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What speakers to buy?
- Thread starter jive
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i was just about to ask the same thing.
also, are computer speakers a good way to go or is it better to have a stereo with speakers? i guess with a separate tuner i can add other components.
i guess im debating to get a computer speaker system or slowly build a traditional stereo system. it just seems that computer speakers like apples solution puts me in the game at $300 which seems high. so if im going to spend that much wouldnt it be best to put that money towards a real stereo? or are computers phasing stereos out?
also, are computer speakers a good way to go or is it better to have a stereo with speakers? i guess with a separate tuner i can add other components.
i guess im debating to get a computer speaker system or slowly build a traditional stereo system. it just seems that computer speakers like apples solution puts me in the game at $300 which seems high. so if im going to spend that much wouldnt it be best to put that money towards a real stereo? or are computers phasing stereos out?
do a search...but some are the sound sticks 2, altec lansing FX6??? something, also the creatures from JBL
Sound Sticks 2 are awesome. My friend has them. You might want to check out Best Buy or something along those lines. I've noticed that the Apple Store's selection isn't exactly breathtaking.
I have the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. (I think that's the name of them.) I recommend them. Very good, and very powerful.
Depending on what kind of sound you want, you would want different things. If you want any bass at all...dont get sound sticks. But still you should get a set up that has a separate sub woofer (2.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1) Klipsch makes some very good speakers to compliment computers, so does HarmonKardon (-soundsticks) Logitech has some affordable 5.1 options that produce good bass and pleasant midrange. Give best-buy or crutchfield a try.jive said:
-dsm
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cu...ding=UTF8&sort=quality&index=0&page=0#gallery
i've heard good reviews of these
i've heard good reviews of these
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
This is my opinion, which of course will change depending on whether you want 2.1s, surrounds (5.1+), digital input, and/or needing a home theater environment.
For 2.1s...
If you want great sound and something that can shake the ground, then go with the Klipsch Promedia series. Otherwise, Logitechs higher end speakers are not that far off behind Klipschs.
If you want mac-like looks, decent sound, and a small footprint, go with the HK soundsticks or the JBL Creature IIs.
beatle888: Rule number 1, don't buy speakers with an Apple store price tag. You can get far better speakers below $300. I also don't recommend a reciever/speaker setup unless you plan on truly taking advantage of the power and/or will be utilizing it in a home theater. Using powerful speakers that may take up half of your deskspace in front of an iMac just for mp3s/you tube doesn't make much sense to me. And computer speakers will never phase out real speakers.
For 2.1s...
If you want great sound and something that can shake the ground, then go with the Klipsch Promedia series. Otherwise, Logitechs higher end speakers are not that far off behind Klipschs.
If you want mac-like looks, decent sound, and a small footprint, go with the HK soundsticks or the JBL Creature IIs.
beatle888: Rule number 1, don't buy speakers with an Apple store price tag. You can get far better speakers below $300. I also don't recommend a reciever/speaker setup unless you plan on truly taking advantage of the power and/or will be utilizing it in a home theater. Using powerful speakers that may take up half of your deskspace in front of an iMac just for mp3s/you tube doesn't make much sense to me. And computer speakers will never phase out real speakers.
What's your price range jive?
As others have said, your best bet is probably the Creatures or the SoundSticks. They're the most popular for a reason, and either way, you'll get much better sound than from your internal speakers.
As others have said, your best bet is probably the Creatures or the SoundSticks. They're the most popular for a reason, and either way, you'll get much better sound than from your internal speakers.
audioengine
Hi,
A few weeks ago, i bought the bose sounddock for my ipod. it sounds good, but not great. i know this won't impact your imac, but i ended up ordering the audio engine speakers from http://audioengineusa.com/
they can be used for computers as well since they are shielded. they are supposed to sound amazing and they have a unique feature which may come in handy for you later (I know it will for me
- you can plug a airtunes express right into the back!
So, perhaps more value down the road.
Cheers,
Keebler
PS. for what it's worth, I had the jbl creatures and i thought they were terrible - very tinny and weak sounding.
