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Looking for a PC speaker setup.

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  • Peripherals
  • Speakers
  • PC gaming
Last response: in Computer Peripherals
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August 29, 2014 5:49:39 AM

Hey guys. I have the Sony SRS-DF30 for the last couple of years though I can't say I have used them that much. Out of the box one speaker didn't produce any sound whatsoever except when hit hardly at the top (?). Got them replaced and after a month same problem occured. Now that wasn't the only problem. The sound they produced could be characterised as muffled and the bass, though kinda intense, was more of a humming than a bang and that was SO annoying. It actually meant that I couldn't listen to music through them because that humming was so loud that you didn't hear anything else. And there was no way to control the bass output either. Many times I found myself disconnecting the sub at its whole.

Anyway, I'm looking for a 2.1 setup(to connect to my sound card and not through a headphone jack in my TV) and I'm between the Logitech Z523 , Logitech Z553 and Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass FX3022 though I read that the latter aren't ideal for listening to music. I intend to use them for music as well as gaming and watching movies in a small room and my budget cap is at 100 euros. I want the sound to be as clear as it can get at this price range. I would like the Harman Kardon Soundsticks III as well but I am a bit skeptical cause 150e seem a lot.

Could you give me your thoughts on those three and on any other that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance! :D 

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August 29, 2014 11:35:08 AM

logitech speakers tend to be fairly decent for the price paid. not perfect sound quality but adequate. they are typically more than loud enough and fairly boomy as well. we have owned the z130, z313 and old x530 and this has been true with all of them.

as i've owned quite a bunch of logitech products i can say that its hard to be disappointed with them for the price for music, gaming or movies. yes, there are better products out there but the logitechs fill their particular niche (loud & a bit bassy, without sounding very muddy or bad) rather well. other speakers will get you better sounding highs or more clarity but they also have a tradeoff in return.

i cannot comment on the lansings as i dont know them.

the soundsticks iii get good marks for audio quality (better than the logitechs) but will lack some of the loudness and lower bass response of the logitechs. there is also concern as for build quality.

the creature iii is also known as being a good audio quality set but will lack a bit of bass compared with the logitechs.

what are your thoughts on an external amplifier and speakers? it might be possible for that budget to get a cheap amplifier and set of bookshelf speakers which should sound better than pc speakers. in the usa i would have suggested the lepai 2020a+ amp and dayton b652 speakers but those speakers arent available in europe a.f.a.i.k. so you would need to use something else which is.
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August 29, 2014 5:12:21 PM

Thanks for answering!
Now, I have already checked the Creature III set but i.m.o they look awful and wouldn't blend in with my desk.

If you had to choose between the z553 and the z523 (logitech), which would you pick? I kinda prefer the z553 because they look way better, and I read some reviews on several sites and while some said that the z523 was a beast for its price, many gave the z523 2.5/5 and the z553 4/5.

Personally I favour sound clarity than loudness, being that the loudness is at a certain level that it makes the movie/game more immersive. For example, my TV is the LG M2380DF and it has a woofer on it and i.m.o. everything related to sound coming from there is better than my SONY speakers.

As for the external amp + speakers, I can't say because I haven't searched for something like that. I also live in Greece so I prefer that I bought everything from a store and not abroad( the ones you mentioned aren't available in Greece, I checked), but if you can suggest a similar setup that maybe is avalaible worldwide or at least in Europe, it would be worth checking out. The amp would be connected to my sound card and not serve like headphones for the TV, right?
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August 29, 2014 5:24:43 PM

I have the Z623 speakers and can't say enough good about them. 200W subwoofer, THX sound. Really hard hitting bass, enough to shake the walls. I have both my TV and computer connected to them.
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August 29, 2014 5:37:01 PM

from what i see user reviews seem to put the z553 and z523 about equal at 4/5 stars.

i've not heard the 553, only the 523 so i cannot make a comparison myself.

you should be happy with either one but i would personally pick the 523 but that is your choice.

--

i told you that the amp or speakers i listed likely were not available in europe.

you can however likely find something suitable from europe but it might end up costing you a bit more in the long run and would require much more searching then simple pc speakers would.

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August 29, 2014 6:54:00 PM

I will be going on the store tomorrow to hopefully hear them both and then choose.

Thanks, you've been most helpful!
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