Speaker System

[blackeye]

Ok im Kinda at my budet limit as I dont have any more money to put towards a computer. I got $500 left and I am stuck between getting a more powerfull CPU or a better speaker system. Im not sure what to do.
I could spend another $400 on the CPU but then I would have to get a $100 speaker system and I dont know if there is anything good to get for $100. My other option is to get a really good speaker system but skimp on the CPU. Im not sure what to do. I was thinking about skimping on the CPU and then buying a new one when the dual core comes out. (no idea if my motheboard will support dual core or not) I want to get 5.1 speakers THX certified.
I found three speakers but im a llitle confused.

Z640 $99
Z680 $499
Z5300 $299

I would have thought that the Z640 would be more powerfull the the Z5300's but then I looked at the price and the RMS power and they werent. I dont think I want to spend the cash on the Z680's though. My only problem with the Z640's is that they are not THX. The Z5300's look like the best buy for the price in my case.


I got a pair of decent headphones that I dont mind using when parents are sleeping but during the day I would like a 5.1 system.
I might consider going 2.1 and then buying more speakers as I get the money. I dont know if logitech would sell separate speakers one at a time though.

would this allow me to upgrade to 5.1 later? Link
The one above are also THX which I want.

So if someone can give me their opinions it would be appreciated.
And does anyone know if creative sells good speakers, as logitech and creative are my only options. No one in town sells Klipsch.

 

[Black-Falcon]

As far as i know, you cannot add more speakers to your system, because in my past experience, if your only buying 2.1 they will only give you two jacks. I own the z640's and I would reccomend getting them. THX in my opinion is overrated. If your just going to be gaming and watching movies on your computer you dont need THX, just get an Audigy. You only really need THX for a home theater. So get the z-640's and get a better CPU (Assuming you have AMD) My .02c

 

[blackeye]

I will read some reviews on the Z640's and see what they are like.

 

[blahblahblah]

What CPU do you have chosen and what do would you get if you spent $400 more?

Also, list your computer specs. There is always something to upgrade/improve in a computer.

 

[blackeye]

Well If I choose to get a good speaker system then I would be using the athlon 3500. If I choose to get a shitty speaker system then I would either get the 3800 or FX-53. (Little worried about getting a 3500 with the FX-55 comming soon) The CPU and motherboard are the last things that I have left to buy right now. Im still using my old geforce 4 till new GFX cards come in and I got gig of corsair ram. And audigy 2 ZS soundcard. My brother has got a athlon 3000 that is a pain to share so Im buying my own system. So its either good cpu and bad speakers or good speakers and bad cpu.

 

[blahblahblah]

I personally would be happy with the Z-640's.

THX certification is a hit or miss thing. The reason THX speakers are so expensive is because the certification process is equally as expensive. Some high quality speakers may skip out on THX certification to keep their prices low but meet or exceed THX certification standards. However, THX is good because you are guarenteed to get great audio quality. You aren't guaranteed that audio quality if you buy non-THX certified speakers.

Find some reviews of the Z-640's and see if you are willing to live with that audio quality. They are a great price (in the US at least) but they do have some flaws.

 

[blackeye]

anyone thats got some z640's, can you tell me what you like and dont like about them. Just want some personnal opinions.

 

[Black-Falcon]

I jut got a pair, and I think their great. The high mid is a little sloshy. But you will just have to adjust the Treb and Bass to make it sound better. Over all its the best damn 50 dollars i've ever spent.

 

[DreamThrall]

Just a note.... and this goes for any sound equipment by the way...

Higher power handling does not always mean higher quality. More often than not, something that handles absurdly high wattage would be a waste compared so something with more conservative wattage handling. This goes for speakers as well as amplifiers. (for car audio too!)

 

[NYHoustonman]

THX certification, as it stands with computer speakers, is only 'multimedia certification,' or something like that. It means nothing. Side note... Have you considered shopping online?

 

[blackeye]

shipping would be too expsensive if i bought it online.

 

[ShinRa]

if you do go with speakers im TELLING you right ****ing now to get z5300's. i have them and they kick the shit out of z680's and ill tell you why. same ****ing quality, if not better, and no hissing sound. every z680 has a buzzing sound that annoys the living shit out of me. plus the z5300's look better, has a sexy remote dial with bass, volume control, matrix, fade left right front back, and other shit. its bass is incredibly powerful, but not nasty sounding, it has a nice deep bass sound. and it can get incredibly loud if u want it to. i cranked the volume up the whole way once, a neighbor 3 houses away called up and asked if i heard the explosion. trust me, go with the z5300's

 

[AzzMan]

What about the Creative MegaWorks 5.1 speakers? Anyone had any experience with them? I was pondering wether I should get those or the z5300's......

 

[GreasedNeut]

Well If I choose to get a good speaker system then I would be using the athlon 3500. If I choose to get a shitty speaker system then I would either get the 3800 or FX-53. (Little worried about getting a 3500 with the FX-55 comming soon) The CPU and motherboard are the last things that I have left to buy right now. Im still using my old geforce 4 till new GFX cards come in and I got gig of corsair ram. And audigy 2 ZS soundcard. My brother has got a athlon 3000 that is a pain to share so Im buying my own system. So its either good cpu and bad speakers or good speakers and bad cpu.

the 3500 is not a bad cpu...

 

[Patten]

I have the 6.1 megaworks and they sound pretty good. I want to move up to the 7.1 gigaworks but I need a new videocard, and these speakers will last me because they are nice but I want more, always want more.

They do run a little hot but when winter comes around the heatsink on the back should be pretty good at keeping my feet warm.

I have listened to the Z5300's and they just didn't get loud enough for me, but they did sound nice.

If I were you though I would listen to everything I could because speakers sound different to everybody, one person may like one thing and another person may hate it.

 

[ShinRa]

I have listened to the Z5300's and they just didn't get loud enough for me, but they did sound nice.

do you have a hearing disability? :dozey: