Audio Solution?

[luciusad2004]

Hey all. I don't have any speakers for my computer and its getting old. I want to look in to getting a set but also want them to be usable w/ my xbox 360. I have the VGA cables for it but when i use it w/ a monitor i don't have any speakers to hook it up to.

In order to use them w/ the xbox I either need Optical input or RCA' input (I also have an adapter to convert RCA to minijack). However my computer uses the standard minijacks that you find on the back of most motherboards. I don't really need 5.1 since i really don't have anywhere to set it up, but I imagine if i want optical input its probably going to be a 5.1 system.

Anyone know of any speaker sets that aren't ridiculously expensive that would serve my needs? I would like decent sound quality but I'm really not an audio file and i won't miss out on anything if its not top notch. I would like a Sub though.

Anyone have any other ideas instead of trying to find standard computer speakers? I thought about purchasing a small amplifier w/ the proper inputs and just running it through my headphones when i game. That solution doesn't really help my computer though unless i get speakers and build from their.

Any ideas? I'm browsing newegg now lookin at computer speakers.

[The boy 4rm oz]

So you want a decent speaker set that you can connect to your PC and your Xbox through an RCA port on your Xbox and a 3.5mm jack on the PC?

I would recommend any decent 2.1-5.1 PC speaker system.
An oldie but a goodie, Logitech X-230 2.1:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_568&products_id=6181
My brother has this system, a very good cheap buy. They put out pretty good sound and the bass isn't bad either. Logitech LS21 2.1:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_568&products_id=7745
Another low end system I have heard about that is pretty good is the Logitech X-240 2.1:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_568&products_id=6817

If you want to spend a little bit extra you can pick up the Logitech X-530 5.1 system:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_569&products_id=6696
IMO these speakers would have to be one of the most popular set ever made, every second system uses them.

All of these systems use the standard 3.5mm Analog jack but it is very easy to get adapters to convert the 3.5mm jack to RCA for use on your Xbox, you could even use a "Y" splitter and leave them both connector permanently.

[jdbnsn]

Even though they are not exactly inexpensive (~$300 new) I HIGHLY recommend you spend the extra dough and get a set of Logitech Z5500's (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120). I'm sure you can find a good deal on a used set on ebay or something. The reason I think it's worth putting in the added expense is this unit is excellent in it's delivery of quality and options. It has just about every type of input that you could need (optical and coaxial digital, 3.5mm 5.1, 3.5mm line-in) and the sound is remarkable. I've used it for home theater, PC gaming (you wouldn't believe the action in Battlefield 2 with EAX standing in the middle of an artillery barrage), XBOX, XBOX 360, etc... Thunder from the bass and brilliant surround makes it worth every penny. And using an optical cable with an Xbox360 I play DVD's with DTS encoding and the difference between DTS and digital surround is unbelievable. I'd at least consider it.

[Zephik]

Even though they are not exactly inexpensive (~$300 new) I HIGHLY recommend you spend the extra dough and get a set of Logitech Z5500's (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120).

Logitech Z5500's are amazing. :up:

[The boy 4rm oz]

For the same price you can get a home theatre surround sound kit with better sound, more inputs and a DVD player lol.

[Luke122]

For the same price you can get a home theatre surround sound kit with better sound, more inputs and a DVD player lol.

Better sound, no. More inputs, maybe. DVD player, yes.

For $300? It'll probably be garbage..

I also vote for the Z5500's.

[d_stilgar]

Would you be willing to build speakers? It's not that difficult and the results can be so nice.

[luciusad2004]

So you want a decent speaker set that you can connect to your PC and your Xbox through an RCA port on your Xbox and a 3.5mm jack on the PC?

Thanks for the Links those are probably about in line w/ what i can afford right now. Good idea on the y spliter to, i didn't even think of that. : )


Even though they are not exactly inexpensive (~$300 new) I HIGHLY recommend you spend the extra dough and get a set of Logitech Z5500's (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120)
I honestly would love a nicer set of speakers but I'm not in a position to afford to drop that much on speakers at this point in my life, Otherwise id be all over that.


Would you be willing to build speakers? It's not that difficult and the results can be so nice. I'd consider it depending on price and difficulty. I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "build" speakers though. Something along the lines of Car audio? Picking out speakers and putting them in an enclosure and hooking them up to an amp? It would depend on what all is involved to be honest. I don't know much about putting together audio equipment but I'm willing to learn.


Thanks for all the input guys I look forward to more.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Better sound, no. More inputs, maybe. DVD player, yes.

For $300? It'll probably be garbage..

I also vote for the Z5500's.

Well the Home Theater system I use (look in my specs) cost me $500AUD and now you can get it for $300AUD and I assure you it demolishes the Z5500's in every aspect, except having that cool control station lol.

You may be able to get the Z5500's for around $300USD but they are still around $500-600AUD from the big consumer electronics stores, you can get them cheaper elsewhere. I know the Z5500's are a very good system but from what I have experienced they lack power in bigger rooms and for the same price I can buy something better, that's just from personal experience though.