Need help choosing speakers

[Mr]

Hi,

I used to have a set of Cambridge SoundWorks DTT2500s which have decided to stop working. Now I need to get another set of speakers and need some help deciding. I use my speakers 99% of the time for gaming and rarely for listening to music or watching DVDs since I use my hi-fi and PS2 for those things.

I'm a little unclear as to whether I should get a 4.1 or a 5.1 speaker setup? I have an Audigy Gamer sound card but I've never really noticed the center channel doing much.

I'm fairly limited for cash so a set of Klipsch speakers are out of the question. I would ideally like to get some speakers around $150. So far from what I've read in posts here and reviews elsewhere that my choices are probably going to be made from the following:

Altec Lansing 641 ( if I can find them damn things )
Monsoon MH-505
Yamaha TSS1
Logitech z640
Altec Lansing 251 (cheap, maybe too cheap)

or any other suggestions people might have.

One of the other things that concerns me is how to mount the rear satellites. The setup I had before came with stands but none of the above do.

I'd greatly appreciate any help in deciding what I should get.

Thanks.

[sKiT]

If my memory serves me correctly, JBL owns Altec Lansing. I love JBL speakers and have a on old 2.1 Altec Lansing setup from a few years ago. They lack real power compared to what is being sold right now but were great for their time. My roommate has a newest AL 2.1 setup(dont know model name) but its brand new and they are awesome running under his Turtle Beach Sound card. I have read good things about the Yamaha's 5.1 setup. I haven't heard them though. Many people also love Klipche(<spelling?). It is a matter of opinion to your ear and wallet though. Find the middle ground.


EDIT: BTW, Welcome to TechIMO

[super gerbil]

sorry. I accidentally pressed the submit button before I was done

[super gerbil]

you should try with AOpen. try this on newegg

AOPEN MODEL MS-815 2-tone 3Pc SPEAKERS With Subwoofer

thats what I have

34th one down

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1

pic.
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....154-007-03.JPG

[Mr]

thanks skit, damn that was a fast reply If I had all the money in the world then I'd get the PM5.1s but unfortunately my wallet is fairly limited but not completely shut.

SG:
I think I'm gonna go with something more than a 3pc speaker set since the ones I had before were a 5.1 setup and I don't want to step back in quality.

[MD1032]

Hmmmm, not sure where you want to go here, your budget is limited. The Z-640's are on my list. The AL641's would be an awesome deal if you can find them (at all) for 150 or less. They're not half bad. They don't have the quality of promedia's, but they do a good job.

I would stay away from monsoon, their electrostatic speakers lack full sound IMO. Also, mids are limited. Overall, they sound very fuzzy and I don't prefer them or their subwoofers.

[super gerbil]

sorry Mr. I didn't see the 5.1 setup thing

[Mr]

MD:
Thanks. I've read a lot of your posts in the forums concerning the Logitech speakers. What do you think of the Z560 or the z-540s vs z-640?

SG:
No problem

In general though, how concerned should I be about choosing a 5.1 vs 4.1 setup considering I use my system almost exclusively for gaming?

[samwichse]

Choice between the z640 and z560:

z560's win all the way.

5.1 shouldn't be necessary for gaming at all, and the z560's are a far superior setup to the z640's for quality of sound. Altec Lansing 641's are second.

Sam

All I can say, is for gaming, Logitech z560

[Darthgary]

I have a pair of Logitech z560's. I do beileve its the best $200 I have ever spent. Its louder then the Pro media 4.1's. The satelites are crisp and even at high volumes they dont distort.
The woofer is 188 Watts 8 inch long throw which rattle my downstairs windows.

http://www.extremetech.com/print_art...a=17030,00.asp