Looking for a 2.1 computer speaker setup

[LordNoob]

I am looking for a 2.1 computer speaker setup under $100. I want good sound quality but it will never get turned up too loud because I live in an apartment with older neighbors. I was looking on newegg and the Logitech Z-4 is $65 free shipping and the Logitech X-230 is a little more than $40 with shipping. Both look like good choices. I am not looking for a thumping sub here, but sound quality is important.

A) Which of these two should I get, considering price and any other factor?
B) What other options should I consider?
C) Should I get a 2.0 setup to avoid a conflict between the subwoofer and my neighbors?

 

[nerp]

A lot of people will tell you to get the Klipsch promedia 2.1 setup, which I have, and it's excellent. Although it's not going to run in the $50 range, the audio quality is as close to hi-fi quality as I've seen for computer speakers.

I find most of logitech's speaker systems to be pretty poor. I'm a bit of an audio purist, though, and can detect cheesy postprocessing and acoustic enhancement effects that cheap speakers use to inflate the sound. I'd rather have a pair of basic studio monitors than some gassy, muddy sounding logitech speakers.

Then again, I don't have experience with either of the two models you're referring to, so my complaints about cheap speakers should be considered generalized.

But as a general rule, if your budget is $100, spend $100 to $120. $40 for speakers will just leave you dissapointed.

If you're going for audio quality, you could always get a tivoli radio, get the second speaker for it and enjoy rich stereo sound by connecting the PC to the tivoli's line in. The subwoofer is optional. But this will cost you well over $100. Sorry dude. I keep recommending expensive stuff......but I dunno, I always feel that certian things, like speakers, monitors and power supplies are the kind of things you have to shell out more than you'd like for quality because the feeling of dissapointment with a subpar product far outweighs the initial burn of the purchase price.

 

[LordNoob]

Let me clarify. I have a receiver and a good pair of HK bookshelf speakers set up with my record player and DVD audio/SACD player in the same room. For music from my computer I plan to run a Toslink to my receiver.

My problem comes in with the fact that the speakers are on a different wall and thus the stereo sound does not correlate to the position of my computer.

The 2.1 setup I am looking for is just for general use of my computer- i.e. light gaming, web surfing, youtube type stuff, maybe some limited music if I am too lazy to grab the remote for my receiver, or if I just want to keep things quiet late at night and don't want to deal with headphones. Ultimately, I want something that has accurate audio reproduction at low to moderate volumes.

Also, I have a 12 inch JBL subwoofer (E250) that is not currently connected to my receiver, as I am concerned about the neighbors downstairs and upstairs (its an old building). As such, I thought I might be able to get away with a small 5.25" or 8" low-power sub such as in the two Logitech models I mentioned in my previous post. Thus, I don't want to get the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s (even though in my heart of hearts I really do want them) because I am well aware of how they can thump, even at low volumes. Don't get me wrong, I know the Klipsch speakers are fantastic (my buddy has the 2.1s and they seriously rock), but I want something a little more tame.

As I have mentioned, subs may be problematic for me, so I am also considering 2.0 setups. I have looked at the Klipsch 2.0 model but I read about some issues regarding the quality of the knobs, construction, etc. Also, I have considered the creative gigaworks 2.0 (I forget the model number).

Any thoughts?

 

[frostedflakes]

I was actually going to suggest the Klipsch 2.0. I bought them because I couldn't stand the thumpy bass that most <$100 2.1 setups seemed to exhibit. I like the Klipsch 2.0 because they seem much more balanced than any of the moderately priced 2.1 setups I had tried. I mainly listen to music and really like them. They even have a surprising amount of kick for gaming and movies (i.e. explosions and stuff like that). Obviously they won't shake the walls like a sub setup, but you can feel your desk shake a bit.

As far as the knobs they don't seem any cheaper than the knobs on other speakers in this price range. In my experience most speakers in the $50-100 range have pretty crappy pots. I try to avoid wear and tear on the knobs as much as possible by using Winamp and Windows volume adjustments. Of course it'd be nice if Klipsch just used better pots, but oh well, you work with what you have. It's a minor gripe for me, I'm still very pleased with these speakers. As far as overall construction they seem sturdy enough. Keep in mind that these are marketed as portable speakers (although they are far too large to be considered portable IMO, not to mention the large power brick). Perhaps people with these issues were moving them around a lot. Just sitting on my desk though I don't see any problems with the construction.

 

[shortylickens]

Nerp is certainly generalizing.
I got the Logitech Z-5300's after hearing them at a friends house.
A few weeks later he got the Z-5500's and I was even more impressed.

Excellent audio for the money, but your question was about 2.1 audio.

I'd recommend the Klipsch as well but if you want it cheap and not too powerful I'd probably go with the http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16836119109 30 watt 2.0's. Sound great and wont blow your eardrums.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: LordNoob
Let me clarify. I have a receiver and a good pair of HK bookshelf speakers set up with my record player and DVD audio/SACD player in the same room. For music from my computer I plan to run a Toslink to my receiver.

My problem comes in with the fact that the speakers are on a different wall and thus the stereo sound does not correlate to the position of my computer.

The 2.1 setup I am looking for is just for general use of my computer- i.e. light gaming, web surfing, youtube type stuff, maybe some limited music if I am too lazy to grab the remote for my receiver, or if I just want to keep things quiet late at night and don't want to deal with headphones. Ultimately, I want something that has accurate audio reproduction at low to moderate volumes.

