Getting new speakers

[Cmd.Keen]

I have been using this old set of Altec Lansing speakers which I have finally grown tired of. The speakers themselves are massive, and the subwoofer looks like a humidifier. The sound quality is terrible, and the static is unbearable. So I have given up on them and I am looking to buy a new set of speakers. I would like something in the 4.1 or 5.1 area that costs no more than $150 CDN (around $110 US). Right now I am looking at the Logitech Z-560 THX Certified 4.1 Speakers. I have found them for $145 CDN. I was just wondering if any one has had any experience with these and what people think of them. I play alot of games, listen to music, and watch alot of movies on my computer, so I want something that is decent quality, which sounds good and has a decent bass and will last me for a while. From what I have read/heard these speakers seem to fit that.

Also, I have an ECS K7S5A Pro (http://www.ecsusa.com/products/k7s5a_pro.html) motherboard with onboard sound. It has the C-Media CMI9738/4CH AC'97 CODEC and is 2 Channel. I don't know alot about sound cards so this doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Will I be able to use 4.1 speakers with this and will it support 3D positional sound?

[glc]

If you want *good* sound, better budget for a sound card too. I'd bet that your old Altecs would sound a lot better with a proper sound card.

There are very good onboard sound chips these days, but yours isn't one of those. Look for an entry level Audigy or a Santa Cruz for the most bang for the buck, you are looking in the $65 to $80 CDN range.

[Cmd.Keen]

OK thanks for the info...I was wondering if I would need a sound card. My old speakers were pretty old though - I'd say like 6 years old at least - maybe a bit more. And they were pretty bad. But maybe a new sound card would have helped.

Are the soundblaster Live! cards any good? Or should I look for an Audigy?

[Alienware_Dude]

I have a set of the Z-560s, and I absolutely love them. Best $130 I ever spent.

[Hi Ho]

The Z-560's are very good speakers. You should be very happy with them. As for the sound card. My motherboard has almost the same chip (CMI8738) and I heard a phenominal difference when I bought my Audigy sound card. I never thought it would make that much difference but it did. I'd definetly consider a sound card too. The Sound Blaster Audigy is only $40 USD.

[popgoesthweasel]

If you don't fo anything fancy with sound right now an Audigy is overkill. The Audigy 2 is the latest and greatest. Save some $$ and go with rhis Sound Blaster (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-165&depa=0)

[glc]

He's in Canada, folks. Newegg doesn't do business there.

The Live! cards are decent, but old tech. There's a noticeable difference between them and even the entry level Audigy.

[popgoesthweasel]

You are right it is old tech, but if he wants to save some dollars the 5.1 SoundBlaster is better than his onboard sound. In fact if he wanted 24 bit audio and 7.1 sound he could upgrade to a sound card based upon the VIA Envy chip like the one made by Chaintech or Gainward. Their performance is comparable but below the Audigy 2 cards but not by much. The plus side of the Creative Audigy 2 sound cards is the software bundle, but that is reflect in the price.

[Cmd.Keen]

I would probably buy an OEM version to save money so I wouldn't get any of the software anyways...

[Hi Ho]

The Audigy 1 OEM is $40 USD.

[glc]

HiHo: As I already said, it's around $65 to $80 Canadian.

[Cmd.Keen]

Are you guys talking about the retail version that comes with the software extras or the OEM version?

Where can I find it in Canada? The store I always shop at is Canada Computers (http://www.canadacomputers.com). It has pretty good prices but it sells the Audegy OEM for $75 CDN. Is that a good price? $40 USD is cheaper but it would probably cost me the same to ship it here...

[Hi Ho]

HiHo: As I already said, it's around $65 to $80 Canadian.

Oops... I already mentioned that in this thread. I got mixed up with a different one. :)

[glc]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=10438&vpn=SB0162&manufacture=Creative%20Labs

$67.73 at NCIX.

[erucader]

I put in a vote for creative inspire speakers. I really like mine but then again, I don't have anything to compare to.

[Hi Ho]

I had a chance to compare the two at Circuit City and there was literally no comparison. The Logitech Z-560's and even the 640's sounded much better than the Creative speakers sitting next to them. I don't remember the model of the Creatives but they were comparable in price. The Logitechs had much better highs and bass while the Creatives sounded rather muddy.

[Cmd.Keen]

Is the difference between 4.1 and 5.1 speakers noticable? How much a difference does that center speaker actually make?