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Speakers |
Speakers are an important part of any gaming or
multimedia computer system. A rich, crisp sound improves any audio
experience. There is a wide range of cost and quality that can be
chosen from.
A simple 2-speaker setup can be the cheapest, but also usually will
not reproduce low-frequency sound very well, if at all. Even when
comparing only 2-speaker sets, the price and quality can vary
greatly. If each speaker has multiple drivers (which could also be
thought of as multiple speakers), each one will only reproduce part
of the overall frequency range. The result is less distortion and a
cleaner sound. If each speaker consists of only a single cone, the
sound quality may be noticeably worse. If space is very limited, or
cost needs to be the absolute lowest, this might be the best choice.
A step up adds a subwoofer to the 2-speaker setup. The same quality
of speakers issue applies here, as well. However, a third, larger
speaker is added to reproduce lower-frequency (bass) sounds. This
adds a lot to the sound experience. The slightly higher cost of a
set of speakers including a subwoofer is usually well worth it due
to the improvement in output. This is the recommended setup for most
home computer users who desire quality sound. This setup can also be
a good choice to use with TVs.
Surround sound represents the best in sound reproduction. Surround
sound varieties are usually described with numbers such as 5.1 or
7.1. The number before the dot represents how many “normal” speakers
there are, while the 1 represents a subwoofer. The speakers are
placed around the listener, instead of just in front. If a surround
sound source is used, such as a DVD with surround sound audio in it,
the sound can be played on each speaker in such a way that the
listener can hear sounds from different directions, as if he or she
was standing where a character on screen was. This type of setup is
usually recommended to those with a media center often used for
movies, and the best sound experience possible is desired. In order
to be useful, the equipment used must support the surround sound
speakers. For computers, a sound card can provide the support. For
media centers, some DVD players and TVs can provide appropriate
support. Since these speaker sets are the most expensive, they are
only recommended when the desire for the highest-quality sound
outweighs the cost. |
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