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Good speakers for 27'' iMac?

53x12

53x12

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 16, 2009
1,544
4
While I am waiting to get my iMac, I have been looking around for a good set of speakers. I don't want anything more than a 2.1 system. Ideally I want something that doesn't take up too much room and that is sleek looking. I will already have two small Ikea desk lamps on the sides of the iMac. I might try and see if I can get away with the built in speakers, but most likely will want some external ones for watching movies.
 
The general recommendations are going to be some Bose product that I won't recommend and people will make jokes about. The Sound Sticks which people seem to be giving a lot of credence to these days. I'll recommend the Altec Lansing FX6021 over those, which will lead to another discussion. Then someone will recommend the Logitech Z-2300. At this point, someone will recommend that something from Wal-Mart that costs $25.00 and they will swear it that's greatest thing ever. Someone will then recommend Bose and get flamed, followed by the comment about get yourself a good set of cans (headphones), because those will always sound better. Somewhere along the way the M-Audio's will be thrown around, followed by people like me recommending a different set of pro monitors, followed by another Bose posts. A good chance there will be a discussion about the Logitech-Z5500s, which are a good choice. There are a couple of intangibles: someone might recommend the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1, Creative's T40 or some other Logitech that's probably not as good as the Z-2300s. After about 20 posts or so, the general consensus will be reached by a couple of users, you should probably just go hear them for yourself, making the thread well...you can decide...

My recomendation is the Swan M10:
Thread.
Review.
mroogle.

Lastly, my thoughts on Bose. Audiophiles will tell you never to buy Bose. People like me, that want to be audiophiles will tell you not to buy Bose. I don't think they sound awful, but when you place the price tag next to them, then they start to sound awful. For the most part, the Bose stuff is mid-range stuff at top range prices. With that being said, if you are satisfied with your purchase, then more power to you. To say that Bose is "junk" is probably a little overstating it, because they are no worse then any of the other companies. But, to say that they are the best, is giving way too much credit. I love my 901s, but I believe that the in-ear headphones belong only in one place, the trash.

Speakers Discussions Are Rampant:
A good example of my predictions are found here.
Here is one thread for $100 USD. Good Discussion.
USB Speaker Discussion Here
Here is another discussion
$200 Discussion Here
 
thegoldenmackid said:
The general recommendations are going to be some Bose product that I won't recommend and people will make jokes about. The Sound Sticks which people seem to be giving a lot of credence to these days. I'll recommend the Altec Lansing FX6021 over those, which will lead to another discussion. Then someone will recommend the Logitech Z-2300. At this point, someone will recommend that something from Wal-Mart that costs $25.00 and they will swear it that's greatest thing ever. Someone will then recommend Bose and get flamed, followed by the comment about get yourself a good set of cans (headphones), because those will always sound better. Somewhere along the way the M-Audio's will be thrown around, followed by people like me recommending a different set of pro monitors, followed by another Bose posts. A good chance there will be a discussion about the Logitech-Z5500s, which are a good choice. There are a couple of intangibles: someone might recommend the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1, Creative's T40 or some other Logitech that's probably not as good as the Z-2300s. After about 20 posts or so, the general consensus will be reached by a couple of users, you should probably just go hear them for yourself, making the thread well...you can decide...

My recomendation is the Swan M10:
Thread.
Review.
mroogle.

Lastly, my thoughts on Bose. Audiophiles will tell you never to buy Bose. People like me, that want to be audiophiles will tell you not to buy Bose. I don't think they sound awful, but when you place the price tag next to them, then they start to sound awful. For the most part, the Bose stuff is mid-range stuff at top range prices. With that being said, if you are satisfied with your purchase, then more power to you. To say that Bose is "junk" is probably a little overstating it, because they are no worse then any of the other companies. But, to say that they are the best, is giving way too much credit. I love my 901s, but I believe that the in-ear headphones belong only in one place, the trash.

Speakers Discussions Are Rampant:
A good example of my predictions are found here.
Here is one thread for $100 USD. Good Discussion.
USB Speaker Discussion Here
Here is another discussion
$200 Discussion Here
Click to expand...


I have been pondering the same question as the OP for a few days. Your email is a brilliant summary of the threads that are around on this topic. Simply brilliant. I genuinely laughed out loud.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
My recomendation is the Swan M10:
Thread.
Review.
mroogle.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your comments and writing out a great reply. Those M10's look like they would be perfect and exactly what I am looking for. One possible problem, is that I don't know they will look too big and take up too much room on my desk. I won't lie, but originally I was looking at the SoundSticks based on the small footprint. However the sound quality is meh and they are a bit pricey for what you get. These Swan's seem to have better quality and are cheaper.

The last concern is the recommendation of having the sub at ear level, not sure I would be able to pull that off on my desk with the 27'' and my desk lamps. Don't the whole desk covered with no room to work on.
 
The satellites are much smaller then they look. The sound is significantly better. If you are looking at tiny footprints: JBL Creature system comes to mind, but that comes at the expense of sound and Bose makes a couple of systems with tiny satellites, but that's been discussed. I'd get the Swans even sticking the sub on the floor creates better sound then the above-mentioned alternatives.
 
