Whitch speakers are better Klipsch or DTT 3500??

[Zilldian]

I'm in the market for new speakers and I can't make up my mind. Anyone favor one over the other for any particular reason?
(I have the Creative Sound Blaster Live! X-Gamer)

 

[GTaudiophile]

Well, the DTT3500s offer more for the money, IMO, as they can be found at buy.com for $235 (without any coupons from dealcather.com).

If you don't need a Dolby Digital decoder, I suggest you also look at the Boston BA4800s. The BA4800s are just as loud as the Klispch Pro-Medias, do not distort at high volumes as much, and they have MUCH better mid-range. I briefly owned the Pro-Medias, but I got rid of them because of their lack of build quality and no mid-range. The bass was too boomy, and the highs were too shrill for my tastes. After getting rid of my Pro-Medias, I bought the BA4800s and couldn't be much happier.

Another great system to consider would be the Altec Lansing ADA885s for $250. They offer many of the features of the DTT3500s, but they have better high-range with their tweeters.

If you check out the link in my signature, you'll notice Mark at 3Dss posted his First Impressions of the DTT3500s. He notes that the bass rivals that of the Klipsch Pro-Medias.

 

[arod]

I have been 100% happy with my set of Pro Medias (I dont know about the brightness issue) because I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT!!!!! Get a set and see for yourself.

 

[Oyeve]

The Pro Medias are excellent. I highly recomend them. If only they had a headphone jack.

 

[fkloster]

Pro Medias of course

 

[potatoesann]

get a altec lansing acs45.1 as front and a acs 22 as real, it will be almost perfect for usage...i have them, the quality can rival my mid - hifi at home, at a 6mx4m room...damn loud...45.1 give bass and some mid rage, 22 give high and mid rage...for me is perfect match... and the things more is...they are cheap...


potatoesann

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[Noriaki]

Creatives speakers are extremely bad...their subs have absolutely no power...there midrange is ok..but their high range is a little shallow to..

Games don't use a center channel and DVDs don't really need it on computers...(the front two speakers are close enough together)

I'd get the promedia's, if you are watching DVDs on them, watch your balancing, the very powerful bass and very bright high range from the horn tweeters tend to make the mid range a bit harder to hear, and since voices live in the mids it's important to DVDs

So just make sure to watch the balance so you get good midrange performance out of them and they should be quite nice speakers.

Not my personal favourites, but they aren't horrid either.
Personally I would look into the BA-4800s or if you have alot of cash the Video Logic Sirocco Crossfires
If you require an external dolby digital decoder check out the Midiland S4-8200s

 

[gregshin]

I'm a proud owner of the BA4800's. They have a great price/performance ratio.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Here here, Gregshin! The difference in clearity between the Pro-Medias and BA4800s is like night and day with the BA4800s being much clearer. I have no regrets getting rid of the Pro-Medias, and I will most likely never buy a Klipsch product again. Just go to a Hifi-Buys and compare the Klipsch Quintets (similar to the Pro-Medias) and the Boston DT6000s, and you'll realize these two companies have different philosophies when it comes to reproducing sound! The Pro-Medias have an awesome subwoofer, but you might as well stick cotton in your ears when it comes to the satellites.

 

[Zilldian]

Thank you all for your comments,
(stupid question) Does the Creative X-Gamer have a Dolby Digital decoder??
I'm not sure and I can't find the manuals.

 

[Madcowz]

no it doesn't, but the Live! 5.1 series has SOFTWARE dolby digital decoding

 

[thorin]

Klipsch Promedia v 400s Rock!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thorin

 

[Madcowz]

I posted this on another forum, perhaps you guys would be able to offer and suggestions/advice:

I've been waiting for something new and revolutionary to come out... like perhaps a 5.1 set from klipsch... but I can't wait any longer so I'm thinking I should just plunge in. I have long been searching for the perfect set of speakers and I have yet to find them.
So far I've put my computer through 2 home thater sets (Pioneer HTP-305 and a custom set w/ Klipsch's Quintet Microsystem), 2 different Altec Lansings (one old one and a ADA305 set), 2 cambridge sets (old 4-point surround system and DTT2500) and a BA MediaTheatre. They all had their weaknesses, and I must say I have been disappointed time and time again. Surprisingly enough none of these speakers that I have tested don't sound quite as good as my Sony earphones. That's right, EARPHONES! Sure these are kinda high-end (MDR-E888LP), but considering there are many headphones that sound even better than these earphones, that is saying something about the speaker arena.

Anywho, I recently upgraded to the Live! Platinum 5.1 so should I be looking at a 4.1 system, I would need to find a powered center speaker if I want 5.1. I am however, a bit weary of such a setup b/c it would still not be true 5.1 and I have yet to hear the software dolby digital decoding on my Live!. Keep in mind 5.1 dolby digital is very important to me since I am a big movie buff. Here is my speaker usage: 80% music, 17% movies, 3% games. My speaker choices:
DTT3500 - small driver's, not enough bass (distorts at high levels), sound not on par w/ Promedia's or 4100's (this is partially based on my experience w/ the DTT2500 set which uses same speakers minus center and sub which are still very identical)

Midiland 4100's - Sound great, but expensive to buy 2 sets. 2 subs are a little overkill and I would be left w/o a center channel.

