looking for speakers to go with HT Omega Claro Halo sound card

[Salamander 2]

I upgraded my sound card to the HT Omega Claro Halo sound card, currently using with the Logitech Z-5500 5.1 surround system. The sound card is awesome with headphones, but I'm not as happy with the speaker sound.

I do some gaming, but mostly I use the speakers for listening to music. I'm interested in getting some good speakers (probably 2 or 2.1) that will work with my sound card and provide excellent sound. Suggestions?

[Nanometer]

The z5500 are already really good speakers. I had them for a few years before I upgraded to a real theater in my family room, as well as in my bedroom. The highs on the z5500s are poor, and the sub is definitely boomy. It makes a quick wow factor for the friends, but it's actually quite poor for music. They are best for games, and I can vouch for that. What the Z5500s have that is great is that they are compact, and are tremendous value for a 5.1 system. You have to ask yourself what you want. Do you want room shaking base, crystal clear highs, realistic audio as it was meant to be heard in the studio, or nightclub style sound system. Each of those would entail a different system. By the way, only non driven devices such as headphones would sound good on a decent sound card. Powered speakers will not such much different between different sound cards, unless you have software processing or have some modified OPAMP. Let me know your thoughts and I can happily recommend something to you. Oh yes, and of course a budget..

Also what are your space constraints? Desktop speakers only? Floor speakers maybe? Room size?

[EniGmA1987]

double post

[EniGmA1987]

Do you have the XT version? Because that has the expansion card that allows a direct connection to surround speakers.
And correct me if Im wrong, but doesnt the Z5500 use a digital input to its own panel, and then split off each individual speaker? So you arent even using your sound card when listening from the surround sound speakers because all decoding is being done on the speaker end of things.


What you want to look for is either some self powered speakers with an RCA input, usually near-field studio monitors. Or find a good consumer grade amplifier that has RCA inputs and use that to power some normal speakers. M-Audio AV40's are some fairly cheap decent near-field monitor speakers. There are much better things out there, and perhaps someone could recommend a better pair for around the same cost.
powered speakers will be your cheapest solution, but and amp + passive speakers could sound better depending on what you get. For an amp, the Crown XLS1000 would be a good choice:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/381180.html
And then some speakers you would be looking at something like these:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/354719.html (x2 since the price is per speaker).
So like I said, much more expensive. And those aren't even really great speakers either. You are much better off getting self-powered stuff for PC use. Those passive ones will sound better without a sub than others since they have a 10" main woofer, but to go below 60Hz you would still want a sub to go with it.

[Salamander 2]

I don't have the XT version, and yes, the Z-5500 uses a digital input and the decoding is being done by the speakers. That's why the headphones are great and the speakers not so much for anything other than gaming. How would the Audioengine A5+ speakers (with the subwoofer) be for listening to music primarily, with occasional gaming?

[EniGmA1987]

Hopefully someone who has used them could chime in with their experiences on those speakers. I seem to recall a few people here saying good things about them though

[Nanometer]

Audio Engine make the best speakers when compared to pure PC speakers. They are the best made, best sounding, and arguable best looking. The Audio Engine speakers are not intended to be used with a subwoofer, so there really isn't a connection for it. I do not consider direct tap to be a traditional option, but if that's your thing, then I am not here to stop you! The audio engines are the best for music, but they will not rumble the room like the Z5500 logitech speakers did.

Should you wish to use a subwoofer, and I personally would, you can use the banana plug ports to tap in for the sub. However, because the audio engine speakers only have a speaker our for one speaker, you will only get the left side bass, or which ever that banana plug happens to distribute. Generally speaking, the bass goes to both speakers, so this should be a non issue unless you use a very high crossover for you sub, which you shouldn't anyways...

I definitely recommend the Audio Engine A5s, and even better if you have a 12 inch subwoofer to hum along with it(Maybe set the crossover around 80 Hz for starters). I personally like Klipsch subs for the great value. You can find the RW-12D from Klipsch go on sale occasionally on newegg and other sites for 300, and sometimes lower which is a steal for that performance. In my opinion, you can't get better for cheaper.

[EniGmA1987]

Doesnt the card have a subwoofer out connection? And I know the driver control panel has an adjustable crossover in it.

EDIT: Nope doesnt look like the regular Halo has a subwoofer out. Need the XT option card for a dedicated output to that and other surround speakers. This can be ordered direct from HT Omega, but I think it costs $50.

[Salamander 2]

Yes, the XT option card does have an output for a subwoofer and other surround speakers. Audio engine also sells a subwoofer. I don't know how it compares to the Klipsch RW-12D.

[Nanometer]

I can't comment on the Audio Engine subwoofer either, though a down firing subwoofer isn't usually a design that is highly thought of in the music world. I think you would be very happy with the Audio Engine A5 speakers. Don't bother with a sub, unless you really feel you need it after you try the speakers without one.

[Salamander 2]

Thanks for the feedback!