Computer Speakers on a Budget? 71
Angela asks: "In the spirit (and utter terror) of the upcoming holiday season, I would like to ask the opinion of the Slashdot community on speaker technology. The dilemma is this: I would like to purchase computer speakers for my audiophile husband for Christmas, but I am clueless when it comes to this particular field. I am also on a budget ($200USD or less?). What computers speakers would you suggest and why?"
Speakers (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Speakers (Score:1)
--Besides that damn blue led is distracting.
Re:Speakers (Score:1)
Logitech Z-560 4.1 Speakers (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Logitech Z-560 4.1 Speakers (Score:2)
Oooh no they don't :-).
In my review [dansdata.com] of the Z-560 set, and some other speakers, I have a look inside and discover that Logitech's wattage numbers appear to be seriously inflated. Oh, and that "THX certification" doesn't mean diddly, either :-).
Logitech Z-560 (Score:3, Informative)
Buying those speakers was one of my best computer-related purchases. Best thing is playing Chemical Brothers Bass Test - whole apt. building shakes from the vibrations, and I don't dare turn it more than 50% up (i think it would rip me apart). Perfect for annoying those pesky Jehova's Vitneses neighbors
Speaker Kits (Score:2, Informative)
Plus, being a kit, your hubby get to build it! Any self respecting geek loves to put things together.
The prices are in $AUS, so you'll need to multiply by 0.56 to convert it into $US (assuming you're in the USA, of course
DeeK
Me? (Score:2)
Be "Creative" (haha, excuse the pun) (Score:2, Informative)
speakers aren't the only important thing (Score:5, Informative)
USB audio connectors such as the Extigy [soundblaster.com] and the Stereo Link [thinkgeek.com], on the other hand, have an all-digital connection to the computer and shielding around all the electronic components. This will produce much cleaner sound.
There's no point getting good speakers if the audio being played on them is of poor quality.
Re:speakers aren't the only important thing (Score:1)
There's no point getting good speakers if the audio being played on them is of poor quality.
I agree with this to a point. You don't go buy $10k speakers and run them off a Soundblaster 16. But, really, you don't run them off an Extigy either. The only things the Extigy has going for it is marketing and being external. It actually has nasty DA and AD converters, constantly dithers to various frequencies and bit rates, and generally mucks up the sound something awful. Not actually worth the money.
There are good external sound cards, but they don't come cheap. Try M-Audio [m-audio.net] (now with a consumer line [m-audio.net]!) or Echo [echoaudio.com] or Aardvark [aardvarkaudio.com] or even Digidesign [digidesign.com] if you want "audiophile" sound cards for a PC. These are all "Pro Audio" companies (aka music production), but you can use the stuff for Quake just as easy as creating break beats.
There's no point getting good speakers if the audio being played on them is of poor quality.
The counter to this is that there's no point in using a good amp/soundcard/cables/etc to produce good audio if the speakers it is playing on is poor quality. And there are no "computer speakers" that are not poor quality from an Audiophile perspective. Nor can you even buy any Audiophile speakers at Best Buy or Circuit City. Supposedly SoundTrack carries them, but the one near me does not. I can only find them in local shops; the shops that turn up thier noses if you ask if they carry anything by Bose.
For perspactive, there's audiophile and Audiophile. The former is like the guy who says he's into performace cars and slaps a "Type-R" sticker on his Civic. The latter is the guy who says he's into performace cars and labors over whether to buy a Ferrari or Lambroghini. (If these are misspelled, or are actually not the "nice" cars anymore, please forgive me. I drive a "paid for" Storm and a Grand Prix and don't pretend to care about cars.) My wife and I are 2/3 of the way from audiophile to Audiophile. She won't buy a speaker unless she can instantly tell whether Itzhak Perlman is pushing or pulling the bow across the strings. I want to hear what brand of compressors were used in the drum overheads. But we have a WIDE variety of systems we play music on, from MB Quarts (nice) to Altec Lansing PC speakers (functional for the beeps Windows makes) to 1964 Magnavox peice-of-furniture stereo (inacurate, but warm and perfect for Billie Holiday.)
So... If your husband is an Audiophile, spare him the agony of pretending to like what you get him Christmas morning and get him something else. If he's an audiophile, get him whatever is on the shelf for $200.
SysiphusRe:speakers aren't the only important thing (Score:1)
OK, so I'm not that much of an Audiophile. "Kenwood, eh?" you say? Well, I'm on a teenager's budget. Because I'm a teenager. And no, I don't listen to Korn or Marilyn Manson.
