Ok, so I'm starting to grow increasingly annoyed by these crap £5 speakers I have plugged into the computer with their mince sound quality etc, only I know absolutely Jack **** when it comes to looking for a new set of computer speakers.

I need recommendations from people that know more about this stuff than me. I'm most likely looking for some sort of 2.1 system and I'd place my budget at about £35, but I'd maybe be willing to push it by a tenner depending on what I can get.

Options?

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 are nearly twice your budget but easily worth it, and much better than the Logitech speakers you'll get for 35, which are meh. Computer speakers aren't usually very good, but the ProMedias tend to stand out.

what emon said

Just to further push my point, the ProMedia 2.1s will get you similar sound quality to an entry level set of bookshelf speakers and subwoofer, which is something you might find in a nice, low-end (i.e. affordable, not "bad") home theater setup.

Yeah I can't push it that far, I'm a student and I like to eat.

I got an Altec Lansing 2.1 setup from Staples a few years ago for about $50 - don't know what that is in pounds though (sorry). Anyway, I like their sound.

45 pounds sounds about right for ProMedia 2.1s. They go for about 100$ in the US if you shop around.

Interblag look shows them going for about £90 here.

You have to remember things are more expensive here in general, although double isn't a normal thing.

This.

But check ebay--they have full sets for 50 + shipping (about 70-ish US). I have them and they melt faces.

Going along with this topic, What would you guys recommend me for a full 5.1 system? Budget is 250 dollars max.

Same setup, two extra satellites.

I want these so very badly to replace my Z-640's.

Unfortunately I have no room for the sub.

I have no doubt they'd probably sound more amazing than my Z-640's when paired with my M-Audio Revolution 5.1 though.

No offense, but Logitech and Creative both make some pretty shoddy handiwork. Granted, Logitech is better, but the plug that goes into the sub (yes, even on the z-5500s) always comes loose, and generally something ends up dying at some point (my friend has a speaker blown) and they're hard to replace. I'd go with the 2.1s with an extra set of satellites phoenix, just because if one speaker goes--it can always be replaced Also, all the cables are replaceable.

By "plug that goes into the sub" I assume you mean the d-sub. It has screws on it. You screw it in. How does it come loose? Unless you're meaning the cabling for the satellites, which is a source of confusion for me, as I keep seeing some pictures that show them using RCA connections, and others that show them using more traditional speaker wires with clamp connections. Regardless, I'm not following you at all. If it's something that sits still all the time (with the exception of small vibrations) how is it going to come loose?

I've had my Z-640's going on four or five years now, I've never had any issues with them. Ever. Nothing has died, there haven't been any shorts, no cables magically come loose, no speakers have blown, no problems with the audio. I'd venture to say they sound just as good as the day I unboxed them, but since I can't really compare them to that... The only thing wrong with them, is me. They're four years old, I'm ready for something new. I'd also like to actually be able to connect my 360 to them and get REAL 5.1, and not just stereo coming out of every speaker. This is why I want the Z-5500's. They have the standard PC input, as well as Optical and Coax inputs. The 360 has an Optical out, couple bucks more on a cable for that, and I have true surround sound. It's been a long time since I seriously looked at the Klipsch 5.1s (I used to lust after those) but a quick check told me that while there's a good possibility they're superior and better constructed, they don't have Optical or Coax inputs. They're also 150 bucks more than the Z-5500's assuming you can find someone that sells them (I'm not a big fan of ebay).

So really, I guess, explain yourself more.

I've had two Logitech keyboards, three Logitech mice, a Logitech joystick, and the Z-640's. None of them have ever had any problems. Why should I expect otherwise?

[edit]
Just noticed you said 2.1's with another set of speakers. I doubt those have the inputs I want either, and then that's just quadrophonic, not 5.1. Of course, having not looked at the sub on those, I can very well be talking out of my ***, and it's entirely possible to add a center channel as well.

i can vouch for the z-5500s. they sound very nice, though arguably not as nice as "audiophile" quality speakers such as axioms. however, they're more than enough for computer speakers - they're thx-certified just like the klipsch's, the control panel is nice, it accepts analog and digital (coax and optical) inputs, and watching dvd's in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround is sweet. if you happen to be looking for audiophile quality, 1) your budget is waaay too low, and 2) dont look at computer speakers.





The satellites are connected to the sub via standard speaker cabling (black/red). So yeah, they're replaceable.

I've got the Z5500s but I've replaced the fronts and rears with entry level bookshelf speakers. I really wish the crossover was adjustable.

I've got the z-5300s but i've replaced the speakers with some from a klipsch set i had. (amp went bad on the klipsch set.)

I still have a set of Z560s that I bought years ago...I like them, but might upgrade eventually.

I would make a few points to phoenix but I'm honestly just too lazy.

/care :\