I have heard of Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 speakers and Corsair SP 2500.

IS there any 2.1 gaming speakers that are better than the above 2 ?

Depends what you plan to hook them up to.

I prefer my good old Logitech Z-2300s as they really sing when plugged into my DAC and have the low end I want/need/deserve (mofo shakes my 2 story brick house). Some stores still carry these, but they're quite rare.

The Klipsch has been a mainstay forever as well so it'd be the one of those two I'd recommend - haven't had a chance to listen to the Corsairs though.

ED: In terms of inputs, all 3 seem to be about the same, so there's no clear winner anywho. They all look good on paper, and I know the logitechs and klipsches both sound great. If either had an optical in or USB in, it'd be the winner - but no dice.

I don't have DAC, im gonna connect the speakers straight to PC with a good sound card, preferably an Asus Souncard.

i have the sp2500's and they're awesome. you do have to crank the sub up to get a good amount of bass, but it's so crisp; i hear no distortion when it's blasting. they've basically replaced some huge tower speakers i had. i've no regrets!

A good 2.0 setup is so much better than any 2.1 set, having a muffled box that does nothing but shitty bass was the worst thing that ever happened to audio.

M-Audio AV40 I have these, best computer speakers I've ever had.

Do you need the subwoofer? I'm with Kidavenger, forget all these PC brands and go with a set of 2.0 studio monitors, you actually get value for your money rather than expensive branding bling. I've had these extremely useful ones since 2006: http://www.roland.com/products/en/MA-15D/

Your step after that will be getting an actual sound card with circuitry that costs more than a fiver (not PC branded stuff, again) and getting the wonderful "I can hear everything and anything in clarity I never believed existed" experience.

(PC brands are into making money hyping up things. Those $400 separately sold DACs are monster cable-like ripoffs. It's fine to use a USB soundcard even if you're not going to make music.)

@selfconfessedcynic: I didn't know we had the same computer speakers! *internet high five*

@somejerk said:

? What are you even...

To some extent, I agree - however, I don't believe anyone suggested a "PC brand" DAC, nor spending heaps of cash on "expensive bling". Firstly, there are a couple of legitimately great audiophile DACs in the ~100-200 range with USB interfaces and RCA outputs. But that is neither here nor there, as I believe getting a DAC on top of a new set of speakers is outside the OP's price range.

Secondly, the speakers he is looking at are in the same price range as what you're suggesting. Additionally, what you and @kidavenger are suggesting is essentially the speaker equivalent of buying AKG701s. Plenty of transparency, good mids-to-highs, good sound stage and absolutely lacking any body or depth. Heck, they comparatively lack any sense of fun.

If one wanted to go down the accurate response route, they may as well do the right thing and invest in some inexpensive, but good headphones (eg. Audio Technica M50s, Sony MDR-1Rs, Shure SRH840s, etc). You'll get better overall response for the same price.

But if he does indeed want a 2.1 set - ie a set with bass response worth a damn - then the options he's found are fine if not great.

ED: Oh, and the good Asus sound cards are totally fine. You don't need specialist branded stuff to get good sound.

Fuck yeah we do! Great set of speakers, especially for the price.

Unless you are doing S/PDIF into a receiver system, I would not bother with an expensive stand alone speaker system where instead I would recommend buying headphones.

The logitech Z-2300's are still legitimately the best PC speakers logitech ever made. There is a brutally thorough teardown of them here. A friend of mine has owned his since they first released them back in 2000 and they still sound awesome. Unfortunately they are difficult to find new as they have been discontinued for about 3 years now.

I have the Corsari SP2500's and to be quite honest I don't use them all that regularly. I mostly have a pair of sennheiser 555's hooked up although I will occasionally unplug.

The 2500's are pretty much what you want out of a gaming system. Sharp mids and highs, loud as fuck, wall-fixture rattling bass. The one thing that really stands out for me is the volume and the quality of the sound at very high volumes. These are not the most detailed, most accurate or even the fullest sounding speakers. They are probably not going to give you an all new appreciation for your music. They will however crank out sound at unreal levels for hours on end without missing a beat.

The logitech Z-2300's are still legitimately the best PC speakers logitech ever made. There is a brutally thorough teardown of them here. A friend of mine has owned his since they first released them back in 2000 and they still sound awesome. Unfortunately they are difficult to find new as they have been discontinued for about 3 years now. You may be able to find a used set for around $100.

I have the Corsari SP2500's and to be quite honest I don't use them all that regularly. I mostly have a pair of sennheiser 555's hooked up although I will occasionally unplug.

The 2500's are pretty much what you want out of a gaming system. Sharp mids and highs, loud as fuck, wall-fixture rattling bass. The one thing that really stands out for me is the volume and the quality of the sound at very high volumes. These are not the most detailed, most accurate or even the fullest sounding speakers. They are probably not going to give you an all new appreciation for your music. They will however crank out sound at unreal levels for hours on end without missing a beat.

