Hello,
At this very moment I have 2 Kef tower speakers standing next to my desk. These speakers provide very bright high and especially very clean low frequencies. In the future months, I'd like to give my room more space and this can only be reached by removing this big speakers and putting a nice surround set in it.
I already read about a few speaker systems
Logitech Z-5500, Z2300, G51,..
Creative S750, T7900, T6100,..
Bose Companion (3 or 5)
Because the room is going to be repainted, new desk, new lights etc, I would like the speakers to have a nice look and design. The Bose Companions are definitely the winners in this category.
But, the thing is, Bose should be a 2.1 set comparing to the other 5.1 and 7.1 sets and the price is much higher than a regular 2.1 set. Also, there are a lot of people complaining about the bad sound of bose so I'd rather take another set if possible in the same price range.
There are 2 things that bother me about the logitech and creative sets. Where did the design go? I haven't found another beautiful audio set like bose in the logitech, creative or even other brand products.
Also, I wonder if the quality of one of these sets would be high enough comparing to my "old" Kef speakers.
I have the feeling dolby surround sets can't produce the same warmth midrange of regular speakers..
So, I'm looking for a powerful and nice designed speakerset that can replace my kef's. The new set may be 2.1-7.1 but I'd like 2.1 more because it's just cleaner with wires etc.
What are the experiences with the upper listed speakers sets and are there other ones who can be advised?
Full Version: Looking for nice design and bright music sound set
All the reviews I've read suggest that the Logitechs are good.
QUOTE(djkrikke @ Jun 6 2008, 12:30) 
Hello,
At this very moment I have 2 Kef tower speakers standing next to my desk. These speakers provide very bright high and especially very clean low frequencies. In the future months, I'd like to give my room more space and this can only be reached by removing this big speakers and putting a nice surround set in it.
I already read about a few speaker systems
Logitech Z-5500, Z2300, G51,..
Creative S750, T7900, T6100,..
Bose Companion (3 or 5)
Because the room is going to be repainted, new desk, new lights etc, I would like the speakers to have a nice look and design. The Bose Companions are definitely the winners in this category.
But, the thing is, Bose should be a 2.1 set comparing to the other 5.1 and 7.1 sets and the price is much higher than a regular 2.1 set. Also, there are a lot of people complaining about the bad sound of bose so I'd rather take another set if possible in the same price range.
There are 2 things that bother me about the logitech and creative sets. Where did the design go? I haven't found another beautiful audio set like bose in the logitech, creative or even other brand products.
Also, I wonder if the quality of one of these sets would be high enough comparing to my "old" Kef speakers.
I have the feeling dolby surround sets can't produce the same warmth midrange of regular speakers..
So, I'm looking for a powerful and nice designed speakerset that can replace my kef's. The new set may be 2.1-7.1 but I'd like 2.1 more because it's just cleaner with wires etc.
What are the experiences with the upper listed speakers sets and are there other ones who can be advised?
If you must go with small powered units - the KRK ROKIT 5 is going to be far better than any 'computer speaker' I know of on the market. The ROKIT 5 is a small powered 2 way studio monitor. It has very high cosmetic quality - it looks like an expensive piece of gear - though it's low in cost. It is about $200/pair. You can buy the speakers individually, so it is possible to get enough for 5 channel surround without wasting money on an additional unit you would not use.
Best I have yet to find for a low price and all inclusive design(built in amps, compact size, etc.) for computer speaker use.
Refer to my recent measurements:
20Hz-20,000 Hz @ 1 Meter (LF=Near Field)
http://www.linaeum.com/productinfo/other/k...xis_spliced.gif
Off-Axis Response Plots, 0-30 degrees and 45-90 degrees
http://www.linaeum.com/productinfo/other/k...faxis_0-90d.gif
Waterfall(CSD)
http://www.linaeum.com/productinfo/other/k...5/waterfall.gif
Distortion vs. SPL @ 1 Meter
http://www.linaeum.com/productinfo/other/k...n_vs_spl_1m.gif
-Chris
> Looking for nice design and bright music sound set, 2.1-7.1 possible
Visually bright?
> In the future months, I'd like to give my room more space and this can only
> be reached by removing this big speakers and putting a nice surround set in
> it.
In order to save space you want to replace 2 speakers with 8? And clutter your desk with them?
> Because the room is going to be repainted, new desk, new lights etc, I
> would like the speakers to have a nice look and design.
I can relate to this although my preference is for hidden/built-in. Some may scoff but there is a continual low level of irritation when looking at something that is not right (a bit broader than just visually attractive).
