Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

All -

Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
best targeted by this request for information and opinions.

Thanks to the generosity of my brother, I have $200 to spend at Amazon
and I have determined that my primary need is a new set of speakers for
my Macintosh. I have loaded my entire CD library into iTunes and would
like to begin using it as the playback-system-of-choice so I can begin
selling off these little silver coasters. Everything's been encoded as
AAC (128 kbps, 44.100 kHz), so the quality should be pretty decent.

I have been running an original Cambridge SoundWorks system until just
recently, but unfortunately it began cutting out on me as it warmed up.
I'm certain that I could have it repaired, but I wanted to see if there
might be a better system available to replace it. (In the meantime, I
have been limited to an original set of Bose Roommates. They make some
noise, but it isn't very pleasing!)

The only demands I'll place on my new system are music reproduction (of
all genres). I am not a game player, nor do I expect to use the system
for surround-sound DVD playback. I just want a set of speakers that I
can plug in, sit back, and enjoy.

Please let me know what you would recommend and, more importantly, what
you'd avoid. If I need to spend a bit more than $200, that's OK.

And for the record, this is a 466 MHz G4 Macintosh running OSX 10.4.11
and iTunes 7.5 (although I can't imagine why any of that should matter
very much).

Cheers, and Happy New Year to all!

Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

Curmudgeon wrote:
> All -
>
> Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
> best targeted by this request for information and opinions.
>
'nuff said. Do some research and get back to us.

jak

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <I2yej.59932$K27.26621@bignews6.bellsouth . net >, jakdedert
<jakdedert@bellsouth . net > wrote:

> Curmudgeon wrote:
> > All -
> >
> > Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
> > best targeted by this request for information and opinions.
> >
> 'nuff said. Do some research and get back to us.

Thanks for all your "help" but that's exactly what I'm trying to do. I
don't trust commercial reviews and am looking for the opinions of plain
old users. You want to be contrary? OK, but I'm sure that others will
be more helpful.

Jeers!

Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

I have a quicksilver using OS 10.4.11 and what I did was
get an old receiver, one that has jacks for speakers and AUX input.
I got a cable that hooks into the headphone jack of my computer, and
into the AUX of the receiver and I hooked up two old speakers, in my
case, Bose 201, which, although small,and old still produce a great
sound. Everything works great, I have enough power to shake the walls,
and the area where everything is is only about 10-12 feet.
Both the receiver and the speakers are on the floor at my feet,
while the G4 quicksilver is on the desk next to the monitor.
Since I had the speakers, my only cost was $ 40 for the receiver
(found on CRAIGSLIST) and about 6 dollars for the cable.
jeff

Curmudgeon wrote:
> In article <I2yej.59932$K27.26621@bignews6.bellsouth . net >, jakdedert
> <jakdedert@bellsouth . net > wrote:
>
>
>>Curmudgeon wrote:
>>
>>>All -
>>>
>>>Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
>>>best targeted by this request for information and opinions.
>>>
>>
>>'nuff said. Do some research and get back to us.
>
>
> Thanks for all your "help" but that's exactly what I'm trying to do. I
> don't trust commercial reviews and am looking for the opinions of plain
> old users. You want to be contrary? OK, but I'm sure that others will
> be more helpful.
>
> Jeers!
>
> Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <2yyej.1508$jX4.1306@trnddc07>, jeff <jeff@klippes . com >
wrote:

> I have a quicksilver using OS 10.4.11 and what I did was
> get an old receiver, one that has jacks for speakers and AUX input.
> I got a cable that hooks into the headphone jack of my computer, and
> into the AUX of the receiver and I hooked up two old speakers, in my
> case, Bose 201, which, although small,and old still produce a great
> sound. Everything works great, I have enough power to shake the walls,
> and the area where everything is is only about 10-12 feet.
> Both the receiver and the speakers are on the floor at my feet,
> while the G4 quicksilver is on the desk next to the monitor.
> Since I had the speakers, my only cost was $ 40 for the receiver
> (found on CRAIGSLIST) and about 6 dollars for the cable.

