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Budget < $200 - PC/Music Speakers - 2.0/2.1

post #1 of 21
10/11/09 at 12:06am
Thread Starter 
Hi guys,

I'm looking to get 2.0 or 2.1 speakers for my PC. I have a budget of $200. These would be used most often to listen to music. Through reading reviews, the only things i've come up with are the companies audioengine and swan. I'm not too clear on which models are good though. Furthermore, I'd love to hear opinions on other brands as well. Lastly, are all of the brands you generally find in the PC audio section of a place like Best Buy overpriced? As I've read, I've begun to feel that people dislike things such as the Creative T40 Series II or the Logitech Z-10.

Many thanks,
Chad
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post #2 of 21
10/11/09 at 5:04am
Also checkout M-Audio AV40
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post #3 of 21
10/11/09 at 6:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Alcasid View Post

Also checkout M-Audio AV40

Wow, these certainly look nice. I only have the standard 3.5mm line out jack on my PC but it goes to a peripheral (GuitarPort) which has discrete stereo jacks, as is on the back of the A40.

Just curious, the A30 or A20 any good? I'm only in a 1 bedroom apartment so I wonder if the A40 may be more than I need.
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post #4 of 21
10/11/09 at 6:50am
insignia bookshelf's + that 100$ amp from partsexpress
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post #5 of 21
10/11/09 at 7:31am
Logitech gets generally good reviews. Take a look at these.

In the longer term I think you may be better off with a cheap used AVR and small bookshelf speakers. Certainly that would be more versatile - unless you never want to connect these new speakers to anything but your computer. AVRs are easy to connect to a computer for sound - less so for video.
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post #6 of 21
10/11/09 at 8:09am
Thread Starter 
I'll try to go check out those Logitechs but I think I'm going to stay away from Insignia. I've heard a few of their systems and I'm not a huge fan.
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post #7 of 21
10/11/09 at 8:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChadwickVM View Post

Wow, these certainly look nice. I only have the standard 3.5mm line out jack on my PC but it goes to a peripheral (GuitarPort) which has discrete stereo jacks, as is on the back of the A40.

Just curious, the A30 or A20 any good? I'm only in a 1 bedroom apartment so I wonder if the A40 may be more than I need.

I would stick with the AV40 for better bass response.
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post #8 of 21
10/11/09 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Alcasid View Post

I would stick with the AV40 for better bass response.

Excellent. Thanks Ron. I think I'm pretty much sold on the AV40s. Looks like the AV30s aren't much smaller anyway.

Think I'll order them tomorrow.

Thanks again for all your help everyone.
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post #9 of 21
10/11/09 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mudkip View Post

insignia bookshelf's + that 100$ amp from partsexpress

Tried that once. I found those insignias too ear-fatiguing (due to their brightness) given the near-field listening in a typical PC setup.

But generally, I too would lean towards a set of bookshelf speakers and an amp. Later on you can add a sub. I spent about $300 on my setup (refurbed Onkyo receiver, PSB Alpha B mains, Yamaha YST-216 sub).
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post #10 of 21
10/11/09 at 12:39pm
If you don't need powered, these are great for the price http://www.thespeakercompany.com/P6-...ir-P37C37.aspx
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post #11 of 21
10/11/09 at 12:50pm
Or just get one of these....

http://www.us-appliance.com/mhcec99i...uctid=mhcec99i

Or this - looks classy, but no sub...

http://www.jr.com/jvc/pe/JVC_UXGN6/
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post #12 of 21
10/11/09 at 8:22pm
I would look at something like the Swan D1080MkII you would have some good change left over, for a sub. something like a Polk PSW 10 would put you just a tiny bit over budget.
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post #13 of 21
10/11/09 at 8:47pm
I recently downgraded from an Onkyo home theater in a box which ended up as an upgrade!
I bought the Logitech Z-2300 THX certified speakers and could not be happier. These things play louder and more clear than the Onkyo HTIAB and take up much less space doing it. The bass is great for a computer setup too.

For $130, I couldn't be happier!
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post #14 of 21
10/13/09 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 95bat View Post

I recently downgraded from an Onkyo home theater in a box which ended up as an upgrade!
I bought the Logitech Z-2300 THX certified speakers and could not be happier. These things play louder and more clear than the Onkyo HTIAB and take up much less space doing it. The bass is great for a computer setup too.

For $130, I couldn't be happier!

They don't look too bad but I"ve heard some not so great things about their mid-tones which is kind of essential for my music.
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post #15 of 21
10/13/09 at 2:53pm
I have the z-5500's and love them.

To each their own, I guess.
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post #16 of 21
10/13/09 at 7:03pm
I have the z-5500's too and love them too. I got it last year around $180 from ebay after live cash back. Last time I saw dell has it for $259 or something.
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post #17 of 21
10/13/09 at 11:03pm
The Swans are basically cut rate studio monitors and the Polk sub while not great is an actual home theater sub.

Logitech makes some of the best Multimedia computer speakers out there, but your comparing apples and oranges, what I suggested would be like bringing a gun to a knife fight if you compare it to pretty much any Multimedia speaker set.

Look at the drivers in the Swans and then at the drivers in the Logitech, and tell me which you expect to sound better. a full range 2.5" driver or a combination of soft dome tweeter and 5.25" driver?
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post #18 of 21
10/14/09 at 6:23am
I have no doubt they sound better. I got my Z-5500's for $100 off craigslist, and am quite happy. Is there better? Prolly. Do I need complicated setup? Not really.

All I was saying was that I was happy with the logitech sound; as are plenty of other people.
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post #19 of 21
10/14/09 at 6:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haelphadreous View Post

Look at the drivers in the Swans and then at the drivers in the Logitech, and tell me which you expect to sound better. a full range 2.5" driver or a combination of soft dome tweeter and 5.25" driver?

I agree that he Swans will sound better than logitech's on the middle range, but you also need a subwoofer, a receiver or amplifier to drive the speakers and subwoofer. So for the money, logitech gives you a complete THX certified 5.1 system for movies, games and music as well from your PC. If you need a serious music listening, I don't think Swan' 5.25" driver can do the job adequately, you need a subwoofer for the bass too. It's a trade off with the budget you set.
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post #20 of 21
10/14/09 at 7:29am
klipsch promedia 2.1 all the way. i've had these for a few years now and they rock it out. i watch videos, play lots of games and listen to tons of music. They are THX cert as well.
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post #21 of 21
10/14/09 at 10:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Ulate View Post

klipsch promedia 2.1 all the way. i've had these for a few years now and they rock it out. i watch videos, play lots of games and listen to tons of music. They are THX cert as well.

I went from the Promedia 4.1's to the Logitech Z-5500's. I loved the Klipsch until I got the Logitech; much more pleasant to my ears.

They are pretty polar opposite sounding speakers, so people can lean either way. The logitech sub is definitely way better than the Klipsch one though.

I used the Klipsch for 4 years though, and they were great. Both are good computer options.
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