5.1 speakers

[JonnyBoy]

Opinions please on a set of 5.1 surround speakers! I'm intending to use them in the front room with my ebay bargain 36" tv (once the house purchase is complete... bloody solicitors take forever to do sweet FA... ) and some sort of media centre PC once I get round to building it

On the shortlist are:

Logitech X-530
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116853
Logitech X-540
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/120414
Creative T6100
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119065

Was contemplating a set of these Yatais as well since they're such good value, but have my doubts about how good they actually are compared to Logi's...
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/105960

What I want to establish is how much difference there actually is between the X540s and X530s, and does it make the 540s worth the extra tenner? From what I can see on the website they are very similarly specced, so ideally need to hear from someone who's used both

And are those3 Creatives good enough to justify the extra £5 on top of the X530s, given that they're also absolutely butt-ugly compared to either of the much more stylish and subtle Logitechs?

 

[Punto.Power]

I have the X-530 logi ones, i only use the 2 main speakers and the subwoofer thats loud enough for me, i have the subwoofer turned to minimum and it still bangs away, also there nearly 3 years old, i bought them when they where £70 and i use them constantly. Im Guessing for X-540 the extra tenner is for the remote control - cable, probably to make it feel more home theatre than gettin up and turning the volume up/down on the 530. lol

 

[arc]

what are you driving them with? the speakers you have shown do not have decoders built into them. You will need to feed 6 channels into them to get 5.1 out of it.

i have a sony av receiver which handles all decoding, and then just a digital link to the xbox and sky+ box.

i wouldnt really consider pc speakers for a lounge type setup, i got fed up when the sky+ remote wouldnt control the sony av receiver (which it now does) but to have no remote at all - would drive me nuts.

 

[Liam]

An htpc should have a remote which will control the volume so no worries there.

A decent sound card is required though so get this ticked off before looking into speakers.

The two logi's will likely be the older model and the newer one, have a shifty on their site.

Liam

 

[arc]

granted, but my point was that if its not used solely for playback from the htpc then you aint gonna be getting full use of the 5.1 setup.

asside.. an htpc should spit out a digital feed and let proper dedicated hardware deal with

 

[Liam]

granted, but my point was that if its not used solely for playback from the htpc then you aint gonna be getting full use of the 5.1 setup.

asside.. an htpc should spit out a digital feed and let proper dedicated hardware deal with

I also agree mate, was pushed for time writing that reply plus my pc decided to shut down IE so it was hstily retyped.

Watch the connection method from HTPC to External Amp however some methods are dodgy re sound delays.

Liam

 

[JonnyBoy]

It's gonna be used with a 5.1 card in the computer, for watching DVD's and freeview. Computer will be a fairly basic item, most probably using onboard 5.1 sound to keep it cheap!

Much as I'd like a proper system with digital connections to a proper reciever, plus monster speakers, reality is that I can't afford it! I just want reasonable quality surround sound on a budget

 

[Punto.Power]

I would go for the Logi 540 then, there cheap and sound quality is good also they just came out this month, the 530 came out in 2005.

 

[JonnyBoy]

Yeah, the 540's do look tempting, plus at the mo ebuyer are offering £10 off all orders over £30 if you use Google Checkout to pay

 

[raptor]

if your looking fora cool remote heck the soundgraph imon dt2.4 wireless remote control so you can hide your htpc away and use the remote to naviagte, turn on, volume control, open apps etc.

i highly recommend it.

logitech ones look cool pity they don't give a break down of the 70rms cos the rear speakers can get lost in a big room if they are only 5w.

 

[raptor]

btw i ahve ancient creatives now had them for yeras 6.1 surround but they packa punch. i use them as monitors as well for my electronic drum kit instead of shelling out 100's for a dedicated monitoring system