Thanks, Jeff, but I don't have an old receiver or a pair of old speakers
so I'm looking for the "latest and greatest" computer-oriented system.

Nor am I looking to "shake the walls" but just want a good, accurate set
of speakers to reproduce the music as it should be heard.

I don't particularly care what it costs. I just want a system that will
accurately reproduce Bach's Mass in B minor and U2's "Pride (in the Name
of Love)" in such a way as I can enjoy them as they ought be enjoyed.

Cheers!

Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <010120081622388579%leave@me.alone>,
Curmudgeon <leave@me.alone> wrote:

> In article <2yyej.1508$jX4.1306@trnddc07>, jeff <jeff@klippes . com >
> wrote:
>
> > I have a quicksilver using OS 10.4.11 and what I did was
> > get an old receiver, one that has jacks for speakers and AUX input.
> > I got a cable that hooks into the headphone jack of my computer, and
> > into the AUX of the receiver and I hooked up two old speakers, in my
> > case, Bose 201, which, although small,and old still produce a great
> > sound. Everything works great, I have enough power to shake the walls,
> > and the area where everything is is only about 10-12 feet.
> > Both the receiver and the speakers are on the floor at my feet,
> > while the G4 quicksilver is on the desk next to the monitor.
> > Since I had the speakers, my only cost was $ 40 for the receiver
> > (found on CRAIGSLIST) and about 6 dollars for the cable.
>
> Thanks, Jeff, but I don't have an old receiver or a pair of old speakers
> so I'm looking for the "latest and greatest" computer-oriented system.
>
> Nor am I looking to "shake the walls" but just want a good, accurate set
> of speakers to reproduce the music as it should be heard.
>
> I don't particularly care what it costs. I just want a system that will
> accurately reproduce Bach's Mass in B minor and U2's "Pride (in the Name
> of Love)" in such a way as I can enjoy them as they ought be enjoyed.

Robert Reina reviews the Audioengine 2 powered computer speakers in the
December Stereophile:

* stereophile . com /standloudspeakers/1207ae/

Audio Advisor has these:

* w w w .audioadvisor . com /prodinfo.asp?number=NHTM00

I use a similar NHT Pro system in the computer room.

Stephen

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

Curmudgeon wrote:
> In article <I2yej.59932$K27.26621@bignews6.bellsouth . net >, jakdedert
> <jakdedert@bellsouth . net > wrote:
>
>> Curmudgeon wrote:
>>> All -
>>>
>>> Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
>>> best targeted by this request for information and opinions.
>>>
>> 'nuff said. Do some research and get back to us.
>
> Thanks for all your "help" but that's exactly what I'm trying to do. I
> don't trust commercial reviews and am looking for the opinions of plain
> old users. You want to be contrary? OK, but I'm sure that others will
> be more helpful.
>
> Jeers!
>
> Mudge

Thanks for all your crossposting.

If you can't even do enough research to avoid broadcasting to every
group even remotely connected to the subject, why do you expect someone
to do it for you? 'Computer' speakers generally suck. You're not going
to find any that sound even remotely as good as a decent pair of hifi
speakers and an amp...or decent powered hifi speakers.

Your first line is sufficient to tell that you know xposting to be
undesirable. You could have just stopped there.....

In any case, speakers are extremely subjective, once you get past the
junk. There are dozens of review sites on the web. Google is your
friend. I'm not....

jak

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <Mhzej.59977$K27.20330@bignews6.bellsouth . net >, jakdedert
<jakdedert@bellsouth . net > wrote:

