Alright, so Doom 3 is coming out ain less than 2 weeks, and after reading interviews with some of iD's top people I've decided that aside for a new video card I also need to get new, surround sound speakers for when I get and play this game.
Right now I have an <a href="http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=ATP3&sID=2">Altec Lansing ATP3</a> set. It's worked quite well for me with very nice sound for the past 3 years. However, as you can see, it is not surround sound.
Now, thanks to a thread I saw here on TFP, I got a free year subscription to Computer Gaming World. In the back, they have a section with their picks for various different computer components. For speakers, this is what they recommended (that was in my price range):
<a href="http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2,CONTENTID=6851">Logitech Z-5300</a>
Now, the Z-5300 has an MSRP of about $200. However, on <a href="http://www.newegg.com">NewEgg</a> they are listed as <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=36-121-106&DEPA=1">$139</a>. Furthermore, on <a href="http://www.ebay.com">eBay</a>, there are refurbished models going for anywhere between $50 and $80.
On the other hand, while reading the reviews on newegg, I noticed a couple reviews mentioning things like...
Quote:
The Logitech Z-560 speakers that these replace (for the same price, anyways) had a richer, deeper bass and a more powerful volume. These Z-5300s that they replace, however have a crisper midrange and highs. There is no distortion, at any volume. The Z-560s had distortion at very high volumes, but the overall peak sound output was greater than these with less distortion.
It is somewhat of a dissapointment that these are soemwhat of a joke compared to the Z-560s. If bass is your thing, the Z-560s were significantly better in that aspect.
With that aside, this is the best 5.1 configuration for the price, and the style of the speakers is more modern, using a dark metallic silver coating.
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So, I looked up the <a href="http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2,CONTENTID=5044">Z-560 speakers</a>. On eBay, there are refurbished models going for around $65. There are no new models on newegg.
Now, the Z-560 is 4.1, but I'm coming from 2.1 so either way it's an upgrade. Frankly, I have no clue how many things take advantage of 5.1 and how many don't. I've also read something about the Z-5300 having Matrix something-or-other instead of discreet 5.1, but the reviews also tended to say it was very good for being Matrix instead of discreet.
A few reviews mentioned that the Z-5300 was better for games and movies than music, but I have no idea what's a better trade-off. It seems I could get better sounding music and 5.1 surround or much better sounding msic, but 4.1 surround. I gather that games and movies will sound better in the Z-5300 based on the couple reviews I've read.
Lastly, I don't know what kind of impact this information has, but I'm sure it has some...
Z-5300:
Power Output: 280 Watts RMS(2 x 35.25W front, 2 x 35.25W rear, 39W center, 100W Subwoofer)
Frequency Response: 35Hz - 20,000Hz
Signal To Noise Ratio: >85 dB
Remote: Wired Remote
Features: Easily hook it up to your video game console with the included adapter, Use Matrix mode and source selector switch to create breathtaking 5.1 surround sound from stereo, 4 channel, or 5.1 sound sources, Place the satellites on a shelf or mount them to a wall, Enjoy twice the bass of conventional designs with our patented subwoofer design, Conveniently control volume and power with the wired remote, which features an LCD screen and
Z-560:
Total power output: 400 watts RMS
Satellite speaker power output: 53 watts RMS per channel
Subwoofer power output: 188 watts RMS
System frequency response: 35Hz - 20kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 75 dB
So, does anyone have any advice? I'm not really too aware of what's involved in audio electronics. Has anyone ha any experience with either of these models? Both? Any and all help is appreciated - I don't plan on actually purchasing anything for at least a month, maybe 2.
Thanks, and sorry for going on so long!