Audiophiles: best powered speakers for computer under $300

[DickBurns]

I listen to a lot of music on my computer and my altec lansings sound like crap. I have been looking at powered reference speakers for recording but they are all too expensive. I really like the Roland ds-50a since they have digital inputs, but $250 each on sale is a little steep. Anyone know of anything similar that wouldn't be so expensive? Thanks

 

[Ryan]

I would go for the Boston Acoustics Ba7800s. There have yet to be any reviews on them, but they are the same speakers as Boston's high end home theater systems. You can only buy them directly from gateway, @ their Gateway Country Stores.

But, if you would like to go for a system that has been proven to be good, get the Klipsch Promedia 4.1 THX Certified 5 piece Personal Audio System for 299 (at newegg).

 

[DickBurns]

I have thought of those, but I really want to move away from regular multimedia speakers. Even the Klipsch are sub-par when compared to "real" audiophile type speakers. I am not looking for the most powerful, just ones that are very accurate and produce the cleanest sound. That is why I have been looking at recording reference speakers, but I know there is something in between.

 

[JohnathanX]

Umm, yes, those klipsh pro media speakers are pretty good, but they are nothing, compared to what I got!

2- 15" k-horn
2- 15" poineer subs
like 8 midranges
2 jbl bookshelf speakers with 1-8", 1-6" and a tweet, plus a center channel

It is quite stunning when playing counter-strike and UT and whatching DVD's!

 

[Mavrick007]

I saw some tower "powered" speakers from Yamaha that looked really good and they were on clearance, definitely under $300US.

 

[DickBurns]

where? what model?

 

[mikeford]

Recording reference speakers are common, and generally crappy. NS10's sound awful, but everybody in the recording industry is familiar with them. Some Mackie and other studio speakers have pretty good sound, but aren't cheap or great sounding.

Dig up a cheap receiver and buy a set of NICE sounding speakers. Forget the powered, reference, etc. baloney, and especially the computer part. Good sound doesn't come from hanging speakers on each side of the monitor, so you really don't have to worry about magnetic shielding.

Buying used speakers is also a good way to save. So is building from a kit.

OTOH I almost never work through speakers, I have a set of Sennheiser HD600 headphones which reveal everything.

 

[human2k]

Get the Logitech Z560!!!!!!!!!! Its kicks major butt!!!!!!!!

 

[Beatles]

<< Get the Logitech Z560!!!!!!!!!! Its kicks major butt!!!!!!!! >>


They sound like absolute garbage for music.

 

[HouRman]

Brands like Klipsch, Altec Lansing, and JBL can't compare to true audiophile brands like Paradigm and Diva Swans.

In your price range there are Diva Swans M200 self powered computer speakers sold at AV123. I've never heard them but am fond of Diva Swans and the speakers supposedly don't need a sub because they are capable of bass themselves and produce audiophile quality. (2 speakers for $300)

If you want deeper base, then you'll need a sub. Maybe go for a self powered SVS subwoofer that starts at $600 which is capable of bass far lower than any computer sub can produce. (13hz-100hz range) The sub enclosures are shaped like cylinders and can be as tall as a person. With true twelve inch throaty bass from a tuned enclosure that matches movie theater quality of 122 db of just clean bass.

But if you want low end audio with harsh highs and dinky bass, then go for something like the Klipsch Promedia 5.1s. You'll probably be happy with them like most of my friends. You can audition the Logitech and PM 5.1s at Best buy but keep in mind they won't sound the same considering the speaker placement and room acoustics.

 

[Def]

<< They sound like absolute garbage for music. >>



The Logitech Z560's aren't anywhere near audiophile quality. Then again, no audiophile quality speakers cost $140 for a complete set.

But they are definitely on par or better than any Klipsch offering, and at a fraction of a price. They are at the very high end of computer audio speakers, yet they don't cost an arm and a leg like some "other offerings".

There seems to be alot of "brand awareness" on this forum, along with some equally silly opinions about some "not top dollar" products.

 

[MisterDuck]

Personally, I think the Monsoon MM2000's are the best you're going to get south of three hundred bucks, from a "quality" perspective. The passive radiators on the sub (it's not ported) give the bass a very tight, clean sound - and the dipole sats have some of the best mids and highs I've ever heard, although the transition from the sub to the mids is poor. The sub also has a limited range (I think it maxes out down around 35hz?), but no more so than the klipsch or logitec, from a practical standpoint. Even those would be marginal from an audiophile perspective. The Klipsch and Logitec speakers are not geared at all towards musical reproduction (more so for gaming, DVD, and anything aimed at getting the cops called on you) and less towards accurate, precise, clean, and rich reproduction of sound. Do they sound bad? No, hell no...but they're just not really that great when it comes to higher end musical reproduction.

If you want my honest reccomendation (assuming QUALITY is your key focus and three hundred is your limit), you should look into getting some comfortable headphones. For three hundred bucks, you can get a pair of phones that'll probably rival speakers costing THOUSANDS more...and although some people scoff at that reccomendation, try playing CS/UT/whatever with a quality pair of headphones, or listening to a DVD, and you'll see that they can literally blow you away.

I've never heard the swans, but they're supposed to be very nice sounding - although I seriously doubt they're a lot better than more popular brands. For three hundred bucks, it's just hard to make a system that sounds *really* good.

 

[linster]

If you're listening to music on your computer, do you really need "audiophile" speakers? MP3s, even high bit rate ones, will not require great speakers. As some have mentioned here, grab yourself a good pair of Senn HD600, a good CD player, a good Amp, and/or a good heaphone Amp. Lean back and enjoy your favorite CDs.

