Help! Need Speakers (for Pc) Advice!

DOOManiac

<div class="IPBDescription">Dunno what to do...</div>I awoke this moring at 6am to an ungodly low pitched buzzing noise so loud it was rumbling the walls a little. After discovering the apartment was not on fire nor was I under any form of terrorist attack, I found the root of the problem to be my subwoofer that I got back in like 1999. Dunno WTH happened to just make it decide to die, but it did.

So now I need some new speakers.

And I was thinking "hmm... It'd be nifty to get a 5.1 surround set, since I have a 5.1 card and all..." but there is a problem! I dunno where the hell I'd put the two speakers at.

Here's a layout of my room to give you an idea of my situation. My PC is over in the corner, so putting the sound setup directly in the center of the room would be silly, its gonna be over to the right. Now, I do have a dresser directly behind me, however I don't really want wires going across the floor for me to trip over every day. There is not enough room for those little stand things to stand the speakers up behind me yet not in the way of the hallway exiting my room, so I can't really see those as an option either.

Hanging the speakers mounted on the walls is a no go too, since 1) my walls are barren and having 2 speakers up by themselves would just look.. odd and 2) I don't want wires to just be hanging along the wall either.

So what do you guys think? Is there any way I can make a 5.1 setup work? Or should I just get another 2 speaker + subwoofer set?

And also, what sets do you guys recommend for less than $100?

DOOManiac

Here's a pic that might help show my situation better.

DOOManiac

And another.

MedHead

Hey, you have the same monitor I do.

Get some longer speaker wire, and loop it around the room, behind your bed, and place the speakers on your dresser.

BaconTheory

This is an easy one.

- Put your right and left front speakers next to your monitor (DURR)
- Place your front middle speaker where your printer is and move printer to table next to your comp.
- Put subwoofer directly to the left of the table
- Put right and left rear speakers on your dresser, just turn the rear speaker volumes up a little bit.

Hope this helps.

MedHead

<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006HYPD/qid=1093485410/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/104-1664254-4486302?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846' target='_blank'>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...ronics&n=507846</a>

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DOOManiac

<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->- Put your right and left front speakers next to your monitor (DURR)<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->No. In case you can't tell from the pic, there is no room for speakers up there. Plus don't the magnets from the speakers screw up the monitor? And no I'm not putting the case down on the floor.

<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->- Place your front middle speaker where your printer is and move printer to table next to your comp.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->Its a tiny flimsy table. Hell if I hit it w/ my foot my drink almost spills over, let alone putting a printer on it and having that wobble and tip over and cause my drinsk to spill.

<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->- Put subwoofer directly to the left of the table<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->I was thinking over to the right, but either way that's do able.

<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->- Put right and left rear speakers on your dresser, just turn the rear speaker volumes up a little bit.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->But this fails to address the question I actually asked in the thread: WTH to do with the wires. :/

DOOManiac

<!--QuoteBegin-MedHead+Aug 25 2004, 07:53 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MedHead @ Aug 25 2004, 07:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Get some longer speaker wire, and loop it around the room, behind your bed, and place the speakers on your dresser. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
The thing is I a whole lot of open space to the left of me and I don't think I'd be able to tuck it in under the trimming or anything. Plus they don't sell white speakerwire do they?

MedHead

If you can move the carpet, duct tape the wires to the floor. Otherwise, staple the wires to the floorboard. You already have a large spool of cable on the floor - if you're willing to put up with that, you can put up with some speaker wires!

Ed_Rush

Don't buy 'em, and put your stereos next to the monitor (where they should be!)

5.1 is only just coming into games, recently. Maybe if you wanna play the latest games like Doom3, and **** your pants even more... then perhaps.
Otherwise stereo can be just as directional as multichannel (the ears are designed you pick up different frequencies) Its just all about "immersion of sound" - and on youself pointing it out to the NS forum, you probably aren't going to enjoy the 5.1 immersion feild in ns, as it can _only_ reproduce STEREO signals.

Anyway, this is why i don't have my TV 6.1 DTS:ES/DD:EX setup connected to audigy 2, which is only accross the room.

