PC 5.1 speakers and decent headphones?

[VladTepes]

Keywords: Inexpensive, Good.


I am looking for people's ideas / tips / experience of what to look for in the way of:



A 5.1 surround PC speaker set (for gaming and video)
A set of headphones for both computer and other audio use.

Specific brands and models info welcome.


I'll be using the speakers in my study not a lounge room etc so dont need massive drivers - want ones that are slimish and can wall mount. Ideally wireless for the rear ones but not essential.

The headphones would pretty much be used for the computer and perhaps the mobile phone (music player thereon)

[dingsy]

For the headphones I highly recommend the Audio Technica ATH-M50. Sound better than 90% of headphones I've listened too and can be had for around $130 online from memory. They tear shreds off the Dr Dre rubbish at JB that sell for around $500. Headphones can be a personal taste thing though so good to have a listen before you buy if you can.

[d@rk51d3]

Tried some BOSE and Sennheisers a few years ago, but couldn't justify the high prices...... Well I could, but affording them was another story. The improvement in sound quality as you went up in price was amazing.

Ended up buying a set of Sony MDR-CD380. At the time they were $200. Seen them for about a third of that now.:(

Only drawback is theat they're open backed, which lets some ambient noise through.

[s7000]

The best headphones money can buy.

https://www.storedj.com.au/products/SEN-HD25

As for speakers... I have this hooked up to my sound card.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/362.jpg

Can't get the hi-fi anymore, but the headphones... Wouldn't get anything else...

[uninformed]

^^^^^ hahah that is so funny I spat my breakfast out. Thanks for the laugh s7000

Vlad, re headphones. Senn are good, especially their higher up range, but it hard to go past AKG. Specificaly the K712pro and K612pro. Buy them online (ebay) from the USA and save $$$

The older K601 was considered one of the best gaming headphones out there. ANd will blow alot of others away musically wise.

The newer K712/612 are improvements on their replacements.

The best or close to it prices in OZ are online at Addicted to audio, check there first to make sure its worth buying from overseas. The ATA guys are great and give excellent service.

here is a pair on ebay, the box has been opened but never used. Feedback is good with lots of sales. I would take the risk:

AKG K612 Pro Open Back Reference Studio Headphone Authorized AKG Dealer | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKG-K612-PRO-open-back-reference-studio-headphone-AUTHORIZED-AKG-DEALER-/201092774552?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item2ed2103a98)

As for 5.1, why at your pc? what will drive them? how far away from the PC will you have them???

you may be better with a DAC/AMP and some good stereo speakers

[Pedro_The_Swift]

a decent set of speakers will be your biggest expense--
then the sound card, then the cans
Please dont tell me you are going to use "on board" sound---
(which is the equivalent badness of on board graphics)

there are a million headphones out there,,
some can trick you into thinking you have 5.1 speakers,, maybe a better option--


but I imagine you'll want one of these-- sigh,
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=567_569&products_id=25262&zenid=5e95237c01f0789c4be0a864357a414e

[VladTepes]

Just forgaming so I can get the surround sound that some of the new call of duty type games have... hear if anyone is sneaking up on you....

I had totally fogotten when building the PC that desktops dont have inbuilt speakers the way laptops do. Distance from PC - just the other size of a typical size study / bedroom.

[VladTepes]

a decent set of speakers will be your biggest expense--
then the sound card, then the cans
Please dont tell me you are going to use "on board" sound---
(which is the equivalent badness of on board graphics)

there are a million headphones out there,,
some can trick you into thinking you have 5.1 speakers,, maybe a better option--


but I imagine you'll want one of these-- sigh,
Creative SBS A550 5.1 Speaker System [SBS-A550] - $65.00 : PC Case Gear (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=567_569&products_id=25262&zenid=5e95237c01f0789c4be0a864357a414e)


Sigh? What's wrong with them - in a real world not "in theory" way? Budget seems to fit the bill.

I will, for the moment at least, be using the on board sound. Yes. It is far less important to me at this stage than the graphics. I drive a Defender remember - I'm half deaf anyway....

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Not sure if you are after 5.1 headphones, but if you are have a look at Zalmans.

[VladTepes]

Not sure if you are after 5.1 headphones, but if you are have a look at Zalmans.

