Best 2.1 speakers

[Fuel Injected]

I've thought about getting the logitech z-2300's for awhile, but are there any other, possibly better/cheaper options? It will be used for gaming and watching tv?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Both klipsch promedias and a set of bookshelf speakers and receiver/amp are going to be better, but as for cheaper I think it would be tough to find anything better in the ~$100 range.

 

[Fuel Injected]

what would be the benefits of bookshelf speakers?

 

[cecco]

I use the Klipsch pro medias with an Audigy 2 ZS. Awsome!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well, you'll be getting some real sound equipment then. Speakers designed by companies dedicated to building high quality sound equipment vs computer speaker companies.

A basic amp is going to cost you ~$50 minimum off ebay (if you're interested, ask ribbon13 for some advice on what's a good buy), and then some decent bookshelf speakers for about $100. (like some entras or something) and you can have a nice starter system. If you want more bass, adding an inexpensive sub will get you a really solid system.

I wouldn't really recommend going this route unless you were interested in getting much better sound quality for the cost it will take to get an entry level 2.1 bookshelf speaker system going.

In the under $250 level, computer speakers offer nice bang for the buck, but if you're willing to spend $150 or $250 if you need a sub, a bookshelf speaker system will get you better quality.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

are M-audio speakers good? ive looked at their 2.1 system and its expensive!

from overclockers.co.uk

"M-Audio Studiophile LX4 2.1 System - Retail (SP-003-MA)
Now you can have high-quality stereo reference monitoring, along with an easy upgrade path to the complete Studiophile LX4 Surround System. The LX4 2.1 System gives you full-fidelity stereo monitoring today with two crisp-sounding LX4 satellite monitors and a bone-shaking subwoofer with integral crossover.

- 2 passive satellites with 4? LF drivers plus HF drivers
- 8? subwoofer with 6 power amps
- 25 watts for sub, 15 watts per channel for satellites
- Easily expandable to 5.1 surround system with Studiophile LX4 5.1 Expander

Please check the audio connection on your computer equipment as this product is not supplied with a universal connector cable!


Full Specification

Price: £149.90 (£176.13 Including VAT at 17.5%) "

i have some logitech Z3's and theyre going back for RMA since the subs developed a rattling noise, think the drivers gone. i was pretty pleased with them while they worked, tho the sub is one of those pressure drivers. (basically a small sub (sub 8inch---so not even a proper sub) pushing air through a few tubes which pushes a larger flat surface.) it had loud bass, but it was lacking precise bass

so on the RMA i was thinking about paying the extra to upgrade to the Z2300's

though i dont understand why the Z2200's cost more if theyre older

 

[ribbon13]

M-Audio makes some solid stuff. Thier are amps are second only to Audiobahn. Followed by Phoenix Gold and Rockford Fosgate.

If those 15 watts are RMS ratings and at least Class AB then that would be more than sufficient for most people.

BR-1s and an Integrated amp w/o a sub would still produce more bass. Which makes adding a quality sub rockin^^

 

[Dragonbate]

I always recommend Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 as the best sound for the buck.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I haven't read anything about the m-audio set....

For that pricerange ($330?) you can get a really nice system like I mentioned above that would probably give you better results than that set.

Another thing in this range would be to add that dayton sub I linked to above and a set of swan comptuer speakers.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
M-Audio makes some solid stuff. Thier are amps are second only to Audiobahn. Followed by Phoenix Gold then Rockford Fosgate.

If those 15 watts are RMS ratings and at least Class AB then that would be more than sufficient for most people.

BR-1s and an Integrated amp w/o a sub would still produce more bass. Which makes adding a quality sub rockin^^

i never thought of phoenix gold being all that good. would certainly put fosgate ahead of them.