MedHead

<!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Aug 25 2004, 09:04 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Aug 25 2004, 09:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The thing is I a whole lot of open space to the left of me and I don't think I'd be able to tuck it in under the trimming or anything. Plus they don't sell white speakerwire do they? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Summary: Yes.

MedHead

Rush is right, in a sense. 5.1 probably won't be enjoyed much in your current conditions, due to the room dynamics. You're off in the corner, and the rest of the room is pretty bare. Probably won't get that "sweet" spot.

DOOManiac

All the new games coming out are 5.1 though.

HL2, Stalker, etc...

Plus if I watch a DVD on the computer that'll take advantage of it..

Hm...

Well what are some good 2 speaker setups then? I haven't found any I like at all. :/


Oh and my apartment has brand new carpet so i won't be ripping it up to put some speaker wire under it. heh.

And the spool of cable has been moved! Old pic. :P



Thanks for the insight guys.

MedHead

<!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Aug 25 2004, 09:17 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Aug 25 2004, 09:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Well what are some good 2 speaker setups then? I haven't found any I like at all. :/ <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
What about the Logitech speakers I posted?

Haze

I'd put most of the speakers .. roughly two feet away from you in the case I'm going to describe. Its the way mine are set up and it works pretty good, you get good sound quality without them being too close to your head to make that annoying buzzing sound hearable. Here, let me draw the diagram for you..

The blue box is that table right next to your computer. Pull that next and behind your chair, and simply put the speaker there. When your done, move the table back to where it was, and put the speaker on your desk, done (Thats actually how my speaker is set up right now, including the little table, which I have the same one.. weird!). The little red dots, as you've probably guessed, are speakers, and I'm sure you can guess which one is rear right, center, front left, etc...

Only problem is I'm not sure how you'll prop the speaker to your right side up, find a little stand or something, not sure.



And for the speakers.. what I got right now are labeled the "Altec Lansing" speakers. They're pretty good, and pretty small for storage purposes, plus with a good sound card they're really nice, and under 1000$. I'm no computer wizz but its the best sound I've heard yet in my house. I wish I could tell you more but I really need to hit the sack, school's tommarow. Just google it and you should find something, good luck! (And if all else fails, get a good card and some awsome headphones! ;D )

EDIT:: Attached the picture.. (yeah its time to sleep)
EDIT2:: I saw what you ment by there being no room up there.. hm.. your in quite the pridiciment. I'm sure you can squeeze them in there with my setup, though, if all else fails.

<span style='font-size:6pt;line-height:100%'><i>Headphones, headphones...</i></span>

ThE_HeRo

Headphones own all. The sound...its...going DIRECTLY INTO MY BRAIN.

OttoDestruct

Also note that hardly any of those speakers are true 5.1. Most of them just slap on that sticker because theres 5 speakers, but its just the same two left right stereo channels being routed through them. If you want real 5.1 spend some cash. You're not getting it for $50.

Pulse

What, you mean people still use speakers? They solved this problem a long time ago. The solution is called "Surround Headphones"

MedHead

<!--QuoteBegin-OttoDestruct+Aug 25 2004, 09:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (OttoDestruct @ Aug 25 2004, 09:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Also note that hardly any of those speakers are true 5.1. Most of them just slap on that sticker because theres 5 speakers, but its just the same two left right stereo channels being routed through them. If you want real 5.1 spend some cash. You're not getting it for $50. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, that's definitely true. Still, hearing it around your head for less than $100 is okay in my book, true 5.1 or not, heh.

I have Logitech Z-560 speakers, which contain four satellites, one subwoofer.

DragonMech

I agree with Pulse - a good pair of 5.1 headphones = teh w1n!

Scythe

You could buy some white duct tape and use that to tape the wires to the wall over your door. You can get special stuff that's made not to tear off paint when you want to remove it.

--Scythe--

MedHead

Good idea, never thought of that. Probably would be pretty horrid trying to get it off the wall later, though.

DOOManiac

Upon closer inspection of my carpet, whoever put this in did a really really ****ty job, as the ends of it don't even go underneith the damn trimming. As in, its cut right before it gets to it.

So I guess the good news is I can quite easily put some speaker wire underneith the trimming and go all the way around my room (to the left). Wish I had measuring tape. And whatever tools I'll probably need for stripping the wire...