Re:speakers aren't the only important thing (Score:1)
Re:speakers aren't the only important thing (Score:1)
Now I'm quite paranoid.
Yes, I'll admit that these speakers play Styx on occasion.
Re:speakers aren't the only important thing (Score:1)
Properly powered amps are key. (Score:2)
I have found that using physically separate amps for, at least, trebel and bass makes a vast difference. With the right amp, even the cheapest radio shack speaker or even a PC speaker can sound as good as it possibly can and a lot of times that's surprisingly good even for the very very cheap stuff.
Keeping the bass on its own amp is the easiest way to get the most bang for your buck. To that end, I would recommend that Angela buy her husband two amps and not only that, I'd say go with car amps that have AC connectors. I know the audiophiles are going to find this appalling, but it works amazingly well. Cheap speakers and homemade boxes will rock the house when the amps are balanced.
My system rocks the walls and I live in three story brick building. At the same time it captures the subtleties with spooky clarity and most of the mid range speakers were ripped out of old boom boxes for $0.00. Amps are where the money should go if you want good sound on a budget. Speakers are everywhere and most sound cards should be good enough.
Oh, and the most important part for someone getting started in this is that you can use 1.5mm Y patch cords to split the output from the sound card. Doesn't work for input, but output is okay. Cheap trick and it definitely works.
Logitech Z560 (Score:2, Informative)
I didn't have a chance to do a lot of listening tests, but I have been very impressed by these. I'm more of an enthusiast (read: wannabe) than an audiophile, but I don't think you'll be dissappointed.
Audiophile? (Score:2, Funny)
If he isn't really an audiophile, I have to agree with the suggestion of the Logitech's. They're pretty decent speakers for what they're worth.
Perhaps if he is an audiophile and he doesn't have one yet, you could consider a player for the new DVD format based audio discs. I wouldn't be surprised if you could aquire that in the price limit, then again I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't.
Re:Audiophile? (Score:3, Funny)
Take the $200, and invest it. 10 years from now when it has multiplied 10 fold in value, you will then have enough for the 20% deposit to put some
Re:Audiophile? (Score:1, Insightful)
Buy real speakers (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Buy real speakers (Score:2)
Buy a basic amp and some basic home stereo speakers. They take up a bit more (desk) space but you'll get way more sound quality for your dollar. I use a thirty year old amplifier and the speakers that came with it as the sound output for my pc. It cost me just 20,- in a secondhand electronics store and it outperforms most if not all computer speakers that cost three times as much.
Re:Buy real speakers (Score:1)
Note - hook the sound card out to the CD input - it gives you a much cleaner sound.
Audiophile quality it isn't, but it will dominate any PC speaker setup out there for the price.
Re:Buy real speakers (Score:2)
That's a good point, those clearance item deals are the way to go for computer audio. For my wife I picked up a Harmon Kardon AVR-45 for only $100 and a pair of 150W Yamaha speakers for $80 each in a similar deal. Prior to that she was running through a cheapy $120 Aiwa bookshelf stereo (the crappy things that look like separate components but it really isn't) and even those blew away "computer speakers". Now the Aiwa is running on the computer in the garage. :)
The best Logitechs you can afford (Score:3, Interesting)
"Computer speakers" are just a big fluke. (Score:1)
Get headphones (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Get headphones or at least a good amplifier... (Score:2)
Audiophile @ $200 = Headphones (Score:2)
Myself, I have a pair of Sennheiser HD-580 headphones (no glasses) and I am completely happy with them. You can also get some good deals on used headphones on the above forums as well.
AKG K240 Monitors (Score:1)
Re:AKG K240 Monitors (Score:1)
alex
Re:Get headphones (Score:1)
I have bought from Headroom, but I don't work for them or know anyone who does.
Re:Get headphones (Score:1)
Altec (Score:1)
They produce clear tones. Perhaps not audiophile quality....but they are very good for casual ogg playing, and an occasional UT game.
However, you should still go a store that sells them, and listen yourself.
Unfortunately, they seem to now only have the surround version for double price. Mine are stereo, and I got them for $80 two years ago.
Headphones? (Score:1)
I sure hope... (Score:1)
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
Actually, how neat would it be to be married to someone that reads tech forums, period?
