Father's Day Gift: 27" iMac 2.66Ghz i5; Speaker Quality

[Kerf]

Hey, today we are most likely going to our local Apple Retail Store to pick up a 27" iMac for Father's Day. I was wondering how the speaker quality is, and if there are any recommendations for some good 2.1 external speakers if deemed necessary, as this may often be used as a media center. Thanks.

 

[Shaun.P]

The iMac sound quality is descent, but I'd recommend the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks. I've had mine for over 4 years and the sound quality is excellent.

You can still buy them new and most of the reviews are good. I believe the Apple Store stocks them too.

 

[Eduardo1971]

A friend of mine has these M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 speakers on his 21 inch iMac. They sound great for all around audio.

I'll be getting these once I buy my own 27 inch iMac.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TM097ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3MA&mco=MTA4NDQwNjk

 

[bprice]

Hey, today we are most likely going to our local Apple Retail Store to pick up a 27" iMac for Father's Day. I was wondering how the speaker quality is, and if there are any recommendations for some good 2.1 external speakers if deemed necessary, as this may often be used as a media center. Thanks.

These ARE NOT consumer brand monitors ..... they are MUCH MUCH better!... with a small foot print.Blue Sky is revamping their studio monitor line so I bet there are a LOT of great deals out there.

These monitors are MADE to accurately represent what was recorded .Until you get to twice this most consumers monitors won't come close.Blue Sky has excellent customer support these speakers are well worth it even at regular prices.

This is a link to show you them but check around I've seen them go for almost half this!!.definitely the best monitor deal out there with pro quality.

ps.

did I mention it can also be upgraded to a 5.1.......!! Now I HAVE to have one !!

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MediaDesk2m2/

 

[mtbdudex]

These ARE NOT consumer brand monitors ..... they are MUCH MUCH better!... with a small foot print.Blue Sky is revamping their studio monitor line so I bet there are a LOT of great deals out there.

These monitors are MADE to accurately represent what was recorded .Until you get to twice this most consumers monitors won't come close.Blue Sky has excellent customer support these speakers are well worth it even at regular prices.

This is a link to show you them but check around I've seen them go for almost half this!!.definitely the best monitor deal out there with pro quality.

ps.

did I mention it can also be upgraded to a 5.1.......!! Now I HAVE to have one !!

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MediaDesk2m2/

Wow $795 seems high for what the OP asked for "good external speakers", I see they are studio monitor, are they overkill for his usage?

how old are these?

The statement about shielded speakers led me to think early 2000's?

Almost nobody uses CRT's anymore

The MediaDesk 2.1 MKII system is designed for practical desktop recording applications, so the 2-way speakers each have a small footprint and are fully shielded, so you can place them right beside your computer monitor.

 

[bprice]

Wow $795 seems high for what the OP asked for "good external speakers", I see they are studio monitor, are they overkill for his usage?

how old are these?

The statement about shielded speakers led me to think early 2000's?

Almost nobody uses CRT's anymore

my point is they have a new product line.Ive seen those $795 Media Desk go for as low as $400.He said GOOD 2.1 which there are NONE I know of that are consumer until it gets into audio file well into the upper k's.

These are studio monitors.They sound great! w excellant clarity,depth, stereo seperation,sub integration, crossover etc..Even at $795 there is nothing in the consumer that can compare to them.They have a lower line(EXO..never heard them but essentialy the same but lower powered) that goes down to $350 list...

If someone is going to pay a premium for a computer like an iMac may as well complete the package and this is a TOTALY reasonably (i.e GREAT ) deal!.

 

[Jaro65]

If someone is going to pay a premium for a computer like an iMac may as well complete the package and this is a TOTALY reasonably (i.e GREAT ) deal!.

What premium? You mean as compared to them getting a Packard Bell desktop tower?

 

[Stan Mikulenka]

Hi Kerf,
I would highly recommend the AudioEngine 2 speakers.
This is what Stereophile mag. said about them:
Review - AudioEngine 2 in Stereophile Mag:
I have never been more impressed with or more stunned by a component I've reviewed for Stereophile than I was with the Audioengine 2.Also, I'm using them with my Mac & I have to agree with the review.(As opposed to people that read some stats somewhere and tell you to buy this or that...)
They're selfpowered with 15 w/channel & come in white or black finish.(I got the black ones.)They are $200 with free shipping in the US.
Here is the pict:

 

[Dmac77]

Wow, suddenly I feel as if the Eric Clapton tickets I got my dad are a sucky gift...

But yes, the HK Soundsticks are good speakers for the price.

-Don

 

[Vylen]

It seems a bit insane to buy studio monitors for your father.

Is he an audiophile? Does he have good hearing? Important questions cause, well, what's the point of buying your father top-notch speakers if your father is half deaf.

And while you can get help here, I would also suggest looking up reviews of the common brands - Logitech, HK, Altec Lansing, etc... Zdnet should be a good start...

 

[bprice]

what's premium?? father is half deaf...you guys are cracking me up.

If you want to suggest to the OP some crappy computer monitor speakers to go with his brand new rippin iMac .... great.I made very reasonable suggestions that quality to price blow away any computer speakers,home stereo under 1k for half the price.The Blue Sky's are true 2.1(and 5.1) not some POS boommy box bass with squeaky tweeters.

some of you guys need to pull the earbuds out of your iPods and hear what music sounds like through REAL monitors.

btw I'm 54. I have monitors (Dynaudio Bm5a...cost 1k I go them for $550)you could hear a fly fart with clarity.I've been a musician all my life and I'm not even approaching half deaf.There's a whole world of real sound quality out there and they aren't uncommon brands.

 

[Vylen]

Hey, I'm asking legitimate questions that will help narrow in a set of requirements - aside from price vs "quality."

My father is half-deaf, and just a couple years older than you. He uses hearing aids. If I wanted to buy him speakers, I'd get him something that can handle high volumes and doesn't distort.

Makes sense yea?

As for this whole earbuds and iPod crap.

I'm happily enjoying my Logitech Z-5500D's thanks.

[EDIT]
Other questions: You said it's probably going to be used as a media center. What media? Mostly playing music? Or watching Movies? What sort of music/movies? Lots of action movies? So you need speakers that can handle the big boom. Slow classics? So you need speakers that are crisp and clear. You don't need speakers that can handle everything... Just speakers that are right for what your father needs them for.