PC speakers?

[Flyby]

Hi all,

I'm in need of new PC speakers. The thing is this: I've been spoiled by the sounds I hear from my Sony earbuds and my I-pod. Specifically, the lows on those things are killer. I'm talking a low-end frequency response of 6mhz ( I think that's right). That means I hear stuff clearly on the low end that my old stereo speakers at 16mhz can't match. As a fan of jazz, I'm enjoying hearing the low-end twangs pf the upright bass. I've been searching, but so far I have not found a set of PC speakers that have specs for such a low frequency. I know humans can't hear things that low, but most people can't hear above 19000mhz at the high end either. But having a spec so low means that low rumbles and such come in much clearer,and less "muddied". Does that make sense? I'm sure someone will set me straight, but be gentle about it. It's been a while.

Flyby out

[159th_Viper]

What's the Budget?

 

Cannot fault my Z5500's -

 

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224#section=specs

[Flyby]

Hi Viper,

Actually I had thought of the Z5500s, since I already have the older Z560 (but the wife commandeered them for her PC when my old gaming rig blew up). But I'm looking for something that might not have the mighty power, but has a cleaner bass. The Z is rated at 33 MHz on the low end. Even your standard home stereo speakers are hitting 16Mhz or lower. So I'm wondering who makes PC speakers that hit that low spec or lower. I think the Z5500 is plan-B.

thanks for the suggestion and the link!

Flyby out

[sobek]

Hi Viper,

Actually I had thought of the Z5500s, since I already have the older Z560 (but the wife commandeered them for her PC when my old gaming rig blew up). But I'm looking for something that might not have the mighty power, but has a cleaner bass. The Z is rated at 33 MHz on the low end. Even your standard home stereo speakers are hitting 16Mhz or lower. So I'm wondering who makes PC speakers that hit that low spec or lower. I think the Z5500 is plan-B.

thanks for the suggestion and the link!

Flyby out

 

Lots of choices, you really need to state what you are willing to put away for a decent set up. :)

 

You are going to have a hard time to find subs that go down below 16Hz btw., that is the range where dynamic electroacoustic converters really reach their inherent design limits. The only subs i ever heard about that go down lower are servodrive, and they will cost you a hefty sum (after all, they are professional equipment). Not even PMC subs reach down lower, and their professional monitors are regarded to be among the finest by audio engineers around the world.

 

Consumer grade subs in this price region hardly ever have a cut-off frequency lower than in the 30Hz range, good (=pricey) hifi subs may reach to 20-16Hz.

 

The Z is rated at 33 MHz on the low end. Even your standard home stereo speakers are hitting 16Mhz or lower.

 

It's Hz, btw., not MHz, that would be ultrasound [/smartass] ;)

Edited June 26, 2010 by sobek

[Flyby]

dammit sobek! I asked for gentleness! :P Seems as if I may have to think about how much to pay. But I won't know for sure until I know what's available with lower hertz reproduction. Maybe I need to scope out an audiophile site? I'l search, but I'm open to more suggestions from here. I figure some guys are gaming with hi-fidelity audiophile-type speakers too.

I may have to face an economic reality when I find what I want (but can't afford).

Flyby out

[sobek]

dammit sobek! I asked for gentleness! :P

 

As if petting your head will get you a decent system any sooner :D

 

Sorry, no offense intended, but audio is an esotheric-laden business, one needs to speak a clear engineering language to be taken seriously. Not that i wanted to bash you for confusing Hz with MHz. ;)

 

Seems as if I may have to think about how much to pay.

But I won't know for sure until I know what's available with lower hertz reproduction. Maybe I need to scope out an audiophile site? I'l search, but I'm open to more suggestions from here.

I know that i'm repeating myself, but i can't state often enough how important it is to do comparative hearing on different systems with a consistent source signal. If you have the opportunity, try to listen to as many different systems as you can in a short time (with the same audio signal). You'll see for yourself what you do and don't like (and then bring in the economic question of affordability).

 

I figure some guys are gaming with hi-fidelity audiophile-type speakers too.

I may have to face an economic reality when I find what I want (but can't afford).

The problem with many hifi speakers is that they're often of the passive type, without integrated amplifier. That means you're gonna have to get a separate multichannel amplifier as well, that you should consider.
Edited June 26, 2010 by sobek

[Flyby]

Well I figure I'll have to edumacate myself in these arcane matters. Meanwhile, a few links to sooth my savage soul

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-pc-speakers/

http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/best-computer-speakers.html

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/

 

I ought to be able to learn something.