> Curmudgeon wrote:
> > In article <I2yej.59932$K27.26621@bignews6.bellsouth . net >, jakdedert
> > <jakdedert@bellsouth . net > wrote:
> >
> >> Curmudgeon wrote:
> >>> All -
> >>>
> >>> Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
> >>> best targeted by this request for information and opinions.
> >>>
> >> 'nuff said. Do some research and get back to us.
> >
> > Thanks for all your "help" but that's exactly what I'm trying to do. I
> > don't trust commercial reviews and am looking for the opinions of plain
> > old users. You want to be contrary? OK, but I'm sure that others will
> > be more helpful.
> >
> > Jeers!
> >
> > Mudge
>
> Thanks for all your crossposting.
>
> If you can't even do enough research to avoid broadcasting to every
> group even remotely connected to the subject, why do you expect someone
> to do it for you? 'Computer' speakers generally suck. You're not going
> to find any that sound even remotely as good as a decent pair of hifi
> speakers and an amp...or decent powered hifi speakers.
>
> Your first line is sufficient to tell that you know xposting to be
> undesirable. You could have just stopped there.....
>
> In any case, speakers are extremely subjective, once you get past the
> junk. There are dozens of review sites on the web. Google is your
> friend. I'm not....

Fair enough, JAK. I'll no longer consider you a friend, but I'm sad to
have to do that. Thankfully, there are others who've taken my request
seriously and have given me good information. If you'd had an opinion
about some good powered hifi speakers, I'd have been glad to have heard
it but it seems all you want to do is play "net-nanny" so more power to
you! As I said, I want opinions from real users, not commercial
flacks.

So there you go . . .

Cheers!

Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

Curmudgeon (leave@me.alone) writes:
> In article <Mhzej.59977$K27.20330@bignews6.bellsouth . net >, jakdedert
> <jakdedert@bellsouth . net > wrote:
>
>> Curmudgeon wrote:
>> > In article <I2yej.59932$K27.26621@bignews6.bellsouth . net >, jakdedert
>> > <jakdedert@bellsouth . net > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Curmudgeon wrote:
>> >>> All -
>> >>>
>> >>> Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
>> >>> best targeted by this request for information and opinions.
>> >>>
>> >> 'nuff said. Do some research and get back to us.
>> >
>> > Thanks for all your "help" but that's exactly what I'm trying to do. I
>> > don't trust commercial reviews and am looking for the opinions of plain
>> > old users. You want to be contrary? OK, but I'm sure that others will
>> > be more helpful.
>> >
>> > Jeers!
>> >
>> > Mudge
>>
>> Thanks for all your crossposting.
>>
>> If you can't even do enough research to avoid broadcasting to every
>> group even remotely connected to the subject, why do you expect someone
>> to do it for you? 'Computer' speakers generally suck. You're not going
>> to find any that sound even remotely as good as a decent pair of hifi
>> speakers and an amp...or decent powered hifi speakers.
>>
>> Your first line is sufficient to tell that you know xposting to be
>> undesirable. You could have just stopped there.....
>>
>> In any case, speakers are extremely subjective, once you get past the
>> junk. There are dozens of review sites on the web. Google is your
>> friend. I'm not....
>
> Fair enough, JAK. I'll no longer consider you a friend, but I'm sad to
> have to do that. Thankfully, there are others who've taken my request
> seriously and have given me good information. If you'd had an opinion
> about some good powered hifi speakers, I'd have been glad to have heard
> it but it seems all you want to do is play "net-nanny" so more power to
> you! As I said, I want opinions from real users, not commercial
> flacks.
>
Come on, you can't even decide whether this is a computer issue or
an audio issue.

If you had at least narrowed it down to one or the other, you'd find
very likely two very differing answers.

One group is going to go on about the "best computer speakers". The
other will tell you reasonable alternatives that make a lot of
sense if you can get beyond the notion of "computer speakers".

Since you are focused on "computers", you will spend your money
on something that generally isn't all that great, but carries
a premium price tag because they are "computer speakers".

YOu could go out tomorrow, and drop $200 on speakers, and while
they'd not be the best, they'd be better than most "computer speakers".
The amplifier, like someone pointed out, comes free or almost free
on the used market. You don't even have to spend the money on the
speakers, you can find plenty of them used, so you either get better
speakers for the same money when buying used, or don't spend much
of that money. You basically will get a better system than spending
the same amount of "computer speakers".

The common illusion seems to be that people think they need "computer
speakers", the same way now all kinds of "ipod speakers" have risen up.
There is no special requirement, it's just a scheme to sell something
new to consumers. At the very most, "computer speakers" mean a compact
package, which isn't necessarily the best thing for "good sound".

