What kind of computer speakers do you have?

[BoomerD]

Boston Acoustics 635 from a Gateway system in the 90's. They serve my needs just fine.
http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/boston-acoustics-ba-635/1707-3179_7-31291903.html

I also have a small Yamaha mini-system from the late 90's that I can connect if I want "better" sound...
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/av/products/hf/gx500.html

 

[destrekor]

Boston Acoustics 635 from a Gateway system in the 90's. They serve my needs just fine.
http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/boston-acoustics-ba-635/1707-3179_7-31291903.html

I also have a small Yamaha mini-system from the late 90's that I can connect if I want "better" sound...
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/av/products/hf/gx500.html

That Boston Acoustics set is the exact same thing my parents got with their computer set from Gateway in 1997.

It's a nice little setup for what it is, and served its purposes for the family computer just fine. Still running strong 14 years later too, so that has to speak for the manufacturing quality.

 

[ultimatebob]

You should check out the Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks II. I've had these for about 6 years and they are incredible:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001DBEM4

They are a little over your price range, but I think you can find some used and/or refurbished ones for around $100. I purchased mine new on sale for about $125.

Yeah, but the damn things look like transparent plastic dildos. Eww.

 

[ultimatebob]

M-Audio Studiophile AV-40 (powered) monitors. They were about $150, very happy with them. There is no sub, though, if you're looking for that.

Woot has these on sale occasionally. I got a set from them for $90, and they sound awesome.

 

[Bateluer]

I have a Logitech 5.1 speaker setup on my main desktop, and a Logitech 2.1 set up on my backup, with an ultra 2 speaker Logitech that flips between my laptop and net top.

 

[stargazr]

M-Audio AV-40's - powered monitors.

 

[olds]

BP2006TL fronts
CLR2300 center
BPX rear

 

[Bulk Beef]

Logitech Z560. Had them for a long time and I believe I picked them up from a Dell special originally.

Mine are still going strong after almost ten years. I think they were a little over a c-note on that Dell hot deal.

 

[Nebor]

M-Audio Studiophile AV-40 (powered) monitors. They were about $150, very happy with them. There is no sub, though, if you're looking for that.

Yeah I think I have the same ones. For their purpose, they're much much better than the m-audio 5.1 set I have for my home theater.

 

[Craig234]

I just order Mirage Nanosat 5.1 Speaker System today, but they're a lot more than $100.

For that price, check out the audioengine a5's I hear great things.

 

[sonambulo]

Klipsch Promedia 2.1 bangers

will be switching to something 2.0 in the near future

 

[Craig234]

I won't buy another Klipsch product. The iFi sounded great, but when the dock decided to quit (on its own), it rendered the entire set inoperable. The dock has volume and sub controls, and apparently if it goes haywire, so does everything else. Klipsch did not have any replacements, did not intend to make any more available, and basically told me to find a repair shop - essentially telling me to fuck myself.

I'm not the only one that had that problem, either. It's all over their forums and easily found with a google search. They should have recalled or at least stocked adequate dock replacements. Mine blew up like 2.5 or 3 years after I bought them, so I thought buying the dock was reasonable, but not having any support whatsoever was not what I'd expect for a premium-priced product.

I'd avoid Klipsch, although I realize I'm just a single data point. There are better companies competing for your money.

The best Klipsch computer speakers, the 5.1's, have a reputation for blowing the power supply, which I found out reading after mine blew.

 

[RisenZealot]

I use Audio Engine A2's.

AMAZING.

Google them. Multiple audiophile magazines and websites have stated you can't get a better sounding system (aside form the a5's) for sub $1000. The a2's btw are 200 bucks.

 

[eldorado99]

The best Klipsch computer speakers, the 5.1's, have a reputation for blowing the power supply, which I found out reading after mine blew.

Yup, I had my Promedia 5.1 Ultras for about 5 years before they blew. Lots of places online fix them for 50-100 bucks though so I went that route and they added a couple fans to the power supply to make the fix a little more permanent. If these ever permanently die I will be sad because they don't make them anymore and I love them as computer speakers.

 

[Craig234]

Yup, I had my Promedia 5.1 Ultras for about 5 years before they blew. Lots of places online fix them for 50-100 bucks though so I went that route and they added a couple fans to the power supply to make the fix a little more permanent. If these ever permanently die I will be sad because they don't make them anymore and I love them as computer speakers.

I was interested in that but the shipping was ridiculous. If there's a place in the bay area...

 

[Mike Gayner]

Logitech Z-5500, absolutely love them. Multiple inputs too, so can easily switch between PC (3x 3.5mm) and Xbox 360 (optical).

 

[sjwaste]

The best Klipsch computer speakers, the 5.1's, have a reputation for blowing the power supply, which I found out reading after mine blew.

A power supply is fine. Even a sufficiently motivated geek with not a lot of prior knowledge can research, buy, and install a replacement. The dock, however, was never really nailed down. People on the Klipsch board, regular members since the company itself did nothing for us, think it's an issue in the dock that fries a logic chip that's actually on the control board in the sub housing. Presumably, this requires programming, so it's not just a pop and replace.

It's literally the one thing in the entire speaker set that I cannot replace myself. I'd be fine doing any of the dock components, certainly anything in the speaker housing, crossovers, analog controls, etc. Good thing they used some kind of digital logic to have the dock interface with the main control board. You know, because volume, sub level, mute, and ipod low level input really require it.

The worst part is, people who did get replacement docks while Klipsch still had them reported failures down the road on the new dock. So they never fixed the issue, continued to sell what are probably defective parts, and now provide no support for a "premium brand name" product.

Lesson learned. Klipsch is no longer a premium brand. Premium brands provide support and fix defective products.

 

[eldorado99]

I was interested in that but the shipping was ridiculous. If there's a place in the bay area...

All you have to ship them is the back panel of the sub, it cost me about 20 bucks to ship each way...

 

[aceO07]

Klipsch Promedia 2.1

 

[Meghan54]

Pssh... computer speakers...

Spend some time on ebay and pick up a receiver and bookshelf speakers. So much better.

True that, but ebay isn't the only place to find a decent stereo setup.

Used wife's old Marantz receiver for my computer and a pair of Mission M71 speakers bought from a local pawn shop (they were in immaculate condition!)

Sounds vastly better than the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 setup I ditched for this......wife has the Klipsch now.

 

[zinfamous]

i have a 2.1 set of logitechs i got a few years ago...not great, but good enough at low - medium volume which is all i need, so im happy with them

this. I can not, in any way, conceive of taking computer audio very seriously. (I don't make music, so)

 

[yhelothar]

Swan M200 with Velodyne VX10 sub.
sounds goood maan.

 

[xSauronx]

this. I can not, in any way, conceive of taking computer audio very seriously. (I don't make music, so)

i can understand why some people do; its their "thing" and thats fine. i spend an inordinate amount of money on beer sometimes.

i can appreciate good sound, and the difference between low and higher quality codecs....but i only care about "good enough" as i generally listen casually, where music is background noise, or for streaming video or video games, where meh audio isnt that big of a deal

 

[Aikouka]

Logitech Z-5500, absolutely love them. Multiple inputs too, so can easily switch between PC (3x 3.5mm) and Xbox 360 (optical).

I'm "rockin'" the similar Z5450 (has wireless rear speakers)... they work pretty well . Although, I think my "control box" is starting to die... it will actually lock up sometimes, and if I put my hand on it, it's pretty hot :\.

 

[dennilfloss]

Same speakers I bought in 1999: black Yamaha YST-MS28 and Altec Lansing ACS-45.1 (the latter I now use as home theatre speakers for my television as they are beige and my PC is currently black).