Flyby out

[sobek]

Educating oneself is a good idea, just don't drift into esotheric stuff. If somebody tells you that your amplifier needs a power cable that costs 3000€ a meter to sound at its best, get the hell out of there ;) (not a joke, such companys exist and even worse, they make a fair amount of business)

[Flyby]

Educating oneself is a good idea, just don't drift into esotheric stuff. If somebody tells you that your amplifier needs a power cable that costs 3000€ a meter to sound at its best, get the hell out of there ;) (not a joke, such companys exist and even worse, they make a fair amount of business)

Well I didn't make it to 60 by being dumb. Stupid, maybe, but not dumb.

That's still sage advise sobek. ;)

thanks

Flyby out

[124SqZeljava]

Ok mate if you are talking of HI-FI products, real measurements are in decibels sensitivity and from 4 to 8 -16 Ohms. So if you wanna good speakers just look that they going above 90 Decibels, don`t look for the watts , those over 100 Decibels are tooooo much expensive for you believe me. Low and High frequencies are okay to look from about 17Hz to 18Khz or maybe 20Khz and you will need good sound card to move these baby's ;)

But those Z5500s Creative products are definitely finishing job and for your gaming and for you Jazz listening, that` for sure ;)

 

P.S. I don`t get it what are you talking about in you 1st post about Mhz :huh:

Edited June 26, 2010 by =124Sq=Zeljava

[Flyby]

Zeljava,

sobek already corrected me on MHZ. I mis-remembered it. The correct term is Hz, or Khz. Those Z5500s have a "high" low end of 33hz. A low end hz in the mid 20s is what I'm hoping to find and afford. While the Z is fine for gaming, I think acoustic jazz deserves better. My i-pod ear buds reproduce sound at lower lows than the Z5500. I've even read of some floor speakers that produce down to 10hz, though no one I know can hear that level. The I guess I just think the lower the hz the better or cleaner everything above it on the low end will be.

go here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtx_DBmwgJw&feature=related

if you turn your bass to minimum and it still distorts at mid-volume, it might not be reproducing at lower than 33hz. Try several of these tests. Or do a new search for "sub-woofer test". I played these through an old Logitech Z560, also at 33hx for a low, and the subwoofer distorts at higher volume. When new this set was the "bees knees"(?)

Edited June 26, 2010 by Flyby
hipper Sh**

[winz]

You are getting focused on hz too much. Don't fall for blind marketing. Only expensive SW can reproduce the Hz you are looking for in quality. Most will just rumble wildly.

And as was stated, most high quality speakers are passive, because they require a quality PA to fully utilize their sensitivity. Not to mention room echo and distortion.

 

Buying high quality speaker and then pluging them into PC to listen mp3s is like buying ceramic brakes for your 20year old Golf.

 

And also, as was stated, don't get focused on number too much, more if you don't fully understand those numbers. Try to listen to several speakers and take the one you like. :)

 

And asking for good, fair price speaker on an audiophile forums, is like asking for a good cheap joystick here :P ;)

Edited June 26, 2010 by winz

[Flyby]

And asking for good, fair price speaker on an audiophile forums, is like asking for a good cheap joystick here :P ;)

you said it! Ever hear of the Dynaudio MX-15? 1300 smackers!! It was suggested to me at an audiophile site. Don't worry. Market forces will apply themselves to my search. But hz and khz is what you hear. I want to hear all I can of what's in my music (well, the stuff I like to listen to). I hear more music on my i-pod than I do on these old Logitech Z560 speakers. That's a shame.

Flyby out

Edited June 26, 2010 by Flyby
explosive diarrhea

[Flyby]

check this youtube video link out. It starts at 10hz. The subwoofer of the Z560 is faintly heard at 20 hz, makes more noise, but not clear at 30hz, but really rumbles the room at 40hz:

At what hz level did your sub respond?