 

[calyco]

If you want speakers (only?) for gaming and tv then I think the promedias will do just fine but if you want higher fidelity for dvds/music the next step up would cost a bit more, about $700. Personally I would at the very least get a $500 receiver and $300 pair of bookshelves in order for it to be considered an upgrade. Thats just a rough estimate, there are alot of good budget components out there too. Remember the promedias are computer speakers so as long as your room is not too big they will sound great, very good bang for the buck. Also check out the Creative Megaworks or the Altec Lansing MX5021 (havent heard the Altecs but Ive seen tons of great reviews on them).

 

[otispunkmeyer]

ok jus to get this straight can people put these in order of goodness

logitech
klipsch
Altec Lansing
JBL
Creative
M-Audio
Cambridge soundworks

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: deviant03
If you want speakers (only?) for gaming and tv then I think the promedias will do just fine but if you want higher fidelity for dvds/music the next step up would cost a bit more, about $700. Personally I would at the very least get a $500 receiver and $300 pair of bookshelves in order for it to be considered an upgrade. Thats just a rough estimate, there are alot of good budget components out there too. Remember the promedias are computer speakers so as long as your room is not too big they will sound great, very good bang for the buck. Also check out the Creative Megaworks or the Altec Lansing MX5021 (havent heard the Altecs but Ive seen tons of great reviews on them).

yes those altec look interesting, my dad seems to think highly of altec lansing, but hes got a load of old wharfdale kit, and im not sure how good wharfdale used to be

 

[Fuel Injected]

Originally posted by: deviant03
If you want speakers (only?) for gaming and tv then I think the promedias will do just fine but if you want higher fidelity for dvds/music the next step up would cost a bit more, about $700. Personally I would at the very least get a $500 receiver and $300 pair of bookshelves in order for it to be considered an upgrade. Thats just a rough estimate, there are alot of good budget components out there too. Remember the promedias are computer speakers so as long as your room is not too big they will sound great, very good bang for the buck. Also check out the Creative Megaworks or the Altec Lansing MX5021 (havent heard the Altecs but Ive seen tons of great reviews on them).

I'm watching tv on my computer(tv tuner card) with gaming. Not interested in a amp/receiver setup, just two speakers and a sub

 

[ManBearPig]

the z2200s are 50-60 bucks...there is always a rebate.

 

[Bruck]

A blast from the past that I still to this day think are one of the best bargains around:

Altec Lansing ADA880 or 885's are incredible. If you can find them somewhere they are outstanding. My brother has my old ones and everytime I hear them I want them back. FYI I've switched to a separate home theatre custom rig (pioneer elite/polk audio) and on my pc i dumbed down to harmon kardon champagnes. While I get better sound out of my home theatre even for music, I often miss the punch that my pc had when I was using the Altec's. I can not speak for the newer AL 's I only know that the 885's and 880s were the best damn speakers I've ever heard built for a pc.

 

[calyco]

Yeah man gaming on the 880s was wicked fun. The sub used to rumble the clock right off my wall from all the gunfire. Im running dedicated stereo now with a combo of parasound and marantz gear but no sub, I dont even have speakers on pc anymore. Downgraded pc audio to upgrade to hifi hehe.

Fuel Injected - If I were you I would try out the Altec Lansing MX5021 because:

they are newer
have almost 100% positive reviews online , check google and 3dss.com forum
has two midrange drivers
and they look purty

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: deviant03
If you want speakers (only?) for gaming and tv then I think the promedias will do just fine but if you want higher fidelity for dvds/music the next step up would cost a bit more, about $700. Personally I would at the very least get a $500 receiver and $300 pair of bookshelves in order for it to be considered an upgrade. Thats just a rough estimate, there are alot of good budget components out there too. Remember the promedias are computer speakers so as long as your room is not too big they will sound great, very good bang for the buck. Also check out the Creative Megaworks or the Altec Lansing MX5021 (havent heard the Altecs but Ive seen tons of great reviews on them).

Why on earth would you need a $500 receiver to get better sound than the plate amp provides in the promedia set?

Promedias aren't magic. It's a budget sub and 4 to 5 small satellite speakers.