Midiland 8200's - have not heard yet, but I hear they are somewhat crippled by lack of tweeters and the bass output is also crippled b/c of the mismatched ADS2000 decoder unit.]

Videologic Digitheater - Picks up on the weakness of the 8200 w/ inclusion of separate tweeters (at least in front speakers), but I'm not sure about the overall sound quality compared w/ the 8200. Bass however, is a little weaker. Might consider the DTS version, although kinda out of my price range.

Klipsch Promedia's - bass is boomy and not especially clean, speakers are a little lacking w/ music.

Boston Acoustics BA4800 - 4.1 set... never heard these, but they should sound similar to the much more expensive 3 speaker mediatheater set I had in which I thought the high-range was missing all-together.

If I pick up the 4100's or Promedia's is there any way I can pick up a powered center channel to plug in separately to the live! 5.1? And If I go the 4100's would I be able to use 2 separate speakers for the rear? Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[GTaudiophile]

I've compared the BA MediaTheaters and BA4800s side-by-side, and I think that the BA4800s cover the high-range better, though the MTs have even more solid mid-range.

 

[thorin]

The Bass on the Promedia's is only boomy if you turn it way up and/or put the sub in a corner where it will echo. And the satellites are very well balanced for music. I had Altecs and Yamaha's and my brother who is in TV/Radio broadcasting always used to bother me saying I had to mid end (and low and high). When I got my Klipschs he completely changed his mind about Computer speakers.

Keep in mind you can also get Klipsch 2.1s now. (Mix Klipsch 2.1s and the 4100s? Just kiddn)

Thorin

 

[StickHead]

I don't own them(yet) but the Klipsch ProMedias are by far the best computer speakers you can buy. And that is the bottom line.

 

[Madcowz]

Those of you who say Klispch is king obviously have not listened to the 4100's, Crossfires or Sirocco Pro

 

[Robor]

I like the Klipsch Pro Media's as well. More than enough power for a computer game and they sound nice listening to music as well.

Rob

 

[Zilldian]

Thanks alot for all the input. I've narrowed down my search to the Klipsch Pro Medias or the Boston BA4800s.
Now its just a matter of price and availabillity.

 

[Noriaki]

<< I don't own them(yet) but the Klipsch ProMedias are by far the best computer speakers you can buy. And that is the bottom line. >>



That is quite simply flat-out NOT TRUE at all.

VideoLogic Sirocco Crossfires have much more effecient drivers, they use half the power but their bass is much more well defined (all the different bassy instruments sound much more distinct). I also find the high ranges on them very very nice, I don't like the Horn tweeter in the promedia's. And the amplifier is a much more sturdy breakout unit, it has 3 inputs and a headphone output as well as the speakers. It has an option to mirror the rear speakers off the front if you want it for anything (listening to music from a 2 channel input source from one of the auxillary inputs?) All in all they are much better sounding and they have more options to. They are however much more expensive.

The Video Logic Desktop theatre DTS. Take the above set add a powerful center channel and an external decoder capable of BOTH Dolby Digital AND DTS decoding...nice...very nice...

Even the more reasonably prices Midiland S4-8200s match up nicely to the Promedias depending on what you want them for.

Perhaps the promedia's are the nicest speakers for the money, but they are certianly not the nicest period.

 

[Zucchini]

Yes promedia's give the best bang for buck by far I've had the dtt2500, not impressive by any stretch. The sats aren't so great, they sound small, the woofer isn't going to kick it in movies. I'd rather watch dvd's on the promedia's. the dtt3500's are also a joke, they just used a microworks satt instead of a soundworks satt for the center channel. By the way, i don't have the midrange problem.

 

[Origen]

Well I got a set of the Klipsh Pro-Media's and like them alot, the price is nice (the shipping cost sucks). I don't notice any of the problems others have mentioned. My only problem is at low low volumes the right side is weak (like 5%-10% on the volume dial), and at low volumes (10%-15%) the right rear is weak. But the way my setup is laided out the left side nautrally has more reflective surfaces and such so could just be an effect of my room rather than the speakers.

For reference: Previous PC speaker experience has only been generics and ACS48's. I'm using an Aureal SQ2500 (2048 drivers), PowerDVD 2.55.602 for DVDs, and a NewQ Gold DSP (will change to Platinum when it's out).

 

[Zucchini]

have you tried setting your windows/wave volume to 50-75% and then adjusting the volume on the speakers?

 

[arod]

I might agree thet based on reviews some speakers get slightly better marks but I would rather spend 250 on a video card and and 250 on speakers than 500 for Videologic Speakers. For 500 I could get the quintets and those would seriously kick Videologics ass. So if you even consider getting those you migh as well buy a whole Home theatre setup.

Like I stated earlier

THE PROS KICK THE BA's ASS!!! (yes GT I've heard your beloved 4800's and they simply don't compare)

THATS THE BOTTOM LINE!!!!

 

[Starsman]

So where do I find the Boston Acoustics 4800s?? I'm not willing to spend that much on the Klipsch, which don't sound that much better, if at all...and that's the bottom line =)

I have only found that at the Boston site, but I was hoping one of the better priced online dealers might have them. Anyone know?

Thanks!