What is the best speaker set-up for gaming?

I may need to replace my 6 year-old Altec Lansing 5.1 speaker system.

In browsing possible replacement systems, I was surprised to see that there are many more 2.1 set-ups available for computers than 5.1. It seems to me that the quality of many of the 2.1 systems is higher. I realise that most music is stereo output but is a good stereo speaker set with sub-woofer a better idea for gaming than 5.1?

My PC is high quality but instead of a dedicated sound card I have integrated motherboard audio; will this affect my options as far as audio output is concerned?

I realise that a good headset -- which I have -- will often trump any kind of speaker set-up for gaming but I want the option of decent-quality speaker output for gaming. I do not watch movies through my PC, nor would any speaker system be hooked up to a TV. I'm looking for a dedicated PC audio system that is good for gaming, high-end, but not ridiculously so.

Fiinally, does anyone have a recommendation for a switch or splitter that might enable me to use a headset mic with audio output available either through headset only or headset plus speakers? Thanks.

You already mentioned the headset, but I can't imagine 2.1 being better than a 5.1 that has actual speakers behind you. I don't know anything about good 5/1 setups


For a splitter I use the one linked below. Was the first one I found when I was looking. I do'nt know if it's the product or the nature of the splitter, but with my headphones and speakers hooked up to it I can talk into the speakers of my headphones and have it output from my regular speakers.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16855999624


I've noticed that a lot of speakers have headphone jacks on them, so you might not need a splitter. Only reason I can think of for moving away from onboard sound would be the possibility of better sound with a dedicated card. Id on't know how true that holds anymore, I haven't kept up on sound cards. Onboard shouldn't limit your speaker options, I think all computer speakers use the same 1/8" jack found on nearly all computers.

Well, it seems that all but the most high end 5.1 systems (like this, which is too pricey for me) are of suspect quality, like this. They are suspiciously cheap and there is little to choose from, as PC gaming audio has now migrated to "home theater" systems with their own fancy speaker set-ups including amps, boosters, etc. All I want is good PC audio that will run off my sound card. 2.1 systems appear to be of much higher quality -- certainly better for music -- and I'm hoping the quality compared to the 5.1s and their "spatial" output will make up for the lack of rear speakers. I bought this system, top of the line for Logitech 2.1 PC speaker systems. I like logitech; I own a lot of their hardware and peripherals and find the quality to be uniformly high.

My Klipsh Ultra 5.1 setup is pretty good I think. I've never compared it to anything but a lower end Logitech 5.1, and it was far superior. I've never tried any of the higher end logitech stuff.

I have been asking this same question. The choice of PC speakers has disappeared. Those 5.1 Ultras are no longer available. Logitech has their high end and cheap 5.1's but no longer offer a mid range 5.1 system. I have a set of 5300's. I am looking for a 5.1 system for my bedroom but the Z506's get mixed reviews.