be placed correctly, then it's a waste of time having them really. Decent 2.1 speakers will provide better sound quality as well.

2.0 speakers are another option, but it depends on what you are wanting to spend and if music or gaming will be the primary use.
 
Corsair SP2500. Trust me, it is worth it. I obtained a set a few months ago that I had every intention of selling on, as my existing set up was 'doing the job' quite nicely for me.

I thought I should have a little play with them before packing them back up and they never went back into the box.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-003-CS

If you want to spend less, you can get some Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1, but they were designed about 6 years ago now and the price point is not as good as it once was.

If you want to spend even less, have a look at the Harman Kardon Soundsticks III. Less than £100 online and very impressive for the size and price point, though the design may not be to your liking.

I would still get the Corsair's though. They will impress you greatly. :)
 
sparky05084 said:
I'd be happy paying up to the £200 mark. Maybe though for a 2.1 system that's a bit steep. No?
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Not at all. £200 will buy a very good set of 2.1 speakers. The next step up would be separates, which is impossible to do with £200, even buying second would be tough. For all round use, the SP2500's are probably ideal.
 
I can thoroughly recommend the Aego M 2.1. The sub is much smaller and looks nice too (imo). The plus side with the SP2500s is the volume control which you don't get with the Aegos.
 
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