Re:I sure hope... (Score:3, Funny)
My point exactly. This guy is married to someone who actually posts to /.. Does he actually need anything else for Christmas?!
build your own (Score:1)
Dan's Data [dansdata.com] recently had a review of a speaker kit [dansdata.com]. He was very pleased with the results.
Of course, that company is based in Australia, so if you're not there, you'll probably want to find something closer. Anyone know of any similar companies in North America? (Especially in Canada, for my sake!)
It depends on the audiophile... (Score:4, Interesting)
If you're not an audiophile, or just don't quite know what he's looking for, give him an IOU. Something like:
"You can spend up to $200 on speakers for the computer". And let HIM agonize over it. (Audiophiles enjoy agonizing over these things)
I'm into highish end sound, and I'd trust my SO to get something like this, but that's only because she's a (self proclaimed) music snob, and has much better ears than I do. She played a large roll in my last speaker purchase.
Altec Lansing (Score:2)
You will probably get more for your money with an external amp and normal home stereo speakers, as another poster suggested. A $5 1/8"-to-RCA adapter at Radio Shack will hook up your computer to the amp. This is what I did until I moved into an apartment where the area my computer was in didn't have space for my large speakers, at which point I bought the 48s. (The 48s actually sounded better in my case, but the original speakers were kinda crappy - They had originally had blown woofers and the replacements weren't matched to the cabinet, resulting in a muddy sound.)
logitechs (Score:2, Informative)
perhaps the best review i can direct you to is this one [tomshardware.com] - a comparison of 13 4.1/5.1 systems around your price range. it really helped me.
cheers from oz
sub $200 audio solution (Score:1)
Cambridge Soundworks (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Cambridge Soundworks (Score:2)
Warrenty is great also. I have a computer subwofer plugged into my home radio and I blew it after 10 months. I walked into the store and on the spot they gave me a new one. Blew the same one, 12 after, again they repalced it with no problems. I even returned their speakers to the stores (with orginal boxes) after 6 months of usage for full store credit.
You may also consider spending an extra $200 (total $400) and get a complete audio system; like AWIA. You will have full surround capabilites, with cd, mp3 and tape players. I have mutiple machines and I use both options. I use the cambridge for gaem playing and the stero system for mp3's. If any questions, ask me.
Best speakers != computer speakers (Score:3, Interesting)
On the other hand, even a low-end pair of bookshelf regular-hi-fi speakers have a naturalness and full-range quality for a fraction of the price. I use a pair of fifteen-year-old Radio Shack Minimus 7's [angelfire.com] that I'm very happy with.
The only gotcha: computer speakers, by design, have very wimpy little magnets in them. Hi-fi speakers tend to have much stronger magnets, and will require placement much further away from color monitors.
Re:Best speakers != computer speakers (Score:1)
Monsoon! (Score:3, Informative)
The sub is slightly underpowered for some but if you have a good soundcard (I use a Hercules Game Theater XP) you should be able to boost the sub channel. Also going against the installation guide and aiming the sub at a wall from about 1 ft distance works well.
I was a little skeptical about the flat panel speakers, however they not only look cool they produce amazing sound aswell. You have to play them for awhile to "break them in" until they sound their best.
You will need 3 sony minijack hookups from your soundcard to use them (front, surround and center/sub) so if you don't have those you will have to get additional hookups. My soundcard has RCA connectors for the center/sub so I had to get a sony minijack to RCA splitter.
Reviews are available: TechTV [techtv.com] Amazon [amazon.com] and more if you check Google [google.com].
-- iCEBaLM
Re:Monsoon! (Score:1)
if he's an audiophile, he may have a predjustice against flatpanel speakers, as they are slightly "tinny" and you'd be better off getting him more "traditional" cone speakers.
of course, i love the monsoon speakers, i'd get a set if i had the $$, but my reciever/speaker setup i've been using for the last 12 years (since i was 7!) is working nicely...
Re:Monsoon! (Score:2)
These speakers have cones on the bottom with the flat panel portion at the top to create the best of both worlds. The imaging from these speakers is so immersing you would swear they were anything but flat.
