BF2S Forums Best Surround Sound for <$200

Probably look for something that costs more and is on a good sale tbh. Unless someone knows some good secret. Doesn't Microcenter have good sale prices down there?

Like he said, its for his parents, not audiophiles. Despite what you may think uzi, most people can't tell the difference between some logitechs and higher end stuff. Or if they can, don't care to spend that much on what they dont see as much of a change. You constantly reccomend stuff like that would be the audio equivilent of a top end gaming pc for someone who is only facebook browsing. Yeah those in the know want it, 99% don't give two shits. I figured you would probably hop right in here with a good idea of what he wanted... guess not.

Also. He didn't say "best" sound set up, he said "best within X budget".

Is this for a computer or a home entertainment system? If the latter, what kind of AV receiver?

how am i being elitist by saying a $200 surround sound isn't worth buying? it's good honest advice. but fine get yourself down to target and buy a $200 surround sound. enjoy replacing it in 3 months time cause 2 of the speakers have stopped working and the centre module no longer works. i'm just an elitist. pmsl.

Oh ffs.

I'm going to guess home entertainment system. Polk has been kind to me, and this set is just above the buyer's requested range.

It would be hooked up to the TV for movies and used for music. Doesn't have to be amazing. They just want something to hold them over. I'm gonna get them hooked up with an actually Receiver/Amp 5.1 set up later on down the road. This is just something to hold them over with.

Uzique wrote:

how am i being elitist by saying a $200 surround sound isn't worth buying? it's good honest advice. but fine get yourself down to target and buy a $200 surround sound. enjoy replacing it in 3 months time cause 2 of the speakers have stopped working and the centre module no longer works. i'm just an elitist. pmsl.

Cheap doesn't always mean crap. I have 2 sub $200 surround systems that have lasted over 5 years.

I've had these Altec Lansing 5.1's for I think...over a decade now. Not the biggest or most powerful, but loud and clear enough...and still working. Still haven't hooked them up to my new rig because I like my headphones better.

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

TV speakers should be good enough to hold them over. I wouldn't bother with 5+.1+ until you get the receiver for it. Meanwhile, http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophi … amp;sr=8-1

I've got these for my PC, they're brilliant: http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Premi … -1-catcorr

Is inside the budget and is IMO the best stereo setup you can get for the price the OP is aksing (of course it's not 5.1)

I'm with Uzi, they need to spend a bit more to get a decent 5.1 setup. Better idea is to put the $200 towards a laybuy on something that's a minimum $300+ (go with $400+ though IMO) and in the long run they'll be happier.

Last edited by Jaekus (2012-04-12 16:16:34)

Uzique wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

Uzique wrote:

i'm not recommending a B&O hi-fi. i'm just saying $200 is a bad budget for a surround sound set. of any quality. i'm sorry but that's the truth. call me an 'audiophile' if you want. it'll be his parents' paying the repair bill or replacing the dud speakers in 3 months' time. think about it, 5.1 or 7.1 surround for $200. how much is that per speaker? i don't think 'good' or 'best' even comes into considerations, here. try again smartarse whiteroom.

Not always true. My computer still has Logitech Z5400s that I got for £100 about 7 or 8 years ago. Not great compared against something nicer, but for the money I've found it to be an excellent solution.

i had the logitech z5500's as gaming speakers before i ever invested in speakers for listening to music. if you think they're "an excellent solution" then you're crazy. an excellent solution for filling your room with muddy, overblown bass to simulate action movie explosions and in-game frags, sure. i'd say they were below-average overall. didn't help that the control console broke after about 3-4 years of heavy use. not what you would expect from £220'ish worth of speakers. oh and £200 for those logitech speakers is a lot more than $200.

Z5400s not 5500s (which were more expensive, ugly, more overpowered and broke more often) - and I did mention I paid £100 for them, which is less than $200 and they lasted me many years. Certainly not the sort of thing I'd consider ideal - but they're ok. Fair bit of distortion and overblown bass - but the bass issues can be remedied with a bit of tweaking, still a bit much THD though, but not bad. In fact far better than the average person will have as a main audio system, so for my bedroom I find them really quite good.

It's not long since I put my last surround sound system together for my living room and that came to around £700. I doubt you could do it properly for less than £450. For that budget good surround sound is not possible - but tolerable surround sound is, which is all most people look for. Anything is better than shitty TV speakers after all.

Last edited by Bertster7 (2012-04-13 13:33:51)

Bertster7 wrote:

Uzique wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

Not always true. My computer still has Logitech Z5400s that I got for £100 about 7 or 8 years ago. Not great compared against something nicer, but for the money I've found it to be an excellent solution.

i had the logitech z5500's as gaming speakers before i ever invested in speakers for listening to music. if you think they're "an excellent solution" then you're crazy. an excellent solution for filling your room with muddy, overblown bass to simulate action movie explosions and in-game frags, sure. i'd say they were below-average overall. didn't help that the control console broke after about 3-4 years of heavy use. not what you would expect from £220'ish worth of speakers. oh and £200 for those logitech speakers is a lot more than $200.

Z5400s not 5500s (which were more expensive, ugly, more overpowered and broke more often) - and I did mention I paid £100 for them, which is less than $200 and they lasted me many years. Certainly not the sort of thing I'd consider ideal - but they're ok. Fair bit of distortion and overblown bass - but the bass issues can be remedied with a bit of tweaking, still a bit much THD though, but not bad. In fact far better than the average person will have as a main audio system, so for my bedroom I find them really quite good.

It's not long since I put my last surround sound system together for my living room and that came to around £700. I doubt you could do it properly for less than £450. For that budget good surround sound is not possible - but tolerable surround sound is, which is all most people look for. Anything is better than shitty TV speakers after all.

I love my Z5500's

Uzique wrote:

they are ass. you have to listen to something better to really understand the difference.

Nickelback sounds great on them.