Matthew on 15/12/2008 at 16:48
I'm going to hijack this thread slightly and ask a question I'd been pondering over in TechTroub: would a set of THX-labelled speakers like the Creative Gigaworks S750s or the Logitech Z-5500s be an audible improvement over my basic Creative T7700s? If so, would it be only in volume or in quality too?
Phatose on 15/12/2008 at 17:44
I go between a pair of Grado SR-80s when volume is an issue, and a pair of logitech 5.1s when it's not.
I find 5.1 surround while gaming can be problematic. In game voice especially, has the aggravating tendency to be balanced differently then everything else, and it becomes in audible at certain positions, even though anything else in that place is fine.
io organic industrialism on 15/12/2008 at 17:52
Never used 5.1 for gaming. In fact I don't think I've ever experienced 5.1 ever because I don't know anybody with it / don't go to peoples' houses to watch movies.
But my Sennheiser HD-590's are sweet for everything so I don't really feel like I'm missing out on anything
Inline Image:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512XJ3PHJHL._SL500_AA280_.jpgSulphur on 15/12/2008 at 18:20
Quote Posted by Matthew
I'm going to hijack this thread slightly and ask a question I'd been pondering over in TechTroub: would a set of THX-labelled speakers like the Creative Gigaworks S750s or the Logitech Z-5500s be an audible improvement over my basic Creative T7700s? If so, would it be only in volume or in quality too?
It depends on what you'll be wanting, Matthew. Both the Z-5500s and the S750s can get way, way louder than the T7700s (92 watts RMS vs. 505 watts RMS and 700 watts RMS for the Z-5500s and S750s respectively).
Quality-wise, however you've got a caveat: speaker audio quality is entirely subjective. You can be fairly certain that either set will get you better audio than your current setup, but
how much better is something that'll be entirely up to your ears.
If you can, try and get the shops to demo both sets for you before you make a choice. What are you looking for in terms of better quality, anyhow?
june gloom on 15/12/2008 at 18:21
2.0 headphones because I don't know anyone with a 5.1 setup and I've relied on cheap speakers and cheaper headphones since day one.
mothra on 15/12/2008 at 20:06
i got a pretty decent 5.1 setup from a german self-manufacturer/online retailer and it's leagues above logitech or similar "entry"-level systems without being expensive. I got headphones as well but mostly for the better mic on it, I only use them if i got some friends over for a lan. so would say a 5.1 setup + a big screen gives you a richer experience than good headphones do.
if you just wanna listen to music, I suggest a better 2.0 amp and monitor speakers.
Aerothorn on 15/12/2008 at 20:09
I know Creative gets a lot of crap, but the X-Fi seems to be a pretty awesome sound card - the surround headphone gaming simply works. I use a pair of Sennheiser 555s (not as good as io's 590s, but can be run fine without an amp as they only draw 50 ohms) and movies and games sound great with them. If you're doing surround with headphones, go for open headphones - it gives you a much better soundscape.
mothra on 15/12/2008 at 20:23
well, i just love coming back from a toiletbreak into my room hearing explosions and constant gunfire :)
(depends of course on what I'm playing)
june gloom on 15/12/2008 at 20:51
Your toilet break sounds like explosions and gunfire?
What do you eat?
Matthew on 15/12/2008 at 20:59
Quote Posted by Sulphur
It depends on what you'll be wanting, Matthew. Both the Z-5500s and the S750s can get way, way louder than the T7700s (92 watts RMS vs. 505 watts RMS and 700 watts RMS for the Z-5500s and S750s respectively).
Quality-wise, however you've got a caveat: speaker audio quality is entirely subjective. You can be fairly certain that either set will get you better audio than your current setup, but
how much better is something that'll be entirely up to your ears.
If you can, try and get the shops to demo both sets for you before you make a choice. What are you looking for in terms of better quality, anyhow?
I must confess to being slightly clueless about how one defines quality in this instance! I suppose nice, clear high notes that aren't too overpowered by oomph-oomph bass, and not 'fuzzy'.
