5.1 Sound system on the cheap

August 5, 2009 9:32 AM

Help a clueless dude buy a nice 5.1 speaker set

For years I've simply been using these $25 Logitech computer speakers I bought on a whim and frankly, they've actually been fantastic. However, now that I've added a 46 inch LCD TV and a Blu-ray drive to my PC, I figured the next step up would be to finally let those valiant $25 2.1 speakers go!

I know next to nothing about sound systems (receivers? what?) and my budget would ideally be around $350...maybe $400. I understand that's low for a sound system but I figured if I was really happy with $25 speakers for so many years, I probably can weather the storm with almost 10 times the budget.

Where should I start? This will be for watching movies and listening to music in my apartment. As you can tell with my budget, I'm not really an audiophile and I'm just looking for a good mainstream general recommendation.

posted by bouchacha to technology (16 comments total)

The Klipsch HD Theater 300 system has a MSRP of $399. You'd still need a 5.1 channel receiver to use it. Still, it's a "real" solution rather than just another computer speaker setup. If you want that, you should look at products from Logitech.

I personally find 5.1 home theater systems atrocious, but if I were going to build one on a shoe string budget, I'd take my time, do research, and work the second-hand market at eBay or your local pawn shop.
posted by wfrgms at 9:48 AM on August 5

I'm biased on brands - so I won't tell you what brand to get as it is a conflict of interest. However, I will say that having a 5.1 sound system is much improved with digital connections. This means - the red and white connectors of yester-year are (at best) backups for digital audio cutout. You should spend the extra money on making sure that you have HDMI, digital optical, or digital coaxial connections between your sources and whatever system you choose. An absolute audiophile will tell you there is a difference in quality between those cables and possibly there is a difference in brands of cables as well. The truth is, if you aren't an audiophile: if the cable is sold as a digital cable it meets specifications to be called a digital cable - Monster brand cables exceed specifications and just cost more money...

As for music:
Music was historically designed for stereo not 5.1 as such, the nature of 5.1 can cause some artifacting. When I'm listening to music, my 5.1 system is operating in 2 speaker mode - ymmv.
posted by Nanukthedog at 9:55 AM on August 5 [1 favorite]

If you've been happy with the $25 dollar speakers you've head, I think the next logical step up would be the Logitech Z5500 series (priced around $280-$350). It comes with a THX-certified receiver with Dolby and DTS decoders and optical and coaxial digital inputs. Here's the review on CNET. I have a set of these hooked up to a 720p projector in an apartment and it has been working very well for games and movies.
posted by reformedjerk at 10:29 AM on August 5

As a fellow non-audiophile, I recommend the Logitech X-540. I picked these based on the positive reviews on Amazon and the relatively low price and I was not disappointed. I have these hooked up to my flatscreen TV and it gives me more than enough volume and deep, ground-shaking bass to give the feel of a real theater. They are only $75 new. Again, to a more trained ear, they might not do the job, but for regular movie-watching and CD-listening, they're more than enough (good sound quality, deep bass). The wires are a bit short to truly position the speakers all around you, but overall, it's a great deal. Review here.

Oh yeah, you'll also need to buy this adapter to hook it up to a RCA connection on your TV/DVD.
posted by That takes balls. at 10:43 AM on August 5

Ha, wow. Well I changed my mind pretty quickly, I don't want 5.1 anymore. I didn't really think about the fact that music was designed for two speakers anyway and just want for "5.1" because of "oooooooh shiny!" syndrome.

So let's dial it down three notches. What's a good 2.1 system for under $200? I have a Creative Audigy card and know almost nothing about connections.
posted by bouchacha at 11:11 AM on August 5

In my opinion the AudioEngine A2s are the best sounding powered stereo speakers you can get for $200. They don't come with a subwoofer, however, so they're not technically a 2.1 system. They have very clean, powerful bass though; I never find myself wishing I had a subwoofer.
posted by strangecargo at 11:41 AM on August 5

Yes, music is mixed for 2 speakers, but movies are not. If you really want an immersive movie watching experience, you'll need 5.1 (at least).

Oh, and friends don't let friends buy Bose.
posted by cptnrandy at 12:11 PM on August 5

I'll second strangecaro. AudioEngine is often cited as making the best "computer speakers". The A2's have a very good reputation, but the A5's are well worth the extra $150. With the A2's, you'll likely want a subwoofer; with the A5's you might get by without one. AudioEngine makes a subwoofer, but you could buy something like this Dayton subwoofer from PartsExpress.

If your budget stretches to the $500-600 range, you could get a set of real entry-level hifi speakers and an integrated amp, particularly if you're willing to research and shop patiently for used stuff on Audiogon.
posted by paulg at 12:33 PM on August 5

I usually second the Bose comment above, but the Companion 2's are decent, inexpensive speakers for under $100
posted by rtimmel at 12:41 PM on August 5

I'm really impressed by the gushing reviews the AudioEngine A2s gets. It looks like what I'm going to be acquiring. Getting just two speakers will also save me the hassle of wiring and setting up a 5.1 system. Thanks!
posted by bouchacha at 1:30 PM on August 5

FWIW, if your movies don't have a 2 channel audio track, the voices will be very soft on a 2 channel system. I'd consider getting a proper multichannel receiver with some cheap speakers (start with 3) to start instead of buying a set of powered computer speakers.

You can find much better sounding speakers than the Audioengines for $200.
posted by wongcorgi at 1:45 PM on August 5

You can find much better sounding speakers than the Audioengines for $200.

Like what?

What do you mean by 2 channel audio track and voices?
posted by bouchacha at 1:48 PM on August 5

I believe wongcorgi is saying that if there is only a surround sound mix on a dvd, you will only hear the front left and front right channels, because those are the only speakers you have. This is mainly environmental sounds, lots of loud music and muffled (& ambient) dialog.
In movies most dialog comes out of the center channel. You will not hear much dialog unless there is also a stereo track which you can switch to.
Basically, you'd just have to make sure your movies are in "Stereo" and not "Dolby Digital" or "DTS" under the language menu when you load the DVD.
posted by ijoyner at 8:04 PM on August 5

Ah cool, very good to know!
posted by bouchacha at 5:30 AM on August 6

Some receivers have a "fake centre" option which will copy the centre channel to the front left/right channels so that you get dialog if you have no centre speaker.
posted by polyglot at 6:52 AM on August 6

"Good" 2.1 doesn't exist. It just doesn't unless you're talking $1000 Magnepans and a $500 Infinity sub, with another who-knows-god-what tied up in amps and what have you.

Just put it out of your mind. The whole "something-point-one" whatever is just marketing bullshit. What you need is just two good speakers. Done.

From my computer, via optical, I drive a pair of Behringer MS40 monitors. They are the absolute cheapest stereo speakers, with an internal amp, and digital input, you can buy. I think I paid around $120 from an ebay vendor (new.) I love them. They are incredibly better sounding than any other plastic computer speaker setup you're going to happen across. I even recommend them over the various Klipsch systems and I'm a complete Klipsch loyalist.
posted by wfrgms at 2:59 AM on August 7