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Topic: Good set of 2.0 speakers? (Read 5667 times) previous topic - next topic
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Good set of 2.0 speakers?

I've been trolling Amazon for the last couple days to find a good set of 2.0 speakers (or possibly 2.1).  I already have a portable bluetooth speaker which I use for the kitchen but I want something with a bigger, more fuller sound for my bedroom.  My listening tastes are extremely varied: jazz, classic rock, pop, electronic, classical, and country western of all eras.  I don't listen to a lot of hip-hop or rap but I do listen to older soul, funk, and whatnot.

I've narrowed down my list to a few speakers but I wanted some more expert opinions on this since I will be using these speakers both while I am at my desk and when I am just chilling out on my sofa / bed, so moderate distance listening. The three models I was looking at in particular.

- Creative Gigaworks T40
- Microlab H21
- Satechi Airbass

I was also looking at some of the Edifier 2.1 systems as well particularly S330 and C2XD which look very nice but I also dont want a system that is going to drown out everything with too much bass, hence why I am thinking I would more favor a 2.0 system.

Bluetooth is also a plus, but I am looking at overall sound quality and if I need to I don't mind purchasing an extra BT receiver.

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #1 –
As it's been said over here umpteen times before, try to do some in-store audition whenever viable, and whatever decision you make, do it so based on that judgement mostly.

As my listening needs are more or less in the same boat as yours (no-frills listening constrained to both a small room and equally-reduced budget) I'd strongly advise you to give other models a thought.

Being more than satisfied with a pair of Microlab Solo 1C MkII's myself, this is the one pair I'd obviously recommend, but there apparently are other equally good (based on their owners' online  reviews, that is) amplified pairs by the likes of Edifier or even Microlab's own in-house competition, such as the Solos 5C and 6C. But from what I've read (have never listened to any of them) these latter two would quite probably end up being a bit of an overkill for rooms of modest dimensions or for listening from within a few feet away.
Listen to the music, not the media it's on.
União e reconstrução

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #2 –
I've done some looking around to your response and it looks like Microlab Solos aren't available in the US, only the UK and I don't think equipment intended for use in the UK can be plugged into a US mains outlet.  Unfortunately, where I live there isn't much in the way of retail stores unless I am looking at the very low end or very high end in terms of price and quality.  Basically I am just trying to get as much bang for my buck.

Right now I am really thinking it is between the H21 and the Airbass out of those choices.  The only thing I am hesitant about the Airbass is the whole plastic vs wood housing.  The Airbass seems to have nicer controls (just a single volume control on the front as opposed to the controls mounted on top).

The T40s look like a decent set that could fill a small to medium sized room, not sure how they would stack up to the other two but if wattage is any indicator, then they should be about similar.  They also have front mounted controls and a bass / treble equalizer.

As far as the Edifers go, I am afraid they might be too bassy for my use but look like good systems.  Unfortunately I can't really find any online comparisons of these units.

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #3 –
I can highly recommend these: 'Edifier R1600T Studio Plus 2.0 Monitors'. I have a pair and they blow away the T40s.

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #4 –
Have a listen to the Audioengine A5+s, they're extremely well-constructed and sound absolutely great. Good solid non-bloated bass, you won't need a subwoofer for music. There's also a remote control included, 5V usb power plug for charging phones etc. and two inputs.

I used a set as my main speakers for a while, and the only reason I moved them to the bedroom is because I upgraded to a set of Adam A5Xs. Those are even better, but also cost around twice as much.

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: kitsunekitty on
I've done some looking around to your response and it looks like Microlab Solos aren't available in the US,

I'll be damned! I've always thought everything span around the US market.

Quote from: kitsunekitty on
As far as the Edifers go, I am afraid they might be too bassy for my use but look like good systems.  Unfortunately I can't really find any online comparisons of these units.

Have you based that conclusion on spec sheets alone or user reviews?

As far as user opinions for the R1600T's go, and at least for this specific model (john33 being obviously more qualified to talk about it than I am) it's apparently the other way around:
they claim the R1600T's' bass as not being that 'boomy' - not appealing therefore, to a many a basshead's taste out there.

But this latest post is more my last two cents regarding 2.0 Edifiers - in case someone else comes across this thread later on - than actually an attempt to divert you from your choices, as you seem to have already narrowed down your search to one or two models. 
Listen to the music, not the media it's on.
União e reconstrução

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #7 –
The R1600T's are certainly not base heavy. Considering their size I've found them very detailed and well balanced.

Edit: Correct typo!

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: includemeout on
I'll be damned! I've always thought everything span around the US market.