> The Bose Companions are definitely the winners in this category.
Ummm. This is subject to personal taste.
> But, the thing is, Bose should be a 2.1 set comparing to the other 5.1
> and 7.1 sets and the price is much higher than a regular 2.1 set.
You are not comparing apples with apples. Bose sacrifices sound quality in order to gain other attributes. One is cheap parts to keep costs down but another is improved ergonomics. Others sacrifice pretty much everything to get the costs down but can then offer lots of speakers for Boses 2.1 price. Others do not sacrifice sound quality but are then forced by the laws of physics to provide big speakers using more expensive parts and sacrifice things like finish and marketing in order to match Bose 2.1 prices. It is good to have the choice.
> There are 2 things that bother me about the logitech and creative sets. Where
> did the design go?
These are cheap computer speakers that are going to look and sound like cheap computer speakers. If you do not want this type of speaker then look to buy something else.
> I haven't found another beautiful audio set like bose in the logitech,
> creative or even other brand products.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To my eyes, Bose designs do not look at all attractive.
> Also, I wonder if the quality of one of these sets would be high enough
> comparing to my "old" Kef speakers.
The sound quality is almost certain to be noticeably worse. Are you familiar with trying to listen to music through computer speakers? If so, it is only you that can say where poor sound quality becomes intrusive on your enjoyment of music.
> So, I'm looking for a powerful and nice designed speakerset that can replace
> my kef's. The new set may be 2.1-7.1 but I'd like 2.1 more because it's just
> cleaner with wires etc.
An obvious thing to do is buy "bookshelf" sized 2.1 speakers and mount them on a wall or a shelf. This will not only stop them cluttering your desk but will also significantly improve the sound quality if placed in a sensible location.
> What are the experiences with the upper listed speakers sets and are there
> other ones who can be advised?
My experience with computer/lifestyle speakers is that I find them unsuitable for listening to music. Many people seem perfectly happy with such speakers but in most cases they do not sit down and concentrate on listening to music through them. They are primarily for background music, games, movies or because every home has got to have some sort of hi-fi system.
Visually bright?
> In the future months, I'd like to give my room more space and this can only
> be reached by removing this big speakers and putting a nice surround set in
> it.
In order to save space you want to replace 2 speakers with 8? And clutter your desk with them?
> Because the room is going to be repainted, new desk, new lights etc, I
> would like the speakers to have a nice look and design.
I can relate to this although my preference is for hidden/built-in. Some may scoff but there is a continual low level of irritation when looking at something that is not right (a bit broader than just visually attractive).
> The Bose Companions are definitely the winners in this category.
Ummm. This is subject to personal taste.
> But, the thing is, Bose should be a 2.1 set comparing to the other 5.1
> and 7.1 sets and the price is much higher than a regular 2.1 set.
You are not comparing apples with apples. Bose sacrifices sound quality in order to gain other attributes. One is cheap parts to keep costs down but another is improved ergonomics. Others sacrifice pretty much everything to get the costs down but can then offer lots of speakers for Boses 2.1 price. Others do not sacrifice sound quality but are then forced by the laws of physics to provide big speakers using more expensive parts and sacrifice things like finish and marketing in order to match Bose 2.1 prices. It is good to have the choice.
> There are 2 things that bother me about the logitech and creative sets. Where
> did the design go?
These are cheap computer speakers that are going to look and sound like cheap computer speakers. If you do not want this type of speaker then look to buy something else.
> I haven't found another beautiful audio set like bose in the logitech,
> creative or even other brand products.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To my eyes, Bose designs do not look at all attractive.
> Also, I wonder if the quality of one of these sets would be high enough
> comparing to my "old" Kef speakers.
The sound quality is almost certain to be noticeably worse. Are you familiar with trying to listen to music through computer speakers? If so, it is only you that can say where poor sound quality becomes intrusive on your enjoyment of music.
> So, I'm looking for a powerful and nice designed speakerset that can replace
> my kef's. The new set may be 2.1-7.1 but I'd like 2.1 more because it's just
> cleaner with wires etc.
An obvious thing to do is buy "bookshelf" sized 2.1 speakers and mount them on a wall or a shelf. This will not only stop them cluttering your desk but will also significantly improve the sound quality if placed in a sensible location.
> What are the experiences with the upper listed speakers sets and are there
> other ones who can be advised?
My experience with computer/lifestyle speakers is that I find them unsuitable for listening to music. Many people seem perfectly happy with such speakers but in most cases they do not sit down and concentrate on listening to music through them. They are primarily for background music, games, movies or because every home has got to have some sort of hi-fi system.
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