Widescreen Gaming Forum

I'll buy at the end of the year (or before) a set of speakers 2.1 to my room, as it'isnt very big and live in apartment i decided to opt for 2.1 system(Klipsch, Creative, Altec Lansing, Edifier, Logitech etc).
I imagine that the best package on the market today is the Razer Mako, but it is very expensive (around U$ $ 300). I ask for you guys to indication of 2 to 3 alternatives for a good set for games, watching movies on TV(DVDs :lol: or movies in PC) , listening to music, etc. I do not look one that only provides a good volume, because as said previously i live in apartment, but a optimal distribution of sounds and the quality of them(with a good bass for movies :D ), without noise.

Thank you for your attention and waiting replies :roll:

I have Cyber Acoustics 2.1 in my bedroom and 5.1 in my Command Center.

I am happy with them and the performance. And they were extremely cheap.

I have no preference when it comes to audio equipment and my experience in that area is limited.

They aren't 2.1, but some here have the Creative Gigaworks T20 2.0 set that go for around $100 (MSRP) and really like them. Keep in mind that the bass frequencies aren't directional and many 2.1 sets have midrange drivers that don't go very deep. With many 2.1 sets you wind up with a sub that has boomy, unrealistic bass and mids that can't play low enough to give you a seamless frequency range.

Many manufacturers have made 2.0 sets that play better than their equivalent price range 2.1 sets do. At the very least test the theory by going into a store that might have some on display and hear for yourself (if you have that option) how a set like the T20 compares to a 2.1 set in a similar price range.

Given the design of the mid and tweeter drivers on the T20s, I don't doubt they sound a bit better than the satellites on my $300+ Gigaworks 5.1 set. Though I must admit, in movies and games my 8" sub that gets 300 watts RMS pumped into it from the set's amp is something to cherish.

Bottom line, shopping for 2.1 sets is a different ball game. It actually makes sense in the price range that the sets with GOOD 2.1 subs cost to consider a 2.0 set instead. You also need consider, and I can't stress this enough, what size room you'll be playing them in and what wattage the sub has and how low in distortion the amp is.

It's easy to over stress the sub and/or amp of an inexpensive 2.1 set, especially if they're played loudly without carefully selecting low pass crossover settings (if you have that option) in movies and games that have lots of explosions and deep bass and you're not in a fairly small room with closed doors/windows.

With their tuned bass port design, the T20 set has an impressive 40Hz to 20kHz frequency response, but only 14 watts per speaker. Thus they're likely built more for desktop distance sound quality than living room filling volume. The only thing I don't like about the T20s is their analog (dial) volume controls, which wear out faster than digital button type controls.

Currently have a Logitech Z4 set. Not too expensive, a good set :wink:

Yup, Z4's for the win. The Z4i is the white version if you like that better. I have Z-2300s but the sub is probably a little big, so the Z4's a good choice for form factor aesthetics.

I really, really like Altec Lansing expressionist CLASSIC's too.
http://www.alteclansing.com/index.php?file=north_product_detail&iproduct_id=expressionist_classic

Thanks for the replies. One person also indicated the Z-2300, maxxfurygts could say it was a good product? has much difference between the Z-2300 and the Z-4?

Frag Maniac, the Creative Gigaworks T20 have a good bass? I wanted one 2.1 for my bedroom because the subwoofer, i really like a good bass ^^''

Frag Maniac, the Creative Gigaworks T20 have a good bass?

I own two sets of the T20, and one set of the T40's. T20's are better - size isn't everything. ;) For the fact that there is no sub, the T20's are worth every penny.

well...basically i doubt between the models of logitech(Z-2300 or Z-4), creative(I-Trique 3000, I-Trigue 3330 or T3100) and edifier(E3350 or S330D)

The thing what you can do now, is visit a store and listen it for you self :wink:

Frag Maniac, the Creative Gigaworks T20 have a good bass? I wanted one 2.1 for my bedroom because the subwoofer, i really like a good bass ^^''

Here's the thing with deep bass frequencies, they are NOT directional and therefore bass speakers or speakers that produce deep bass via tuned bass ports do not have to be "aimed" like midrange and high frequency speakers do. The only possible trade off will be whether you can manage to place the T20s near or in corners, which is not usually an option with desktop speakers. Though deep bass is not directional, it DOES benefit from corner positioning.

You may be skeptical about the T20's claim of 40Hz bass, but consider this. Bose for years has been producing small speakers and tuned bass ports that mimic the sound of a full sized subwoofer. As I said earlier though, you will not likely get living room filling volume for movie and game explosions a dedicated sub would provide, but then again many 2.1 sets in the T20's price range wouldn't either, or at the very least wear out quickly if you try to get that from them.

P-Storm is difficult to find in the market here a sample of this products =/
Probably i'll buy from e-store

I've had the Klipsches for well over 5 years and they sound great from games to music.At around $100 I think there a great buy.
Just listen to them,and compare.The only thing with them is I barely have to turn them up at all.One thing about Klipsch speakers is there very efficient.

Monte,

I own Logitech X-240's, X-620's, Z-2300's, and Z-5300e's. My friend owns the Z4, and strictly between the Logitech products I'd recommend the 2300's over the Z4 but in consideration of your apartment space the Z4s are just as loud and don't take up so much room. The tweeters take up more vertical space than the 2300's which are wider, and the sub is smaller on the Z4 too so you'll save space that way.

Second, although I own 2300's it was purely because i got them for cheap (I already had 5300e's). You can listen to Logitech going on and on about THX certification and all that but in a small room the definition is going to be close if not negligible between two subwoofers like those two. However, the wattage is definitely much better on the 2300's so if you like electronica (high 5) those would be a better choice especially if pricing is close between the models.

The only other thing you proabbly have to consider between the Z4 and Z-2300 is price. I live in Canada and here the 2300's retail for $220 but when they're on sale it's $120 (for some reason, it's just like that). The Z-4's NEVER go on sale here and are normally about $90-110. I'm not sure about where you live but that's the pricing here. If you can get them for a good price, the 2300's would be the better buy. Hope that helps!

By the way just to play devil's advocate, I like to use my big subwoofers for footrests :P

I will give Logitech kudos in one respect rergarding their 5.1 sets. Some of them decode the Dolby Digital 5.1 signal your sound card encodes. That means not having to do a pass through to a receiver to get the 5.1 audio movies have built in.

I happen to have felt at the time I made the decision that two-way satellites, ample wattage to the sub, tight bass, and digital vs analog volume controls were something I didn't want to give up were I to go with the Z5500s vs the Gigaworks 5.1 (original 560 watt) I went with though, and I still feel that way.

I have seen some pretty killer deals on receivers in the $120 to $150 range recently and may spring for one soon.