Worth getting new speakers?

[MisterCrow]

I currently own a set of Logitech Z506 speakers. I recently built a new system and although 5.1 sound works fine, I've found that I can only play music (Spotify) using the front two speakers because Spotify only supports stereo sound and Realtek in all their genius, for some reason have decided to no longer provide the option of speaker fill, which on my previous rig allowed up mixing of stereo to use all 5 speakers. I cannot find a way round this on my new build.

 

So I'm considering removing the two rear speakers and centre speaker to give myself 2.1 sound, as I don't see the point of having them if I'm rarely going to use them (I game mostly using my headset, so speakers only really needed for listening to music and films). Or do I buy a set of 2.1 speakers instead? Would I likely notice any difference in sound quality between using my existing Z506's in a 2.1 setup, or a new pair of 2.1 speakers (that are specifically designed to be used in 2.1)? Any recommendations for good 2.1 speakers that are no more than around £200? Adjustable bass is a must as my wife is sensitive to too much bass coming from my office when she's downstairs watching TV!

[Psittac]

In theory you are correct that putting the same budget into 5 speakers will yield poorer results than just 2.  However when you are looking at pc accessory manufacturers instead of audio manufacturers it can be hit or miss with the chance of getting worse results.  Throw in the fact that a lot of reviews of Computer speakers are done by people who know nothing about audio and it's difficult to wade through the information available.

 

Where are you located?  I can give a recommendation for $300usd but products don't usually translate over the pond so well.

 

Jamo S 803 and a Power Amplifier

 

Separate components should give you better quality but will cost more.  You could find a used AVR and get closer to your budget.

 

Powered Monitors are another route to take, going off reputation I could say these Swans are going to sound better than any 2.1 PC accessory level speakers will.  Or these Edifiers.  PC speakers tend to use subwoofers to make up for poor quality main drivers.

 

 

[geo3]

3 hours ago, Psittac said:

Jamo S 803 and a Power Amplifier

 

Separate components should give you better quality but will cost more.  You could find a used AVR and get closer to your budget.

Or just a cheeper amp https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Amplifier-Receiver-Integrated-Speakers/dp/B076P2VS9H/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=fosi+audio+amplifier&qid=1680122657&s=electronics&sprefix=fosi%2Celectronics%2C135&sr=1-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

[Dave Andre]

4 hours ago, Psittac said:

 Or these Edifiers. 

 

 

I also can recommend the Edifiers mentioned By Psittac. I have read quite some reviews about those and for that price they seem to be good. Swissonic ASM5 and Swissonic ASM7 also have lots of good reviews.

[Psittac]

5 hours ago, geo3 said:

Or just a cheeper amp https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Amplifier-Receiver-Integrated-Speakers/dp/B076P2VS9H/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=fosi+audio+amplifier&qid=1680122657&s=electronics&sprefix=fosi%2Celectronics%2C135&sr=1-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

Those mini amplifiers are hit or miss, I have a Fosi dac/amp and it's garbage and I recently saw someone complaining about the exact same amp you have listed for poor quality sound.  I wish I knew which budget power amp's were legit.

[Dave Andre]

7 hours ago, Psittac said:

Those mini amplifiers are hit or miss, I have a Fosi dac/amp and it's garbage and I recently saw someone complaining about the exact same amp you have listed for poor quality sound.  I wish I knew which budget power amp's were legit.

I did a research 3 Months ago about an Aiyima Amp - as it turned out you can buy those amps in bulks at Ali Express from a chinese manufaturer and they slap your company logo on it. For example, the Aiyima Tube-T3 is the same as Fosi Audio Phono X2 and Suca Audio Phono P4. That's not to say that those are bad amps because they're chinese. ( that'd be odd, 'cause what tech does NOT come from china these days ) Just worth to note.

[MisterCrow]

22 hours ago, Psittac said:

In theory you are correct that putting the same budget into 5 speakers will yield poorer results than just 2.  However when you are looking at pc accessory manufacturers instead of audio manufacturers it can be hit or miss with the chance of getting worse results.  Throw in the fact that a lot of reviews of Computer speakers are done by people who know nothing about audio and it's difficult to wade through the information available.

 

Where are you located?  I can give a recommendation for $300usd but products don't usually translate over the pond so well.

 

Jamo S 803 and a Power Amplifier

 

Separate components should give you better quality but will cost more.  You could find a used AVR and get closer to your budget.

 

Powered Monitors are another route to take, going off reputation I could say these Swans are going to sound better than any 2.1 PC accessory level speakers will.  Or these Edifiers.  PC speakers tend to use subwoofers to make up for poor quality main drivers.

 

 

Thanks for this. I'm in the UK. I can find the Edifiers on Amazon, but the others don't seem to be available over here.

[cmndr]

One warning... the Jamo speakers aren't all that great. There's an argument to be had for them when it's 5 speakers for around $150 but NOT when it's 2 for 150. 
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/jamo_s803/ <- just no

 

After Polk bought jamo they went from making respectable stuff to things that sell well at Best Buy when demo-ed from 4' away and listened to for 3 minutes by people who haven't done much research

 

As far as amps are concerned... Aiyima A07 is kind of the go-to for budget performance right now. 
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/aiyima-a07-tpa3255-review-amplifier.18984/

 

 

 

For relatively basic 2 channel set ups, a pair of JBL 305p speakers (amp built in) check all sorts of boxes that Jamos and an overpriced amp won't. Lower bass extension, lower distortion, etc. Similar cost. If more flexibility in the future is desired... JBL 530 (or Polk ES15, KEF Q150, etc.) + Aiyima A07 also generally work well. 
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/jbl_305pmk2/