I work for a large telco company here in the US so I am not surprised about tech products not being available in the US market.  That seems to be the moving trend over the past decade and a half or so.  You should check out the kind of phones that are coming to market in Japan, China, Korea, and Singapore... and almost none of those technologies are useful or compatible here.
Heck, where I live most places still don't have NFC payment systems implemented yet!

The US is really losing out on a lot of innovation and has been slow to bring it for a multitude of reasons spanning everything from profit margins, to limiting competition, to people just being afraid of new technology.

Quote
Have you based that conclusion on spec sheets alone or user reviews?

Both.  I am a numbers guy so I like having hard numbers to review, but I also like to know how those numbers translate empirically.  Just because something is capable of producing the specs printed on a sheet doesn't mean it does it well.

One thing I did notice on the spec sheet for the Edifiers is that the satellite speakers and the subwoofers have a gap between their covered frequency response range at around 110 Hz - 150 Hz depending on the model.  Is this something that would effect or be noticeable because I do notice many other models have broader ranges on their satellite speakers.

Quote from: KozmoNaut link=msg=0 date=
Have a listen to the Audioengine A5+s, they're extremely well-constructed and sound absolutely great. Good solid non-bloated bass, you won't need a subwoofer for music. There's also a remote control included, 5V usb power plug for charging phones etc. and two inputs.


I saw those as well on Amazon, but they are well out of my budget.  I am looking to spend around $150 tops.  The Grace Digitals look like a similar, great alternative with a much more affordable price point.  They also support AptX streaming in addition to the older SBC codecs.  I am not sure if the Microlab H21 or the Satechi support aptX as it only gives the profile not the supported codecs.  All of those speakers look to be in a similar design and class.

Another route I could go is building my own system, but I don't have a lot of experience with that.

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #9 –
Some specific comments from users regarding their R1600T's' bass capabilities on overclocker.co.uk:

Quote
I switched to these from a Loitech X530 system as the over powering bass was driving me nuts (not to mention the neighbours) and the sound quality is excellent paired with a X-Fi XTremeMusic. I wasn`t expecting much as they`re only 16watts per speaker, but they are very loud.

Quote
Bass is well balanced but can be cranked a bit to give a good punch


Apart from that, anything else regarding this specific detail for both Edifier and Microlab speakers seem to come mostly from non-English speaking websites (specially my own Brazil and Russia). As you'd probably have to rely on Google Translator for digging into them I hope this helps somehow.

Quote from: kitsunekitty on
Another route I could go is building my own system, but I don't have a lot of experience with that.

Though it is an option, it's naturally a more expensive one if compared to the current alternatives.

Or maybe not, if you consider coupling a second hand stereo amp with a pair of reasonable-quality passive bookshelf speakers, for instance.
Listen to the music, not the media it's on.
União e reconstrução

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: kitsunekitty on
I've been trolling Amazon for the last couple days to find a good set of 2.0 speakers (or possibly 2.1).  I already have a portable bluetooth speaker which I use for the kitchen but I want something with a bigger, more fuller sound for my bedroom.  My listening tastes are extremely varied: jazz, classic rock, pop, electronic, classical, and country western of all eras.  I don't listen to a lot of hip-hop or rap but I do listen to older soul, funk, and whatnot.

I've narrowed down my list to a few speakers but I wanted some more expert opinions on this since I will be using these speakers both while I am at my desk and when I am just chilling out on my sofa / bed, so moderate distance listening. The three models I was looking at in particular.

- Creative Gigaworks T40
- Microlab H21
- Satechi Airbass

I was also looking at some of the Edifier 2.1 systems as well particularly S330 and C2XD which look very nice but I also dont want a system that is going to drown out everything with too much bass, hence why I am thinking I would more favor a 2.0 system.

Bluetooth is also a plus, but I am looking at overall sound quality and if I need to I don't mind purchasing an extra BT receiver.


Just adding another option, Aperion Allaire Bluetooth  http://www.aperionaudio.com/speakers/wirel...laire-bluetooth
I want NBC's Ed on DVD/Blu-ray!

Good set of 2.0 speakers?

Reply #11 –
Quote
I saw those as well on Amazon, but they are well out of my budget.  I am looking to spend around $150 tops.  The Grace Digitals look like a similar, great alternative with a much more affordable price point.  They also support AptX streaming in addition to the older SBC codecs.  I am not sure if the Microlab H21 or the Satechi support aptX as it only gives the profile not the supported codecs.  All of those speakers look to be in a similar design and class.

Another route I could go is building my own system, but I don't have a lot of experience with that.


Sorry, Just saw this about your budget.  The Aperions I posted above are also over budget.  Pretty complete, feature-wise, though...and pretty nice sounding I'd bet
I want NBC's Ed on DVD/Blu-ray!