PC Surround

OverclockN'

OverclockN'

Well-known member
Looking to get back into a surround speaker setup for my PC. I've been looking at all the boxed/complete setups and am thinking about doing my own this time. Or, at least not going with an actual PC speaker system. Logitech offerings have always been a little weak in the highs, and overwhelming with the bass. I looked at the 906, but would really like better sound quality than reviews indicate. The PC is used for gaming, music, and movies.

For example, running the audio to an external amp, then to the speakers. I've started researching going this route, and have been super impressed with the Klipsch Quintet 5.0 speakers. If I go that route, I'd need to pair it with an amp and grab a sub.

My whole office is basically just a computer room. Call it 12x16 (I'll get exact dimensions later). My thought was to move desk to center of the wall, then hang the center above the monitor, and the other 4 speakers up to each corner of the room. I'd like really good seperation in the audio. I wonder if the Quintet would be adequate that far away?

Currently using a Soundblaster Zx sound card. I've removed it, since it tends to be really heavy on the bass (pairing it with my z506 speakers made it really bad...). I can reinstall it or replace it if there are better alternatives.

Anyway, looking for some ideas, thoughts, and brain storming.
 
OverclockN' said:
Looking to get back into a surround speaker setup for my PC. I've been looking at all the boxed/complete setups and am thinking about doing my own this time. Or, at least not going with an actual PC speaker system. Logitech offerings have always been a little weak in the highs, and overwhelming with the bass. I looked at the 906, but would really like better sound quality than reviews indicate. The PC is used for gaming, music, and movies.

For example, running the audio to an external amp, then to the speakers. I've started researching going this route, and have been super impressed with the Klipsch Quintet 5.0 speakers. If I go that route, I'd need to pair it with an amp and grab a sub.

My whole office is basically just a computer room. Call it 12x16 (I'll get exact dimensions later). My thought was to move desk to center of the wall, then hang the center above the monitor, and the other 4 speakers up to each corner of the room. I'd like really good seperation in the audio. I wonder if the Quintet would be adequate that far away?

Currently using a Soundblaster Zx sound card. I've removed it, since it tends to be really heavy on the bass (pairing it with my z506 speakers made it really bad...). I can reinstall it or replace it if there are better alternatives.

Anyway, looking for some ideas, thoughts, and brain storming.
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The best way to go on something like this is to pick up a cheap, or a second hand receiver off craigslist or something. You don't really need any decoding tools since anything really off a PC comes via DD, or DD+. It's pretty basic. The only lossless audio would be from Blu-Ray if you have a player.

Amp is your biggest concern, not wattage, brand. An older pioneer elite receiver can be had pretty cheap (1-300$) since you dont need most of the modern codecs. You'd get rid of the Zx since you'd just use toslink from the mobo (assuming it has it, if not then you'll need acard with it) and to the receiver, there the receiver decodes and goes to the speakers.

Depending on budget, it's hard to suggest speakers. Would need to know that first, or how much you are really wanting to get into.

Personally a good 2.0 setup, with a great pair of cans is always the best option. Cans for when you want that 3D atmosphere, or switch over the 2.0 setup when you want to really just more-or less, feel it.

As far as the Klipsh set, keep in mind they are horn-loaded tweeters which you really need to listen to for awhile before you purchase. Ear fatigue is a real thing, and long sessions of gaming will likely make you unhappy with them. I'd suggest something with a titanium, tweeter if you want that clear "tinny" sound". Silk if you want that more warm comforting sound. Silk is the best option for gaming long sessions typically, or nylon is a decent cross.

Stay away from anything aluminum. It's cheap to sound fancy.
 
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Looking for a 5.1 setup, otherwise I won't even bother making a change. Speakers only, I don't like using headphones. I'd be willing to toss $800 or so at it.

I don't have the option to listen to anything before buying. Do people actually get a chance to do that? Lucky. :lol:
 
OverclockN' said:
Looking for a 5.1 setup, otherwise I won't even bother making a change. Speakers only, I don't like using headphones. I'd be willing to toss $800 or so at it.

I don't have the option to listen to anything before buying. Do people actually get a chance to do that? Lucky. :lol:
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Best buy with magnolia rooms have several different options, you dont have to be going for those speakers, just to listen to certain tweeters. $800 is plenty.

I'd go with something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-P...F8&qid=1515792646&sr=8-8&keywords=pioneer+5.1

If thats too big of a factor for you then this is a good small alternative.

https://www.amazon.com/Orb-Audio-Mi...d=1515792709&sr=8-5&keywords=orb+speakers+5.1

Again, I'd stay away from horn loaded for gaming. (klispch are all horn-loaded)

Energy had a great set "Take Classic 5" if you can still find those anywhere it's a great setup for PCs.

Actually here they are, the only issue is they have Aluminum tweeters which can be fatiguing. But at $290, thats a hard set to beat.

https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Class...93304&sr=1-1&keywords=energy+take+classic+5.1

Sub is the only lackluster part. Add a BIC F12

https://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-...e=UTF8&qid=1515793384&sr=1-1&keywords=bic+f12

And a receiver and your gold.

