What's good set of Speakers for MacBook?

[cheez]

I have a nice set of IEM buds which performs well in sound quality, but my ear canals hurt over long period time of use. Tired of dealing with the wires too and having to take em on and off on and off if I have to go to the bathroom or kitchen or something....

What's a good set of 2 or 3 channel external speakers for the Macbook without costing hundreds of dollars?

Here is what I want for sound quality:

- Nice and crisp sound.
- Good range of sound dynamics, like airy? Something that has clarity and has good treble.
- Some bass is wanted, but not excessive.
- I don't need it real loud. I'm after the sound quality, not volume.

Can this be had for under 100 bucks?

I saw at the apple online store and there's a Harman Kardon something 3 channel speakers for like $169. A bit too much. Is this good? Or any suggestions.



Thanks

 

[cheez]

Mods, I apologize if this thread is in the wrong section. If needed please move to the appropriate section


Check this 2 channel speakers out from Altec! The styling is off the chart! and it's supposed to be one of the good ones I think.

Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass FX3022

woahh...

Looks like this is gonna be a nice set of crispy speakers.

 

[Ns1]

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-Powered-Monitor-Speakers/dp/B0051WAM64/ref=pd_cp_MI_0

 

[cheez]

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-Powered-Monitor-Speakers/dp/B0051WAM64/ref=pd_cp_MI_0

Wow, Altec FX3022 Vs. M-Audio AV40, very close competition! Wee wee:ninja:

Damn... the performance is so close to each other. The price between the two are pretty close too. I have narrowed down to these two sets of speakers.

Thanks for the link on the M-Audio.

 

[Ns1]

Thanks for the link on the M-Audio.

I owned the M-Audio for a few years, love it. Gets loud as FUCK - perfect for parties/gaming/movies. Just insane bass from a 2.0 (which is why I got it). Better SQ than say, Logitech5500 (the device the 2.0's replaced) with better bass response IMHO (although obviously not as loud as the 5500's)

 

[cheez]

Hmmm... according to the user reviews the Altec FX3022 outputs too much of bass due to the down-firing subwoofers at the base of the speakers.

The M-Audio doesn't get this effect due to the difference in physical design.

Like I said before, I'm not a bass head guy. But of course there are sometimes I would want good deep bass, but majority of the time I will crave more for treble and airy / lively sound.

The review sites seem to like both sets of speakers being very good... with maybe slight edge goes to M-Audio for output accuracy from the original recording.

But I don't like the style of the M-Audio, and appears to take up more desktop space. The Altec on the other hand is drop-dead attractive in styling. It also edges out in high's by a tad bit.

There is no bass output control on the Altec, that's bad. But for most of my music listening and videos, I can use equalizer (iTunes & MPlayerX). That should balance it well. But man, without the equalizer or any bass control through the software, I maybe screwed.:ninja:

Sounds like that M-Audio have all-around lows, mid, and high's which I'm sure I will be very pleased with.

Hmmmmmmmm.... decisions decisions.:hmm:

I am looking to get speakers a few weeks from now as I will get some fund.

 

[Ns1]

"But I don't like the style of the M-Audio, and appears to take up more desktop space. The Altec on the other hand is drop-dead attractive in styling. It also edges out in high's by a tad bit."

I liked the old-school design of the M-Audio but yes, they are freaking huge.

 

[dawks]

You're not gonna get great speakers for under a $100, but you'll find a pair that does the job.

Probably the best 2.1 system for computers right now, is the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1.

http://www.klipsch.com/promedia-2-1-computer-speakers
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMe...2VUO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327675237&sr=8-1 ($150)

 

[cheez]

^ Klipsch make great speakers indeed. But I have decided to stick with 2 channel speakers only, as I don't have room for subwoofer box. I need as compact as I can get. Thanks though.

 

[TheStu]

"But I don't like the style of the M-Audio, and appears to take up more desktop space. The Altec on the other hand is drop-dead attractive in styling. It also edges out in high's by a tad bit."

I liked the old-school design of the M-Audio but yes, they are freaking huge.

God, I want the M-Audios so bad, I have heard nothing but good things about them, but if I get them then I should probably get a better sound card, and maybe a headphone amp as well, and it becomes this whole snowball effect.

I really should get a headphone amp anyway, my grados would probably sound a little better with that. Maybe a dedicated DAC...

ARGH, there i go again!

 

[runawayprisoner]

For some reason, I keep hearing my "Audioengine A2, Audioengine A2, Audioengine A2,..." alarm going off several times reading just the title of the thread.

Perhaps it's stretching your budget at $199, but I must say... they are worth every penny. And yeah, I just underlined that.

Here's a light-hearted review that I think hits the nail right on the head:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1007/audioengine_a2.htm

And the one quote that I think sums it up nicely:

Forget the usual reviewer comment of "highly recommended," am buying the review pair and another set for my woman to keep her hands off mine!

