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Should I upgrade my speakers for pc gaming?

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xerin7   02-16-2007 at 06:14:27 PM

I am building a new system, and need to decide whether or not to stay with my current speakers (Cambridge Soundworks DTT5500 5.1). I will ONLY be using this system for gaming (not for music or movies). I am willing to spend in the $300-$600 range if there is a significant improvement over my current setup.

Should I upgrade to Logitech Z-5500 (or the refresh if one comes out in the next few weeks)? How about going with a receiver and bookshelf/HT system?

If I went with a home theater speaker setup, would that be inappropriate since I will be physically closer to the speakers than the distance are typically designed for?

I definitely want to keep 5.1 for gaming.

What would be the BEST setup given that gaming is my only focus?

Thanks!

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Reos   02-16-2007 at 08:06:14 PM
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Quote :

If I went with a home theater speaker setup, would that be inappropriate since I will be physically closer to the speakers than the distance are typically designed for?



I am wondering the same thing, i am gonna get a 5.1 system and i dont know which yet but one thing that really concerns me is if it will sound great if i sit right up against the front speakers and then there is about 2.5m (= 100 inches) to the back speakers (mounted on my back wall).

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astrallite   02-17-2007 at 09:21:32 AM
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Depends on room size. If your sole focus is gaming, then your requirement is fairly low to start with, given the nature of the input source--highly compressed and low dynamic range.

It's really hard to say in your situation. The best bet is to take a system home and try it. In general small satellite systems are going to struggle with music or movies by default, so you really have to justify to yourself whether or not its worth it--since as you say, it's for a very limited purpose.

In my experience there's not a major difference gaming on PC speakers or on larger speakers. The source is the limiting factor--again, high compression, low dynamic range. With music and movies it's going to be significantly more obvious. But that's not your purpose after all.

I can't say what you would do, but, knowing only what you posted, if I was in your shoes, I really wouldn't see the point in upgrading at all. ($300-600 for an incremental upgrade to play some low bitrate sources? No thanks.)

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astrallite   02-17-2007 at 09:33:52 AM
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Quote :

If I went with a home theater speaker setup, would that be inappropriate since I will be physically closer to the speakers than the distance are typically designed for?



I am wondering the same thing, i am gonna get a 5.1 system and i dont know which yet but one thing that really concerns me is if it will sound great if i sit right up against the front speakers and then there is about 2.5m (= 100 inches) to the back speakers (mounted on my back wall).

It wouldn't be inappropriate per se, but it would be not taking full advantage of them.

For music, stereo is by nature designed to create an image of the source being played back, due to overlapping sound. With PC speakers you usually lack this image because the speakers do not have the horizontal dispersion to overlap in the first place. So for music, you can certainly place them near-field for lack of space, but you will be missing some of the stereo image.

For listening in general, alot of bookshelf speakers are rear-ported, so placement near walls will exaggerate the bass. It's best to have a minimum 6" distance from the wall to prevent any peakiness in the response. I usually do this, but I have had my speakers near the walls without major problems.

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xerin7   02-17-2007 at 03:42:58 PM
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Thanks for the info, astrallite...saving money is good 8)

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astrallite   02-20-2007 at 09:26:47 AM
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Lol Xerin, I noticed in AVSforum you mentioned you had an Onix Rocket home theater setup. Good shit. I was afraid you were gonna turn into one of those guys who bought HTIBs and thought that and PC speakers were the peak of audio performance ;P

Reply to astrallite
xerin7   02-20-2007 at 02:43:04 PM
- 0 +

I love my Rockets! And I would probably be willing to go with some Onix bookshelves in my study, but ONLY if it meant a significantly better gaming experience :)

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