Hi everyone,

I listen to a lot of music using my computer as the source. I've got an M-Audio 2496 Audiophile and listen with a pair of AKG 271S headphones. I'm very happy with the sound, but I'd like to add some speakers so that I can listen to music and not be chained to my desk all the time.

I listen to a lot of classical, as well as 80s and some rock. I don't need bass that rattles the windows, and prefer clarity/transparency. I'm also in a one room apartment in a dorm, so I don't need extreme volume. I like to consider myself a pretty discerning listener but realize I don't have the money for a top of the line speaker system. I was hoping someone here could give me some suggestions for a decent speaker setup for around $300. I could possibly go higher, but like I said, I'm happy with my headphones, and this would probably only be a secondary setup.

Thanks for any help.

I have a pair of mission bookshelf speakers that are inexpensive and sound great

Gallo, Orb, and M-audio powered monitors are also very nice and $300 or less a pair.

I´m very satisfied with Swans M-200.

i second the Swans. fantastic value for the money.

you say you don't want to be chained to your desk all the time. your budget is perfect for what you're wanting to do. don't let anyone try and talk you into paying more for speakers you'll largely be listening to passively.

then I second UrbanVoyeur's suggestion for near-field studio monitors... but then again you want to listen to rock and orchestral -- that sort of thing sounds better on bookshelves/towers placed at a distance, but I'm guessing you don't have space for that kind of thing anyway.