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Looking for 2.1 speakers...Advice? Sub-$150

lilrayray69

lilrayray69

Senior member
So I've got a Cyber Acoustics 2.1 speaker system currently. It's at least ~3 years old and has some noticable 'noise' when not playing anything through them. So, I'm looking to replace it. What I have is this: http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acousti...7396&sr=8-1&keywords=cyber+acoustics+speakers[1] That may not be the exact model #, but it looks the same.

So I was looking into good 2.1 systems, and what I often see named as one of the 'best' (below $150 anyway) is the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system. Then of course I see comments saying it sucks compared to some bookshelf speakers.

Now I do not really consider my self an audiophile. The sound quality from these Cyber Acoustics has been satisfactory to me though I've never had much better to compare to. But, as I was looking into this I came across many people saying that a pair of bookshelf speakers, say something like the Micca MB42X (for ~$100) would blow away any sort of 'pre-made' 2.1 system.

I do not know much about speakers, so I don't understand if I would need an amp and/or receiver (or even really understand what those are) to use such speakers with my PC. I also don't know if they would require a separate subwoofer to get decent bass. Also, my PC is on a desk in my room, the desk being fairly cluttered with little to no floor space around it. Would such 'bookshelf' speakers be fine to place on a desk next my monitors?
Sorry for all the basic questions, but I am admittedly ignorant about audio in general and if I am going to spend $100+ I'd like to at least get something of quality that will last a while and not waste it on something that is actually cheap.

If it has any bearing, in my PC I have a ASUS Xonar DG soundcard - though I'm not even sure why.

Thanks!
 
If I knew what I know now about audio and had a chance to do it all over again, for music and gaming I'd stick to the Grado SR60 headphones. Those hit the bang for the buck mark at $70 and you'll have to spend too much money to get something better and will honestly not be worth it.

As for speakers if you have the space, get a basic AVR/bookshelf speaker combo. Find a garage sale/local ad AVR with an HDMI passthrough. When the amp is off, the HDMI video/audio signal will pass through to your monitor. You will be able to attach your current speakers to the AVR. If other's say you can't, it's VERY easy to make it do so.
 
I had the those Klipsch speakers and they still didn't provide the 'punch' I was looking for...I replaced them with Polk Audio book shelf speakers and a 10" sub powered by a Orb T-class amp...

Words cannot describe how much better the T-class and book shelf speakers are...
 
Just thought I'd update - I got the Micca PB42X, the self powered ones. So far I'm quite happy with it. I was initially looking into subwoofers, thinking I would 'need' one as I've always had one with those out-of-the-box 2.1 PC speaker systems. These speakers individually are nearly as big as my previous subwoofer, something I didn't fully realize. They put out pretty decent bass, probably enough for a small room like the one I'm in. I think the bass also deepens after a 'burn-in period' if I'm not mistaken.

Anyway, happy with them so far! Thanks for your all's input.
 
'Burn-in period' is controversial. But there are other things you can do to maximize your speakers.

1) Speaker placement. This makes the biggest difference. You can try near-field listening in your room. That is the ideal setup. It's ridiculous, but gives you an idea of how good it can get in your room with those speakers. If your speakers are on your desk elevate it like it's on a stand. The idea is to minimize the 1st reflection from hitting the table or sides then reaching your ear. I just raise the front part of the speaker to angle just the front up to me, then underneath that portion you can place fabric.

2) You can isolate or couple your speakers. They both to see what you like best. In general coupling will improve bass since it's not wasting it's energy shaking itself or the surfaces near it. You can couple by using a very thin layer of BluTak (picture mounting putty or Mortite). Mortite is not as flexible. You can isolate by using very thin neoprene (wet suit fabric) sheet or using a thick layer of BluTak. Use it like replacement feet. Isolation is most useful if the bass is just hopeless. It really depends on the speaker so try both.
 
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