Hi,
A few weeks ago, i bought the bose sounddock for my ipod. it sounds good, but not great. i know this won't impact your imac, but i ended up ordering the audio engine speakers from http://audioengineusa.com/
they can be used for computers as well since they are shielded. they are supposed to sound amazing and they have a unique feature which may come in handy for you later (I know it will for me
- you can plug a airtunes express right into the back! So, perhaps more value down the road.
Cheers,
Keebler
PS. for what it's worth, I had the jbl creatures and i thought they were terrible - very tinny and weak sounding.
I have the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II as well...
...they sound fantastic, and can get plenty loud.
Their sound remains crisp, even when the volume is loud - the bass is also very acceptable.
Plus, they look great! The only downside is that they're a bit expensive.
They do sound better than my 5.1 Logitech system that I had before, though...
...they sound fantastic, and can get plenty loud.
Their sound remains crisp, even when the volume is loud - the bass is also very acceptable.
Plus, they look great! The only downside is that they're a bit expensive.
They do sound better than my 5.1 Logitech system that I had before, though...
just got back from the apple store
whats with the apple hifi? after hearing the JBL creatures and the Harmond, the apple hifi sounded weak. i couldn't even listen to it. the JBL and Harmonds are fine for a small apartment or bedroom but i can tell they lack real power...though in the right living space they would be perfect and since the JBLs are so much cheaper than the Harmonds i would say the JBLs are a better value. you can find them online for around $79 which includes shipping.
whats with the apple hifi? after hearing the JBL creatures and the Harmond, the apple hifi sounded weak. i couldn't even listen to it. the JBL and Harmonds are fine for a small apartment or bedroom but i can tell they lack real power...though in the right living space they would be perfect and since the JBLs are so much cheaper than the Harmonds i would say the JBLs are a better value. you can find them online for around $79 which includes shipping.
tobefirst said:
I've got a set of these on my PC. Fantastic speakers. The treble's a little sharp until you break them in.
does anyone know what these specs mean? are the altec vs4221 speakers better than the jbl?
please note: the jbl doesnt list max watts.
JBL (larger subwoofer):
Specifications:
Speaker System section
Input impedance: >5K
Signal-to-noise ration: >80dB
Frequency response: 50-20kHz
Input sensitivity: 400 mv rms for rated power output
Voltage input: 120 VAC
Satellite section
Drivers: One Odyssey Plus transducer
Power rating: 8 watts per satellite at 10% (THD+N)
Dimensions:
- Height: 3 in./7.62 cm
- Width: 3 in./7.62 cm
- Depth: 3 in./7.62 cm
Subwoofer section
Drivers: One 4.00-inch Magnum transducer
Power rating: 24 watts at 10% (THD+N)
Crossover frequency: 180Hz
Dimensions:
- Height: 9 in./22.86 cm
- Width: 9 in./22.86 cm
- Depth: 9 in./22.86 cm
Altec (smaller subwoofer):
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL (SPL):98 dB
TOTAL CONTINUOUS POWER:
35 Watts RMS
Front Speakers:8 Watts/channel @ 4 ohms @
10% THD @ 160 Hz - 20 kHz 2 Channels Loaded
Subwoofer:19 Watts @ 8 ohms @ 10 % THD @
40 - 160 Hz Single Channel Loaded
SYSTEM RESPONSE:
40 Hz 20 kHz (-10dB)
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO @ 1 KHZ INPUT:
> 80 dB
DRIVERS (PER SATELLITE):
Two 28mm full-range and one 3" mid-
bass driver
DIMENSIONS:
4.5" (W) x 4.6" (D) x 10.3" (H)
115 mm (W) x 118 mm (D) x 262 mm (H)
SUBWOOFER DRIVER:
One 6.5" long-throw woofer
DIMENSIONS:
7.9" (W) x 9.6" (D) x 13.4" (H)
200 mm (W) x 245 mm (D) x 340 mm (H)
TM
please note: the jbl doesnt list max watts.
