2.1 Speaker Suggestions

[guptasa1]

Hey all,

Building a new PC. I really don't have a good setup situation for 5.1 as much as I'd like to, so I'd really like to go with a nice 2.1 system. I've seen a lot of good things about the Kipsch Promedia 2.1 system, though I can't get over how ugly it looks (I could get over that if it sounds good). Also considering the Cambridge Soundworks Microworks II as I had a similar system some time ago and really liked it. Any other suggestions would be helpful too! Thanks!

 

[Skud]

M-Audio LX4 2.1 system. It's also upgradeable to 5.1.

I just got mine from Samash.com for $199..

Listening to them right now I can't get over how "clear" the sound is.. The only downfall is now I can hear the defects in poorly recorded MP3..

Best.. system..ever..

Riley

 

[ubercaffeinated]

klipsh ifi. 200 at costco. winner.

 

[AsianriceX]

Another vote for the iFi.

 

[Howard]

Budget?

 

[guptasa1]

Budget-wise I'm not looking for something too elaborate, but at the same time I want quality. Thinking under $300.00 range, but might consider a bit more.

Also, I'm a little worried about space. Right now I have my speakers next to the monitor. Going with a widescreen that's going to be too wide to have the speakers beside it, and obviously behind won't work, so I'm a little perplexed how I'm going to handle that issue. MAYBE in front will work okay if the speakers aren't too huge...I'll hafta see.

 

[HeavyB]

Acoustic Energy Aego M. Tiny, really clear sattelites and plenty of thump from the sub. The compare favorably to my JMLab Focal/Rotel home theater setup for close field listening. Retail for about $200.

link

Cheers,
HeavyB

 

[guptasa1]

Thanks! Several good suggestions to research (and more of course welcome)!

 

[guptasa1]

Hmmm. Those all look interesting. My main problem with all of them above is the lack of a physical volume control (with headphone jack, etc.) for placement on the desk. I guess I've just gotten used to that, and they seem more oriented to things like iPods than dedicated computer speakers (but I'm sure they sound awesome!)

One I'm looking at now is the Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified system - anyone have any feedback on that? Seems to have good reviews, the features I want, and a small footprint (since space is a consideration). May not be quite as powerful as some of the systems suggested here, but I'm looking for a clean, compact system if it fits the bill.

 

[herm0016]

the logitech system is probably as powerful but will not come close to the quality of something like the m-audio set. Are you going to be using this as a music setup or for gaming? what kind of audio quality are you looking for? very clear, crisp and great sounding or just some boomy base? It all depends on what you want.

 

[guptasa1]

Some music but mostly gaming. Don't care about boomy base at all but would like clear, crisp audio.

My major requirements are:
- Small Footprint; these may have to go in front of the widescreen LCD since there will no longer be room at the sides, so looking for something that won't get too much in the way of the view (or I could look into mounting options, but I'd prefer a desktop solution).
- Desktop Control/Jacks; I don't like units where you have to turn it on and hook things to the sub; I like the PC-oriented ones where you have a seperate unit on the desk to handle that.
- Clear Sound; doesn't have to be loud or have especially boomy bass; I just want a nice, clear sounding system with moderate volume levels without distortion.

I just figured if it was THX certified, that meant it had to have pretty good sound quality...or am I wrong?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

There are a lot of different levels of THX. The computer speaker standards are the lowest of the bunch.

The better music computer speaker oriented sets will tend to not have that certification. It's mainly Klipsch / Logitech that have gone for it.

The iFi set (wall mounted if necessary) would be a nice option for you. It even has a remote iirc so that would take care of your volume control issues even if you wanted to wall mount.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

the klipsh ifi is aimed for ipods in name only. it's really a great set of speakers. i use one set for my computing needs, and another for a tv set up. they really are mind blowing for the 200 buck range, especially with the costco guarantee. try listening to them somewhere. the thx label is just a label as well. it doesn't really mean much, other than klipsh or logitech having paid out of their pockets for a sticker.

 

[guptasa1]

Hmmm. Okay - thanks for the clarification. It does look pretty sweet - all of the suggestions do. I will definitely consider it further.

 

[kamal007]

great discussion..btw how big is the difference between z2300 and bookshelf speakers..

 

[DualMonitors]

Hi Guys,

i'm in a similar situation in that i'm looking for a 2.1 system as well...for my computer desk, BUT, i do NOT game and want it for music.

the Aego M looks really good to me, but i'm not sure that it is that well suited for a computer. most computer speaker set ups have volume control and things like that, then again, if i were to get a good keyboard with mute and volume control (my logitech keyboard no longer works because i'm on Vista now, so i'm getting a new keyboard).

may i ask if some good folks here can compare M audio with the Aego M? or, furthermore, compare other brands/models that are even better than the M Audio and the Aego M? those two look head and shoulders above the typical run of the mill computer-grade speakers, which are not really as well designed, more in marketing them to computer buyers, while the M audio and the Aego M's look like they really try to market towards a serious music lover.

thx in advance and looking forward to hear the various opinions/comments/recommendations.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

how do the M-Audio LX4's (without the 5.1 expansion) sound in quality with the Swam M200's? how do they sound in the department of loudness?
i like good quality sound for music and dvd's but also enjoy a decent amount of bass

 

[alcoholbob]

One thing to mention about the iFi set--somehow Klipsch managed to forget to include a stereo mini 3.5mm cable with their box. You need to pick up a pair somewhere.

 

[HeavyB]

Dual Monitors,
I use my logitech keyboard with a volume jog dial to control my sound with these speakers and a cheapo Chaintech Envy based soundcard. link The beauty about that cheap soundcard for music listeners is that you can listen to your 2.1 speakers plugged into the jack that normally is used for the surround speakers in 5.1 mode. These 2 channels use high quality Wolfson DACs to produce some really nice quality music. I had to rerip my MP3s to a high bitrate in my itunes library because this set-up could make the difference easily distinguishible. The kicker was that (to my astonishment) Windows Vista recognized and configured the drivers appropriately when I set up my system to dual boot XP and Vista. The sats for the Aego M weigh a ton and are very clear and image really nicely for up close listening, but will easily fill a reasonably sized room as well. For $200 I am very happy with the purchase.

Cheers,
HeavyB

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: HeavyB
Dual Monitors,
I use my logitech keyboard with a volume jog dial to control my sound with these speakers and a cheapo Chaintech Envy based soundcard. link The beauty about that cheap soundcard for music listeners is that you can listen to your 2.1 speakers plugged into the jack that normally is used for the surround speakers in 5.1 mode. These 2 channels use high quality Wolfson DACs to produce some really nice quality music. I had to rerip my MP3s to a high bitrate in my itunes library because this set-up could make the difference easily distinguishible. The kicker was that (to my astonishment) Windows Vista recognized and configured the drivers appropriately when I set up my system to dual boot XP and Vista. The sats for the Aego M weigh a ton and are very clear and image really nicely for up close listening, but will easily fill a reasonably sized room as well. For $200 I am very happy with the purchase.

Cheers,
HeavyB

Note that it's actually the 7/8 jack used for rear speakers in a 7.1 configuration that you use for stereo use.

More info on it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=364771

 

[HeavyB]

I stand corrected! Thanks Yoyo. At any (bit)rate the Chaintech/AegoM works great for me, and its no-hassle installation when upgrading to Vista is great too.

I'll also add that a fancy desktop volume controller with all kinds of buttons and dials and such is just one more thing to break. If you have keyboard based volume control (which works with the Chaintech with my logitech wireless keyboard), it is not necessary.

Cheers,
HeavyB