Full Version: Best 2.1 PC speakers.
I was going to get the Logitech 5500 5.1's but I only listen mostly to music so I heard a 5.1 setup would be a waste. So i Like to know the best 2.1 setup for clarity and most important, loudness. Enough to wake the neighbors at one of my many partys. Or should I just get the Logitech 5500's. I am Willing to spend up to 500 dollars (Canadian).
QUOTE(Drunk 24/7 @ Oct 28 2006, 17:16) 
I was going to get the Logitech 5500 5.1's but I only listen mostly to music so I heard a 5.1 setup would be a waste. So i Like to know the best 2.1 setup for clarity and most important, loudness. Enough to wake the neighbors at one of my many partys. Or should I just get the Logitech 5500's. I am Willing to spend up to 500 dollars (Canadian).
If you're willing to spend up to $500 I would put that money towards an amp and regular bookshelf speakers. Unless space is a huge issure.
Also there were Swans s200 or something like that that are supposed to be very good music speakers, only 2.0 though and I don't know if you can still buy them.
Probably the Klipsch promedia 2.1. Few other people make quality 2.1 computer speakers anymore. Logitech speakers probably have "louder" bass, but they're quite boomy. If you only listen to pop / rock / techno you may not care.
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-2-1.aspx
If you have money to spend a pair of nice bookshelf speakers and a inexpensive or 2ndhand amp will sound much nicer.
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-2-1.aspx
If you have money to spend a pair of nice bookshelf speakers and a inexpensive or 2ndhand amp will sound much nicer.
space is an issue. I looked at the Klipsch 5.1's but they say that the amp blows in them after a few months. I had a kenwood hi-fi a couple years ago and was pleased with the results but I moved to a smaller house and I don't DJ alot anymore so I sold them. I was also looking at these.
http://reviews.cnet.com/Logitech_Z_2300/45...7-30993080.html.
I only have an x-fi platinum soundcard.Would that work with 2.1 speakers?
Would the logitech 5500 be Ok for music listening or are those targeted at gamers?
Is 5.1 setup ideal for just music listening?
http://reviews.cnet.com/Logitech_Z_2300/45...7-30993080.html.
I only have an x-fi platinum soundcard.Would that work with 2.1 speakers?
Would the logitech 5500 be Ok for music listening or are those targeted at gamers?
Is 5.1 setup ideal for just music listening?
QUOTE(Drunk 24/7 @ Oct 28 2006, 17:16)
I was going to get the Logitech 5500 5.1's but I only listen mostly to music so I heard a 5.1 setup would be a waste. So i Like to know the best 2.1 setup for clarity and most important, loudness. Enough to wake the neighbors at one of my many partys. Or should I just get the Logitech 5500's. I am Willing to spend up to 500 dollars (Canadian).
I second the suggestion to get an amp and bookshelf speakers. This will outperform any mass market computer speaker by a huge margin, so far as sound quality is concerned. If you are willing to consider this, I'll gladly take the time to refer you to product option(s).
-Chris
If you still don't want to go bookshelf route then maybe a Klipsch iFi would suffice. It's their highest-end multimedia system.
how about
http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe...MSP3/index.html
(they are not especially loud, so maybe some bigger brother from that same line would fit better)
http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe...MSP3/index.html
(they are not especially loud, so maybe some bigger brother from that same line would fit better)
I'm interested to know good bookshelf speakers and an amp for that budget ($500). Are a pair of Mission bookshelf speakers good enough?
QUOTE(carlcamper @ Oct 29 2006, 23:57)
I'm interested to know good bookshelf speakers and an amp for that budget ($500). Are a pair of Mission bookshelf speakers good enough?
I will paste the response I sent to Drunk 24/7 in IM, since it is relevant to your request:
QUOTE
Working within $500 Canadian(Note, I am not familar with Canadian retailers): 2x Primus 150(or Primus 140 if you need less space occupied) bookshelf speakers. These speakers have been measured by 3rd parties(such as Stereophile, refer to the measurements at: http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeake...ity/index4.html )
This speaker is superbly linear for the price(as cheap as $120 USD for a
pair in the USA). I recommend the Primus 160(a 6.5" 2 way, as opposed to 5"
2 way) if your desktop can handle the space. All of the Primus line speakers
are designed for identical pattern of linearity among each other; you simply
choose the one with the SPL/bass output/physical size that suits your
application(s) best.
