Looking to buy a set of 7.1 speakers...

[Scifience]

I'm looking to buy a set of 7.1 speakers to go with my new gaming rig. I have (or rather will have) a SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro sound card.

What speakers would you recommend? I am looking at the Creative Inspire and GigaWorks currently (GigaWorks are out of stock at Newegg, though, and Creative wants $85 more).

If there is some major reason not to get 7.1, let me know that, too.

Thanks!

 

[PhoenixOrion]

7.1 is meant for watching movies on your comp.

For gaming, you get same surround fidelity with just 4.1 or 5.1. In actuality, 5.1 is same as 4.1 except for forcing half of each left and right output to a center console.

 

[Scifience]

I use my PC for movies, too, so that's okay.

 

[Gamingphreek]

You can only really "use" 5 speakers. After 5.1 it starts becoming a waste. The only people who really take advantage of that are theatres, with THX certified systems and stuff. Just get the Z-680's or the Klipsch Pro Media 5.1 Ultras.

-Kevin

 

[Lazy8s]

yeah, the 7.1 will be cheaper than klipsch but get a klipsch 4.1 or 5.1 set-up. My speakers (on my comp or hooked into a reciever) are better than most of my friends' $1000 systems. They are simply the best

 

[Scifience]

Thanks everyone.

I ended up going with the Creative GigaWorks 5.1 set because it can be upgraded to 7.1 by purchasing their upgrade kit if I want to have 7.1 later.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Scifience
Thanks everyone.

I ended up going with the Creative GigaWorks 5.1 set because it can be upgraded to 7.1 by purchasing their upgrade kit if I want to have 7.1 later.

Good call, none of the above posters know WTF they're talking about. For gaming, there is no limit to the amount of speakers you can use as long as your sound card supports it. An Audigy 2 ZS supports 7.1, so when Directsound (directx's sound component used in most games) sends a set of coordinates (x,y) to your sound card, your sound card decides what speakers to play that sound out of.

It's different with movies, you're dealing with prerecorded sound that isn't going to change. Here you rely on either your DVD software, your soundcard, or your speakers upmixing features to take 5.1 or 6.1 up to 7.1. Now obviously sound was never recorded on the DVD for a 7th channel, so it just has to do it's best at "stretching" the sound.

Gigaworks S700 or s750 are both great buys. They're the best PC surround system for music right now, and for sheer power, they're just behind the Klipsch Ultras. Whoever recommended Logitech's over Gigaworks a fool.

 

[Scifience]

Yeah, I'm glad to hear I made the right choice.

$500 for speakers + $200 for a sound card was kind of pushing it; I got these for $320 from Newegg and I can add the extra two channels whenever I have the cash.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
7.1 is meant for watching movies on your comp.

For gaming, you get same surround fidelity with just 4.1 or 5.1. In actuality, 5.1 is same as 4.1 except for forcing half of each left and right output to a center console.

Actually the reviews I've read have acknowledged a noticeable difference between 5.1 and 7.1 for gaming, that it's much easier to tell which direction a sound is coming from and that it makes for a more immersive experience. It's why I bought the GW 7.1 system and, though I haven't gamed with 5.1 for comparison, I can say 7.1 is great for Far Cry Movies, otoh, if I'm not mistaken, are generally encoded in 5.1 sound, making two extra speakers a waste for them. Music, of course, is best listened to in 2.1 sound. In other words, for gaming 7.1, for movies & no gaming, 5.1, for music only - no gaming or movies, 2.1.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Scifience
Thanks everyone.

I ended up going with the Creative GigaWorks 5.1 set because it can be upgraded to 7.1 by purchasing their upgrade kit if I want to have 7.1 later.

Good call, none of the above posters know WTF they're talking about. For gaming, there is no limit to the amount of speakers you can use as long as your sound card supports it. An Audigy 2 ZS supports 7.1, so when Directsound (directx's sound component used in most games) sends a set of coordinates (x,y) to your sound card, your sound card decides what speakers to play that sound out of.

It's different with movies, you're dealing with prerecorded sound that isn't going to change. Here you rely on either your DVD software, your soundcard, or your speakers upmixing features to take 5.1 or 6.1 up to 7.1. Now obviously sound was never recorded on the DVD for a 7th channel, so it just has to do it's best at "stretching" the sound.

Gigaworks S700 or s750 are both great buys. They're the best PC surround system for music right now, and for sheer power, they're just behind the Klipsch Ultras. Whoever recommended Logitech's over Gigaworks a fool.

Ok so none of us people above have any clue what were talking about huh, so far you have insulted everyone in this thread once and you insulted me again. Why dont you shut the hell up unless you have something to contribute to the post.

As for me being a fool for recommending the Logitechs, is that just your opinion. I have heard that it is very close between the Klipsch Logitechs and the Creatives. Also after you get above 5.1 most people agree that it is just adding unneeded speakers. yeah i like the power and all too and you could probably notice the difference but honestly why anything above 5.1.

You need to watch what you post.

-Kevin

 

[Futher]

I have a set of Klipsch 5.1's and an Audigy 2. Best setup money can buy in my opinion. I think 7.1 setups don't give much improvment at all. Just another way to get people to dish out money.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Scifience
Thanks everyone.