Out of all this though, the pioneer set will be the warmest set, most suited for gaming. Just have to add a receiver. But those speakers are fairly large.
 
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We have no electronics stores or Best Buys with any kind of listening room or speakers for listening in this area. I didn't even know it was a thing.

I'll do some research on your suggestions. Thanks!
 
What's the deal with horn loaded tweeters and gaming?

The Klipsch Quintet 5 has amazing reviews everywhere. Although, it's usually tested with music and movies...so I'm curious what the issue is.
 
OverclockN' said:
What's the deal with horn loaded tweeters and gaming?

The Klipsch Quintet 5 has amazing reviews everywhere. Although, it's usually tested with music and movies...so I'm curious what the issue is.
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Horn loaded is usually with an aluminum or Titanium tweeter, and the horn emphasizes the detail alot more. Its a sound horn around the tweeter. It gives you great detail, but it'll make you want to rip your ear drums out after long sessions.

Just google "horn loaded tweeter ear fatigue" and you'll see what I'm talking about.
 
CurrentlyPissed said:
Just google "horn loaded tweeter ear fatigue" and you'll see what I'm talking about.
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Gotcha, I'll look into it.

The Pioneer SP-PK22S seems pretty good, but yeah...large. The size isn't really an issue, but I'll need to think hard about what it is I'm going for here and what the setup would be like in that application.
 
CurrentlyPissed said:
They are incredible speakers for the value, they out perform 1000$+ speakers. They have a very large thread / following on avs forum.

Personally I use them in my HT.
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I didn't know you used them. They talked about the only real downside are the highs. Also, I measured the room they would be in, which is 11'4x12'7. The reviews I watched/read talked a little about how well they take high volume but may not be right for very large rooms. Seems like they would be fine in this room of mine.

What do you think?
 
OverclockN' said:
I didn't know you used them. They talked about the only real downside are the highs. Also, I measured the room they would be in, which is 11'4x12'7. The reviews I watched/read talked a little about how well they take high volume but may not be right for very large rooms. Seems like they would be fine in this room of mine.

What do you think?
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Personally, I love them. But I also love warm sounding speakers. They can be taken louder than you would ever need them. The highs are just fine, they are very detailed for a silk dome tweeter. The only way you are going to get more detailed highs is by going to a titanium, aluminum, or horn loaded tweeter, but then you gain ear fatigue, which is not ideal for gaming if you play long sessions.

The best way I can describe ear fatigue is you literally get tired of hearing noise. It's not exactly something you want when playing games, it can completely ruin your experience. Some people are more sensative to it than others, and it can cause headaches.

This is also why headphones are almost always silk, or nylon speakers.

You won't find a better cost / performance speaker set than the pioneer one. I use a 3.1 setup in my living room, and it works perfectly fine, and thats with a vaulted ceiling open floor plan to kitchen. So in a smaller room they are going to be even better.

Remember though, when deciding an amp. Go quality amp over anything else.

Pioneer Elite, Denon, Harmon Kardon are your best choices to keep you in that $800 price range with those speakers.
 
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+1 for the Andrew Jones Pioneers. Very little real competition at that price. For a bit more you can get the ELAC B5.... also by Andrew Jones. The man knows what he is doing.

As for the highs, you can always REW and tweak with APO, they respond very well to correction and lose very little output. You are gonna need to do it anyways for the sub, especially if you swap out the Pioneer for something like the F12.
 
For a bit more you can get the ELAC B5....
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Isn't that the struggle with buying anything? The next best thing is always just a liiiitle bit more. :)

I looked them up, and still within the price range I set for this project...mostly. I'll check out some reviews. What makes you feel like they are better?

As for the highs, you can always REW and tweak with APO
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I could, but I'll have to figure out what in the world that means first. :p
 
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OverclockN' said:
I looked them up, and still within the price range I set for this project...mostly. I'll check out some reviews. What makes you feel like they are better?
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They have a fuller sound and the tweeter is far superior once you take the metal grill off. They will definitely sound better if you intend on hanging them in the corners and getting some distance between you and them. Would not recommend as a desktop speaker as the tweeter is almost horn loaded, the wave guide is much larger than normal.

OverclockN' said:
I could, but I'll have to figure out what in the world that means first. :p
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Room Eq Wizard https://www.roomeqwizard.com. It's free software that measures speaker response in your room and output settings to import into Equalizer APO https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/. Equalizer APO is a parametric eq, and with results from REW, you can optimize for a target response curve. In a single spot listening position like a computer chair, the gains can be absolutely massive, especially in bass frequencies. After correction, you can still adjust the sound to your liking.
 
I think I'm pretty much set on the ELAC B5's. I'm also thinking I might do this project in stages. In other words, just grab the B5's and a receiver for now for 2.0 audio. Then I'll pick up another pair with the matching center a little later, then add sub as needed.

So, looks like I need to find a receiver next. Then, think about speaker placement in the room.
 
I've never heard of the ELACs, they look good, and if AJ made it. I'm sure it is.

Only thing I'd look into though is if you ever plan on going Dolby Atmos, there is a kit for the Pioneers, I dont know that there is, or will be for the ELACs. Now granted you can cross brands, but I personally believe in timber matching.
 
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