Decent-sounding, relatively inexpensive computer speakers

February 5, 2004 8:55 PM

Suggestions for decent-sounding but relatively inexpensive computer speakers?
posted by biscotti to Computers & Internet (14 answers total)

Define "relatively inexpensive." You can get the awesome Klipsch Promedia 2.1 system for under $150. I have this rig and recommend it highly.
posted by kindall at 9:09 PM on February 5, 2004

Response by poster: Thanks kindall, I'll look into that. I was thinking more in the $50 range, should have said that, but for ones that sound good and are reliable I might be convinced to spend more (my decent-sounding, but clearly too cheap Creative ones just ate themselves). I do a fair bit of gaming on the computer, but they'll mostly be for listening to music.
posted by biscotti at 9:19 PM on February 5, 2004

There are much better systems if you pay a little more, but for $50 you can't beat Logitech Z640 5.1 system. Best computer speakers in that pricerange, period.
posted by Jairus at 9:55 PM on February 5, 2004

Response by poster: Jairus, how much is "a little more"? If it's under $100 I'd definitely consider it.
posted by biscotti at 9:59 PM on February 5, 2004

You should be able to find the Logitech Z2200 (seen here smacking down an Xhifi 800$ system) for about 100$, if you look around. It's 2.1, which will serve your needs better if you're mostly going to be listening to music.
posted by Jairus at 11:02 PM on February 5, 2004

You can get Altec Lansing 2100 for about $80. I have them. They sound pretty good.
posted by willnot at 11:31 PM on February 5, 2004

Correction: It's the Altec Lansing ATP3s that I have. Those are even less though, so score.
posted by willnot at 11:38 PM on February 5, 2004

I picked up these CyberAcoustics at a Radio Shack for $50 in a office speaker emergency (don't ask) expecting to trash them in a few weeks and was pleasantly surprised by the sound - at least in relation to other $50 speakers I've heard. I had to fiddle a bit with eq, the midrange took some fine tuning, but the bass is excellent. Still using them with the jukebox iMac I inherited. Worth a listen, at least.
posted by jalexei at 4:37 AM on February 6, 2004

I got the Harman/Kardon HK395 system (two desktop tweeters, subwoofer on the floor) for about $40 on ebay, and I loooove it.
posted by gottabefunky at 7:36 AM on February 6, 2004

I'm really happy with my cheap Cyber Acoustics CA-4400 set. I'm no audiophile, though.
posted by MegoSteve at 9:15 AM on February 6, 2004

I like the Radio Shack Cyberacoustics set, too. You can't bypass the subwoofer, though. I'm also not really an audiophile.
posted by goethean at 9:54 AM on February 6, 2004

I have the APT3s also, and they are great.
posted by Hackworth at 2:39 PM on February 6, 2004

you know what i hate about most of the newer crazy-good speakers? no earphone jack. Must have earphone jack and an easily accesible volume control.
posted by th3ph17 at 3:20 PM on February 6, 2004

My very favorite small and dirt cheap desktop speaker, easily in the under-$50 range, which puts out fantastic sound for the price, is the Yamaha M15. I see a few going for about ten bucks a pair on eBay at the moment.

There's a sub available separately, which I don't consider strictly necessary but it is a pretty decent small sub. I actually used to hang one from my expensive-ish home theater rig.

I've owned the MS28 as well, but I liked the sound less and the connectors got very untrustworthy after a year or so. My M15s, however, still work and sound great, after several years.

In general, I'd say avoid Altec Lansing. Unless they've dramatically changed in the last 3 or 4 years (which is a possibility, I admit), they make absolute crap: shoddy construction, flimsy plastic, poor sound quality.
posted by majick at 3:30 PM on February 6, 2004