Buying Speakers for my PC

[manicheiste]

Hi,

I now have a soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme soundcard in my PC, and I'm looking at buying some good 5.1 speakers to use it. I know that the card does not have a digital output in the back, but I think it can still be used with digital speakers if you have some kind of cable adaptor (Tos link ?)

I'm hesitating between the:

Logitech Z-5300 (Analog only)
Logitech Z-5500 (Digital)

As a gaming set, what would be the best idea ? And If I were to buy the Z-5500, would it be powerful enough to be used as the speakers for a home theater in an appartment (not a large room) as well as my main speakers for music (not played so loud) ?

thanks in advance !
Alex

[jcnoernberg]

the card has 6 analog outputs (each output is stereo, (3 jacks x 2 channels)... but the specs mentioned a spdif output (sony/philips digital interface), but you need some sort of "Creative Digital I/O Module (sold separately)". Read your manual, you may be able to just use an 3.5mm to RCA cable.

As far as the speakers go, I wouldn't worry about whether it's digital or not, the d/a converters on your card will likely be better than that of a logitech speaker set anyhow. Just look at the specs, low thd ratings, high signal to noise ratios, high frequency response, etc...

[saphalline]

I agree, it wouldn't make much sense to use digital outputs. For one thing, even the vaunted X-Fi can only handle 2.1 digital output channels, or up to 5 emulated channels (Dolby Digital HD algorithms and such for movies). Stick to analog since that's what speakers use. Digital hasn't hit the big-time for home users yet.

Get the Z-5300 set. Great set of speakers and full 5.1 analog sound quality.

[manicheiste]

Yes ? 5300 over the 5500 ? I thought there were more differences than just the digital aspect. I thought the 5500 would sound crisper and would have more power...

[saphalline]

Oh sorry, my fault. Had another look and I must have been looking at something else last night (I was tired). Yes, the 5500 is more expensive and better in overall quality. More wattage, higher SNR, etc. Yeah, the Z-5500 is definitely the superior speaker set.