Requesting Recommendations to replace aging PC Speakers

[emdeeQbit]

Hey guys/gals,

 

I know this is probably a question that's been asked a billion times, but I've literally not bought a 5.1 speaker setup since 2005. I have an ancient Altec Lansing 5.1 that I literally duct-taped the housing on the subwoofer twice to remove rattling on, and it's sounded fantastic until developing a bit of a rattle again recently. I think it's time to find areplacement, simply because age is not doing the wires any justice.

 

My budget is malleable, I'd prefer to keep things under $250 if possible. Brands, I'm open to suggestions. I've got an ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H board that'd I'd love to take full advantage of, in case I haven't been so far. The audio on it has been fantastic, both with speakers and on my Logitech headset. 

 

Sorry if this is a common "Ugh, not another post like this" post, but I've been out of hunting for PC speakers for... what, 18 years? So my knowledge is 2005-ish.

 

Thanks in advance for any help offered! I'll check back on this later tonight as time allows. :> 

[Hinjima]

6 minutes ago, emdeeQbit said:

Hey guys/gals,

 

I know this is probably a question that's been asked a billion times, but I've literally not bought a 5.1 speaker setup since 2005. I have an ancient Altec Lansing 5.1 that I literally duct-taped the housing on the subwoofer twice to remove rattling on, and it's sounded fantastic until developing a bit of a rattle again recently. I think it's time to find areplacement, simply because age is not doing the wires any justice.

 

My budget is malleable, I'd prefer to keep things under $250 if possible. Brands, I'm open to suggestions. I've got an ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H board that'd I'd love to take full advantage of, in case I haven't been so far. The audio on it has been fantastic, both with speakers and on my Logitech headset. 

 

Sorry if this is a common "Ugh, not another post like this" post, but I've been out of hunting for PC speakers for... what, 18 years? So my knowledge is 2005-ish.

 

Thanks in advance for any help offered! I'll check back on this later tonight as time allows.

are you looking for another 5.1 setup or just a simple 2.0?

[emdeeQbit]

1 minute ago, Hinjima said:

are you looking for another 5.1 setup or just a simple 2.0?

To be honest, I'm open to suggestions on that, too. I've always had a 5.1 system and loved the subwoofer (previous speakers were also Altec Lansings, but even older), and before that, I had a pair of Yamaha speakers that seemed really good despite not having one.

 

The only thing I'm not too fond of is sound bars, because the only sound bar I've had experience with had poor bass - maybe it was supposed to be paired with a sub? I'm not sure, but it didn't have one and sounded... meh, at best.

[Hinjima]

22 minutes ago, emdeeQbit said:

To be honest, I'm open to suggestions on that, too. I've always had a 5.1 system and loved the subwoofer (previous speakers were also Altec Lansings, but even older), and before that, I had a pair of Yamaha speakers that seemed really good despite not having one.

 

The only thing I'm not too fond of is sound bars, because the only sound bar I've had experience with had poor bass - maybe it was supposed to be paired with a sub? I'm not sure, but it didn't have one and sounded... meh, at best.

Prices have definitely gone up since 2005 haha, I remember my own logitech 7.1 system for around the same price.  Maybe the Logitech Z625 would be an option?

[TylerD321]

I have some mackie speakers and I really enjoy them. You can also pair them with an 8 inch sub.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Creative-Reference-Multimedia-Professional/dp/B083N8N7TB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=mackie+cr3&qid=1684114427&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTVhSOEVWRDVXNk5BJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDIwNDE3MlNKWTlEVTY2S0NYRiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDYxNjc1MkZURFRSRzUxRDlDRSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[dizmo]

Honestly, get a pair of Mackie CRs and call it a day. You can then save up for a subwoofer if you get the X model.

They sound so much better than lower tier stuff, even without a sub.

[emdeeQbit]

42 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Honestly, get a pair of Mackie CRs and call it a day. You can then save up for a subwoofer if you get the X model.

They sound so much better than lower tier stuff, even without a sub.

That's two recommendations for Mackie CRs, so I'm going to say that's the direction I'll start looking then!

[Blue4130]

1 hour ago, emdeeQbit said:

That's two recommendations for Mackie CRs, so I'm going to say that's the direction I'll start looking then!

Get three pairs and sell one of the individual speakers, then find a sub. Back to 5.1

[dizmo]

4 hours ago, emdeeQbit said:

That's two recommendations for Mackie CRs, so I'm going to say that's the direction I'll start looking then!

I have the CR5BTs and I'm looking at getting a pair of CR3xs (currently on Marketplace for $35 new). Love'em, even with their massive size. They can also connect via Bluetooth. 

3 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

Get three pairs and sell one of the individual speakers, then find a sub. Back to 5.1

I'm not sure they'd work like that, but I'm also not sure if you're joking

[Blue4130]

4 hours ago, dizmo said:

I have the CR5BTs and I'm looking at getting a pair of CR3xs (currently on Marketplace for $35 new). Love'em, even with their massive size. They can also connect via Bluetooth. 

I'm not sure they'd work like that, but I'm also not sure if you're joking

Why wouldn't it work like that? 5 matched speakers driven by a 5.1 sound card or dac would work fine.

[dizmo]

1 hour ago, Blue4130 said:

Why wouldn't it work like that? 5 matched speakers driven by a 5.1 sound card or dac would work fine.

I mean technically you can, but as powered speakers you'd have wires running everywhere and a lot of things to plug in. That may powered speakers can also create a really annoying buzzing sound. 

 

It's just really not a great idea, and not what they're designed to do.