-- iCEBaLM
Klipsch 2.1 (Score:2)
Yamaha (Score:2)
Klipsch Promedia 4.1! (Score:1)
another don't buy 'computer speakers' post (Score:2)
Instead, you should get him something so he can connect his computer to his (probably already ample) 'home stereo' system, preferably through a digital connection, but if his system only accepts analog inputs, then at least digital until its outside the computer case.
if on the other hand he's just pretending to be an audiophile, get him a nice set of headphones, it'll sound better for him and disturb you less
Headphones. (Score:1)
Not necessarily suitable for a gift, but... (Score:3, Interesting)
I've got an 28-year-old Harmon-Kardon receiver (usually around $30-$40 on ebay) hooked up to Boston Acoustics HD5 bookshelf speakers (bought them years ago for under $100). It sounds FANTASTIC. If I was a gamer, I might buy bigger speakers or a sub, but I'm thrilled with the performace for playing back music (and I'm not just talking MP3's here - which sound worse as the quality of your amp/speakers increase). There's a reason why this amp weighs 20lbs., and that has to do with power handling capabilities, heat sinks, and rugged, metal construction.
My speakers aren't
Speakers designated for use with computers are typically made using very cheap components. Before this, I had a set of Altec-Lansing computer speakers, with a sub, that lasted not even a year before unexplicably falling silent. But my old HK amp has been going strong for... 28 years!
As I said above, giving an old, used stereo might not be the way you'd prefer to say "Happy Holidays" - but if there's anyone else reading this looking to buy a decent speaker setup, consider first searching your local garage sale, goodwill store, flea market, or online auctioneer. And just remember - heavier is BETTER.
Klipsch ProMedia (Score:1)
I don't work for Klipsch or anything, yadda x 3. Just a satisfied customer here.
Oh, the ONE thing I don't like about the 2.1 is that the power button is on the sub. The 4.1 has a power switch on the right speaker.
-IAmTheSuit
What about Altec Lansing 5100CN 5.1 ? (Score:1)
Cambridge Soundworks (Score:1)
Buy a receiver! (Score:3, Informative)
Second: Logitech's current 2.1 and better speakers are very good. newegg.com has them for a decent price.
Third, and best: Spend $200 on a low-end home theater receiver. Something that does 5.1, ideally, and Pro-logic II if you can find it. This is a computer, and not being up to Denon or NAD standards is acceptable, I think, even for an audiophile.
Then, hit your local large electronics store for a cheapie set of 5.1 speakers. Yamaha and KLH have sets in the $99 to $149 range. These speakers are on par with "decent" computer speakers and have the real advantage of being replaceable with something decent a bit later on.
Ebay and ubid are decent sources for inexpensive speakers.
Re:Buy a receiver! (Score:2)
Unbelievably, Crystal Media makes an under-$10-in-generic-form card that includes optical digital output. This "card" can also be found as the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and on many current motherboards (e.g. Gigabyte GA7VAXP). This is not a bad thing for folks who like sound and have a receiver.
Philips Acoustic edge is also a solid product. Probably the best thing out for general use.
I'd shy away from true "audiophile" sound cards (M-audio, et al) - mostly they're made for musicians, not listeners.
Creative has technically solid products. I use them on my computers, combined with a Hoontech addin board for digital in and output support. Drivers are too much an issue for these cards, and linux support isn't so great when you get away from the analog connectors. Bad for a big company.
Those are really your choices in the mainstream right now, to mate with the receiver you sould buy.
Re:Buy a receiver! (Score:1)
Could you get a sound card with line output? (Score:1)
I suppose you could also try your luck with the headphone jack. But you may run into a ground loop problem.
Another Vote for Monsoons (Score:1)
I was at MacWorld Expo about 3 years ago, walking back to our booth in Moscone's North Hall, we were in the "Net Pavillion" in the NW Corner and the "Multimedia' (pasee term nowadays!) area was right in front of us. As I walked by Sorensen's booth they had all these brand new Apple Cinema Displays showing off their wares. They were playing movie trailers in full-screen mode. The gorgeous monitors caught my eye and I was reeled in like a fish toward a 20"+ widescreen showing some special effects shots from "Pearl Harbor" (the unreleased)... from 50' away, the monitors drew me in, but when I was drawn past the 20' mark my attention was grabbed by a different source... the awesome sound
Mind you, that may not be impressive, until you realize that a crowded show floor of Moscone Center is probably the worst acoustical environment on earth!
Anyway, my mind completely popped the sexy Cinema Displays right off the stack as my focus narrowed, like a laser, on the incredible speakers. I had to have them. I spent the rest of the expo trying to find some to buy. I finally did, and now I have them all over my house and carry my iPod from room to room plugging into my Monsoons.
Monsoons Rock.