Computer Speakers

[cassanova]

I'm looking to purchase some speakers for my new computer. The one's I have were a hand me down from a friend. They are Cyber Acoustics 2 satellite and a sub. Would you please recommend something better that also won't break the bank?

[theory028]

If you want a decent 2.1 system with big bass, Logitech makes a good set. They're called Z2300. They're $130 on Amazon. If you can afford it, they are well worth it. There are a lot of videos on YouTube of people demonstrating the bass. It's hard to judge it based on those but it really is nice.

A lot of people really like them and recommend them. I own them and they are very nice. The bass is impressive.

[L-A]

Logitech is a safe choice, nice quality and sound.

Altec Lansing systems are sometimes impressively hi-fi at reasonable volumes, but test one out if you want to buy it, as it's not a constant and sometimes the lows or high give up as you increase the volume.

[acubass]

Maybe because I had a bad set. Mine did not have a crossover to adjust how much lows were sent to the sub. They did have a remote with bass and treble adjustment but...
IMO any .1 configuration is awesome for movies but not for me listening to YouTube or mp3's or myspace. The worst is trying to mix on 2.1 systems.

For me small active studio monitors work the best. They can get pricey but that depends on your budget. Front end audio or Sweetwater are good places to start looking If you think they may work for you.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by acubass

For me small active studio monitors work the best. They can get pricey but that depends on your budget. Front end audio or Sweetwater are good places to start looking If you think they may work for you.

For mixing/fidelity in general, Roland is a good start. I have a duo of 7 watt speakers that do the trick quite nicely.

[wld3]

Logitech makes some nice speakers for desktop computers. Check these out then price them on Amazon or use Shopzilla, et. al.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by acubass

Maybe because I had a bad set. Mine did not have a crossover to adjust how much lows were sent to the sub. They did have a remote with bass and treble adjustment but...
IMO any .1 configuration is awesome for movies but not for me listening to YouTube or mp3's or myspace. The worst is trying to mix on 2.1 systems.

For me small active studio monitors work the best. They can get pricey but that depends on your budget. Front end audio or Sweetwater are good places to start looking If you think they may work for you.

I was thinking it might be the route to go because I plan on doing recording work on this thing once my brother gets me all his recording programs. The only problem is I don't know what are good and not so good when it comes to monitors. Also, would they have to be powered or unpowered?

[peterbright]

Spend a few extra bucks & get small studio speakers. You won't be sorry. You might want to check out Carvin.com as well.

[Eric Perry]

I have Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speakers. They are pricey, but do sound excellent for computer speakers. To my ears, they are the best sounding 2.1 set available without totally breaking the bank.

[megadan]

+1 to small monitors. Best sound by far.
Computer speakers, even 5.1 sets costing upwards of $200, usually consist of the following:
-incredibly tiny speaker/tweeter mounted on a piece of plastic, made to look like a speaker
-cute subwoofer box which makes a thumping noise regardless of input

Generally leaving an enormous, gaping hole in the mid range, which is exactly where all the crucial music information lies. Blech. No thanks.

[acubass]

Originally Posted by cassanova

I was thinking it might be the route to go because I plan on doing recording work on this thing once my brother gets me all his recording programs. The only problem is I don't know what are good and not so good when it comes to monitors. Also, would they have to be powered or unpowered?

I would think powered (Active)would be best. You could buy a separate amp to run passive monitors, but you would have to lug it around or find a space for it near your CPU. KRK's are o.k. so are Alesis.

What is your budget?

[RWP]

I have an older set of Altec Lansing I love but if I had to buy some new ones I would check these out.

These would look great on the desk.

[thefruitfarmer]

I take it that hooking up your PC to the hi fi is not an option?

I just took a feed from the sound card and run that to the hi-fi amp....

Why buy more speakers when you already have them??

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by acubass

I would think powered (Active)would be best. You could buy a separate amp to run passive monitors, but you would have to lug it around or find a space for it near your CPU. KRK's are o.k. so are Alesis.

What is your budget?

I wouldn't be lugging the computer anywhere so the speakers would stay where they are, but I'm thinking powered might be the best option. I don't really have the space to put a power amp.

As for my budget, I really don't have one. I was thinking no more than $150.

I was looking at Alesis last night and was wondering how they were, glad you said they're "OK."

I found these too, but still am not sure. Other than the Sampsons, I found out those are the moniters my friend Brian uses on his laptop.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M1Act320USB/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MediaOne4/

[Dr Stankface]

+1 to Logitech.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by thefruitfarmer

I take it that hooking up your PC to the hi fi is not an option?

I just took a feed from the sound card and run that to the hi-fi amp....

Why buy more speakers when you already have them??

I'm not sure if it's an option or not. I'm not computer savy like that so I'd have to ask my brother if it is or isn't. As to why buy more speakers, well, the ones I have now aren't that great. I don't care for the sound they produce and want better

[SchecterC4]

I had a set of Logitech 4.1 computer speakers for a while that I got from a friend. I recently upgraded to a Harman/Kardon 80 watt receiver, Polk Audio PSW10 sub and Polk Audio LS50 tower speakers. Even with mp3's as compressed as they are the difference was phenomenal. There is a lot of texture and richness that computer speakers just lack, mostly in the midrange like megadan said. I found the coloring of the LS50's to be to my liking and playing anything from Punk to classical the difference is just mind blowing.

Do yourself a favor and find a cheap (~$100) receiver, some decent bookshelf speakers (~$25-50) and an RCA to 1/8th inch male cord (to hook into speaker out on your computer). Receivers and speakers can be found dirt cheap on craigslist and ebay. I spent all of 200 bucks on my system and I don't think I could bare to listen to computer speakers again.

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by Eric Perry

I have Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speakers. They are pricey, but do sound excellent for computer speakers. To my ears, they are the best sounding 2.1 set available without totally breaking the bank.

+1

while i havent heard those exact speakers, i had a pair (no subwoofer) of klipsch computer speakers that had two drivers and a horn on each, and they were the best ive ever heard, and they were cheap. given that they dont appear to sell those anymore, those recommended above are the best choice in my opinion.

EDIT:

also, no offense to logitech or their fans (they make a great keyboard and mouse), but i think klipsch knows a bit more about speaker design than them. this is based on my opinion and nothing else, as ive never heard the logitech products recommended. if i have to buy something without hearing it, i would trust klipsch.

[banditcosmo]

Originally Posted by Eric Perry

I have Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speakers. They are pricey, but do sound excellent for computer speakers. To my ears, they are the best sounding 2.1 set available without totally breaking the bank.

+2
very good speakers and pretty loud too.