Computer speakers or a Stereo System?

[sulretal]

I was watching the new commercial for the Bose Wave System; you know, the tiny little bose that is said to produce amazing sound. I looked at the price, yowza! It's $499 ! I don't want to spend THAT much!

So instead, I was contemplating whether to get new pc speakers or a stereo system that can play MP3 cds.

Which one would be more sensible to pay $150 for, a new stereo system or new 2.1 pc speakers.

And if you choose Stereo system, could you point in the direction of one that has amazing sound quality, priced under $200 and can play MP3 cds? For the Pc Speakers, my choice is already made; the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 Speakers and a chaintech av710 card, but thats if I actually go with getting new pc speakers.

[R4z0r4mu5 Pr|m3]

Great choice for the PC Speakers, I would get the same set myself if I needed one.

For a stereo system, this onkyo 5.1 receiver for less than $100 shipped with 1 year warranty, i have the black version myself and it's awesome:

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4027006

speakers, polk R15 pair for $70 shipped, usually sells for $100-$130 before shipping:

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4205294

add some speaker wire and you have your $200 system, maybe a little less than that, but you'd have to hook it up to your computer or a cheap dvd/cd/mp3 player

[tom10167]

Bose is horrible garbage. $500 is insane. I could build you a better stereo out of Linkin Logs, paper cups, and refrigerator magnets.

They CRANK the treble and bass up and dumb people are like "OH WOW LISTEN TO HOW CLEAR THE PIERCING GUITAR IS! AWESOME!!"

Garbage.

If you think $500 is a lot I'd say just get a 5.1 PC surround setup. The sound card is not going to really be an issue, if you have onboard 5.1(soundstorm?) just use that it will sound quite good.

I'm not exactly sure what this is for, but you can spend tens of thousands on home stereo, computer speakers are cheap and come with an amp, easy to install.

[>HyperlogiK<]

second hand Technics or Bang & Olufsen are good though
I have a fairly cheap set of 5.1s and a pair of technics hifi speakers which i got cheap.

[3DFlyer]

I was gonna say steareo until I saw the 200 dollar limit. hehe You couldn't get the speaker cables for 200 bucks for what I was gonna suggest.

If you're gonna get stereo stuff to hook up to the computer and you want good sound it takes a fair amount of money. I wouldn't suggest the amp I got becasue it's way overkill,and it's *only and amp (the receiver is seaprate), but I don't just use it for the computer, I've used it for block parties, and outdoor stuff before, but you can get a good surround sound amp for 200 bucks. Pioneer makes good stuff. Good speakers would cost at least another 200. The if you wanted that full surround sound with the "thump" a good passive sub will cost 100 or more, and then you need the cables and adapters.

Like was said before, avoid Bose, unless you can find some old 901's, but those haven't been made for years and years. Those were the last of the *real* Bose speakers. The stuff they are making now is nothing like they used to make. The stuff they make now is just for looks, and sounds like crap.

[rseven]

I agree you should avoid Bose. It's vastly overpriced and eats up amplifier power. While you can get a nice sounding Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 for that price, R4z0r4mu5 Pr|m3's recommended gear looks pretty nice for the bucks. The only problem is you would have no subwoofer.

[R4z0r4mu5 Pr|m3]

I agree you should avoid Bose. It's vastly overpriced and eats up amplifier power. While you can get a nice sounding Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 for that price, R4z0r4mu5 Pr|m3's recommended gear looks pretty nice for the bucks. The only problem is you would have no subwoofer.

I am a value shopper :p , I'm running the onkyo receiver with a pair or yamaha bookshelves right now, what's the cheapest decent sub out there? The cheapest velodyne is $200. The beauty of a receiver/speaker system is you can always change or add to it.

[rseven]

I am a value shopper :p , I'm running the onkyo receiver with a pair or yamaha bookshelves right now, what's the cheapest decent sub out there? The cheapest velodyne is $200. The beauty of a receiver/speaker system is you can always change or add to it.
That's a good question. I have no experience with low end subwoofers except for those that come with computer speaker systems. I think ideally it's good to stick with the same brand as your main speakers. Maybe someone else has some ideas. Anyone?

