Tech Help Need New Speakers

S

Snipeye

EGO Is My Life!
=(e)=
Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
4,867
So the central speaker for my Logitech X-530 setup has pretty much died, or at least, having issues with the cable so sound is intermittent. Right now, it's out after I did some reorganizing and cable organization.

I'm looking for suggestions on replacement setup. What I would like to do is get a new 5.1 surround sound setup, but since I never use the back rear speakers, it ends up being a 3.1 surround sound setup. Not seeing much in the way of available models that are available for my price range so I'm playing with the alternative idea of doing a 2.1 setup, and maybe also getting a new headset. For the speakers, I'd like to keep them between $50-80. For the headset, under $60 in my opinion. Any suggestions would be great.

I have a Microcenter nearby, and am also open to use Newegg and Amazon for my purchase.

EDIT: Apparently people don't read follow-up posts before posting. I'm no longer looking to replace the surround sound speaker setup. I'm trying to troubleshoot my issue with the center speaker. However, I'm still looking for headset suggestions.
 
Last edited:
Options I would go with listed from the top of your budget range to the lowest on speakers ------

http://www.microcenter.com/product/347192/Surround_Sound_Speakers_Z506
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...K_21_Soundstage_Speakers_with_Dual_Subwoofers
http://www.microcenter.com/product/434616/12W_21_SPEAKER_SYSTEM_W-Subwoofer

I personally would choose the Eagle product based off appearance and decent reviews. You can probably find it cheaper on newegg instead of microcenter. Doing a quick search shows all the ones listed are on newegg.

As for a headset its completely personal preference. Over the ear? On ear? Buds? Or you could possibly scratch the headset idea and just spend the $60 on a good quality microphone and save the money for a little higher end speakers.
 
I'm leaning towards the Z506. I can get them about $10 cheaper at Microcenter than on Newegg or Amazon.

Still want the headset as I currently use a webcam mic and it picks up too much sounds from speakers, especially when someone else is talking (echo effect). Ear buds don't count as headset. I'll just look it up some more.
 
Altec Lansing is a for sure must. Loveeeeeeee their speakers. Absolutely had no troubles with any of the products that I've bought from them.
 
Icydud said:
Altec Lansing is a for sure must. Loveeeeeeee their speakers. Absolutely had no troubles with any of the products that I've bought from them.
Click to expand...

The only review I've seen on that model was a single 1 star review on newegg. I'm not going to rely on just reputation (obviously these aren't even being considered).
 
Just realize: the center speaker does work, however, for some reason when I play videos, music, or games, sound only comes from the left and right front speakers. I did the sound/speaker test and confirm that the center speaker does work. I went to manage audio devices and selected 5.1 surround sound, and also ensured that the center speak was part of the configuration I selected. Currently using Windows 7 Home Premium with Realtek. Pretty stumped as all the suggestions have said it's with the configuration through Manage Audio Devices, which I have already done.
 
3.1 speakers are useless for gaming because in most cases you are in a near field setup, and the center channel is only useful in home theatre setups where there is a sizable distance between the left and right speakers, as the center channel is mainly used for dialogue for which there is a focus on the screen (which is why it's in the center) as well as the soundtrack.

In a near field setup, the left and right speakers are close enough together so that there is no need for a center speaker to fill the space, and also because each speaker is equidistant from your head, while in a home theater situation people will be sitting at different parts of the room, some in the center but some in front of the left or right speakers. In a home theater setup, a 4.1 (2 front 2 back 1 sub) will sound the same to someone sitting equidistant from the front left and right speakers as someone sitting in the center in a 5.1 setup (3 front 2 back 1 sub). The exact same. For this reason, there is no need to have a 3.1 over a 2.1 setup for gaming because you will be sitting equidistant from the left and right channels.

Hope my explanation makes sense, it's kind of hard to explain without diagrams.
 
Last edited:
Snipeye said:
The only review I've seen on that model was a single 1 star review on newegg. I'm not going to rely on just reputation (obviously these aren't even being considered).
Click to expand...

If you're going for review, go look up the highest review. Myself personally have not had any issues with mine, even after 7 years they still sound gorgeous.
 
Icydud said:
If you're going for review, go look up the highest review. Myself personally have not had any issues with mine, even after 7 years they still sound gorgeous.
Click to expand...

I would not refer to any speakers in a box (logitech, altec, bose, or otherwise) as "sounding gorgeous".
 
1) Sushi, your explanation is great but it's not what I'm looking for. I'm already using essentially a 3.1 system. I also made a follow-up post saying that I'm now trying to fix my center speaker issues.

2) Icydud - the issue I had was I couldn't find any positive/reliable reviews on it. Not even amazon had a review for it. Either way, it's not being considered as I don't even like the design, and I'm trying to fix my current setup.

3) I did a follow-up post talking about me trying to resolve my current speaker issue. Why spend money when I can fix it. The center speaker does work, but for some reason, it's not being used when I play movies, music, or some games.

