Best 2.1 Set, possibly replacing 5.1

[Molinjir]

I got the logitech Z-5500 about 6 months ago, and I've really enjoyed using them. Pretty decent sound, except a somewhat lacking midrange, and killer connectivity options plus pretty good aesthetics. However, my father is looking to set up a home theatre setup, and not wishing to invest in another reciever + 5.1 set, he's offered to take my set in exchange for whatever pair of 2.1s I want, within reason 🙂.

I mostly listen to music, (jazz, with the occasional bit of classical or samba, or even tropicalismo or latin), with the occasional movie.
The options I've seen so far are as follows;

Harman Kardon Soundsticks II: (150$ or so as I remember)
Pretty good sound, and really attractive physically. Not sure about sound vs the klipsch, for example though.

Klipsch Promedia 2.1 (140$ or so)
Good sound, but aesthetics really aren't that great.

M- Audio monitors of some sort like the Studio Pro 4 or something along those lines. (199$ MSRP)
These apparently have excellent sound, but obviously, bass will be lacking with no sub.

I've also heard good things about Swanns m200, but again, no sub.

Klipsch iFi, refurbished, perhaps, would probably be ideal, but it's rather pricey, so that may not be realistic.

Thoughts?

 

[shoegazer]

The swans would probably be your best choice. Yeah, they don't have a sub. But, the midrange speakers on them are bigger than most 2.1 subs and put out clearer bass. It might not reach quite as low as the high end klipsch and logitech 2.1 systems, but the entire sound spectrum is going to be more neutral and balanced.

 

[John]

If I had to choose speakers I would go with the Klipsch iFi for ~$200 on eBay. Otherwise skip desktop speakers and invest in a quality set of cans.

 

[w00t]

5.1 > 2.1 if you setup it correctly

 

[shoegazer]

Originally posted by: w00t
5.1 > 2.1 if you setup it correctly

for games and dvds, yes. 5.1 is pointless if you mainly use the speakers for music though.