Michael

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <flend0$9vi$1@theodyn.ncf.ca>, Michael Black
<et472@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote:

> Curmudgeon (leave@me.alone) writes:
> >> >>> Sorry for the extensive crossposting, but I wasn't sure which group was
> >> >>> best targeted by this request for information and opinions.

[snip]

> Come on, you can't even decide whether this is a computer issue or
> an audio issue.
>
> If you had at least narrowed it down to one or the other, you'd find
> very likely two very differing answers.
>
> One group is going to go on about the "best computer speakers". The
> other will tell you reasonable alternatives that make a lot of
> sense if you can get beyond the notion of "computer speakers".
>
> Since you are focused on "computers", you will spend your money
> on something that generally isn't all that great, but carries
> a premium price tag because they are "computer speakers".
>
> YOu could go out tomorrow, and drop $200 on speakers, and while
> they'd not be the best, they'd be better than most "computer speakers".
> The amplifier, like someone pointed out, comes free or almost free
> on the used market. You don't even have to spend the money on the
> speakers, you can find plenty of them used, so you either get better
> speakers for the same money when buying used, or don't spend much
> of that money. You basically will get a better system than spending
> the same amount of "computer speakers".
>
> The common illusion seems to be that people think they need "computer
> speakers", the same way now all kinds of "ipod speakers" have risen up.
> There is no special requirement, it's just a scheme to sell something
> new to consumers. At the very most, "computer speakers" mean a compact
> package, which isn't necessarily the best thing for "good sound".

If I were truly focused on "computer speakers" then I probably wouldn't
have posted to the audio groups, but in fact I have been an audiophile
for a very long time and have owned some wonderful loudspeakers (Spica
TC-50s w/Sub; Vandersteen 2Cs) so I know what good sound is. The very
reason I posted to both the mac and audio groups is because I'd like to
hear from both "sides" of the argument.

I've done a lot of surfing this morning and find myself attracted to an
"audio" solution, the M-Audio Studiophile AV-40 Monitors, as well as to
three "computer" solutions, the Altec Lansing FX-4021, the Klipsch Pro-
Media, and the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 systems. All are within my budget.

My workspace is probably better served by a 2.1 system since I've got a
lot of room for a sub but much less for satellites, but the audiophile
in me prefers the elegant simplicity of M-Audio's monitors despite size
concerns.

What to do, what to do . . .

Cheers!

Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <020120081328020835%leave@me.alone>, Curmudgeon
<leave@me.alone> wrote:

> I've done a lot of surfing this morning and find myself attracted to an
> "audio" solution, the M-Audio Studiophile AV-40 Monitors, as well as to
> three "computer" solutions, the Altec Lansing FX-4021, the Klipsch Pro-
> Media, and the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 systems. All are within my budget.
>
> My workspace is probably better served by a 2.1 system since I've got a
> lot of room for a sub but much less for satellites, but the audiophile
> in me prefers the elegant simplicity of M-Audio's monitors despite size
> concerns.
>
> What to do, what to do . . .

Well, after giving it some serious thought and doing a lot of research,
I decided that the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system best fit the bill, and I
was able to get it for a terrific price from Amazon so I've just pushed
the "Place My Order" button. It should be here in a week or so. Once
I've had a chance to audition it, I'll let you know how it sounds.

Many thanks to all the folks who took the time to reply and especially
to those who pushed me to do my own research and reach my own decision.

Cheers!

Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?



Curmudgeon wrote:

> Curmudgeon wrote:
>
> > I've done a lot of surfing this morning and find myself attracted to an
> > "audio" solution, the M-Audio Studiophile AV-40 Monitors, as well as to
> > three "computer" solutions, the Altec Lansing FX-4021, the Klipsch Pro-
> > Media, and the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 systems. All are within my budget.
> >
> > My workspace is probably better served by a 2.1 system since I've got a
> > lot of room for a sub but much less for satellites, but the audiophile
> > in me prefers the elegant simplicity of M-Audio's monitors despite size
> > concerns.
> >
> > What to do, what to do . . .
>
> Well, after giving it some serious thought and doing a lot of research,
> I decided that the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system best fit the bill, and I
> was able to get it for a terrific price from Amazon so I've just pushed
> the "Place My Order" button. It should be here in a week or so. Once
> I've had a chance to audition it, I'll let you know how it sounds.
>
> Many thanks to all the folks who took the time to reply and especially
> to those who pushed me to do my own research and reach my own decision.