 

[MisterDuck]

Files on a computer that aren't in a lossy compression (IE: MP3's, which sound like complete garbage on most audiophile systems, as you pointed out) are still as musically accurate as a CD - they should be as accurate as a CD in all respects since there's no loss associated with digital formats. For all practical purposes, files in a wav format should be identical to the musical files on an audio CD.

So I dunno about not needing high quality speakers on your computer...I find it to be a nice luxury, but I guess if your primary listening media is MP3, then it's not really a big deal.

Oh, and those Senn HD600's are SWEET. Damn, if I had three hundred bucks and money for a headphone amp....I know where I'd be.

 

[tsnyder]

I bought a pair of Monsoon MM-700's for $100 after rebate about a year and a half ago. They sound fantastic for the price, and I have them sitting next to my home theatre system. my home theatre consists of:

Klipsch Reference Series 2xRP-5, RC-3,2xRS-3 and a Yamaha RX-V795

I personally think surround speakers for your pc is pointless, I'd rather have very good quality 2-channel output. The monsoon's are definitally worth the money, I have no complaints.

 

[HouRman]

I agree with the headphones sounding great as I do have a pair of pricey sennheisers I got at Guitar Center.

But there's a difference between bass pressure you feel in the room, and bass that pressures your ear drums. I like having friends over to watch DVDs in my room which is now arranged specifically for home theater PC. Headphones are great if you're alone, but then where's the fun in tuning, placement, design and wood work that comes with a home theater?

 

[Becks2k]

Get HD580s, they're 99% as good as the HD600s but for 1/2 the price. I paid $170 for mine almost 2 years ago. I've seen them for $150 since... dunno if you can stillfind themor not.

www.stereolink.com get the Model1200... USB soundcard with a very nice DAC and a built in headamp. Doubt you can find better soundoutput for the price.

It says it has a built in headphone amp, but don't know its quality... probably not as good as a max or something but you'll still get great sound overall.

Most soundcards suck because they scale everything from 44.1 to 48 and add noise from teh computer = bad sound. santacruz is the best if you want a normal soundcard.... the stereolink is only good for 2 channel music really.

anyways HD580s + model1200 is just above $300

then get a 160gig maxtor... www.exactaudiocopy.de, www.monkeysaudio.com(lossless compression)... and you're set! =D

 

[Goi]

I second the M200 speakers, I think they go for $299 direct. Anyway, even though digital sound is digital sound, there is a difference, from what I've heard/compared, with CD music coming from a CD player, and CD music coming from a CD-ROM drive. I did a comparison on my HTPC system with a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard(already way better than normal soundcards like the TBSC, Philips AE, Audigy or Live!), Pioneer DVD-116 CD-ROM drive, connected via a Belden 1506A RG59 coaxial cable to my TagMcLaren AV32R. Another CD player, an Eleptone FCD1241 was also connected to the AV32R via coaxial cable. Both sources were level matched by ear(since I don't have a dB meter) and then switched back and forth. While not a double blind test, I was pretty sure I heard a slight difference. Without direct comparison the difference might not have been heard though.

 

[Nova101]

The Logitech Z560s are junk. Total junk. They are cheap because they are made cheap. Search around for all the people that are on their 2nd and 3rd sets from blown amps. Me? I am on my second set and they are going back because I don't want to own these speakers outside the 30 day return window.

 

[Yoshi]

Computer speakers are garbage and IMO you will never achieve even close to audiophile sound quality with any set of computer speakers. I have a set of Klipsch Pro Media 2.1's on my girlfriends PC and I'm not impressed. Do youself a favor and save up for an inexpensive but quality 2 channel integrated amplifier and a nice set of bookshelf speakers that you can add a quality subwoofer to should you choose to. Going this route you at least end up with equipment that is good for more than just your computer should your needs ever change.

My computer is hooked right up to my home theater system that currently consists of Denon hardware with a full set of Polk RTE series speakers, but I understand that this type of setup is not convenient for everyone.

 

[jteef]

Your best bet is to try to buy used gear or do it yourself. www.speakerbuilder.net is a DIY site devoted to getting the best sound out of cheap parts. Relative to commercial offerings their designs are probably good quality mid-fi. If you have the space, The D3 and a good receiver or integrated amp from ebay would make a pretty nice computer sound system I think. For the money, you simply cannot beat good headphones though. Good audio stuff costs a lot of money for a reason and it isn't all voodoo and markup.

jt

 

[Slatz]

I vote for the Monsoon MH505

 

[AudiPorsche]

i have monsoon MM1000 ... i got as a hot deal 2 years ago ( got em for 45$ CND!!!!). i must say they are extremely great for music, they are soooo crisp and clear. There is just enough bass that it can raddle your desk. The only con is that the onyl person that can hear its quaility is the person sitting in the computer chair, the speakers are so directional that when you get out of your seat it sounds soooo bad.

 

[RanDum72]

The Logitech Z-560's are actually a good choice, provided you replace the satellites with something better. I just got the Z-560's then replaced the satellites with minispeakers from Radioshack ( RCA Pro-LS10, doscontinued, on sale for $20), they are rated at 50W RMS, 100w peak, video shielded, and they provided better mids and highs because of their two-way design and pretty good x-overs( I didn't have to buy them just for this purpose because I already have them) The Z-560 has awesome bass so all bases are covered.

A step up would be to get Polk R10's as satellites ($80/pair at Circuit City) or just go ahead and buy a seperate receiver and good speakers.

 

[hoihtah]

haha... i thought you were asking for speakers that will go well with a computer that costs under $300.00