Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Looking for Great Computer Speakers

CoMpX

CoMpX

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 29, 2005
1,242
0
New Jersey
I suppose I would consider myself an audiophile, and I really need a pair of really good speakers. Right now, I am leaning back and forth between the Harman SoundSticks II and the JBL Encounter 2.1. Can you recommend any more? They must have powerful base and clear, crisp quality. Of the two I chose, which is better for this?
 
If you are an audiophile you'd hook up you your mac to an reciever that is hooked up to very nice speakers.
 
If you're looking for a set of sub-$100 speakers, consider the Logitech Z-4i speakers... they're about $70 from various online retailers and also would match nicely with an Apple PowerBook... I'm highly considering purchasing these myself once my MacBook Pro arrives.
 
What is a receiver ???

What is a receiver ??? I am also interested in buying a pair of speakers for my ibook.

Thank you,

igmolinav.
 
I would greatly recomend the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 system if you are looking for a great cheap system that will deliver the deep bass and clear sound that you are looking for. They can be found on eBay for under 100 dollars new. They are THX certified if you care about that.
 
Oh I forgot to mention that I want them to be stylish. I chose the two systems that I...umm....chose...because they would match with my setup and the sleek look I am searching for.
 
igmolinav said:
What is a receiver ??? I am also interested in buying a pair of speakers for my ibook.

Thank you,

igmolinav.
Click to expand...

The "receiver" is the box that you plug all your audio equipment into--speakers, CD player, aux devices, speakers, etc. It does all the redirection of audio signals necessary to switch between different inputs. It also does any decoding necessary. Usually receivers have an amplifier built-in as well.

Its definitely overkill for the average desktop computer. But I have done it -- and it is sweet.
 
i do the whole Computer to reciever to awesome speakers thing lol
I love it....although everyone else in the house hates it, sigh, oh well. lol other then that i dont have much experinece with other speaker systems so i am sorry im' not much help
 
Harmon Kardon SoundSticks II make fantastic computer speakers for 2.1 A real audiophile though would probably be spending thousands on speakers and would not use an iMac to play it.
 
Bose $90 the best sound

I was purchased the Hamon Karmon 2.1 speakers, they were nice but they did not come close to the sound quality of the bose companion speakers I had before or got after. These $90 speaker have such great sound, and range compared to all other speaker out there.
 
Klipsch promedia 2.1. Neither of the two systems you mentioned will give you the same depth of sound or volume. Unless you just want pretty toys...
 
risc said:
Blue Sky Media Desk Active 2.1 Monitor System
Click to expand...

I was once told by somebody that "monitor speakers" were different than regular computer speakers. It had something to do with how accurately they play the sound back or something like that. I dunno, that is probably completely off.

Anyways, those do look clean and I wouldn't mind them sitting on little shelves behind my monitor, that would be rockin'. :D
 
I have the Klipsch Promedia 2.1, and they are the best multimedia's I've heard (much better than soundsticks, and most JBLs I've heard)! However, the cable that connects the speakers to the subwoofer are too thin in my opinion, and can crackle. Unfortunately, they use a 1/8" jack to connect to the speakers (not very audiophile friendly).

If you would like something even more pristine than those, I would recommend Swans M200 (if you can get your hands on them). While only a 2.0 setup, I've read great reviews about them. I know a few MacRumors posters have them. Depending on your soundcard, you can always add a stand-alone sub. The S200, its replacement, was suppose to come out last year, but the US distributor (www.audioinsider.com) hasn't seen one yet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836136102
http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/reviews/SwanM200/
http://www.harmonicdiscord.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=4408&forum=21
http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=3
 
jrk07 said:
I was once told by somebody that "monitor speakers" were different than regular computer speakers. It had something to do with how accurately they play the sound back or something like that. I dunno, that is probably completely off.

Anyways, those do look clean and I wouldn't mind them sitting on little shelves behind my monitor, that would be rockin'. :D
Click to expand...

No, that's pretty much it. Monitors are very useful when recording, because they don't color the sound. However, they lack the power of "regular" speakers, and speaker placement is crucial for the best sound.
 
If you are able, take a look at the Aego M's by Acoustic Energy (a well respected British hifi company). I don't know if they ship overseas, but they look great (available in black or white) and should sound even better according to recent tests by What Hi-Fi magazine (Feb '06 issue). Furthermore, they are a great bargain at only 99 pounds (or 159 euros). I haven't received mine yet, but I'm all hyped after reading the review and some user comments around the web.

cheers,

MM
 
I know that the JBL Creature II speakers are worth their weight in luke warm cocky **** (thats a good thing). So I'm assuming that the encounter 2.1 would be just as good if not better...
 
I'm a big fan of soundsticks. Got them hooked up to my iMac and they sound pretty good.

They're not proper audiphile kit though. I'll certainly be getting myself some more serious stuff when I've got both the space and the money!
 
These are probably out of your range, but I bought the Logitech Z-5500's for my 17" powerbook and connect them using the optical digital. I must say they are the best speakers I have personally heard for a computer. But they are about $260 which might be too high for you, but for 1100 watts peak, good bang, lol.
 
Actually, studio monitors do not 'lack' power at all...

Toreador93 said:
No, that's pretty much it. Monitors are very useful when recording, because they don't color the sound. However, they lack the power of "regular" speakers, and speaker placement is crucial for the best sound.
Click to expand...

A pair of Tapco S8 pushes 120 watts through 8" woofers (w/ 1" tweeters) for -MSRP- $499... The S5's deliver a decent punch for 5" speakers. Why would studio monitors, which are supposedly for professionals, lack power?

Studio monitor's do attempt to deliver music as flat as possible. That is, they do not attempt to alter the music like JBL 'warms' sound, etc. Music becomes bassy, fuzzy, muddy, shallow, hollow etc. when speaker manufacturers begin to tweak the signal to match that of the acoustic performance of their speakers. Ever listended to a CD you owned for years while using a different sound setup, only to hear something you never heard in the music before?

Studio monitors won't 'hide' instruments from your ears. Personally, monitors are all I want to listen to music from since I like my music as flat as possible so I can eq it myself. Yes, it is important to place your monitors well for the best audio experience as some are near-field monitors, which means they are are designed to deliver music optimally in an area, say, 4-6' from your ears.

All that being said, I just got that Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system for my parents from amazon.com $140 to the door. It is not bad, but at 3/4 volume the music begins to distort and I would never used them 'cranked.' The wires included do degrade the sound a bit. And, I think there is a slight chance that the ProMedia's amplifier may burn up and I will be getting another pair of speakers for them in a year. For $140, what other 2.1 system are your going to get though.

EDIT: Although, if I could find a pair of those Swan M200's suggested by Toreador93, I would definatly spend the extra $60 over the ProMedia 2.1...
 
Jon'sLightBulbs said:
Klipsch promedia 2.1. Neither of the two systems you mentioned will give you the same depth of sound or volume. Unless you just want pretty toys...
Click to expand...

Thats why I got the soundsticks. Mostly Aesthetics. But I have a full surround system to tap into.
 
munkees said:
I was purchased the Hamon Karmon 2.1 speakers, they were nice but they did not come close to the sound quality of the bose companion speakers I had before or got after. These $90 speaker have such great sound, and range compared to all other speaker out there.
Click to expand...
I second the Bose speakers! They really sound very good and can substitute your home speakerssystem. Whatever you do, don't go for the JBL creatures, very cheap sound.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back