Need Computer Speakers for Music. 2.0 needed

Price range? Audioengine is a good bet.

You could also get a T-amp and some regular speakers...

Bose are designed to please the female ear.
Run, don't walk, from any display of them if you don't want to own a pair!

Or at least the female eye, in any case, as in being small.


How about these (as hinted at by s44):

http://www.audioengineusa.com/a2_home.php

They've got decent amps for their size, which I presume they use to get some useful bass response out of such small speakers.


Specifically, it's a special type of Class D amp that sounds more like a regular (Class AB) amp, and maybe has certain other characteristics that some people like. Doesn't mean anything to you? That's OK, it doesn't mean anything to me, either. Any small amp will do, and Class T amps happen to be popular right now. You can find a bunch of different amps here:

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...TOKEN=54810736


Correct.

M-Audio AV40...phenomenal 2 channel computer speakers with very good range. I got mine at Best Buy on sale for 149.99 about six months back so it may be fairly difficult to find them locally, but you can always order online if need be. The only problem is that they are pretty good sized. If they are going in the kitchen that may not be the best choice. But alas, they are by far the best 2 channel speakers I have heard and I previously had the Bose 2 Channels (companion something or other). Now those are in the bedroom for listening to podcasts when I go to sleep at night...hehe.

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio...0365229&sr=1-1

Yup. Cute, and read the review. Don't see raves like that every day.


I was suggesting this one in particular. Cheap, small, efficient, and all you need for desktop use. Put the other $150+ towards high-WAF speakers...

I did a comparison of the Audioengine's and the M-Audios AV40s and there are a few reasons I stuck with the M-Audios. The first and by far the most important...the volume knob on the front. Why on earth did Audioengine put the knob on the back????? Secondly, the AUX input on the front...this is also needed for just plugging random things into them without having to move around the stuff on the desk to get to the back of the speakers.

Audibly, the M-Audios just felt more full and vibrant...they seemed to bring the music to you instead of it just being there. I don't know, it's hard to explain. Both sound phenomenal, but the M-Audios just had more perks. I suppose the extra 5W per speaker would help out with that sound...I don't know.

The Audioengine A2's are definitely marvelous for exactly your purpose. I use mine for my laptop system. You aren't really going to get better sound for their size



The volume knob on the back wasn't important to me since the laptop has its own volume control. I haven't touched the volume knob on the speakers since I first turned them on months ago (they automatically go into standby so I never have to turn them on/off either)

If you can handle larger ones, the A5's are highly worthwhile, and still great for their price. (Although you are starting to get into a range where it might be more cost effective to get small bookshelf speakers and an amp)

i have the SWANS 1080's they sound fantastic !!!

Yeah the back volume knob isn't a big deal to a lot of people, but to me, it's a lot easier to adjust the volume on the speaker itself. On a laptop system, it's a lot easier to adjust the volume (like on my Macbook), but on the PC it's a little more difficult and that's the computer the M-Audios are hooked up to.

I would consider the Swan M200MKII at TheAudioInsider. They look good and sound good. If you're on a tighter budget, consider the Swan D1080 MKII for $125. Last but not least, check out the Soundworks MicroWorks II, great choice with a sub if you ask me. They have some on clearance right now.

so what would be some decent speakers that can be driven by the Sonic Impact 5065?

i have the original swan m200's but i want to know what would be a good upgrade for these for a desktop, music listening setup.

Another vote for the Audioengine A2s. Love mine. Using them with my desktop and a small sub. Volume control via my wireless keyboard.

These are on sale and are great Swans 1080MKII.

sorry to hijack the thread, but can i step up to something better from my current Swan M200s for desktop audio? my computer is the main source of my audio and the speakers would have to be for a desk or I guess the wall behind the desk.

would behringer or similar active studio monitors sound much better?

Maybe a few steps up...

http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/Genera...x?FId=73&MId=5

I'd get the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's without a doubt if you have a place for the sub:

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMed...1794789&sr=8-6

4 1/2 out of 5 stars w/ 400+ reviews... Can't go wrong.

Klipsch Promedia an upgrade from the Swan M200s? I skipped the Promedias along with others so I could step up to the Swan M200s.

thanks for the JBL tip MLKstudios, seem to be a bit out of my range though. but i guess there may be some other active monitors worth upgrading to. maybe find something used on CL or eBay.

+1 on the Audio Engine A2. When I got them, I also picked up a pair of m-Audio AV40's for direct comparison. Even though the A2's are smaller, they have slightly tighter bass with greater low end extension. The slot ports on the A2's also make placement on the desktop slightly easier -- you can push them back against the wall without blocking ports. It's true that the rear mounted volume control is less convenient than the front mounted on the AV40's, but I also use the computer volume control for the most part.

Don't get me wrong -- I like the AV40's (just not as much as the A2's). Either pair will clearly sound better than anything Logitech sells. One nice feature of the AV40's compared to the A2's is that the drivers are protected by grills. The cute little dome tweeters on the A2's are vulnerable to damage from kids or rough handling.

iwmtv ..

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR2325P/

Built in 55W(LF)+35W(HF) amps. 43Hz to 20kHz.

thanks MLKstudios. those do look nice. Twice as expensive as the Swans I bought but I'm going to look into trying them out if they sound much better.

Are you sure? I have heard Klipsch products and they don't sound that good. They seem to cater to the mainstream and focus more on packaging and image rather than sound quality

I owned these and was completely satisfied with them for years. Ultimately, the subwoofer cable broke (my own fault) and I replaced them with a 5.1 system from Logitech, another exceptional product.


Couldn't disagree more IMO.

I actually like Klipsch, its actually near to perfection. [IMG]http://www.*****************/trafficreport/img/3721/k08t1221bbuq/gdsmile.gif[/IMG]

+1 for audioengine. i <3 mine.

Klipsch and JBL are two of the oldest and most successful speaker manufacturers in the world, and for good reasons. The Klipschorn was designed in 1947 and is still built and sold. That's 62 years of audio perfection. JBL's are used around the world in theaters, cinemas, indoor and outdoor concerts, you name it.

Most speaker makers come and go quickly (i.e. those little known boutique models). They may have a niche, but no real design team to keep them going. Lots of people compete in the home audio realm, but very few prevail.

I think that statement should be taken in the context of this thread. It's true that Klipsch does make some great (higher end) loudspeakers, but that doesn't necessarily mean their multi-media speakers are worthy. I had a Promedia which was fine for its price (before it just quit on me for no apparent reason after 1.5 years). In terms of sound quality, I think you can do better with Audioengines and Swans which have more solid cabinets and better quality drivers

Altec Lansing used to be a true speaker maker but all they've been churning out lately is plastic junk.

Hey guys, ive been in the market for some decent computer speakers, based on this C-Net review I was gonna get the Logitech Z-2300.

But based on this thread and the Stereophile review I bought some Audioengine 2s.

I am a little nervous as Cnet put the Z-2300 over the AV40 which was said in this thread that they are as good as the Audioengine 2s.

I will report back with my thoughts on the speakers once I get em and use em a bit.

thanks
James

Here is that C-Net review .....>> http://reviews.cnet.com/best-pc-speakers/