Also, I have a 12 inch JBL subwoofer (E250) that is not currently connected to my receiver, as I am concerned about the neighbors downstairs and upstairs (its an old building). As such, I thought I might be able to get away with a small 5.25" or 8" low-power sub such as in the two Logitech models I mentioned in my previous post. Thus, I don't want to get the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s (even though in my heart of hearts I really do want them) because I am well aware of how they can thump, even at low volumes. Don't get me wrong, I know the Klipsch speakers are fantastic (my buddy has the 2.1s and they seriously rock), but I want something a little more tame.

As I have mentioned, subs may be problematic for me, so I am also considering 2.0 setups. I have looked at the Klipsch 2.0 model but I read about some issues regarding the quality of the knobs, construction, etc. Also, I have considered the creative gigaworks 2.0 (I forget the model number).

Any thoughts?

Then turn the sub down?

 

[Skott]

The Logitech Z-2300 2.1 are priced just above the $100 mark. Sometimes you can find them for $99. Very nice speakers. Thats what I reccomend to people wanting 2.1 speakers.

 

[LordNoob]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: LordNoob
Let me clarify. I have a receiver and a good pair of HK bookshelf speakers set up with my record player and DVD audio/SACD player in the same room. For music from my computer I plan to run a Toslink to my receiver.

My problem comes in with the fact that the speakers are on a different wall and thus the stereo sound does not correlate to the position of my computer.

The 2.1 setup I am looking for is just for general use of my computer- i.e. light gaming, web surfing, youtube type stuff, maybe some limited music if I am too lazy to grab the remote for my receiver, or if I just want to keep things quiet late at night and don't want to deal with headphones. Ultimately, I want something that has accurate audio reproduction at low to moderate volumes.

Also, I have a 12 inch JBL subwoofer (E250) that is not currently connected to my receiver, as I am concerned about the neighbors downstairs and upstairs (its an old building). As such, I thought I might be able to get away with a small 5.25" or 8" low-power sub such as in the two Logitech models I mentioned in my previous post. Thus, I don't want to get the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s (even though in my heart of hearts I really do want them) because I am well aware of how they can thump, even at low volumes. Don't get me wrong, I know the Klipsch speakers are fantastic (my buddy has the 2.1s and they seriously rock), but I want something a little more tame.

As I have mentioned, subs may be problematic for me, so I am also considering 2.0 setups. I have looked at the Klipsch 2.0 model but I read about some issues regarding the quality of the knobs, construction, etc. Also, I have considered the creative gigaworks 2.0 (I forget the model number).

Any thoughts?

Then turn the sub down?

Fundamentally, the problem with a sub is that it will have to be placed on the floor and it produces lower frequencies that carry through the structure of the building (i.e. shaking the floor/ceiling) in ways that bookshelf speakers do not.

Anyway, I ended up going with the Klipsch 2.0 setup. Ordered from Amazon because newegg only had the silver color in stock. Big mistake. Super Saver Shipping will take over two weeks from time of order according to the estimate provided via their website. Newegg's standard shipping never exceeds three days for me. If I remember, I will update once I get the speakers and break them in a bit (if I still remember, as I might start losing my memory from old age by the time amazon gets the speakers to my door).

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i'd suggest getting a pair of home theater bookshelf speakers for around $100 and getting a cheap Sonic T-Amp to power them. no need for a sub with that budget. the sound quality of those bookshelf speakers will blow away anything from logitech or creative

 

[NAC]

LOUISSSSS, you beat me to it.

I was just going to recommend that. In my case, I'm going to hook up a Sonic T-Amp to some old Cerwin Vega floor standing units I no longer use. They are 6 ohms and incredibly easy to drive. They actually aren't great speakers - very flat - but I think the setup should be musically neutral, with excellent, transparent bass. It probably wont be loud, which is fine by me.

I admit I haven't spent time sampling setups sold for computers, but I strongly suspect this will be far superior to most, at least to my ears.

Later I when I upgrade my Wharfedale Diamond 8 speakers, I may use them with the computer - but I'll have to decide if I want to lose the wonderful Cerwin Vega bass or use a subwoofer.

 

[NAC]

To clarify when I wrote "transparent" bass - I think a good set of large speakers like Cerwin Vegas produce bass which doesn't thump, and doesn't need to be loud to be heard or enjoyed. Smaller speakers, or cheap subwoofers can't match that. You might want to find a used set of larger speakers with low ohms, and a T-amp or used reciever.

I'll let you know how it turns out once I get mine all setup. I'll admit that I'm worried the T-amp will be a little too quiet...

 

[Peter]

Once again I recommend you rather get /really/decent/ stereo "near field monitor" speakers from a proper music gear manufacturer. At $100, Behringer's MS20 are well in reach. Digital and analog inputs, amp in right speaker, very decent spatial rendering and a good bass. For a few dollars more, also available as MS40 with bigger bass cones and twice the power.

 

[LordNoob]

I got the Klipsch 2.0 setup. Yes they are bigger than other desktop 2.0 setups but I don't have the space where my computer is for all that stereo equipment.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
i'd suggest getting a pair of home theater bookshelf speakers for around $100 and getting a cheap Sonic T-Amp to power them. no need for a sub with that budget. the sound quality of those bookshelf speakers will blow away anything from logitech or creative

Could you suggest something that would sound clearer than say Logitech Z-2300s?