Shameless plug of an ideal setup (not mine):

 

[Ns1]

Shameless plug of an ideal setup (not mine):

sexy. of course only apple enthusiasts give a shit about stuff like that hahah.

 

[cheez]

For some reason, I keep hearing my "Audioengine A2, Audioengine A2, Audioengine A2,..." alarm going off several times reading just the title of the thread.

Perhaps it's stretching your budget at $199, but I must say... they are worth every penny. And yeah, I just underlined that.

Here's a light-hearted review that I think hits the nail right on the head:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1007/audioengine_a2.htm

And the one quote that I think sums it up nicely:


Shameless plug of an ideal setup (not mine):

I read up the review on this set of A2 speakers. WoW. This is some serious business when it comes to sound quality. And this is underpriced!

I am sold on this. I am going to get me one of these pairs.... in white! so prettie~ too.

Thanks so much! runawayprisoner. Can't get it right now but soon.:$

 

[runawayprisoner]

Seriously, I think they are very nice speakers, and barring the nice aesthetics (white speakers with black stands look gorgeous!), they do have some good punch, and are generally a good value for a small desk.

Wouldn't recommend them for a large room, though, as I find that if you put them into a spacious area, they kind of lose their sound quality a little bit.

Personally, I'm more of a headphones guy, but as far as speakers go, I don't think you'll find better value for $200 or below.

 

[TheStu]

Seriously, I think they are very nice speakers, and barring the nice aesthetics (white speakers with black stands look gorgeous!), they do have some good punch, and are generally a good value for a small desk.

Wouldn't recommend them for a large room, though, as I find that if you put them into a spacious area, they kind of lose their sound quality a little bit.

Personally, I'm more of a headphones guy, but as far as speakers go, I don't think you'll find better value for $200 or below.

Grados, Sennheisers, Sony?

Those speakers do look really, really good and evidently sound good too which is ultimately more important but also more subjective. Man I wish i had a few hundred dollars to spend on a better sound setup for my system.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Grados, Sennheisers, Sony?

Those speakers do look really, really good and evidently sound good too which is ultimately more important but also more subjective. Man I wish i had a few hundred dollars to spend on a better sound setup for my system.

As far as I know, Grados, Sennheisers, and Sony have had far better success with headphones than speakers. But on the higher end, I think subjectively, more people find Audio Technica, Shure, Beyerdynamic, and Audeze, etc... to their liking. Personally, I'm an Audio Technica fan. They have a higher ratio of quality/price than most other companies in my opinions.

As far as speakers go, since I don't have a lot of experience, I really can't say much about those brands (in fact, I don't think Grados even makes speakers). But from what little I know, I know the Audioengine A2 pair is something you can buy once and forget all about spending more for higher-end speakers for your home use, and they're at least better than $400+ Bose systems (more portable too).

 

[Reliant]

Not that this helps you at all but what I do is I Airplay to my receiver that has a set of floor standing speakers. I like this set up better than worrying about a set that hooks up directly to my Mac, and it allows me to use my devices and computers on the same set of speakers. I like the flexibility.

 

[cheez]

Oops double post. Please delete.

 

[cheez]

Order Placed.


Delivery Estimate: Friday February 3, 2012
Not yet shipped


Audioengine A2 White (Pr) 2-way Powered Speaker System


Aww man I'm excited as hell. This will be my fun weekend.:awe:

Thanks guys.

 

[TheStu]

As far as I know, Grados, Sennheisers, and Sony have had far better success with headphones than speakers. But on the higher end, I think subjectively, more people find Audio Technica, Shure, Beyerdynamic, and Audeze, etc... to their liking. Personally, I'm an Audio Technica fan. They have a higher ratio of quality/price than most other companies in my opinions.

As far as speakers go, since I don't have a lot of experience, I really can't say much about those brands (in fact, I don't think Grados even makes speakers). But from what little I know, I know the Audioengine A2 pair is something you can buy once and forget all about spending more for higher-end speakers for your home use, and they're at least better than $400+ Bose systems (more portable too).

You said you were a headphones guy, i was asking what you have. I guess the answer is AudioTechnica.

I have grados myself, and a cheap but decent 2.1 set of logitech speakers that are about 7 or 8 years old at this point, but still sound decent for what i use them for.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Behringer MS20 or MS40.

They're ugly, but I love mine.

 

[cheez]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Behringer MS20 or MS40.

They're ugly, but I love mine.

They do look ugly indeed.D:

LOL just kiddin'.


Great sound quality is utmost important, but it also has to look prettie. Thanks for posting ideas though. I also heard that Swans M200 MkIII's are very good, but still get edged out by Audioengine A5. But once again, I don't like the way the Swans look. Looks a bit too much, overlly done, styling wise. Besides, it does not meet my space requirement.