The only other speaker system that you listed that I had considered as well before the Swan's was the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 as you mentioned might be an intangible. Would you still take the Swan's over the Klipsch?

thegoldenmackid said:
The satellites are much smaller then they look.
Click to expand...

That is good to know. However between footprint and sound quality, I would obviously say that sound quality is more important. However the footprint is also an important factor for me.
 
I'd recommend the Swan's over the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 almost always. If you were playing video games and only video games, I'd take the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. The sound quality in every aspect of the spectrum is better on the Swans. The Klipsch are louder, but the bass is overwhelming. Check out this thread. My explanation of the differences in bass projections can be found in here.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
The general recommendations are going to be some Bose product that I won't recommend and people will make jokes about. The Sound Sticks which people seem to be giving a lot of credence to these days. I'll recommend the Altec Lansing FX6021 over those, which will lead to another discussion. Then someone will recommend the Logitech Z-2300. At this point, someone will recommend that something from Wal-Mart that costs $25.00 and they will swear it that's greatest thing ever. Someone will then recommend Bose and get flamed, followed by the comment about get yourself a good set of cans (headphones), because those will always sound better. Somewhere along the way the M-Audio's will be thrown around, followed by people like me recommending a different set of pro monitors, followed by another Bose posts. A good chance there will be a discussion about the Logitech-Z5500s, which are a good choice. There are a couple of intangibles: someone might recommend the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1, Creative's T40 or some other Logitech that's probably not as good as the Z-2300s. After about 20 posts or so, the general consensus will be reached by a couple of users, you should probably just go hear them for yourself, making the thread well...you can decide...

My recomendation is the Swan M10:
Thread.
Review.
mroogle.

Lastly, my thoughts on Bose. Audiophiles will tell you never to buy Bose. People like me, that want to be audiophiles will tell you not to buy Bose. I don't think they sound awful, but when you place the price tag next to them, then they start to sound awful. For the most part, the Bose stuff is mid-range stuff at top range prices. With that being said, if you are satisfied with your purchase, then more power to you. To say that Bose is "junk" is probably a little overstating it, because they are no worse then any of the other companies. But, to say that they are the best, is giving way too much credit. I love my 901s, but I believe that the in-ear headphones belong only in one place, the trash.

Speakers Discussions Are Rampant:
A good example of my predictions are found here.
Here is one thread for $100 USD. Good Discussion.
USB Speaker Discussion Here
Here is another discussion
$200 Discussion Here
Click to expand...

You are the man.

Thank you.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
I'd get the Swans even sticking the sub on the floor creates better sound then the above-mentioned alternatives.
Click to expand...

What do you think the odds are that the sub would fit under the iMac monitor sideways? Probably not enough room, huh?

Any chance you can post a picture of your speaker setup?
 
53x12 said:
Hey thanks for that. That looks really cool, even if it is a bit expensive. An idea like that might help out. However being behind the monitor might deadened the sound too much?
Click to expand...
Compared to turning it sideways or placing it on the floor?
 
dirwood said:
Compared to turning it sideways or placing it on the floor?
Click to expand...

That is a good point. I would have to figure that one out. I would prefer if the sub could fit inbetween the bottom of the monitor and the table, but feel that is unrealistic.
 
53x12 said:
That is a good point. I would have to figure that one out. I would prefer if the sub could fit inbetween the bottom of the monitor and the table, but feel that is unrealistic.
Click to expand...

Just placing it on the floor at some point might make sense. Even placing it sidewise at ear level is not ideal as the direction of the sound will dissipate.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
The general recommendations are going to be some Bose product that I won't recommend and people will make jokes about. ...

much deleted...

Speakers Discussions Are Rampant:
A good example of my predictions are found here.
Here is one thread for $100 USD. Good Discussion.
USB Speaker Discussion Here
Here is another discussion
$200 Discussion Here
Click to expand...


+18000 This is one of the best posts in the history of time.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
I'd recommend the Swan's over the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 almost always. If you were playing video games and only video games, I'd take the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. The sound quality in every aspect of the spectrum is better on the Swans. The Klipsch are louder, but the bass is overwhelming. Check out this thread. My explanation of the differences in bass projections can be found in here.
Click to expand...

There is a level control for the bass. The bass isn't overwhelming unless the level control is set incorrectly.
 
I'm curious if anyone here has tried either the Swan D1080MkII or the M200MkII? I think these might actually be a better option for me at the moment. I would use them for music and watching movies/tv, don't play any games on my computer. Also the music I listen to isn't really heavy in bass, listen mostly to instrumental and vocals, no rap/R&B.
 
Great responses and glad to hear someone say they bought the M12's from Swan as I am waiting on mine to arrive. I also ordered the M10's but couldn't be told a delivery date (back ordered) and wasn't willing to wait.
The sale price is fantastic from audioinsider.com and other reviews i've read make it sound like a great set of 2.1 speakers.
 
Soundsticks. If you're an audiophile, you'll know why. If you're a gamer, you won't understand.
 
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