Looking for a decent, inexpensive set of speakers.

[chevelle396]

Ok after looking over the different threads, I've brought the list down to a few pairs, and I want to know what everyone thinks about them.

BA4800 - $120 - 4
CSW FPS2000
CSW DTT2200 - 1
CSW DTT2500
CSW DTT3500
Altec Lansing ACS48 - $82
Altec Lansing ATP3 - $51
Labtec Pulse 424 - $41 - 1

I know those CSW speakers are expensive, but I can get them for much cheaper than retail.

I'll add something if ya'll offer suggestions...

 

[snidy]

Out of your choices I would go with the Altec Lansing ACS48, but it's worth the extra cash to get Boston Acoustics BA4800

 

[zoom8112]

labtec pulse all the way

go to your local compusa, and listen to those puppies

the base is very strong on the woofer, and the sats are booming as well

dont be fooled by thier small size, these are some great speakers

 

[chevelle396]

updated with votes, tryin to start a little tally.

i've not listened to the pulse's, perhaps i should.

and I'm upgrading from FPS1000's, so pretty much anything is better than what i have.

 

[Pr0Hawk]

I got the Creative Sound Works FPS2200's which are around $110's. Its well worth it. Dont get the 2000's tho. They are pretty lousy.

 

[Wingznut]

Oh c'mon...

Obviously you guys haven't heard the BA-4800's. They are by far the best speakers under $250. And arguably the best below $500.

 

[rpeAMP]

My vote goes for the Boston Acoustics BA4800 speakers. Although I've never actually used these speakers, I have the BA7500s and my car is outfitted with Boston speakers and subs. Never had any kind of problem and sound is distortion-free at every sound level I've tried.

Here's a review of the BA4800s: http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/reviews/BA4800/BA4800.html

 

[Noriaki]

<< Oh c'mon...

Obviously you guys haven't heard the BA-4800's. They are by far the best speakers under $250. And arguably the best below $500. >>

I would have to agree with that. I've heard good things about the Pulse 424s, but they are only 2.1. I would much prefer a 4.1 setup, and the BA4800 are excellent. They go as loud as you'll need unless you are being silly, they have excellent quality, especially in the midrange which is sorely lacking in most computer speakers. The Sub is very powerful, but doesn't ever sacrifice quality for loudness. It's a very powerful clean sub.

It's very rare that someone is dissapointed with the BA4800 speakers. I think most of those could even be contributed to the occasional faulty set (which any company has).

 

[chevelle396]

updated, and I'm still thinking about those labtecs, if they really sound decent. I'm gonna be using these mainly for gaming, mp3's and movies will be run to my stereo system.

 

[Salvador]

It's really too bad that ADS doesn't make pc speakers. They make killer small speakers and I think that they'd make a hell of a great set of pc speakers.

OTOH.. Dynaudio would probably make great pc speakers too, but they would be too expensive for the typical buyer, so I don't think they'd ever consider it.

I'm making these comparisons because BA makes car separates and the ADS are much better IMO. ADS also makes great small sats, so it would be natural for them to come out with a line of multimedia speakers.

Sal

 

[chevelle396]

added a few more sets of speakers, and I think you mean DTT2200, not FPS2200.

 

[Caiwyn]

I really wouldn't recommend the DTT2200 unless you have a SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 card (the kind with built-in Dolby 5.1 decoding). Even then, I wouldn't recommend them unless you wanted to save some money. The DTT2500 and DTT3500 models have their own Dolby 5.1 decoding, which will take that burden off your computer.

As far as quality of sound goes... the DTT2200, DTT2500, and DTT3500 all have about the same quality sound. They're the same thing, really, with different features built in. The DTT3500 is the nicest one, as it comes with a remote control.

The CSW FPS2000 is only a 4.1 system, I should note. There's no center front speaker like in the other three CSW models you have listed.

Some people don't care for the quality of the CSW speakers, but I happen to like them because they have an advantage that other speakers don't - they can utilize a direct digital connection from the SB Live series of sound cards. If you don't have an SB Live, though, this will probably be useless to you.

Labtec and Altec Lansing are quite definitely inferior in quality, but depending on how much of an audiophile you are, they may be worth it for their lower price. Altec Lansing speakers certainly aren't bad, especially for the cost. I would probably stay way from Labtec, though.

I've heard good things about the Boston Acoustics. Those who have them swear by them. Unfortunately, I've never had any experience with them. I'm a Creative Labs / Cambridge Soundworks fan, myself. I happen to have the DTT2500 set and am quite happy with it (though I do sometimes wish I had the nifty remote control on that DTT3500!).

 

[chevelle396]

Ok, I'm pretty set on the DTT2500 with what you just said. I've got a digital out on my Santa Cruz, so that'll be ok. would someone compare the FPS2000 and DTT2500 for me? preferably someone who's had both systems.

 

[chevelle396]

lets put it this way, are the DTT2500's worth the extra 70 bucks over the FPS2000's?

 

[jaredm77]

If I were you I would go with a speaker from BA or Altec-Lansing or something like that just because of the quality. But I would reccomend maybe going to Best Buy and trying some out, see what they sound like in your opinion...couldn't hurt, and then you'd be making the best decision for you.

 

[LukFilm]

Hmm, let's see, what would I recommend? BA4800!!!

 

[chevelle396]

I can get the fps2000's for about 50 less than I can get the BA4800's, seeing as I'm only using these for games - I think I might have to go with the fps2000's.

 

[Joony]

anyone know where i would get the BA4800? best buy dosen't carry em anymore...

 

[chevelle396]

there are 2 pricewatch matches, but I dunno about their reps

 

[AudioGod]

I listen Labtec Pulse at display at Office Depot. They were acceptable in sound quality comparing with other five there.

 

[hans007]

the fps2000s are good speakers for the money. i have a set in the garage somewhere (replaced with the ps330s compaqs woohoo!) The dtt2500s i wouldn't get because the sats are the same as the fps2000s and the sub is 5 watts RMS less. the center channel is like 19 watts or something, but itsnot worth doubling the price almost. The digital connection on these i thought only works with Creative labs digial port?


Actually, i would just go on ebay, and buy the ps330s from one of those jackassess that bought them up during the insight.com deal. 140 watt sub, with 10 watt satelites. They are going for about $25 + $30 or so shipping from the hotdeals people who bought like 80 sets. You can buy another set of sats from eimsdirect.com for $29. Or just buy 2 sets of the ps330s.

 

[quepasa]

The ASC48's are awesome... great price/value ratio

 

[chevelle396]

i wasnt too impressed with my ps330's to tell you the truth. The bass was barely audible when it was hooked up to the TB Santa Cruz, but it sounded good when on the jack from my stereo reciever. I'll try em out again today.