Are 5.1 speakers really necessary?

Killerkebab · 28 Mar 2006 at 16:10

I currently use onboard NForce 2 audio, which you probably know has 5.1 support. The medusa 5.1s sound great on it.

However my question is about speakers. I am rather low on money, and I am wondering what I could get for speakers when the time comes.

My speakers are used for gaming, music, and DVDs. Mostly gaming, however.
Is 5.1 really that much of an improvement, or am I better off getting a 2.1 set of speakers, and leaving 5.1 to the medusas if I really want some quality sound?

Last question:
For whichever option you advocate, what set of speakers would you recommend?

Killerkebab · 28 Mar 2006 at 21:39

So one vote on a set of 5.1s instead of 2.1s.
Anyone else?

Killerkebab · 29 Mar 2006 at 15:38

I already have "good" headphones. Medusas are the best I could buy on my budget, and at £30 I thought it certainly wasn't bad.

How much would I be looking at for a good 5.1 setup, and for a good 2.1 setup? Is the price difference so great that I should stick with 2.1, or would it be worth waiting a little while to afford some nice 5.1 speakers?

Killerkebab · 29 Mar 2006 at 22:31

I don't listen to enough music to warrant a big 2.1 setup then. For 5.1, is there a lot of difference between a cheaper £50/60 setup and a £150 gigaworks setup?