Well since you didn't mention a price range I'll suggest either the Audioengine A2s or A5s (which I think is just their A4s but powered). You could also pick up an an amp (you probably could find something cheaper) and than pair it with any set of speakers. If size isn't an issue, I believe the Pioneer SPs series continues to be the best bang for the buck out there. BS22s being the bookshelves.

Tad more crazier option (and pricey though what I've linked would still be considered budget), but it's worth it if you care about audio.

I got this set and it's been way awesome. The sound is incredible and it gets quite loud.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027VT6V4/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i think you would do better to search for speakers that are best for MUSIC rather than games in any circumstance. i cant imagine a brand that makes speakers for 'gaming' are going to be very good. get some studio monitors

If you get a 2.1, it really helps to have a sound card with an adjustable cross-over. Most of the complaints I've seen from people about their subs is due to fact that the frequency crossover point is WAYYYY too high, thus muddying up the low end.

Honestly, knowing how to use an EQ, crossover, and compressor, can make even shitty speakers sound relatively good. Notice the emphasis on relatively. Having good speakers and the aforementioned knowledge can make them sound great.

@renegadedoppelganger: @shinboy630: @selfconfessedcynic:

best speakers EVAR, amirite?

no but seriously i've had them for years, and they still sound FANtastic. they get very loud without any noticeable breakup. as computer speakers and for casual listening/gaming- if you can find a set, they're well worth it.

Sorry im new in audio stuff.

My budget for these speaker setup is around $400 dollars top.

I rarely listen to music so I'm not sure these studio monitors is what i really wanted,

My usage would be like 95% gaming and 5% music

Does those bookshelf speaker/studio monitor mentioned provides clear/solid/punchy/deep bass or whatever it is called ?

Currently i'm using Creative T3 for gaming i find the bass too boomy, couldn't hear the details and also playing games like dragon age series, where there are lots of dialogues, it lacks clarity.

I prefer not buying headphone for gaming as the place i'm from is hot and humid, sweat like a pig easily with those headphone over my ears. Unless those headphones are really comfortable to wear for long hours and are sweat resistant/proof. (Is there sweat resistant/proof headphone?)

Thank you to everyone for the input.

without subwoofer, can project strong bass but not muddy ?

For bookshelf speakers, you're looking at:

Clear bass? Check

Solid bass? To some extent

Punchy bass? Yep

Deep bass? No.

The good thing about the 2.1 systems you mentioned (the klipsch and what I'm reading about the Corsair) is that they have variable bass levels so you can tune it to your liking.

For example, for podcasts I have my comparable Logitechs turned down for bass, for music and games I have it around normal gain for bass - and only for house parties do I turn it up.

BUT there is absolutely nothing wrong with quality bookshelves if you want clear, crisp sound and are not a fan of heavy bass. Do not confuse that with the mentioned systems having muddy bass however - especially if you do hardware and software tweaking.

hmmm ok so which is better ? Klipsch 2.1/Corsair or bookshelves speakers if my usage is mainly for gaming only.

Even if you are buying stuff just for gaming id still say a decent 2.1 is the way to go.
I mean games have really good audio and music and bass too so why not buy a system to support that...?

That Corsair set seems to have a bigger subfoower so id get that.

If you are using onboard soundcard i doubt it will matter that much which of those you end up getting though.

Hmm.

I can't answer that question with any real insight since I'm not you. I would say;

• If clarity above all else is important to you, and you think explosion effects etc get in the way of your gaming experience then go with good bookshelf speakers.
• If you want a fuller audio experience which more closely resembles a well tuned theatre mix then go with good 2.1 speakers.
• If you like more melodic, faster paced music - orchestral, 8-bit, spanish guitar, etc go with good bookshelf speakers.
• If you have a more general taste which spans to include the above but also elements of electronica, rock, rap, r&b, pop, etc go with good 2.1 speakers.

If you're just not sure what you like or care for, go with the set which straight up gives you more options / customisability, so 2.1 speakers.

As for which of those two sets you should get? Seriously, they both seem to be very good so pick the one you think looks better with your decor. (I personally think the Klipsch ones look cooler - but both don't look as good as, again, my good old Logitech Z-2300s)

Thanks i have made my decision.

im getting this card to pair up with Corsair set. I for one, don't really care how it looks. performance is the key.

https://www.asus.com/ROG_ROG/ROG_Xonar_Phoebus/

@shiseiten: Congrats!

Hope you enjoy them - I suspect you will. Asus soundcards are pretty nice, too.

i've been rocking these creative inspire 2500 2.1 speakers for like 8 years now and they're still hitting hard. Most of my gaming is done on headphones anyways but yeah if i need to crank these up, these will always sound amazing and loud.