My speakers just died, so it's time to buy new ones. With my old ones (2.1) I had the low sound issue in Skyrim.
And it seems that most people who got the low sound issue in Skyrim got 2.1 speakers: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1351097-so-when-will-bethesda-fix-the-low-sound-issue/

So here's my question and what I need advice on. I have two products that I have to decide between.
These 2.1 speakers, with supposedly excellent and accurate sound: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acoustic-Energy-AE26-06B-active-speaker/dp/B000MN96T6
These 5.1 speakers, with pretty good sound and more bass: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Surround-Speaker-System-980-000467/dp/B004M18O60

Which do you think I should buy? The reason I ask is because I don't want low sound in Skyrim, like I've had before. I think I like the 2.1 speakers better because they seem to have much more accurate sound and can handle higher tones better (like classical music, which I listen to a lot and which Skyrim got a lot of), but they're 2.1 speakers and I don't want to risk getting low sound in Skyrim.
... Or Bethesda could simply do their job properly and fix the game and there would be no trouble, but I doubt that will happen (Beth have known of the low sound problem for months, but no fix).

I like these:

http://store.cambridgesoundworks.com/Cambridge-SoundWorks-MicroWorks-Computer-Speaker/dp/B00345FI14

Not too expensive. Sounds great!

These are more exoensive, but sound the best to me.

http://store.cambridgesoundworks.com/dp/B004GV0C16

That was a quick reply, thanks
Unfortunately they don't have those in my country and I prefer not to buy from outside due to shipping costs and it being more difficult returning things, etc.
Do you experience the low sound issue with those 2.1 speakers you listed though?

The low sound bug is there in any 2.1 set-up I think. However, I can crank them up while playing SK. Sounds pretty good. I just have to remember to turn them back down..............................

LOL, you'd really spend that much on speakers for you PC? I'm all for quality but that's crazy.

Try these http://www.corsair.com/pc-computer-audio/pc-computer-speakers.html

Oh that is unfortunate...
If the low sound issue isn't solved then I'm leaning towards a 5.1. Really troublesome that Bethesda can't do their damn job properly and fix the game. Then all these problems would be no more.

@Half64: I listen to a lot of music and I like quality. I have lots of money and not much other things to spend it on, so as long as I get good stuff that works nice and last long, I have no problem spending some money.

I have also enjoyed the sound in previous Bethesda games and Jeremy Soule is amazing... so if I buy wrong speakers and the sound is still low, it would feel like a waste of money and it would make me really mad at Bethesda.

To me sound is just as importamt as graphics. I also use my pc to listen to music. Good speakers really do make a difference.

I remember years back, there were a wealth of choices at Newegg for 5.1 speakers, now there are like 6 choices, 5 are less than $100 and one is more then $300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007679+600010685&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=60&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=

Amazon has some more choices. I would look at Klipsch, Logitech, Cambridge, Altec Lansing and Creative for popular brands.

Here is one set that would sound great and not blow the budget

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-X-530-5-1-Speaker-System/dp/B0002WPSCG/ref=sr_1_58?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1330451269&sr=1-58

To get better than this, you would have to be in the $300 range

Also, BOSE makes very good speakers.

Well sure, assuming you have the equipment to complement those speakers because you'll need a pretty fine sound card to.

I do.

I don't have a great sound card, because it's onboard. But I think it does the job. The speakers will be an investment as well and I will keep the speakers when buying a better computer.

What I really need to know is if this low sound issue is related more to 2.1 users than 5.1 users. That's pretty much why I made this thread. I don't wanna buy the 2.1 and then realize it's basically a waste because I still have low sound in Skyrim. That's why this thread was in the PC issue section and not community section, and I'm not sure why it was moved.

If I might suggest getting a real sound card, as well? Onboard doesn't cut it, if you care about audio quality.

You yourself said that 2.1 has a higher sound fidelity. I agree. With good speakers, it is no big deal to turn the volume up, if you get he low sound bug. Everything else (positional, sound quality, etc.) is there. It;'s just too soft. I find turning up works beautifully and isn't that big a hassle.

Thanks for the advice
I'll get a real sound card when I buy a new computer. Probably in 6 months or so. Maybe sooner.

Yeah man, don't waste your money on high quality speakers if you don't have the sound output to back it up. I used to be into high quality hi-fi equipment and used to pay ￡100 just for half a meter of cable, that was back in the 90s.

When I built my new pc last year I moved from 2.1 to 5.1 speakers. I'm surprised no one has mentioned that playing games with 5.1 just sounds better. Some of the ambient sounds I hear in my rear speakers makes me turn around and look to see if someone or something is there. I never got that with 2.1 speakers. I am also using on board audio as well. I have considered investing in a sound card as I always used too, but so far the on board audio on my gigabyte mobo has worked perfectly.

Good advice, thanks. Makes me lean a bit more towards 5.1 now. I think 5.1 is the 'safest' bet if I want to not get the low sound issue either...