Note: you can further increase the sound quality of the Primus speakers with
some easy cabinet modifications, such as replacing the internal acoustic
damping material with a more effective one, and adding a material like
Dynamat to the cabinet walls.
You need an amplifier, of at least 35 watts(for nearfield use) RMS output
per channel into 8 ohms. I recommend, for the cheapest solution, use Ebay
and look for a vintage stereo reciever from the 80's or early 90's, from
Onkyo, Pioneer or other reputable maker. In the USA, I can find solid 80's
Onkyo stereo recievers for around $40.
You need to crossover the Primus 150 at about 100-110Hz at 4th order, to a
crossover, for optimal sound quality. You need to crossover the Primus 140
at about 120Hz at 4th order. You need to crossover the Primus 160 at about
80Hz at 4th order. Obviously, the larger unit you get, the lower the
crossover frequency required, and easier the subwoofer integration, and the higher distortion free output can be achieved. Coupled with the subwoofer I recommend, this system will certainly be able to deafen you near field, and provide superb sound quality(relatively speaking) to boot.
You need an amplified subwoofer. I recommend(for cheapest, but still decent
unit, and with solid cabinet and amp that can be re-used later and upgrade
the driver and re-tune the port) the Dayton Audio 10" or 12" sub-woofer.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.c...tnumber=300-633
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.c...tnumber=300-635
I assume that you have a sound card with bass management(where you can send
signals out to 'small' speakers and a 'subwoofer', and can specify the
crossover frequency).
Accounting for the shipping from the USA for the Dayton subwoofer, your
amount should be right around $500 Canadian. If you are interested
in the materials for modification, I can specify the optimal materials.
-Chris
This speaker is superbly linear for the price(as cheap as $120 USD for a
pair in the USA). I recommend the Primus 160(a 6.5" 2 way, as opposed to 5"
2 way) if your desktop can handle the space. All of the Primus line speakers
are designed for identical pattern of linearity among each other; you simply
choose the one with the SPL/bass output/physical size that suits your
application(s) best.
Note: you can further increase the sound quality of the Primus speakers with
some easy cabinet modifications, such as replacing the internal acoustic
damping material with a more effective one, and adding a material like
Dynamat to the cabinet walls.
You need an amplifier, of at least 35 watts(for nearfield use) RMS output
per channel into 8 ohms. I recommend, for the cheapest solution, use Ebay
and look for a vintage stereo reciever from the 80's or early 90's, from
Onkyo, Pioneer or other reputable maker. In the USA, I can find solid 80's
Onkyo stereo recievers for around $40.
You need to crossover the Primus 150 at about 100-110Hz at 4th order, to a
crossover, for optimal sound quality. You need to crossover the Primus 140
at about 120Hz at 4th order. You need to crossover the Primus 160 at about
80Hz at 4th order. Obviously, the larger unit you get, the lower the
crossover frequency required, and easier the subwoofer integration, and the higher distortion free output can be achieved. Coupled with the subwoofer I recommend, this system will certainly be able to deafen you near field, and provide superb sound quality(relatively speaking) to boot.
You need an amplified subwoofer. I recommend(for cheapest, but still decent
unit, and with solid cabinet and amp that can be re-used later and upgrade
the driver and re-tune the port) the Dayton Audio 10" or 12" sub-woofer.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.c...tnumber=300-633
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.c...tnumber=300-635
I assume that you have a sound card with bass management(where you can send
signals out to 'small' speakers and a 'subwoofer', and can specify the
crossover frequency).
Accounting for the shipping from the USA for the Dayton subwoofer, your
amount should be right around $500 Canadian. If you are interested
in the materials for modification, I can specify the optimal materials.
-Chris
QUOTE(Klyith @ Oct 28 2006, 18:21)
Probably the Klipsch promedia 2.1. Few other people make quality 2.1 computer speakers anymore. Logitech speakers probably have "louder" bass, but they're quite boomy. If you only listen to pop / rock / techno you may not care.
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-2-1.aspx
Owner of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 set since 2003. Absolutely no complaints. No amp problems (don't really know where you heard of that from, everyone else I know that owns anything Klipsch loves them). If you're using these in a small house it'll be pretty much impossible to get anywhere near the max volume without either deafening yourself, destroying the house or getting a nice lil' visit from the cops (this last one has happened to me
). Even at that volume the sound is still not distorted (not to my ears, but then again I don't get paid to review audio hardware).In all fairness you may want to check out the Logitech Z-2300s, however - Logitech's been updating their line while Klipsch pretty much hasn't in quite a LONG while, AFAIK.
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