I've been slowly becoming more and more picky about audio quality the past few years, and my speaker setup just isn't cutting it anymore. I've been generally sticking with headphones (the Sony 'DJ-style' headset, and two sets of Sennheisers, depending on where I am and what I'm doing), but would like to branch into a speaker setup. I somewhat recently purchased a Revolution 7.1, and aside from the complete lack of drivers for FreeBSD (and contacting support hasn't done much), have been quite impressed. I'd like to finish off the setup, and trash my $80 Koss speakers.

So. Having done a quick bit of research and seeing a very small handful of opinions stating both, would it be better to stick with a good set of powered computer speakers, or pick up a low-end receiver and branch out from there? I'm looking purely for audio quality, no other considerations (although the budget will be roughly similar for both). I was looking at either the Logitech Z-680 or Z-5300 as options, but would not be averse to picking up some true audio equipment.

Any comments or suggestions? Any recommendations on computer speakers, if you feel so inclined?

It all depends where your computer is, and who its playing music to. Firstly, if these speakers are just going to play music to the person sitting in front of the computer, then you should probably be looking at computer speakers (i.e. no component reciever), although they should be of very good quality, not the cheap $50 speakers you find at the local computer store. If these speakers are going to fill the room with music, you should definately be looking at a component reciever, along with some 12" speakers and a subwoofer.

Just to get my opionion in here, I think surround sound speakers (i.e. the Z680's you mentioned are an expensive waste of money and effort. Unless you going for a full home theatre setup (i.e. 150cm Plasma/Rear Projection TV/DLP projector, with a fully blackend room) then I don't see the point. Those little speakers that come with those PC Surround Systems are desingned to be placed more then ~1.5 meters from your head, and will start to really suck if placed further away. Just my opionion though.

i recommend edirol ma 10a or behringer truth, cheap and sound good

12 inches! Maybe your rooms are bigger than mine or you like your music really loud. My 6" midwoofers and 10" sub fill a room really nicely.


I think you are wrong - but only if the PC is used for games or movies. Good game sound through a good surround set (like the Logitechs) is amazing - and very very creepy with the right game. As for movies - the logitech set will keep up nicely with most home surround systems and sounds amazing with DVD surround. It really is worth spending the extra money. Unless you are fairly serious about HiFi, you will find the Z680 sounds good with most kinds of music. They are not cheap or plastic sounding at all.

If you listen to music and don't game or watch movies then go with a set of good inexpensive bookshelf speakers (like the Gr Research AV1 and a decent but cheap amplifier). This will probably cost you the same as the Logitech set and be much better for hifi music listening. It won't compare for movies or games though.

All of this has been covered here and elsewhere before. Use the search function and you will learn a whole lot more.

whats your budget?

i'd suggest looking at Klipsch bookshelf speakers. I've a pair of RB-5's which are very fine speakers, you can pick them up online for around $550 a pair.

I'd stay away from anything that is oriented at the "computer" market if quality is what you are after - even Klipsch and other good brand name products.

Alternatively, the best thing you could do is get yourself a pair of amplified near-field monitors. The type of speakers people use at recording studio's. They need not be expensive - although all the decent ones start at $500 for a pair - but they are bi-amplified, can really be cranked loud, are magnetically shielded and are made to sit close to. Drop down to guitar center or a big music store nearby and check some out.

If you're on a budget, Klipsch speakers can't be beat. If you're not on a budget, then forget the Klipsch and go with some studio monitors. I have the Klipsch SB1.

It all comes down to how much $$$ you want to spend.