This Google search points out many times that humans can hear at a range between 20hz~20,000 hz. Even old farts can hear from 30hz. So a sub that specs at above 30hz must be for old people who've lost hearing, or for bean counters who strangle technology for the masses.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=what+hertz+range+can+humans+hear%3F

[124SqZeljava]

Zeljava,

sobek already corrected me on MHZ. I mis-remembered it. The correct term is Hz, or Khz. Those Z5500s have a "high" low end of 33hz. A low end hz in the mid 20s is what I'm hoping to find and afford. While the Z is fine for gaming, I think acoustic jazz deserves better. My i-pod ear buds reproduce sound at lower lows than the Z5500. I've even read of some floor speakers that produce down to 10hz, though no one I know can hear that level. The I guess I just think the lower the hz the better or cleaner everything above it on the low end will be.

go here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtx_DBmwgJw&feature=related

if you turn your bass to minimum and it still distorts at mid-volume, it might not be reproducing at lower than 33hz. Try several of these tests. Or do a new search for "sub-woofer test". I played these through an old Logitech Z560, also at 33hx for a low, and the subwoofer distorts at higher volume. When new this set was the "bees knees"(?)

Bro, if you wanna listen jazz with excelent sound then you will need much more money for your interest, and this is not the forum for your need definitly. If you wanna buy good speakers, then go for amplifier 5.1 and let`s say some good brand of speakers, i think Mission will do just fine or maybe BOSE...but i am teling you that those Z#### will bring you very good sound if you are not audiofreak in positive meaning. Cheers!

[124SqZeljava]

check this youtube video link out. It starts at 10hz. The subwoofer of the Z560 is faintly heard at 20 hz, makes more noise, but not clear at 30hz, but really rumbles the room at 40hz:

At what hz level did your sub respond?

This Google search points out many times that humans can hear at a range between 20hz~20,000 hz. Even old farts can hear from 30hz. So a sub that specs at above 30hz must be for old people who've lost hearing, or for bean counters who strangle technology for the masses.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=what+hertz+range+can+humans+hear%3F

Mate i don`t believe you are really testing your speakers through this funny youtube BASSTEST. Go and check the most expensive speakers and look at there Decibel Sensitivity then you will know what is good, no watts no Hz no nothing else. I have Sennheiser earbuds with 115 Decibel Sensitivity, do you know that i feel that deep bass so deeeeep that you wouldn`t believe, and it` just conected to my lil Mp3 player :P like i said you are on wrong forum, go to some audio forum and ask them what to buy for the money you have, and then come to us and tell us what did you bought it, cheers mate!

Edited June 30, 2010 by =124Sq=Zeljava

[Flyby]

the search is on!

Flyby out

[mikoyan]

have you heard about butt kicker? it may be a cool addition to your sound setup

[Flyby]

hi Mik,

Yeah I've heard of the butt kicker. But I'm not leaning in that direction. Since my last post I've been scouring the web trying to find that magic and mythical pc speaker system. After reading many reviews and pages of specs, I am left a bit frustrated. I need a breather, so I am quitting this quest (until I can rob a few banks, and build up a cash reserve). Eventually something will come up. New stuff comes out all the time, and it won't be an audiophile speaker system affordable by a narrowly select few. Power to the people!

Flyby out

[124SqZeljava]

hi Mik,

Yeah I've heard of the butt kicker. But I'm not leaning in that direction. Since my last post I've been scouring the web trying to find that magic and mythical pc speaker system. After reading many reviews and pages of specs, I am left a bit frustrated. I need a breather, so I am quitting this quest (until I can rob a few banks, and build up a cash reserve). Eventually something will come up. New stuff comes out all the time, and it won't be an audiophile speaker system affordable by a narrowly select few. Power to the people!

Flyby out

I don`t believe that you live in USA and you can`t find speakers:megalol: I live in Serbia and i have JVC 5.1 amplifier and Yamaha speakers 2x75watts. Also in my comp i have X-Fi Xtreme Music sound card and all is set up in stereo mode. I like to listen jazz music but i prefer electronic and with this equipment im quite satisfied;) so i dunno what are you looking for:huh:

[walker450]

I highly suggest browsing here: http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards-computer-audio/

 

Pay extra attention to the stickys available.

[Flyby]

Yeah, I'm facing the dreadful truth that my wallet can't match my ambitions. So it's either the z5500 for 5.1 and take the hit for music fidelity, or something like the Audioengine A2 2.1 for music and take the 5.1 hit??

thanks for the link, Walker.

Flyby out

(but wait!) hmmm... read some excellent reviews of the Adioengine A2 speakers, specifically one that spoke of how the mid range and the bass sounded when the reviewer played some of his jazz collection. The price is right, mostly. THD is excellent. Now I wonder what this system would be like with a proper subwoofer tied in?

heres the link ( a jazz lover's review): http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1207ae/

Edited June 30, 2010 by Flyby