I'm sorry to have to say it looks like a truly rubbish choice. I dare say
it'll boom and tizz a bit.

Graham

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <477D1A5B.35DAD6AB@hotmail . com >,
Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail . com > wrote:

> Curmudgeon wrote:
>
> > Well, after giving it some serious thought and doing a lot of research,
> > I decided that the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system best fit the bill, and I
> > was able to get it for a terrific price from Amazon so I've just pushed
> > the "Place My Order" button. It should be here in a week or so. Once
> > I've had a chance to audition it, I'll let you know how it sounds.
>
> I'm sorry to have to say it looks like a truly rubbish choice. I dare say
> it'll boom and tizz a bit.

<sarcasm>
You are able to determine that just based on looks, huh? Amazing!
</sarcasm>

I, on the other hand, happen to actually *own* the same system (only
mine has four satellites rather than two, and I wouldn't describe it as
"boomy" *or* "tizzy". ; )

--
Note: Please send all responses to the relevant news group. If you
must contact me through e-mail, let me know when you send email to
this address so that your email doesn't get eaten by my SPAM filter.

JR

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article
<jollyroger-08F17D.14011303012008@70-3-168-216.area5.spcsdns . net >,
Jolly Roger <jollyroger@pobox . com > wrote:

> In article <477D1A5B.35DAD6AB@hotmail . com >,
> Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail . com > wrote:
>
> > Curmudgeon wrote:
> >
> > > Well, after giving it some serious thought and doing a lot of research,
> > > I decided that the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system best fit the bill, and I
> > > was able to get it for a terrific price from Amazon so I've just pushed
> > > the "Place My Order" button. It should be here in a week or so. Once
> > > I've had a chance to audition it, I'll let you know how it sounds.
> >
> > I'm sorry to have to say it looks like a truly rubbish choice. I dare say
> > it'll boom and tizz a bit.
>
> <sarcasm>
> You are able to determine that just based on looks, huh? Amazing!
> </sarcasm>
>
> I, on the other hand, happen to actually *own* the same system (only
> mine has four satellites rather than two, and I wouldn't describe it as
> "boomy" *or* "tizzy". ; )

;->

Cheers!

Mudge

Re: Recommendations for Computer Speakers?

In article <030120081820192688%leave@me.alone>,
Curmudgeon <leave@me.alone> wrote:

> In article
> <jollyroger-08F17D.14011303012008@70-3-168-216.area5.spcsdns . net >,
> Jolly Roger <jollyroger@pobox . com > wrote:
>
> > In article <477D1A5B.35DAD6AB@hotmail . com >,
> > Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail . com > wrote:
> >
> > > Curmudgeon wrote:
> > >
> > > > Well, after giving it some serious thought and doing a lot of research,
> > > > I decided that the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system best fit the bill, and I
> > > > was able to get it for a terrific price from Amazon so I've just pushed
> > > > the "Place My Order" button. It should be here in a week or so. Once
> > > > I've had a chance to audition it, I'll let you know how it sounds.
> > >
> > > I'm sorry to have to say it looks like a truly rubbish choice. I dare say
> > > it'll boom and tizz a bit.
> >
> > <sarcasm>
> > You are able to determine that just based on looks, huh? Amazing!
> > </sarcasm>
> >
> > I, on the other hand, happen to actually *own* the same system (only
> > mine has four satellites rather than two, and I wouldn't describe it as
> > "boomy" *or* "tizzy". ; )
>
> ;->
>
> Cheers!

I'd be more concerned about matching a sub rated up to 100 Hz with
satellites rated down to 200. That, and a frequency response spec that
doesn't specify how lumpy that response is.

Stephen

Stephen