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M-apple-T

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 14, 2008
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Im looking to get an imac and some speakers. Im coming from a pc computer with build in speakers in the monitor and they sound horrible, so im guessing the imac wont be much different. So what are some good speakers I could get for 100 bucks?

thanks
 
Im looking to get an imac and some speakers. Im coming from a pc computer with build in speakers in the monitor and they sound horrible, so im guessing the imac wont be much different. So what are some good speakers I could get for 100 bucks?

thanks

Did you try listening to an iMac or just decide to make an unfounded assumption?
 
Guessing? You've guessed wrong. If you'd like professional grade speakers, you'll need externals, but the iMac's speakers are top notch in my book.

Did you try listening to an iMac or just decide to make an unfounded assumption?

Top notch? Are you guys serious? The iMacs speakers are good.....if you dont like ANY BASS WHATSOEVER.

I have no recommendations to the OP, but Id imagine just about anything with a sub would be better than the internals.
 
Guessing? You've guessed wrong. If you'd like professional grade speakers, you'll need externals, but the iMac's speakers are top notch in my book.


Ahhh I see. Thanks
Well I didn't mean to make a bad assumption either but ive been using so many pc's like mine (built in speakers) and they all sound horrible.
But ive forgotten this isnt a pc... its mac

thanks again
 
the imac speakers are good, but they're nowhere near as nice as my HK soundsticks, and those are hardly professional quality (though they are very nice, IMO).
 
Well, I'm not 'hood, so that really isn't a problem for me. For sure... or however you say it.

Im not "hood", Im as white as they come, but thanks for trying to stereotype anyway. I hate rap/pop music, but ANY music with no bass whatsoever sounds like shyte.
 
im using creative's basically anything you used on PC will work, though remember with iMac's you only get Stereo sound no 5.1 or surround.
 
Seriously, I wasn't prepared for how good iMac's speakers would be, considering they're built in.

Anyway, I opted for HK soundsticks II
 
I have these Altec Lansings and I have been thrilled with them. Sitting at the computer and cranking them up has that big stereo sound, and across the room or across the house they still sound decent. For a while, they had these setup at the Apple stores, and you would hear them in the store. That's where I heard them, and said "I have to have these".

Good luck!
 
I roll with the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
You have to spread them out a bit, but with the 24" iMac, they ROCK!
Unbelievable sound and at a decent price.;)
hickster
 
I'd recommend checking out the speakers on the iMac first just to make sure they won't meet your needs. I was pleasantly surprised by how they sound for built in speakers.
 
I roll with the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
You have to spread them out a bit, but with the 24" iMac, they ROCK!
Unbelievable sound and at a decent price.;)
hickster
Totally agree!!! I have these speakers as well. They sound fantastic and the price is reasonable.
 
I would recommend anything from Logitech, Altec Lansing, or JBL in the sub-$100 range.

If you have a larger budget, Bose make some pretty sweet 2.1 speakers.

But again, the built in speakers in the 24" iMac are far from puny. They are 24-Watts, and fairly loud at maximum volume. The 20" iMac's speakers are much less powerful.
 
I have the Bose Companion 2 V2 speakers and they are great looking and sounding. They are $100 and are perfect (in my opinion) with the new iMacs. I would recommend first testing out your built-in speakers on your iMac, and then going to an electronics store (if possible) and trying some of the speaker setups out. Everyone has different preferences, so what may appeal to me may not appeal to you. Bose has been around awhile makes pretty high quality speakers and it shows because they incorperate it into evey line, even the lowest has superb qulity. Hope this helps! :)
 
Logitech Z-2300

They are priced a little higher than your $100 budget but well worth it. Just make sure you have floor space for the huge subwoofer/amp with it's protruding heat sink. The drivers are only 2.5" but there's zero shortage of midrange. The bass is phenomenal, strong and tight- not boomy, and easily adjustable with the included wired controller. The iMac's built in speakers are a joke if you are really into to music. I myself play piano and bass so I don't like to miss a single note when listening to iTunes.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/231&cl=us,en
 
Another vote for Harman/Kardon soundsticks II here.

Yes they look like a robot jellyfish and a pair of sci-fi dildos but they sound amazing for the price.

They're a good conversation piece too, people always admire mine when they see them. :)
 
Another vote for Harman/Kardon soundsticks II here.

Yes they look like a robot jellyfish and a pair of sci-fi dildos but they sound amazing for the price.

They're a good conversation piece too, people always admire mine when they see them. :)

People still ask me where the sound is coming from. :D

"No way, surely not from those little things..."
 
The Klipsch Pro Media won't look as nice as the sound sticks, but they are better audio.

I would recommend trying to find the Altec Lansing FX6021's and see how out of range they are, as they sound great

I mean good sound is up to the listener, but chances are with computer speakers you aren't going to notice that much difference...It's not like your going to put them up against some Mackie HR824mkii
 
ok.. just got my imac today. speakers aren't bad , but def. aren't great. If you listen to music often you'll want external speakers. my 5+ yr old altec lansing $50 2.1 system sounds AWESOME compared to the internal imac speakers (which is expected.. but all i'm saying is that the imac speakers are NOT top notch).
 
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