I was tasked with finding a set of uber cheap 5.1 speakers for the punk kid next door.
Since it wasn't my $$, I tried an off brand, these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836110009Genius SW-5.1 3000 75 Watts 5.1 6-piece PC gaming speaker system - $70.99. Similar Logitech / Creative brands were over $100 at Frys / Best Buy, so I ordered on-line. Newegg had em there in 3 days.
For the price, they rock.... >>>for the price<<<
Very clear highs & lyrics, decent bass thumpage, and pretty loud. IMO fantastic for less than $80. The 2 year old Logitechs I have, I think they were about $200, suddenly sound like mud.
But these are "budget", the wired remote is a bit clumsy & could be longer, so could the AC cord. Set up is old school, plug in the speaker (thin) wires.. which would be ok if they could be upgraded to a thicker speaker wire, which cant be done; they're hard wired into the satellites.
The sub is hefty & solid.. however the 5 satellites feel light & cheap... the cat will destroy em if knocked off a table a few times.. but they do sound pretty good... for less than $80.