As of now, I'm not looking to buy a new speaker system. I'm looking for tech help in troubleshooting my center speaker issue.
 
Snipeye said:
1) Sushi, your explanation is great but it's not what I'm looking for. I'm already using essentially a 3.1 system. I also made a follow-up post saying that I'm now trying to fix my center speaker issues.

2) Icydud - the issue I had was I couldn't find any positive/reliable reviews on it. Not even amazon had a review for it. Either way, it's not being considered as I don't even like the design, and I'm trying to fix my current setup.

3) I did a follow-up post talking about me trying to resolve my current speaker issue. Why spend money when I can fix it. The center speaker does work, but for some reason, it's not being used when I play movies, music, or some games.

As of now, I'm not looking to buy a new speaker system. I'm looking for tech help in troubleshooting my center speaker issue.
Click to expand...

Then somewhere in the products software/drivers it isnt picking up the center speaker to project sound when it is trying to be found via the movie or game or music.

Or at least thats what it sounds like to me. Try to find some new drivers for the speakers. I am sure something is floating around for them.
 
Icydud said:
What exactly is wrong with your speaker?
Click to expand...

Snipeye said:
Just realize: the center speaker does work, however, for some reason when I play videos, music, or games, sound only comes from the left and right front speakers. I did the sound/speaker test and confirm that the center speaker does work. I went to manage audio devices and selected 5.1 surround sound, and also ensured that the center speak was part of the configuration I selected. Currently using Windows 7 Home Premium with Realtek. Pretty stumped as all the suggestions have said it's with the configuration through Manage Audio Devices, which I have already done.
Click to expand...

_Sushi said:
Why select 5.1 if you're doing 3.1?
Click to expand...
Because there is not a 3.1 surround sound option. Either you pick Stereo, Quadraphonic, 5.1, or 7.1 surround. Those are my ONLY options.

Cloaked; I'll take a look and see if I can find other sound drivers. Your answer sounds like the best option I have (which I was honestly hoping to avoid; hoping it was a more simpler "wrong setting" chosen).
 
Snipeye said:
Because there is not a 3.1 surround sound option. Either you pick Stereo, Quadraphonic, 5.1, or 7.1 surround. Those are my ONLY options.

Cloaked; I'll take a look and see if I can find other sound drivers. Your answer sounds like the best option I have (which I was honestly hoping to avoid; hoping it was a more simpler "wrong setting" chosen).
Click to expand...

It's possible that some of the sound you expect to hear from the centre channel is being routed to the nonexistent back channels.
 
_Sushi said:
It's possible that some of the sound you expect to hear from the centre channel is being routed to the nonexistent back channels.
Click to expand...

No, because those sounds would be separate. If they're playing on back channels, why wouldn't I be getting any sound from the center speaker then? Defeats the entire purpose of a 5.1 surround sound setup. Something else, likely Cloaked's idea with the drivers, is causing it, or there's a sound/audio setting that's messed up.

To reiterate: The center speaker used to work before; only after I moved and rearranged my setup did it not work. The speaker isn't dead as I've managed to test it and successfully receive sound from it. I'm able to even get sound from some games through. It's not consistent like it used to be; music and movies are not going through it anymore. And I haven't done anything to change the PC setup.
 
Snipeye said:
No, because those sounds would be separate. If they're playing on back channels, why wouldn't I be getting any sound from the center speaker then? Defeats the entire purpose of a 5.1 surround sound setup. Something else, likely Cloaked's idea with the drivers, is causing it, or there's a sound/audio setting that's messed up.

To reiterate: The center speaker used to work before; only after I moved and rearranged my setup did it not work. The speaker isn't dead as I've managed to test it and successfully receive sound from it. I'm able to even get sound from some games through. It's not consistent like it used to be; music and movies are not going through it anymore. And I haven't done anything to change the PC setup.
Click to expand...

Most probably an issue with the wiring getting disconnected, happens all the time when you move things.
 
Icydud said:
Most probably an issue with the wiring getting disconnected, happens all the time when you move things.
Click to expand...

If the speaker works without being touched when using the testing system integrated into windows, the last thing I would check is a wire. Its just every sound that is not directly outputting from windows (as in the OS sound testing software.) isnt picking up the center speaker. Which is why I think its a driver issue.
 
Cloakedsphere said:
If the speaker works without being touched when using the testing system integrated into windows, the last thing I would check is a wire. Its just every sound that is not directly outputting from windows (as in the OS sound testing software.) isnt picking up the center speaker. Which is why I think its a driver issue.
Click to expand...

Never read that it was tested via that, if that's the case then yes, driver malfunction.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H0LLYW00D
  • Sticky
Battlefield Division Intro and Welcome!
Replies
0
Views
422
H0LLYW00D
H0LLYW00D

Latest posts

Back
Top