The BEST mac speakers

[Melkor]

Hey I'm new here so please tell me if this is in the wrong place or whatever.

Anyway, I'm getting a power book soon (see sig ) and I was thinking about what accessories I should get for it for Xmas. I've decided on speakers, so I'm looking for the best speakers I could buy as I will be using the PB as my music system for my room.

Btw, could someone tell me if you have to get certain "mac speakers" or do all speakers work?

Also, if you've had any good/bad experiences with speakers, please post them here and let me know. Thanks

 

[Flying Llama]

As far as brand, Altec Lansing seems to be more on the mac side, IMO. (The Apple Store demos mostly A.L speakers).
The FX6021 is their top of the line model. It will work fine with your PowerBook.

But wait! Only 2 speakers? I wanted surround! Well, Macs only offer more than 2.1 channel sound through their optical out port. I don't know if your PowerBook has one, plus it will be harder to find speakers with optical in. I would stay with 2.1. Besides, the only way you would really benefit from surround is through games, and maybe a couple of movies. I don't think it's worth it.

Hope I helped,
llama

P.S: Congrats on your new PowerBook, have fun!

 

[Melkor]

Very helpful advice Flying Llama. tyvm

 

[powerboy]

If you are looking for 2.1 speakers, the Logitech Z-2300 are supposed to be very good. My brother has them and loves them.

 

[khisayruou]

You don't have to use mac speakers, any computer speakers will work.

Here is my two cents as far as speakers goes. If you just want it for music, then I would suggest sticking to 2.1 speakers, 5.1 or more would be slight overkill, but then again there are some who like that surrounded feeling.

The best...wow, thats tough to pinpoint, maybe I will just give you some options. A popular speaker amongst mac users are the JBL Creature II. They look really nice and sound decent, but far from being the best. For the heavy hitters, I personally like Logitech and Klipsch. Logitech Z-2300 and the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 (stay away from the GMX from Klipsch) come to mind. Both sound really really good...come with plenty of power and have a hard hitting bass to boot. If you don't mind going the 5.1 route, then go for the Logitech Z-5450 or Z-5500 or Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1.

My preference has been Logitech just because of its features I needed. In all honesty, you can't go wrong with either two. (I have owned both, Z-2200 and Promedia 2.1)

 

[fanbrain]

I second the Klipsch models. I had a GMX 5.1 and I wasn't very impressed, but the Promedia 2.1 is a very good bargain considering what their home theater equipment sells for. I currently have the Promedia 4.1 set and I love it. Very crisp clean sound and an excellent soundstage. If you close your eyes when you are listening to, say, Norah Jones, you would swear she were singing from the center of your screen.

 

[Melkor]

Wow, the people on these boards are really helpful. I'm used to boards where when you post a thread looking for advice, the first 20 replies are along the lines of "die", and "that's what you mom said".

Anyway, just to make sure, are these the speakers you guys were talking about?
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=313174&cks=PRL
http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=712
edit: does anyone know if the 5.1's will work on the PB for sure?

 

[DaftUnion]

I second the Klipsch models. I had a GMX 5.1 and I wasn't very impressed, but the Promedia 2.1 is a very good bargain considering what their home theater equipment sells for. I currently have the Promedia 4.1 set and I love it. Very crisp clean sound and an excellent soundstage. If you close your eyes when you are listening to, say, Norah Jones, you would swear she were singing from the center of your screen.

I second either the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, 4.1, or 5.1...just look up any reviews on it on google and you'll know...probably the best sounding speakers with the most "body" to them, and fullness, I've tried JBL Creature, Altec Lansing, and Logitech...the only one that comes close is the top model from Logitech compared to the sound from Klipsch...don't take my word for it though, go to some sort of electronics store and try them out for yourself...Klipsch aren't as stylish compared to either JBL Creature speakers or Harman Kardon...but I've seen the Klipsch 2.1 for $100 US and there's no speakers out there that beat that for the price period...believe me, I've got six stereos I own personally so I'm pretty picky when it comes to sound.

 

[khisayruou]

edit: does anyone know if the 5.1's will work on the PB for sure?

EDIT:
Powerbooks don't support 5.1 (analog), only 2.1 (actually 2.0 or stereo, I was corrected about this last time...eh) To get 5.1 you will need an external usb sound card. As yippy said, 5.1 through the optical out is the other option.

Here is the speaker list:
Klipsch 2.1: http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=103

Klipsch 5.1: http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=712

Logitech Z-2300: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/CA/EN,CRID=2173,CONTENTID=9372

Z-5450: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/CA/EN,CRID=2177,CONTENTID=10928

Z-5500: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/CA/EN,CRID=2177,CONTENTID=9486

 

[yippy]

Not true, the latest powerbooks (15/17") offer 5.1 surround through an optical out port. So if the speakers have optical in they will work with full surround.

Don't believe me? Look at Apples page, scroll down to Hearing is Believing. http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

 

[khisayruou]

Not true, the latest powerbooks (15/17") offer 5.1 surround through an optical out port. So if the speakers have optical in they will work with full surround.

Don't believe me? Look at Apples page, scroll down to Hearing is Believing. http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

Yea, we already know that as pointed out by Flying Llama. I was indicating about analog...sorry I wasnt clear about that.

 

[MRU]

JBLCreatures have a great sound

 

[puckhead193]

As far as brand, Altec Lansing seems to be more on the mac side, IMO. (The Apple Store demos mostly A.L speakers).
The FX6021 is their top of the line model. It will work fine with your PowerBook.

Agreed, i have them for mine andthey are awesome. Also you can look Sound Sticks.

 

[pknz]

I recommend the Altec Lansing FX6021 speakers good sound. I have also heard good things about Klipsch speakers.

JBL Creature speakers are the cheap way for speakers and sound accordingly, albeit better than Powerbook speakers.

But you are wanting the BEST speakers, so probably go find some custom made ones...

 

[Meyvn]

As far as 2.1, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II. They DESTROY the Creatures in quality. The sub is only 20 watts and the speakers are 10 each, which is wonderful for me since I'm in a dorm and don't want to disturb anyone. If you want to go 5.1 without optical, Griffin is coming out with a device soon called the Firewave which is designed to bring surround to Macs. I personally have loved Klipsch in the 5.1 department, also.

 

[khisayruou]

If you want to go 5.1 without optical, Griffin is coming out with a device soon called the Firewave which is designed to bring surround to Macs.

I have been following the firewave, it was announced back in January 05, it was suppose to come out in the second quarter yet still hasn't come out!!

 

[SummerBreeze]

My brother and I both have the Creatures, he uses his for video games on his PC and I use them for movies and music on my mac. They have been working well for both of us, and even though the midrange leaves something to be desired you can fix the sound in the iTunes equalizer. Plus, they only cost me 60 bucks and they look beautiful

 

[GbV76]

While we're on the subject, anyone have any experience with the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speakers? I'd just as soon not have the subwoofer sitting under my table, since it's wide open and already looks like a cluttered mess.........