A high-end set of 2.1 speakers for music listening

Thanks for all the responses. Based upon the replies it appears as though I may not have properly stated my case, so I'll try and clarify as best as I can (and respond to some key individual points as well).


Keep in mind when you get responses that there are folks with $100K into their systems that are still looking for your want list.

That's actually why I'm here, because this place seems to be jam packed with true audiophiles...


250 is a very small budget, especially since it sounds like you're using this with your computer and don't have amplification.

You are indeed correct; neither the MP3 player nor the laptop provide any amplification, which is why I was looking for a 2.1 system more geared towards that style of environment (as opposed to AV type equipment, where amplification is virtually mandatory).


With your restraints I'd have to ask if headphones are an option

Unfortunately, I'm not always tethered to the computer/MP3 player while listening to music. Often times I'll be in the room doing something else and need to maintain my mobility, so given that headphones aren't going to be a workable solution.


Otherwise I guess something like the M-Audio AV30s paired with a Velodyne VX-11

It's interesting you mention the VX 11; I actually owned one for several years, until the amp got cooked by a power surge from a lightning storm. But at 15"x12"x17" that's physically at least twice as large as the space I have to put it, and would be way overkill when sitting right on top of it.

The M-Audio -- and Behringer Wrager mentions -- are among the active monitors I did look at. Along with NHT, Samson Audio, DynAudio, AudioEngine, Neuman, and countless others. The problem was always one (or more) of the following; too much money, too large or not enough low end.

The only one of those I really have any experience with is the AudioEngine 5. I found that it produced a remarkable amount of spectacular sound from a surprisingly small package. The only drawback was the bottom end; it just felt like the lower octaves were missing. And they were, which should be no surprise given the size of the cabinet and the woofer. But as far as the overall clarity? I was duly impressed.

I very seriously considered piecing something together myself, which consisted of a pair of active satellites and a sub. Problem was the stand-alone sub's were all way too large. Which is why something like the AE Aego M seemed perfect, other then the fact it's been discontinued of course. It was small enough to fit in the space I have, while still providing reasonable sound quality.

Essentially, that's the type of thing I'm looking for. While I'd love to go up the scale a bit more, space and budget prevent me from doing that. If I found something in a similar form factor to the Aego M then I could push the budget some -- because ultimately I would like to have a system that sounds decent -- but the space issue is not really something I can overcome easily.

How about the Gizmo / Waf speakers from Tweak

Thanks for the tip. I tried looking into those, but the website is not showing the pic. Both IE and FF had the same problem. I'll try again later -- maybe it's a temporary glitch.



those are desktop speakers

Desktop speakers are not too far off. That's pretty much how they're going to be used -- hooked up to a laptop and portable MP3 player -- so that's the type of setup I've been looking for. Not something like the crap put out by Logitech, Creative, Cyber Acoustics, et al, but something in the desktop-like arena.



what you're asking for is cheap, excellent satellite speakers, an amp, and a sub but not a sub

Nope, not an amp. A powered 2.1 system. That's hard enough to do for a couple of hundred bucks, without including something like an amp into the equation.



like, how small does a sub need to be? an exodus anarchy with some passive radiators tuned to ~35hz might work in a very small box

Very, by home speaker standards anyway. I'll look into the exodus and see what that's all about. Thanks for the lead...



When I first read "high-end set of 2.1 speakers for music" I was all set to suggest Salk (Songtowers or HT2) and a Rythmik sub. Then I read $250 budget.
"less than $250" knocks you out of anything high end unless you are superstar creative...

I suppose it's all quite relative. For this forum perhaps I should have said "low end set of speakers" instead. Essentially what I was trying to avoid was getting a bunch of suggestions for $75 crap that could be purchased from Walmart.

While I'm not looking to create some fabulous setup that will cost thousands of dollars and take up half my computer room I do have a somewhat discriminating ear and would like to hear the actual music, not some over-emphasized mess of sound coming out of bargain-basement plastic speakers.

Perhaps to some that would be considered heresy but with the sheer amount of audio knowledge this place has I'm almost certain to find someone of like mind, who has far more knowledge then I.

How about the Swan M10 2.1 for $120. This can be hooked up to your laptop or iPod.

I did indeed see those, and they would have been fine, but I'm definitely not a fan of their appearance. That, coupled with the fact the sub is too weak for placement on the floor means the M10 won't work. Shame too, because I would definitely buy another set of Swans.



1) http://www.harmankardon.com/EN-GB/Pr...=SOUNDSTICKSII

Ah yes, the Harman Kardon SoundSticks II. I did run across these, and the speakers do seem to be very well liked. HK is a name I would feel comfortable owning as well, but the looks. Yikes! Seems almost like something the Predator would be listening too...



You're out of your mind. This thread is the poster child for oxymorons. Head to Comp USA and pick up a Logitech xB whatever sound system in a box and be done with it.

Quite the contrary; I'm actually very lucid, and not at all into oxymorons. I believe it's been made abundantly clear I have no desire to purchase some cheap Logitech garbage, so this post contributed nothing.



I'd suggest the Behringer B3031A for now and add a sub later when funds allow. I don't think you can beat these for $260.

Now that's a killer deal! Bi-amplified, 8 3/4" woofer, Behringer, all very impressive. But waaaay too big for my need. Pity, because I'm certain those would sound magnificent.



Buy something like this http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio.../dp/B0014IEBM0 and add sub when you have more funds available.

I have begun putting some thought into this type of solution, and the BX5a was very near the top of my list. You're almost hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't speak very highly of them, which is uncommon. Finding a tiny subwoofer after the fact is going to be a rather significant challenge, but it's hard to argue that the BX5a is not a quality piece and worthy of consideration.