Computer speakers?

September 1, 2006 2:21 PM

Since 90% of my music listening happens at my computer, I've decided it's foolish to keep using the budget Zoltrixound speakers I've had for several years. Can I expect half decent audio from the new $100 range systems offered by Altec Lansing? I've read reviews that suggest they're surprisingly good. Will the sub-generated bottom end sound anything close to natural? I'm open to any and all suggestions.
posted by davebush to Computers & Internet (18 answers total)

I recently bought Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 Multimedia Speakers (2-Piece) on ebay for under $50, shipped. They retail at 100 still at a lot of places, but must be going ou of production, as there have been a lot of them on ebay. We use them with a laptop for a small dance group. They sound great, and produce plenty of sound.
posted by theora55 at 2:33 PM on September 1, 2006

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to snag the Altec Lansing XA 3201 speaker system for $20 (!) on Buy.com, and it's really quite excellent. The subwoofer module is powerful, and the system includes a separate desktop volume control (really smooth knob) and 3 bass settings. I've always really liked their speakers (I've been using their stuff for over 30 years now), so I'm gonna guess that their current offerings are well worth the money.
posted by dbiedny at 3:02 PM on September 1, 2006

I've had the Klipsch 2.1 THX Certified 3 piece system (the all-black one, not the one with the silver retro satellites) for about 4 years. I've been generally very pleased with it. It has a real subwoofer, inoffensive design, separate main and subwoofer volume control on left satellite, and decent power (200 watt total, alleged output of 106dB). My only complaint with them is that over time, the the jack to the right satellite has become fussy... if the speaker is moved, it can take a little messing around to find just how the cable wants to be plugged in.

You can still find them for around $120.
posted by thinman at 3:29 PM on September 1, 2006

For clarity: ...Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified...
posted by thinman at 3:44 PM on September 1, 2006

I don't know what your size/space limitations are, but if you have a small space and want good sound from only two speakers, the Creative GigaWorks T20's are pretty damned impressive, and they're about $100. I replaced my Dell surround system with them and so far I love 'em. Good bass, but not overpowering, and everything sounds really clean.
posted by pdb at 3:52 PM on September 1, 2006

I second (third? fourth?) the recommendation for the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 set. I've got them, and they are excellent for music. For gaming, they can literally make my chest vibrate if I turn the volume up to 50% or so. I've never turned it up higher than that...
posted by gwenzel at 4:50 PM on September 1, 2006

I LOVE my speakers from http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com - amazing sound at a budget price. They don't make my system anymore (otherwise I'd link to it) but I'm confident you could find something there that would work for you. And my system is about 5 years old too - never a problem.
posted by blaneyphoto at 5:44 PM on September 1, 2006

No matter what kind of speakers you get in the sub 100 price range, they won't compare to a set of Grado SR60s. Just so ya know, its worth giving them a listen if you have audiophile store around.
posted by rsanheim at 6:53 PM on September 1, 2006

Another vote for the Klipsch.

Also, Grado headphones are v. nice, but you are well served by going up the price ladder to the SR-225. :)
posted by kindall at 7:02 PM on September 1, 2006

I bought a Philips MCM530 'desktop' stereo system for use with my computer. The speakers are 2-way, but they sound INCREDIBLE. It has a USB link that works with the computer, but it's kind of a pain. I actually got it from Best Buy, so you could probably head there for a listen. Bring an iPod and a 1/8"-RCA cable to hook it up to the Aux and see how it sounds with real music. (I know it's not quite $100, but I feel like I saw it on dealspl.us for around $100 recently.)
posted by cebailey at 7:09 PM on September 1, 2006

Computer speakers have really improved over the last several years with regards to price/performance.

I personally have a Logitech Z-5500 THX Surround system (about $200 if you look in the right places, but about $250 after shipping) and it's pretty much 100% awesome. I imagine whatever Logitech's 2.1 equivalent of this is pretty good -- although lemme tell you, surround sound is awesome, even for music listening; there's a Dolby Pro Logic II mode for music that sends certain sounds to the rear speakers and really fills out the ambience.

(Caveat: I don't really consider myself qualified to judge audio quality, but I am an avid music listener, so that's got to qualify for something.)
posted by neckro23 at 8:40 PM on September 1, 2006 [1 favorite]

I have a friend whose had the Klipsch, and they really are wonderful.

For the record, I have Logitech 6.1 set (the predecessor to the Z-5500, as far as I can tell, same specs, just different design). and I love mine to death. I know that the speakers I have are the same exact speakers as in their 2.1 series, they save money by just producing one type of speaker, then sell you on the features.

The Digital Audio was my selling point, no more audio hiccups when I get a cell phone call!!!
posted by hatsix at 8:56 PM on September 1, 2006

I love these Swan monitors. Though for real nuanced music I still prefer my Sennheiser HD 580 headphones.
posted by white_devil at 9:05 PM on September 1, 2006

I will second the $190 Swan M200 that white_devil suggested. I've had them for a year and they have stayed perfect, even with magnets around, cone finger-poking, and forcing 110dB output. They sound amazing and can actually do crazy things like 2.5Hz cone-waving. They're not great if you listen to ambient half the time (headphones+some crossfeed for that)
posted by aye at 9:49 PM on September 1, 2006

Oh, and cheap subwoofers will never sound good, no matter how many glowing reviews you can find on the internet. That's why I recommended a 2.0 set for the price (and still went out of your range, sadly)
posted by aye at 9:52 PM on September 1, 2006

Oh yea, love the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX. Sound is great, price was right. I just wish they put the power button on the right speaker with everything else. I get up from the computer and forget to flip the switch on the back side of the sub-woofer. Stays on for days.
posted by pointilist at 11:20 PM on September 1, 2006

A budget conscious "audiophile," until 3 years ago I considered PC audio just something that a PC could do. But never as a means of really enjoying music.

Until I bought a pair of Swans M200. Completely changed my attitude and enjoyment of music. They would be a decent deal at twice the price.

I value accuracy and "soundstage" and the ability to reproduce the finest acoustic recordings, as well as classic rock. They are incredible. They are built in the same manner as a $4k floor monitor. Really.

If you are looking for gut wrenching, subwoofer bass, look elsewhere. If you are looking to be floored by the quality in the best recordings, in 2:1 stereo, prepare to be amazed. Although my main system is of components not found in any store, I could easily live with just my Swans on a desert isle. Be warned, however. 128k mp3's will sound like garbage. The Swans reveal everything.

As far as I know they are only sold via newegg. I have spoken many times with the distributor. They are always on backorder, unable to fill the need. Although I am on a limited budget, I bought a pair for my best friend, because he is my best friend and also an audiophile. His Klipsch now sit in the garage. Not a putdown of Klipsch, but the Swan's are in a totally different league.

There may be better PC speakers for $500+. But for under $200 the Swans deliver music via PC that is better than most people's home stereo. There are some products that equal or surpass those at twice the price; The Swans M200 is one of them...
posted by private_idaho at 10:18 AM on September 2, 2006

If your computer is in the same room as your home stereo, you could do what I did: buy a Y-cable and plug the audio output from your computer into your stereo's audio input. I absolutely love this arrangement and will never go back to computer speakers again.
posted by Marla Singer at 11:43 AM on September 2, 2006