What is a good speaker set to buy??

[carling220]

Hello

I currently have an old Labtec speaker set for my PC windows 7. It has two speakers, and the control box with the controls on also provides the bass, I guess a mini sub? Don't know about these.

What's a decent speaker set?

Moved from General Hardware

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator

 

[Blain]

Logitech Z623

 

[nsafreak]

Budget & intended use?

 

[MongGrel]

You can do a lot of cool things even off music sites like Sweetwater, depends on what you want to spend.

http://www.sweetwater.com/

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Behringer MS16/MS20/MS40 (depending on budget.)

Get good speakers and you don't need a subwoofer.

 

[carling220]

Sorry I should have added more details. They are for my desktop PC. I game, and also listen to music. I've had these for years they are fairly good, but i've got no comparison so don't know which price range will compare. Budget i'm not sure, I don't mind spending the £120 (UK) or so for the Z623 or a similar price for others. If that's necessary any way.

The problem is I've no reference to how good or bad certain priced speakers are.

edit: I've just found my current ones online:
http://www.cnet.com/products/labtec-audio-f-x-lcs-2632-speaker-system-for-pc/

It would be nice to have great sounding speakers though so an improvement would be better.

 

[Puffnstuff]

What sound card are you using? Buying good speakers and attaching them to a low end card or onboard sound is a waste of money.

 

[carling220]

I don't have a sound card. Sounds from the motherboard, Asus P8Z68-V LX.

 

[rc3ilynt]

Looks like you have a 2.1 setup which is pretty common for desktop setups. Personally I own the klipsch promedia 2.1 and love it but googling UK prices it seems a bit higher than £120. I've heard the z623s and while I find them slightly worse than the klipsch promedia 2.1, they're not bad by any means considering the price difference. Swan M10's are also well liked as a 2.1 setup but may be a little harder to get a hold of.

 

[davewnelson]

Logitech Z623

^What he said. They are the best sound for the buck IMHO. THX certified.

Some say you don't need a sub - if you like bass you want a sub.

 

[StrangerGuy]

^What he said. They are the best sound for the buck IMHO. THX certified.

Some say you don't need a sub - if you like bass you want a sub.

That's bollocks. My LSR305s can go down to 46Hz without a sub. Even if the Logitech can do that low it would be far less accurate across the bass range.

I suspect the reason you think you need a sub for bass is because you only used multimedia speakers where the satellites are too small for bass that the "sub" has to pick up the slack compared to properly designed studio monitors. Of course if it's one thing if you are space constraint but that statement is simply plain inaccurate.

 

[davewnelson]

I'm sure your LSR305's sound great but the OP isn't likely looking for LSR305s (see his current gear in the post) and a larger surface does move more air. /heart

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I might have the same (v-ERRY old!) Labtec 2.1 speakers the OP mentioned. It's supposedly an interim solution for a recently built computer (among my computer legion). Once you equip a room with a decent 5.1 set (or two of 'em), 2.1 doesn't seem to raise your willie much.

But the biggest problem I had with the Labtecs (so far on this new system) is that the subwoofer/control-box has no rubber feet, and a vibration at point of contact with my desk sounds as though the bass is "clipping." So I made some rubber feet out of some SPIRE foam-rubber patches.

I can see that the prices for some 2.1 speakers can reach $150, and a really good 5.1 set could run you over $300. That might be affected by the output wattage, and in a small room, you might do fine with a less expensive set. For instance, I'd been "looking at" this Logitech kit, knowing that another Logitech 5.1 set would run over $300:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121044

If someone wants to offer disparaging comment about the Z506, I'd like to hear it. Why spend $90 on something that's s***ty, versus saving what you need for something that isn't?

 

[Karl775]

The best speakers I've ever owned or heard were BOSE. There not the cheapest set but my preference is Bose. Even the earphones are second to non. If you've paid for a high end PC and you got a pretty got monitor or TV. Why not do the same for sound quality. You and your PC deserve the best.. BTW I don't work for Bose, I'm a retired chef. Didn't want anyone out there thinking, sales pitch.

 

[Victorian Gray]

Here's what I think is a pretty nice sounding set (that I use myself) and Amazon UK has them in your price range.

The Edifier S330D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-S33...8&qid=1429346986&sr=8-1&keywords=edifier+s330

 

[WilliamM2]

The best speakers I've ever owned or heard were BOSE. There not the cheapest set but my preference is Bose.

You must not have heard very many speakers. They don't even make full range speakers.

 

[sakete]

You might want to try the Tannoy Studio Reveal 402, if you can stretch your budget a bit. Those are tiny active Studio Monitors. I plan on getting a pair of those myself soon.

 

[videogames101]

I'll chime in with, "If you want bass get a sub". Yes my mains go to down to 42 Hz, but you still don't feel that kick drum in your chest.

 

[therealnickdanger]

Get good speakers and you don't need a subwoofer.

False.

Some say you don't need a sub - if you like bass you want a sub.

True.

That's bollocks. My LSR305s can go down to 46Hz without a sub.

An LSR305 setup combined with a good sub would be an excellent combination. Don't confuse frequency response with output - they are not the same. 46Hz is not what subwoofers are for - good subwoofers don't normally go that high. LOL

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I think I bought my Logitech Z7xx whatever-the-model 5.1 system around 2003 or 2004 for less than $100, and at that time, I wasn't too concerned about a discriminating audiophile's standard. the room is equipped with this same Logitech kit, in addition to an ONKYO AVR with JBL "Cinema 500" 5.1 speakers, and I can switch from one system to the other within Media Center without missing a lick.

Meanwhile, my other system can be hooked up to the ONKYO, but is currently set up with the 20-year-old LabTec 2.1 speaker-set as default.

I just don't see an amply wider field of "5.1 complete" choices. The consensus in this thread seems inclined to a 2.1 stereo option. At the moment, I'm looking for "swiltch-able" possibilities for 2x computers and 2x speaker system outputs, so I'm in no hurry to do much of anything else.

But this thread provoked me to do some window-shopping -- again.

UPDATE! FLASH! NOW I KNOWS WHAT I GOTS!

I'm cleaning the cyber-version of Burt Munro's New Zealand hut, living-space -- work-shed. While dusting in tight areas, I have now mustered the energy to move my sig-rig just enough so I could reach back and tip the subwoofer forward to see the labeled rear-panel.

It is a Z640. Who knows anything about the Z640 5.1 Logitech speaker-kit? I've had this for at least 11 years. In this room's size, furniture and acoustic features and peculiarities, it's been just fine. And I KNOW it may have been priced high as $120, but I also KNOW I got it for maybe $85.

Do I have mediocre, shitty audiophile's ear? Or is this story plausible? Sombodies! Got to knows!

EDIT: I think it's been at least 12 years . . . The computer store -- part of a small local chain with repair services -- has long since gone out of bidnis.

Because I wanted the surround to comport with the HDTV's orientation in the room, I switched LF with RF, LR with RR. And the woofer is located to the rear -- with the Center speaker.

Adjusting the controls seems to compensate for any departure from recommended speaker location.

But I'd like to be able to switch L and R back and forth without a change in cable connections. And I've yet to find a solution.

 

[kiwi_gurl]

I recently bought a set of
Genius SW-G2.1 2000 50W GX Gaming 2.1 Speakers with subwoofer the sound is amazing and not to mention the price