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Decent size and quality speakers for iMac G5

U

uspcommuter

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 23, 2004
133
0
Hey y'all,

I am thinking about purchasing a pair or set of speakers for my iMac G5 (iSight) 20 in model. The volume of the stock speakers just cant compete with my neighbors :). And since this machine is nearly doubling up as my TV/DVD player...speakers wont hurt, I can only live off of the headphones for oh so long.

I can spend up to the $200 range. However, the only requirement I really need is that it has to be small. I plan to move at least 4 times in the next 3 years and after moving one time 3 months ago. I really dont want to drag too many big things with me. Thats about it.

Please post your suggestions, and if you have a link too that would be awesome.

Thanks.
 
Ive been rocking the Bose Media Mate II for 3 years--they are completely solid. Fantastic sound quality and a small footprint. I use them as DVD and music speakers. For about a hundred bucks US, they wont disappoint. (I think they are called the companion now(?) Maybe somebody can help me out with that.) No sub, but plenty of bass!

A word of caution against the isub--I dont know if the Soundsticks suffer the same fate, but somewhere around OS X 10.2 or 10.3, the volume control went all wonky and is still effed up in 10.4.7. The volume will automatically adjust itself, and then has to be manually adjusted every time you touch the volume. I know there is a thread about this on MacRumors...very frustrating and most disappointing!
 
T-Stex said:
One set of speakers that I've heard and absolutely loved were the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. They're a little bit more expensive than other sets, but I think they're worth it. I know you won't be dissapointed if you get these.
Click to expand...
I second that! I just bought a set from Best Buy when they had them for $99, and then used a 10% coupon. I can't believe what I have been missing all these years! They bring out things in the music that I have never heard before, and they also have an extra input on the side of the right speaker that I use for my Gamecube. Not exactly the smallest speakers I have seen, but absolutely worth the size.
 
uspcommuter said:
...The volume of the stock speakers just cant compete with my neighbors :).
Click to expand...


lol, get the Logitech Z5500 Digital's or something like that. I bought them, took the massive sub out, realised my feet and the sub (180-odd watts) couldnt fit under my desk and had to return them lol.

But MAN were they loud! 500 Watts in all i think!
12579.jpg


:D Hardcore

Edit: Oops you want to spend 200 $'s, not £'s :D Just realised. lol i think they are $400. Think when i bought mine they were £220 GBP
 
Great sounding speakers!

T-Stex said:
One set of speakers that I've heard and absolutely loved were the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. They're a little bit more expensive than other sets, but I think they're worth it. I know you won't be dissapointed if you get these.
Click to expand...

I have bought alot of computer speakers in my time, these are the best
by far. I been using mine for years now and love that subwoofer!
 
NJuul said:
I can highly recommend the JBL Creature II speakers, great sound, and they come in white to match the iMac. 100$.
Click to expand...

I second the creature IIs, they are small but powerful. The only problem i have with them is that the powerbrick gets hot, but that might just be a manufacturing error with my speakers, not necessarily a problem on every set...
 
T-Stex said:
One set of speakers that I've heard and absolutely loved were the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. They're a little bit more expensive than other sets, but I think they're worth it. I know you won't be dissapointed if you get these.
Click to expand...


I just bought a set of these today for my iMac G5, and wow! I am liking this. :)
 
If you're a member at Sam's they have the Bose MediaMate speakers for only $60! The reviews I've read about these speakers are all wonderful. They don't come with a subwoofer but they sound excellent and are really small. If you do feel like you need a subwoofer (especially if you listen to rap and hip hop or techno) you can add one to the speakers later on.

At that price, I think I'm going to pick up a set of these for my iMac since they sounded so great at the store and are small enough to be portable! The only thing I don't like is that they only come in black at Sam's even though they actually come in three other colors. :(

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=151426
 
Just in case I lose track...and for others to reference.

The run down is like this:
Bose speakers (Companion 2 I assume): 3 votes.
JBL II speakers: 5 votes
Altec Lansing: 2 votes
Klipsch: 4 votes
Logitech z-5500: 1 vote


Size
Hmm, I think initially I forgot to quantify small...basically anything bigger than two rolls of teepee (toilet paper...sorry it just makes a good example). So I must thank you all for the recommendationis b/c they are definitely small-to-tiny in my books.

I was reading all the links and realize one impt thing that I forgot to think about. How do I manage all the wires???? Is there a wireless option? if not...any ideas??

P.S: The prices on amazon is actually quite low for most of the speakers...even the z5500 is around 250...which is pretty close to my range...if I some how manage to squeeze another 50 bucks this month...its a serious consideration FYI
 
uspcommuter said:
Just in case I lose track...and for others to reference.

The run down is like this:
Bose speakers (Companion 2 I assume): 3 votes.
JBL II speakers: 5 votes
Altec Lansing: 2 votes
Klipsch: 4 votes
Logitech z-5500: 1 vote


Size
Hmm, I think initially I forgot to quantify small...basically anything bigger than two rolls of teepee (toilet paper...sorry it just makes a good example). So I must thank you all for the recommendationis b/c they are definitely small-to-tiny in my books.

I was reading all the links and realize one impt thing that I forgot to think about. How do I manage all the wires???? Is there a wireless option? if not...any ideas??

P.S: The prices on amazon is actually quite low for most of the speakers...even the z5500 is around 250...which is pretty close to my range...if I some how manage to squeeze another 50 bucks this month...its a serious consideration FYI
Click to expand...

The closest to wireless you will get are USB powered speakers, some of which get their feed over USB too however they are limited to the 5V that usb offers making them very weak. If you like the Bose MediaMates linked from Sam's above, I have set just sitting around I will sell for half what Sam's offers.
 
M-Audio DX4. Size is that of a smallish bookshelf speaker. They're powered and the main speaker has the AC lead going into it - no additional boxes. Sound is very good for the money ($150 typical). Not stylistically matched, but I suppose it depends on whether you're going for performance or pure style. I use a pair in the office. For the money I think the sound is very hard to beat.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/DX4-main.html
dx4.jpg
 
topgunn said:
If you like the Bose MediaMates linked from Sam's above, I have set just sitting around I will sell for half what Sam's offers.
Click to expand...

If uspcommuter isn't interested, I am! What color are they?
 
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