JBL (larger subwoofer):
Specifications:
Speaker System section
Input impedance: >5K
Signal-to-noise ration: >80dB
Frequency response: 50-20kHz
Input sensitivity: 400 mv rms for rated power output
Voltage input: 120 VAC
Satellite section
Drivers: One Odyssey Plus transducer
Power rating: 8 watts per satellite at 10% (THD+N)
Dimensions:
- Height: 3 in./7.62 cm
- Width: 3 in./7.62 cm
- Depth: 3 in./7.62 cm
Subwoofer section
Drivers: One 4.00-inch Magnum transducer
Power rating: 24 watts at 10% (THD+N)
Crossover frequency: 180Hz
Dimensions:
- Height: 9 in./22.86 cm
- Width: 9 in./22.86 cm
- Depth: 9 in./22.86 cm
Altec (smaller subwoofer):
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL (SPL):98 dB
TOTAL CONTINUOUS POWER:
35 Watts RMS
Front Speakers:8 Watts/channel @ 4 ohms @
10% THD @ 160 Hz - 20 kHz 2 Channels Loaded
Subwoofer:19 Watts @ 8 ohms @ 10 % THD @
40 - 160 Hz Single Channel Loaded
SYSTEM RESPONSE:
40 Hz 20 kHz (-10dB)
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO @ 1 KHZ INPUT:
> 80 dB
DRIVERS (PER SATELLITE):
Two 28mm full-range and one 3" mid-
bass driver
DIMENSIONS:
4.5" (W) x 4.6" (D) x 10.3" (H)
115 mm (W) x 118 mm (D) x 262 mm (H)
SUBWOOFER DRIVER:
One 6.5" long-throw woofer
DIMENSIONS:
7.9" (W) x 9.6" (D) x 13.4" (H)
200 mm (W) x 245 mm (D) x 340 mm (H)
TM
I use various speaker systems with Macs.
On the iMac I have in my office-apartment I use the M-Audio DX4. If you don't need the style to match, it's a good choice. The DX4 is an entry-level studio monitor, i.e. proper speakers. Really good sound for the price, nice balance of sound overall. Good lows for something quite compact and better than some 2.1 systems (many .1's just thud).
$150 typical
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/DX4-main.html
The other two systems at home are $4000 and $29000 respectively so I assume they are not relevant to your search
On the iMac I have in my office-apartment I use the M-Audio DX4. If you don't need the style to match, it's a good choice. The DX4 is an entry-level studio monitor, i.e. proper speakers. Really good sound for the price, nice balance of sound overall. Good lows for something quite compact and better than some 2.1 systems (many .1's just thud).
$150 typical
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/DX4-main.html
The other two systems at home are $4000 and $29000 respectively so I assume they are not relevant to your search
What about digital input speakers
I'm glad I found this thread I'm in the process of buying speakers to replace the ones I have that are about 10 years old (Sony SRS-PC50's, they sound great, just time to upgrade).
I have a PowerMac that has digital output. Is it worth getting speakers with digital input? Are there any available in the $150.00 price range, most of them that I can find are close to $300.00. For a desktop system that is just used for home use is analog output/input sufficient?
I read some reviews of the Logitech Z-5300e 5.1, Altec Lansing MX5021 2.1, and Harmon Kardon ProMedia 2.1 and they all seem like good speakers. Is 5.1 worth it for a small room? I don't watch movies, just play music through iTunes and the kids play some games.
I'm thinking about going with the Harmon Kardon ProMedia.... any additional pros/cons?
Thanks
I'm glad I found this thread I'm in the process of buying speakers to replace the ones I have that are about 10 years old (Sony SRS-PC50's, they sound great, just time to upgrade).
I have a PowerMac that has digital output. Is it worth getting speakers with digital input? Are there any available in the $150.00 price range, most of them that I can find are close to $300.00. For a desktop system that is just used for home use is analog output/input sufficient?
I read some reviews of the Logitech Z-5300e 5.1, Altec Lansing MX5021 2.1, and Harmon Kardon ProMedia 2.1 and they all seem like good speakers. Is 5.1 worth it for a small room? I don't watch movies, just play music through iTunes and the kids play some games.
I'm thinking about going with the Harmon Kardon ProMedia.... any additional pros/cons?
Thanks
