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Page 2 has alternative options including soundbars
Following my recent review of the Creative Sound Blaster X4 external soundcard, which has 5.1 output, I thought I would look into the best surround sound speaker options for PC gaming.
In recent years, the trend has shifted away from 5.1 surround for PC gaming. Creative is the only company offering 5.1 speakers on its external soundcards, and PCIe soundcards have fallen out of fashion in general, but Creative and Asus have several options.
Most people have shifted to 2.1/2.0 speakers or headsets, and many devices now offer virtual surround, which in my opinion, is a poor imitation of the real thing.
This has meant that the number of 5.1 speaker options has dwindled over the years, with only around 5 options that I found with most of the options looking mediocre for anyone looking for decent quality surround audio.
Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System, THX, Dolby... | Buy on Amazon |
It looks like the Logitech Z906 was launched around 10 years ago, and it is about the best active 5.1 speaker system you can get, confirming how unpopular this style of system has become.
The system is favourably reviewed by users and professional reviews alike. It is quite a powerful system with 500w of total power, and your input options are digital optical, Digital coaxial, Six Channel Direct, RC & 3.5mm inputs.
The subwoofer is capable of 165W, while the satellites can do 65W.
Edifier E255 5.1 Home Theatre Speaker System
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edifier E255 Luna Wireless 5.1 Active Home Theatre Surround... | Buy on Amazon |
This is aimed more towards a home theatre system, but it will work well for PC gaming speakers. The main issue you may have are the inputs, this only accepts optical or aux, which will limit the compatible audio formats. It can do Dolby/DTS & Dolby Pro Logic II, and the Creative Sound Blaster X4 has an optical out that will do Dolby Digital Live, which should work well with this.
It has wireless rear speakers reducing the cable mess, you get quite a powerful subwoofer at 220W with the other 5 speakers offering 16W (treble) + 20W (mid-range).
At £599, it is perhaps a little expensive.
Trust Gaming GXT 698 Torro
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Gaming GXT 698 Torro Dolby Digital RGB-Illuminated 5.1... | Buy on Amazon |
The extravagantly named Trust Gaming GXT 698 Torro is affordable and well-reviewed on Amazon. Trust Gaming have several 5.1 systems, with this being their most advanced system. You get 180W of peak power, quite a bit less than the Logitech or Edifier. This is also the only Trust Gaming system that has an optical input. Personally, at this price, I’d just get a decent pair of headphones or 2.0 speakers.
Logitech Z607
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System, THX, Dolby... | Buy on Amazon |
Another budget option that is well-reviewed on Amazon. This has the same power rating as the Trust Gaming system, and considering the price, may be a better buy overall. Similar to the Trust system, I’d personally suggest investing more money into something a bit more competent.
Edifier S760D [Possibly discontinued]
The Edifier S760D looks like a good option, but it no longer appears to be available to buy.
Features include:
- 5.1 channel home theatre system with Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS Digital Surround decoders
- 3 optical, 1 coaxial input, analogue 5.1 channel, and dual stereo inputs
- 10”(260 mm) subwoofer driver with twin bass reflex radiators
- 2-way satellite speakers with 3½”(92 mm) mid-range drivers and 1”(25 mm) silk dome tweeters
- Class D amplifier and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology
- Built-in 600W high efficiency switching power supply with low standby power consumption
Edifier C6XD [Possibly discontinued]
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edifier C6XD USB, Wired | Buy on Amazon |
Another Edifier surround system is likely discontinued. Overclockers allow you to add it to basket, but it is classed as out of stock. Amazon hasn’t had it in stock since the end of 2019, so you are probably best off spending a little extra on the Logitech Z90.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nice article. I think you covered most of the options.
I used to have the Edifier s760d and while it’s a good system with pretty good quality sound (a step up from the Logitech z5500 I had before it), it had a major bug with regards digital inputs. If you use the optical or coaxial inputs, it distorts some bass notes massively. No idea why this happens but never found a fix and moved onto seperate AV reciever and speakers.
One other note is that if you use displayport to your monitor and output hdmi to the av reciever, you only need a reciever with hdmi 1.3 or above (circa 2010+). I bought an Onkyo tx-sr705 second hand receiver for just £60!