Just sold my set of Klipsch ProMedia 4.1s (had an amp die once, wasn't willing to pay another $50 in case it ever did again), so now I am looking for something to replace them with. Soundcard - Audigy4. Needs - games of the sports and racing variety and music of the Panic! At The Disco variety. The more bells and whistles for the money - the better, of course. Looking to spend no more than $150. Unfortunately, that places the Creative GigaWorks out of my range unless there's a sale on those...
Need new speakers
- Thread starter highlanderfil
- Start date
Could use more of a breakdown of what your uses are, but heres some recommendations:
2.1
Altec Lansing MX5021: Should be pretty good for music, midrange is more defined that most speakers (Logitech). Goes for about $150 Canadian, but may be more difficult to find now.
Logitech Z-2300: Best value. Personally owned these for half a year. Their midrange is very lacking, soundstage stinks unless you use CMS3D, which distorts sound. However, this is probably true for a majority of computer speakers. Bass is very nice, but a bit boomy depending on your placement (I practically rode the woofer with it taking up my leg room under desk). Still, in terms of price and performance, it's good. Could be found for $80 CDN.
Klipsch Promedia 2.1: Considered one of, if not the best in terms of quality. Bass and midrange should be among the best for computer speakers. Blah, why am I trying to sell them, you've owned Klipschs
. They are on the expensive side though, $219 here is the best they go for.
5.1
Logitech Z-5300: They're 5.1, quality isn't exactly the best, but they are better than budget speakers, and you can get 5 for $150-ish. Could probably compare them to the Z-2300s. Great for games and movies.
Logitech Z-5500: Big step from 5300s, a lot of people rave about theri quality, I almost ordered them a month ago (went to order confirmation, but cancelled, thank god, due to Dell's screw up). Has a built in Decoder on the control pod. It's among the best in terms of popularity with computer speakers. Same issues with all Logitech speakers here, lots of flash, boomy bass and no mid-range. Again, great for games and movies.
That's about it for speakers in your budget range. You could always go with bookshelves with great frequency responce, hueg sound stage, accurracy and upgradability. However, the price of the receiver will kill you. If you do consider it, you could check out Best Buy's Insignia Line for really cheap speakers that are actually pretty good, and a really cheap Insignia receiver or amp that works; all should be less than $150 for a 2.0 setup. You may even be able to get a 4.0 going for your budget. Good luck.
2.1
Altec Lansing MX5021: Should be pretty good for music, midrange is more defined that most speakers (Logitech). Goes for about $150 Canadian, but may be more difficult to find now.
Logitech Z-2300: Best value. Personally owned these for half a year. Their midrange is very lacking, soundstage stinks unless you use CMS3D, which distorts sound. However, this is probably true for a majority of computer speakers. Bass is very nice, but a bit boomy depending on your placement (I practically rode the woofer with it taking up my leg room under desk). Still, in terms of price and performance, it's good. Could be found for $80 CDN.
Klipsch Promedia 2.1: Considered one of, if not the best in terms of quality. Bass and midrange should be among the best for computer speakers. Blah, why am I trying to sell them, you've owned Klipschs
. They are on the expensive side though, $219 here is the best they go for.5.1
Logitech Z-5300: They're 5.1, quality isn't exactly the best, but they are better than budget speakers, and you can get 5 for $150-ish. Could probably compare them to the Z-2300s. Great for games and movies.
Logitech Z-5500: Big step from 5300s, a lot of people rave about theri quality, I almost ordered them a month ago (went to order confirmation, but cancelled, thank god, due to Dell's screw up). Has a built in Decoder on the control pod. It's among the best in terms of popularity with computer speakers. Same issues with all Logitech speakers here, lots of flash, boomy bass and no mid-range. Again, great for games and movies.
That's about it for speakers in your budget range. You could always go with bookshelves with great frequency responce, hueg sound stage, accurracy and upgradability. However, the price of the receiver will kill you. If you do consider it, you could check out Best Buy's Insignia Line for really cheap speakers that are actually pretty good, and a really cheap Insignia receiver or amp that works; all should be less than $150 for a 2.0 setup. You may even be able to get a 4.0 going for your budget. Good luck.
Thanks for the tips! Will look for deals on the Z-2300s, I think. Or wait until the GigaWorks are on sale like they were once at Circuit City...
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
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I know this doesn't really help you, but if you're looking for a $150 upgrade from your Klipsch Promedias you might be disappointed.
What kinds of bells and whistles do you want? Most of the features out there are pretty useless.
Some good things to have are headphone output easily to access, a good way to control the speakers, and then if possible a good way to extend satellite speaker distance (like using real speaker wire).
Other than that, a lot of the features out there aren't that useful. (Thinking digital connecitons etc.)
What kinds of bells and whistles do you want? Most of the features out there are pretty useless.
Some good things to have are headphone output easily to access, a good way to control the speakers, and then if possible a good way to extend satellite speaker distance (like using real speaker wire).
Other than that, a lot of the features out there aren't that useful. (Thinking digital connecitons etc.)
I'd get a pair of refurbed/used klipsch ifis if you can get them cheap enough. Anything else for that price s going to be worse than what you had. If it isn't too late I'd just get the old ones fixed...
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
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There was nothing to fix with them, but the amp already blew on me once, I didn't want to have to go through it again, plus the rears were kinda useless to me due to how small my apartment is. I just submitted a best offer on eBay for a 2.1 set, though.
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
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Who said anything about a "used" set? Secondly, if the offer is accepted, I'll get it for half of what I sold the 4.1s for and since I have no use for the rear satellites, a 2.1 set is much more useful to me.
maybe get a decent pair of headphones. i use my sennheiser HD-497 (not that they're some top-end headphones either) more than my ATP3.
WT
Diamond Member
- Sep 21, 2000
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Helluva shame these speakers aren't 5.1 ... I was pricing speakers and these are very nice for the money, but I've gotten used to that powerful center channel and it would be a sidegrade to buy them (even though wattage wise they kick the crap out of my Logitech 640s.
If I had to buy at that price, I'd go for the 5300s and turn the bass to its lowest setting.
If I had to buy at that price, I'd go for the 5300s and turn the bass to its lowest setting.
Step 1) Buy a cheap old stereo receiver at a garage sale
Step 2) Build pair of two-way OB speakers
Step 3) ...
Step 4) Profit from complete lack of audio knowledge
EDIT: You can get some unexpectedly great sound by doing this.
Step 2) Build pair of two-way OB speakers
Step 3) ...
Step 4) Profit from complete lack of audio knowledge
EDIT: You can get some unexpectedly great sound by doing this.
Can't do precisely because of Step 4...:Originally posted by: Howard
Step 1) Buy a cheap old stereo receiver at a garage sale
Step 2) Build pair of two-way OB speakers
Step 3) ...
Step 4) Profit from complete lack of audio knowledge
EDIT: You can get some unexpectedly great sound by doing this.
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
- 31,205
- 45
- 91
Good. I was afraid you were going to end up paying the same or more for a set basically the same as you had.
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
- 31,205
- 45
- 91
BTW, my offer was rejected, I offered $38 to make it $60 shipped. But I ended up paying $50 shipped, so it's all goodOriginally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Good. I was afraid you were going to end up paying the same or more for a set basically the same as you had.
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