Ah yes
::: Zalman, leading the world of Quiet Computing Solutions ::: (http://www.zalman.co.kr/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=680)
and
::: Zalman, leading the world of Quiet Computing Solutions ::: (http://www.zalman.co.kr/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=681)

They sound (pun intended) good from the blurb, but I'llbet they are expensive. Who sells them locally?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I would think Inc would get them in for you:angel::angel::angel:

[Mick_Marsh]

5.1 PC speakers.
I bought something like this:
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/altec215/img/alt9.jpg

Altec Lansing.
Inexpensive an good. Well, I've been very happy with them.

[Distortion]

Don't user speakers on my computer but headphones wise I've got a set Audiotechnica AD900

Several people have gone a bought pairs after testing mine.

[Dizza]

The logitech z506 speakers are a well priced 5.1 system with decent sound.

Officeworks has them for $79 at the moment instead of $119.

I have a set of Panasonic (i think) noise cancelling headphones that set me back around $120.
I was pleasantly surprised by how they sounded at that price.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Ah yes
::: Zalman, leading the world of Quiet Computing Solutions ::: (http://www.zalman.co.kr/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=680)
and
::: Zalman, leading the world of Quiet Computing Solutions ::: (http://www.zalman.co.kr/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=681)

They sound (pun intended) good from the blurb, but I'llbet they are expensive. Who sells them locally?

Sorry I didn't include a link before as I was posting from my phone.

In relative terms these are cheap, the one with the mic is around $50 before shipping, without a mic is basically the same price...

zalman headphones - Shopping and Price Comparison Australia - Buy Cheap (http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=zalman+headphones&spos=1)

PS: Staticice is a great resource for pricing parts.

[TeamFA]

Just forgaming so I can get the surround sound that some of the new call of duty type games have... hear if anyone is sneaking up on you....

My advice is that if you're gaming hard enough that you'll benefit from 5.1 sound in gaming, then you'll be wanting headphones on instead. Much better direction calculation, and better at isolating background sounds.

I have a reasonable gaming headset, and a decent 2.1 set of speakers for "casual" gaming with the kids and other basic audio duties.

I'm skeptical of claims of "surround" headphones. I know they've been around for years, and some reviews claim better direction assessing through them for gaming, but you still only have 2 input points (ie. each ear), and if a stereo implementation is done properly (through the hardware, OS and game), then it will function exactly the same as surround drivers in a pair of headphones.

Not that I do much gaming any more... but I used to do a heck of a lot.

[Distortion]

I've always found suround headphones to loose out on audio quality to the point where it isn't worth the trade off.

But after a few years of gaming in a place with limited air con I'm not a fan of closed headphones in an australian summer which 90% of suround headphones are

[uninformed]

FWIW the AKG I suggested are open back.

[s7000]

^^^^^

^^^^^ hahah that is so funny I spat my dinner out. Thanks for the laugh uninformed.

AKG... Hahahaha

[uninformed]

^^^^^ hahah that is so funny I spat my dinner out. Thanks for the laugh uninformed.

AKG... Hahahaha

Wow original. ..

I did say sennhiser are good, but best money can buy and especially the pair you linked. Come on man.

A lot dont rate AKG simply because they are accurate ie if its a bad recording thats what you will hear.

AKG have been punching above their weight for decades. And no I did not say AKG best money can buy. Although reading independent reviews of the new k812 seems they are playing with the big boys for less...

[stuee]

How are all these recommended head phones for noise leakage? I bought a pair of noise cancelling Audio Technica's for flying but they're useless if I want to listen to anything loud because at home or in the office because its like a have a mini set of speakers attached to my head for everyone to listen in on.

[JaswinderSingh]

Sound card really matter,However not much people care about much as they about graphic card. But it matter to me,It's all about you.Can you hear the difference with or without sound card that's only matter.

[JaswinderSingh]

How are all these recommended head phones for noise leakage? I bought a pair of noise cancelling Audio Technica's for flying but they're useless if I want to listen to anything loud because at home or in the office because its like a have a mini set of speakers attached to my head for everyone to listen in on.
The noise cancellation tech is still under development , these type of headphones compromise with sound quality,even some people complaint about weird sound while using this headphones.

[superquag]

Alas, headphones are like wine... so incredibly individual that the only way is trying them out.

As one of WA's best winemakers said. 'Forget the critics, the best wine in the world is.... the one you enjoy drinking... Today. '