[stereo555]

The "Dayton 10" (Parts Express) has always gotten good reviews for an xint starter sub . 10" SUB (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-632) ; theres also a 12" but have never seen any reviews for it 12" SUB (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-635) .
The 10" would be more of a guaranteed winner from the many possitive reviews Ive read , and it wieghs in at a nice hefty 40lbs with a real time low of 25hz .

Do a google search and you'll find some reviews on the Dayton 10" .

[one review]

"No one has ever done a review of the inexpensive #300-632 Dayton 100 Watt subwoofer for some reason. I purchased one for my Magnepan MMG speakers. I've been living happily with it for about 4 months.

I purchased this subwoofer from Parts Express 'on sale' for pennies under $100. Fit and finish is amazingly good. The enclosure comes very nicely finished in a black simulated mahogany. The 100 watt plate amp has the following controls: Phase Switch, On-AutoOn-Off Switch, On-Off Green-Red LED, Variable X-Over 40hz-160hz, and Volume Control.

There are Line Level RCA inputs and high Level inputs. I drive it with the "Subwoofer" out RCA jack in my Panasonic XR50 receiver.

The driver is a plastic 10” long throw woofer. The enclosure is ported with a nice plastic port hole. It weighs about 40 lbs and is built like a tank. YOU COULD NOT POSSIBLY BUILD THIS SUBWOOFER WITH NEW PARTS FOR $100! I don’t know how Dayton can sell this sub at that price considering it absolutely blows away those cheap plastic Sony subs that sell for $100!!

I bought this subwoofer with the attitude that it would be a temporary solution until I can afford something "better". I spent an entire day of tweaking the integration using a CD called "Bass Mekanik".

My idea of integrating a subwoofer is bass reinforcement without the thing booming. I don't want it to sound like trunk speakers playing Rap music. I want it to sound natural but SOLID. This sub will shake your floors if you want it to though.

The Dayton's variable x-over ranges from 40hz to 160 hz. I use it at 40hz setting and the volume at about 1/3 maximum. It seamlessly reinforces the Maggies' response in the 50hz-60hz region and takes the bass down all the way to 25hz without drawing attention to itself. The bass is clean and solid. On some recordings with extremely strong drum solos you can feel the bass drum in the floor with a solid THUMP....but no "boomyness".

Stand-up bass has that deep deep solid "twang". I was able to play "It Ain't over Till It's Over" by fast Eddied Clark at LOUD volumes and groove to the solid response of my system.

I don’t have an SPL meter so I use my ears to gauge frequency. The Dayton’s response is flat to about 40hz. It very gently rolls off to about 25hz where there is some useful bass. I had to compromise on the placement of the sub. I wanted it in a corner but it conflicted with my wife’s decor. As it is, hidden along a side wall, it performs well. I know I could get more out of it if I could set it up in a corner.

This is a cheap sub and my expectations were low when I bought it. But it's been an unexpected pleasant surprise. I highly recommend it!"

[zabomb4163]

DIY subwoofer for the win :)

[Avatar28]

For $200 I think you're going to have a hard time beating a good set of computer speakers, especially if you get something fairly good like the Klipsch. Personally, that's probably the way I'd go. If you do try to go with a stereo system type setup, try to at least find somewhere to audition the speakers first.

[papercutout]

personally i have a nice stereo, and a OK computer system, the stereo, is, obviously only for listening to good quality music, CD's rather than mp3's. thats a mixture of stuff.
personally, for what you want, i'd get a computer system though, and i'd be more inclined to get 5.1 or 6.1 surround, it can be done, i'm running a creative set-up in that respect.
(bose still seems OK, my next door neighbour has a lifestyle system, and, actually, thats really nice, but personally, no, i wouldn't go for any of the stereo things, always surround sound with them,a nd it has to have a sub. the subs are actually, damn good! but a little out of price range, £1000 plus!
thats it from me. have fun!