Can you help me find good satellite speakers with a subwoofer?

May 2, 2004 9:53 PM

Speakers! - Any opinions about a good quality speaker system - unobtrusive satellite speakers combined with a subwoofer - in the $100-$300 price range?
posted by troutfishing to shopping (10 comments total)

Do you mean computer speakers, home theatre speakers, or strictly music speakers? And how many satellites are you looking at (ie, do you want 2, or surround sound, etc.)?

If you mean a set of 2 computer speakers and a sub, go with the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1s. If you mean something else it gets a lot more complicated...
posted by swank6 at 11:49 PM on May 2, 2004

I second the ProMedia suggestion. It just sounds so much better than anything in its price range.
posted by Jairus at 12:10 AM on May 3, 2004

Remember that THX certification has three seperate standards: Theater, Home, and Computer (Multimedia). Obviously, Home THX certified speakers are to be made and reproduce "higher" quality than computer grade equipment.

Lucas does not show the minimum requirements of THX certification; The manufacturer must send them their speakers and they make a vote on its quality.

From all of the reviews I have read on THX for computer grade, the primary speakers must be at least 2 way (1 tweeter, 1 midrange speaker each box) and the Subwoofer must reach 30Khz. Of course, just because it can reach 30Khz doesn't mean it will do it well. Keep in mind that THX does not guarantee good speakers, it only guarantees they are at least recommended by Lucas, which is something to consider.

What are you going to use your speakers for?
posted by Keyser Soze at 3:14 AM on May 3, 2004

I should have clarified - I'm looking for a system for music. The main criteria are 1) excellent sound quality and 2) mininal speaker size footprint. But I don't mind having 4-6 satellite speakers (plus a subwoofer). Right now, I've got a sub and two 20" x 8" x 8" big black boxes.... I'd like to shrink those big boxes down as much as is possible without losing sound quality.
posted by troutfishing at 4:54 AM on May 3, 2004

Klipsch offers many varieties of small speakers. I can't speak for the new smaller systems, but I have a pair of 30 year old bookshelf speakers that are still dynamite.

As with any speakers you should buy based on what you hear, as taste in sound differs from person to person. I suggest you find a store that sells better speakers and give them a listen.

You can save a few bucks on the Klipsch if you buy B stock or refurbs direct from their website.

Trivia: The home of Klipsh is a place called Hope, AR.
posted by SteveInMaine at 6:07 AM on May 3, 2004

I'm looking for a system for music. The main criteria are 1) excellent sound quality and 2) mininal speaker size footprint.

You're not likely to find excellent sound quality for $100--300 unless you look in the used market.

You could get a pair of Paradigm Atoms for $150--200 and one of their smaller subs for $300 or so. Less if you drive to Canada and pick 'em up there. Atoms are a fairly standard highly-recommended line.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:31 AM on May 3, 2004

I agree with ROU_X. Finding good speakers in this price range is a challenge. Since you already have a sub, I would suggest you just try to get a good pair of "bookshelf" speakers. You do not actually want to put them on a bookshelf as this will likely overly reinforce certain portions of the bass thus distorting the overall sound. Mission m71 speakers are in this price range and produce excellent sound. Here is a review. I have heard these speakers and agree with the reviewer. There are other good candidates in this price range. Depending upon how much effort you want to expend, you might hit the library and look at old issues of Stereophile, check the speaker reviews at TNT Audio and hit the better HiFi shops in the area (not Best Buy etc.). You might also ask this question over in the Audio Asylum speaker forum.
posted by caddis at 7:49 AM on May 3, 2004

Just another note - if you're looking for strictly music speakers, always go with stereo (only 2). Music is best heard with 2 speakers. If you're not going to be using the system for home theatre, getting more speakers is pointless.
posted by swank6 at 11:10 AM on May 3, 2004

I try to pop in to all these speaker threads and mention my favorite for this kind of application: the NHT SuperOne

They're now dirt cheap, as they've been around a while, but I haven't found anything in the price range of comparable quality by a large margin.

Even cheaper, but really excellent for small installations where a self-powered speaker is needed, is the Yamaha M15, which will leave you enough dough to buy a nice sub.
posted by majick at 12:19 PM on May 3, 2004

You didn't mention what you've got now, and I'll probably get hacked to pieces by the audiophiles here, but I've got a set of the Cambridge Soundworks New Ensemble IIs that I'm quite happy with.

They're a sub-sat combo with solid sound, and right now, they're on clearance for $149 at the Cambridge Soundworks online store. Dirt cheap, for what you get.
posted by pjhagop at 3:40 PM on May 4, 2004