Looking to spend $200 or less on a pair of speakers and a sub

[madblitzer]

Please bear with a rookie poster.

I searched the forums for a quality pair of speakers and a sub but most posts contain a 5-speaker system (BA4800's and Klipsch's). I will be using them just for casual listening, nothing professional. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

madblitzer

 

[Jeff H]

madblitzer, I recently went through the same exercize you're going through, looking for a quality 2.1 (2 satellites, one subwoofer) speaker setup. You have a couple of readily-available options. For approx. $90 you could pick up a set of the Boston Acoustics BA790's, a 2.1 setup. For approx. $200 you can go up the $$ and power ladder to the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's.

I've had both setups, and IMO you'll be hard pressed to beat the BA's for $90. However, if you want a speaker setup that can do damage to your hearing <g>, then the Klipsch's will be tough to best. You haven't heard a power speaker system 'til you've heard the ProMedia's play the THX theme (that building sound you hear at the beginning of movies).

Boston Acoustics Link
Klipsch Link, go to ProMedia 2.1 link

 

[MrHelpful]

Actually the BA4800s are really good and under your budget. Do you have any space constraints?

 

[KennethToronto]

i have a pair of monsoon flat panel speakers
they're certainly under $200...they don't compare against the klipsch's in terms of sound quality...but they DO stand their ground and look damn cool

 

[madblitzer]

Thanks to everyone for their input.

JeffH: Hmmm, both speakers look great. Lots of good reviews for both. Considering the price difference, I am leaning towards the BA790's.

MrHelpful: The BA4800's would probably be one of the best set of speakers to pick up if space constraint wasn't a problem for me. As it is now, I going to have to setup a tricky configuration for this new 2.1 system. My computer table is a tiny 3x2 feet in size and hopefully I can fit the sub underneath next to my tower. I don't look forward to this task.

KennethToronto: Although I would take a great sounding system over one that looks good, it certainly doesn't hurt to have both! As for the Monsoon speakers, I will definitely be checking them out.

Any votes for these or other systems?

madblitzer

 

[MGMorden]

I've got a pair of Yamaha YST-M80's now (I think) that aren't bad, but I'm almost definately getting a pair of those Monsoons when I buy next. Flat speakers with flat-panel monitor are just plain cool. The only problem I have is that I've only seen them in black. Black speakers with an off-white compute just don't match.

 

[elchen]

ever think of FPS2000 system? pretty darn nice for cheap price...4.1 system too. (digital)

 

[Jeff H]

madblitzer, if space is an issue, you'll be hard-pressed to beat the Boston Acoustics BA790's. The 790's sub is smaller than the Klipsch, and the satellites are definitely small, yet the system packs a punch.

 

[Syborg1211]

The BA4800s are definitely you best choice. I went through this last month and decided to get the ba4800s and I don't regret it at all. The best thing was I got them for 150. You can find them for around 130 online now! I personally prefer my speakers over the klipsch speakers. I found mine to have better mids and more defined bass. The klipsch sub is definitely more powerful but more ugly of a sound and distorts more easily than the ba4800s. I only heard my speakers ditort once and that was when I was playing a sound test that was meant to distort your speakers eventually. I hear my friend's klipschs distort every time I hear them.

 

[jaggrey]

Here's my vote on Altec Lansing ACS56 !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Imported]

If you don't plan on having other people listen in, I'd recommend a good pair of headphones instead. It's all up to preference though.