Computer Stereo speakers

[hismajesty]

In my opinion, and the opinions of friends that I've asked, Klipsch is the test with Creative Labs following close behind. I personally have a set made by Creative Labs, so far I like them...except for the fact that I can only use 2 of the 5 speakers since my sound card doesn't support the extra slot that is needed.

Mine:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1061770059362&skuId=5999333&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01055

[Hitmen]

If you're looking for 7.1 your looking at probably close to $500. The only ones I've really seen are the Creative Gigaworks 7.1 speakers. You're looking at 700 watts there (6 x 70 Watts Satellites, 210 Watt Subwoofer). The few people that reviewed them seem to think they're great. And with a 210 watt sub...damn, gonna shake the whole house.

[muert0]

for $500 you might as well buy a sony 5 disc dvd changer with surround sound

[Adron]

for $500 you might as well buy a sony 5 disc dvd changer with surround sound

You won't get the good sound there though.

[Hostile]

hismajesty: The most comparable to the Logitech Z-680 would be the Klipsche ProMedia Ultra 5.1, but as I said it balances out almost identically to the Logitech one and is more expensive.

There are of course other speaker configurations, 6.1 and 7.1 as well as smaller, though less then 5.1 will lack in surround sound if thats what you're really hoping for. Adron and I have talked about this for hours and basically though 6.1 provides the rear speaker which can be a relative pain installation wise, unless you have a 'U' shaped desk or something similar. The benefit is there but I think 5.1 is just the best way to go, and the Logitech Z-680 proved to be the best bang for your buck. As for the 7.1 speaker configuration, You'll see even less benefit with this, as the 2 extra speakers go in back. Besides the obvious pain of installation and such, 7.1 adds a benefit as more to channel sound to a larger area, then much better sound to you sitting in your computer chair. The Creative Gigaworks 7.1 received excelent reviews, and amazing scores for sound output although one review I read mentioned the subwoofer 'burping' when pushed to the extreme. Keep in mind its also a $400 investment which needless to say can be far hard to justify. Unless you're the utmost sound enthusiast its not something you want to invest in. Regardless of not using the maximum satellite configuration for your nice soundcard, I would still invest in it due to the many other benefits of it. http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=2&subcategory=&product=9103 (Mainly 24bit high definition audio with enhancments in capable games and dvd-playback, along with all the ports you'll probably ever need and a remote control to turn your laptop in a media center.)
Other then that the choice is up to you.

[Adron]

I don't think external sound cards are very good. You lose most of the hardware mixing advantages when you have to send the sound over a low bandwidth connection to an external bus - the CPU will end up having to mix things to fit the pipe.

[Hostile]

I don't think external sound cards are very good. You lose most of the hardware mixing advantages when you have to send the sound over a low bandwidth connection to an external bus - the CPU will end up having to mix things to fit the pipe.

I think USB 2.0 should be fast enough for sound, any millisecond delay would come from the cable length but considering its benefits it will make up for it. Sound quality will be be improved, as well as the conveinence of just having to plug something USB in and out when you have to get going.

[Adron]

Sound quality won't be improved from a good internal sound card, and you'll have yet another box to clutter the area around your computer. And I still think you can make faster internal sound cards.

[iago]

Sound quality won't be improved from a good internal sound card, and you'll have yet another box to clutter the area around your computer. And I still think you can make faster internal sound cards.

It's hard to find a good internal sound card that fits in a laptop for a reasonable price.

[Adron]

It's hard to find a good internal sound card that fits in a laptop for a reasonable price.

True, but for a laptop, a 7.1 speaker set probably isn't that interesting, it's a bit too much to carry with you everywhere you go. Surround sound is more of a thing for stationary systems.