I ended up going with the Creative GigaWorks 5.1 set because it can be upgraded to 7.1 by purchasing their upgrade kit if I want to have 7.1 later.

Good call, none of the above posters know WTF they're talking about. For gaming, there is no limit to the amount of speakers you can use as long as your sound card supports it. An Audigy 2 ZS supports 7.1, so when Directsound (directx's sound component used in most games) sends a set of coordinates (x,y) to your sound card, your sound card decides what speakers to play that sound out of.

It's different with movies, you're dealing with prerecorded sound that isn't going to change. Here you rely on either your DVD software, your soundcard, or your speakers upmixing features to take 5.1 or 6.1 up to 7.1. Now obviously sound was never recorded on the DVD for a 7th channel, so it just has to do it's best at "stretching" the sound.

Gigaworks S700 or s750 are both great buys. They're the best PC surround system for music right now, and for sheer power, they're just behind the Klipsch Ultras. Whoever recommended Logitech's over Gigaworks a fool.

That might be true for some games, but if you've ever looked in the folder of doom3 prerelease, you will see the folders L, R, C, LS, RS.

It doesn't seem like they put anymore than 5 speaker sounds in that game.

However, I agree with you that whoever recommended the logitech tincans over the gigaworks is a fool.

 

[BennyZ]

I don't think Doom 3 even supports 4.1. It won't let me select surround unless I choose 5.1 in the sound control panel. I hate to upgrade since my set of 4 Bose Roommates still sound pretty good. If I spend the bucks, I definitely want the option for 7.1. It's too bad Klipsch doesn't support a two speaker upgrade to their 5.1 system.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Ok so none of us people above have any clue what were talking about huh, so far you have insulted everyone in this thread once and you insulted me again. Why dont you shut the hell up unless you have something to contribute to the post.

As for me being a fool for recommending the Logitechs, is that just your opinion. I have heard that it is very close between the Klipsch Logitechs and the Creatives. Also after you get above 5.1 most people agree that it is just adding unneeded speakers. yeah i like the power and all too and you could probably notice the difference but honestly why anything above 5.1.

You need to watch what you post.

-Kevin

Here, let me quote you:

You can only really "use" 5 speakers.

That's a lie. DirectSound allows the use of as many speakers as your sound card can handle. It gives your sound card a set of sound 'coordinates' and your sound card decides which speakers to output it from. Gaming will offer you a noticable difference going from 5.1 to 7.1.

And yes, it's my opinion that Logitech is a budget speaker.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
That might be true for some games, but if you've ever looked in the folder of doom3 prerelease, you will see the folders L, R, C, LS, RS.

It doesn't seem like they put anymore than 5 speaker sounds in that game.

However, I agree with you that whoever recommended the logitech tincans over the gigaworks is a fool.

You're correct. Carmack, in his rebellion against Creative, built his own sound engine. Fortunately future games based off Doom 3 will be forced to incorporate EAX and support Creative enhancements, such as 7.1 configs.

Too bad it's not here for 'the big one', eh?

 

[Gamingphreek]

Nebor... give me a break!!

Yeah you can keep adding them but what im saying is after 5.1 your just adding speakers. Yeah technically you are using them i know that however, its not enhancing the experience much after 5.1. Like i said its just "adding speakers" no real benefit.
If going from 5.1 to 7.1 offered so much of an improvement why isn't 7.1 the mainstream. Also why haven't Klipsch and Logitech made 7.1's because in reality it isn't worth it, technically however in a sense it is worth it.

The Z-640's are a bidget speaker Yes!!! But they sound pretty damn good. However the Z-680's and their successor are not by any means budget speakers. They beat the original Klipsch Pro Media speakers, and still rival the ProMedia Ultras.

-Kevin

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Nebor... give me a break!!

Yeah you can keep adding them but what im saying is after 5.1 your just adding speakers. Yeah technically you are using them i know that however, its not enhancing the experience much after 5.1. Like i said its just "adding speakers" no real benefit.
If going from 5.1 to 7.1 offered so much of an improvement why isn't 7.1 the mainstream. Also why haven't Klipsch and Logitech made 7.1's because in reality it isn't worth it, technically however in a sense it is worth it.

The Z-640's are a bidget speaker Yes!!! But they sound pretty damn good. However the Z-680's and their successor are not by any means budget speakers. They beat the original Klipsch Pro Media speakers, and still rival the ProMedia Ultras.

-Kevin

If going from a Ford to a Ferrari offers such an improvement, why doesn't everyone drives Ferraris?! I don't understand! The fact is, 7.1 costs more money, and requires a more expensive 7.1 soundcard. Also consider that 5.1 really isn't "mainstream" 2.0 is "mainstream" for most people. Regular 5.1 surround sound still holds a nifty-ness factor for people, just like some people are still wowed by the clarity of DVDs, and haven't even considered HDTV. 7.1 is a noticeable improvement over 5.1. Listen to those of with 7.1s that KNOW. You're just talkin' out your subwoofer port.

Sound quality is subjective, so if you'd rather have Logitech than Klipsch, that's your call. I think you'd be in a major minority on that choice though.

 

[Grimbones]

After going from my 2.1 altecs to my 5.1 680's i can say, that though they were only $250,(that seems like a lot to me), that i'm thoroughly impressed with them!