Budget PC speakers

[C.A.R.]

I'm very new to PC gaming - a friend donated me his old rig.

At present I'm using the built-in monitor speakers which put out a teeny 2W and sound OK at low volume but noticeably 'tinny' at anything above.

Looking online at basic 2.1 speaker systems and the Logitech Z323 system seems to suit my needs quite well and is available under budget at £30.

I'm just wondering, before I pull the trigger, if there is anything else I should really consider instead with my budget - £50 tops.

Any help much appreciated!

[Hoofy]

I have a 2.1 system and can't really see the point in the .1 bit. You only notice the bass anywhere other than sitting at the PC! I used to have two large PC speakers that lasted for years and replaced them with the 2.1 system. Next time, I'll go back to... er... 2.0.

[MethylatedSpirit]

Adding £30 to your budget would have you some nice Bose speakers.


I wouldn't bother with a subwoofer. Just get the best set of speakers you can for the money.

[130R]

Creative GigaWorks T20. They are 2.0 speakers and good.

[Derwins Revenge]

I bought these for TV in lounge. They are superb and on offer at the moment...

http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/yamaha-nx-50-desktop-...

Would buy a set for PC but already have a decent Creative pair.

They were in stock when I ordered but looks like they are pre order at the moment. You can get them elsewhere for less than rrp though.

[Hoofy]

130R said:

They are 2.0 speakers and good.

Is it actually called 2.0 then? I thought I was just making it up earlier.

[IanA2]

These are really good: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harman-Kardon-SoundStick...

[C.A.R.]

Don't like the look of the Harmon Kardon jobbies personally.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, especially regarding the omission of a subwoofer altogether.

One thing dawned on me this evening however is that the PC (which is located near the kitchen) is often used as a media centre to play music through. Would this counteract the consensus that the 2.0 system would be better?

I know in my opening post I said that it was a gaming PC. I'm just thinking this evening after having finished the washing up - whilst listening to Muse: Absolution - that a decent amount of punch might help?

Sorry to change the goalposts. Had a look in PC World on the way home, nothing really caught my eye. The Edifier stuff - is that any good?

[Hoofy]

Problem with 2.1 I find is that you either don't get that much bass (because you're sitting too close) so crank it up then everywhere else it's too much bass. 2.0 means they're just like normal hifi speakers. Well, that's my experience based on one 2.1 system.

[colonel c]

130R said:

Creative GigaWorks T20. They are 2.0 speakers and good.

I find Creative speakers are the best all round for games or music. You won't be disappointed.

[jimmyjimjim]

Creative T40's (2.0)here; recommended though a little above budget at ~80 notes from amazon.

I had some logitech 2.1 system previously until one of the cat ate the wire to the volume box. I had to turn the bass way down(TOO bassy otherwise), making the .1 part of it not worth having, hence going 2.0 for the next set.

Looking for a decent cheap dac now to plug in the NAD HP50's.

[C.A.R.]

I sqw those Creative Gigaworks yesterday in Pc World @ £80. They look pretty fantastic, but were out of budget. There is a seller on ebay with the T20s for just under £60 delivered. Perhaps I could stretch to that if they really are that good.

Would I be better with them or the Yamaha speakers mentioned above @ £50?

[130R]

C.A.R. said:

There is a seller on ebay with the T20s for just under £60 delivered.

They are £54.99 on amazon, also I've seen the T40's second hand on ebay for £65

[colonel c]

C.A.R. said:

Would I be better with them or the Yamaha speakers mentioned above @ £50?

Buy the Creative. Then come on here and tell us we were right.

[stevoknevo]

These are more like conventional speakers and are quite large for a desktop at 12×7×8", but the sound from them is great. You can run them at full volume with no distortion; my mate has a pair at his holiday home and they do the job brilliantly for the money (provided you don't sit them on the floor like he had! Once moved higher up on to a solid surface with some blutack to help isolate them, treble/bass adjusted, they perform way above their price point)

http://www.ebuyer.com/293207-microlab-solo-1c-book...

[C.A.R.]

Found the Creative T20s on CCLonline for £57, so will be ordering those.

Many thanks for your help!

[IanA2]

C.A.R. said:

Found the Creative T20s on CCLonline for £57, so will be ordering those.

Many thanks for your help!

You could have saved £2.01

[chengy]

C.A.R. said:

Found the Creative T20s on CCLonline for £57, so will be ordering those.

Many thanks for your help!

Great choice on the T20's, they are fantastic. The bass is surprisingly very good considering the lack of dedicated subwoofer. Enjoy them when they arrive!

[C.A.R.]

The speakers arrived today and I've had a brief chance to try them out. First impressions are that they are amazingly bass-y, as the post above suggested. There was initially a load of distortion, but I tracked this down to an old/poor audio cable.

Many thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated. Will be booming out Prodigy songs next time I'm working out in the man-shed!!