Speakers to bleed ears, not wallet.

[jakobkraft]

Though I'm fond of the overall sound, I think my ATP3s are starting to show their age...or maybe I've just gotten used to my music being loud with constant headphone use (neighbor sometimes get cranky). With my Fortissimo II equalizer settings and a solid pair of AIWA headphones I'm used to getting loud thunderous but crisp, clean sound. Yesterday (learning that my neighbor had moved-woohoo!) I tried using my speakers and matching the decibal level but before I could even get close to it I got the usual crackling that you would get at high levels with mediocre speakers. I don't know if they were always like that; it's possible I just never really tested them before. I'm not that demanding of my gaming sounds, I care more about my music. So what's a good set of speakers that can retain sound quality at very loud levels? Don't care about 4.1 or 5.1, if there's a 2-set out there-like the ATP3s, but better-I'll take those. Looking to spend under $200, if possible....

Any info would be appreciated....thanks!

 

[Dulanic]

I dont see a huge reason to with 2.1 speakers... a good set of 2.1s will cost you about $100 a awsome set of 4.1s will run you about $140 (You can find em with free shipping). I myself just bought the Logitech Z560s.. blew em within 2 weeks, and they had poor highs, so I got the Altec Lansing 641s... awsome set of speakers for all of $140. If you buy speakers online.. I think gateway is pretty good... average price but free shipping which is great and can save you a good $40 on speakers.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Dulanic
I dont see a huge reason to with 2.1 speakers... a good set of 2.1s will cost you about $100 a awsome set of 4.1s will run you about $140 (You can find em with free shipping). I myself just bought the Logitech Z560s.. blew em within 2 weeks, and they had poor highs, so I got the Altec Lansing 641s... awsome set of speakers for all of $140. If you buy speakers online.. I think gateway is pretty good... average price but free shipping which is great and can save you a good $40 on speakers.

Some people don't have a convenient place to set up a system > 2.1.

I know I don't.

ATP3's are what I use, though I would like a better set.

Viper GTS

 

[Ausm]

I put my vote in for the Logitech Z560's ,....You won't find any better bang for the buck . The sound is simply brilliant.


Ausm

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: ausm
I put my vote in for the Logitech Z560's ,....You won't find any better bang for the buck . The sound is simply brilliant.


Ausm

I still cant figure out why people recommend the Z560s so much, their highs are poor and their mids suck pretty bad too. I guess some people really just cant tell the difference. The Z560s love to distort at high volumes too, and have a really bad failure rate... I bought em cause of all the hype and was disapointed in them. Got the Altec 641s instead... better highs, better mids, deeper and harder bass, dont distort at high volume, and wont dont burn out all the time like the Z560s.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: ausm
I put my vote in for the Logitech Z560's ,....You won't find any better bang for the buck . The sound is simply brilliant.


Ausm

I still cant figure out why people recommend the Z560s so much, their highs are poor and their mids suck pretty bad too. I guess some people really just cant tell the difference. The Z560s love to distort at high volumes too, and have a really bad failure rate... I bought em cause of all the hype and was disapointed in them. Got the Altec 641s instead... better highs, better mids, deeper and harder bass, dont distort at high volume, and wont dont burn out all the time like the Z560s.

hmm....actually I have to agree that Z560 is pretty bad in some area specially if you like "instrument", "vocal" kind of sound.
I tried them for only 2 days and I decided to return it regardless it is THX certified. (compusa on sale)
I don't know much of the technical thingy, but if you compare Z560 w/ cheaper Altec 621 to play Piano or Fluet music; you will notice the huge different! Altec has much more crisp clear sound, but, if you like big thunder, movie effect, Z560 is still pretty good.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: ausm
I put my vote in for the Logitech Z560's ,....You won't find any better bang for the buck . The sound is simply brilliant.


Ausm

I still cant figure out why people recommend the Z560s so much, their highs are poor and their mids suck pretty bad too. I guess some people really just cant tell the difference. The Z560s love to distort at high volumes too, and have a really bad failure rate... I bought em cause of all the hype and was disapointed in them. Got the Altec 641s instead... better highs, better mids, deeper and harder bass, dont distort at high volume, and wont dont burn out all the time like the Z560s.

hmm....actually I have to agree that Z560 is pretty bad in some area specially if you like "instrument", "vocal" kind of sound.
I tried them for only 2 days and I decided to return it regardless it is THX certified. (compusa on sale)
I don't know much of the technical thingy, but if you compare Z560 w/ cheaper Altec 621 to play Piano or Fluet music; you will notice the huge different! Altec has much more crisp clear sound, but, if you like big thunder, movie effect, Z560 is still pretty good.

The 641s still have very strong bass, where I had the sub placed the 641s were louder, it has dual 6" subs.

 

[apoppin]

Klipsch ProMedias.

Refurbished 4.1s are running under $200. Plenty loud and decent sound.

 

[Jeff H]

I'll second apoppin's recomd on the Klipsch ProMedia's. If you want a 2.1 setup get the ProMedia 2.1's. Understand that the Klipsch ProMedia's a a bit on the bright side. I personally like that sound. FWIW they'll play as loud as you'll likely want, unless your room is huge.

 

[ObiDon]

Yamaha YST-MS50s have good, tight bass extension. They have clean mids and highs, too. I'm not sure how loud they get, though. I've only heard them at Fry's where all the other speakers sounded like crap in comparison. Maybe one of the closet Yamaha owners will step out and defend them. 😉

I'm surprised that more people didn't have them back in their day.

 

[187]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: ausm
Got the Altec 641s instead... deeper and harder bass

WHAT?

no way. the z560 has some of the most tremendous bass ive ever heard andthe altecs cant touch it in that department. i have 560s and my roommate has 641s and he can never come close to even generating such a powerful rich bass as my speakers. the one advantage of the 641s is the better highs.


and everyone always says 560s distort at high vol... who needs to turn it that high??? i always have it at 50% vol and its rediculously loud... if oyu need to turn it to 100% volume where it will distort.. you should go to a doc and get your ears checked out.

 

[jakobkraft]

Originally posted by: Jeff H
I'll second apoppin's recomd on the Klipsch ProMedia's. If you want a 2.1 setup get the ProMedia 2.1's. Understand that the Klipsch ProMedia's a a bit on the bright side. I personally like that sound. FWIW they'll play as loud as you'll likely want, unless your room is huge.

Mission accomplished!

Snagged a set of Klipsch Promedia 2.1 and the difference is amazing. At full volume I hear contemp. classical with all strings, the violin being the sound most quick to come apart at high levels levels, but with these its as sharp as hearing it live. The 4:1 refurbished may have been a good idea but I'd rather have brand new 2:1 since I don't have much room anyway. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Jeff H]

jakobkraft, glad to hear (no pun intended!) you're happy w/ your choice. One thing you might experiment w/ is backing off your equalizer settings, re the highs, and see if that helps. I know compared to my previous speakers (Boston Acoustics BA790's, which were no slouches), I don't have to set the upper frequencies as high as I did. Enjoy the ProMedia 2.1's; I havent' looked back.