Need a set of speakers!

[Jayws]

School's over for now and the summer money is rolling in :)

Being as such I was thinking of ways to spend it and one of the first things that I thought of is a nice set of speakers. Right now I have some set of... something. They're 2.1 speakers with a sub that is about a foot long with maybe a 2 inch diameter hole in the front. They're not terrible... who am I kidding they suck. My biggest problem is that at lower to mid-range volumes have loud, washed out bass that makes me want to rip my hair out.

I have no idea where to start, 2.1's, 5.1's, 7.1's? Not a clue. Preferably something nice but not too pricey. Bass and good quality at low to mid volumes is a must.

[Sarsbaby]

Bose Companion 3.1's aren't too pricey, but they are up there.

Harman and Kardon, Boston acoustics, Yamaha, even Creative. Really depends on your price range.

As far as what Version to get? Also depends on what you use them for, gaming, music, sound editing? What sized room? Are you using onboard sound or a PCI card?

Thanks P1mp, I forgot about Logitech. They're also good.

[Th3 F4ll3n P1mp]

I would go for Harman kardon, Boston acoustics, Logitech, or maybe Creative if I am getting desperate.

I would go for the z-5500's from logitech. Those babies are monsters. 1000 watts peak, 500 watts rms. The subwoofer is very nice too.

Currently 267 dollars shipped on the egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120&Tpk=z-5500

Edit: If you want cheaper, these are pretty good too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121012

[Shiggity]

I have http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122 and I really love 'em.

Excellent sound quality, only 2 satelites (no point in getting a 5.1 system when 2.1 sounds as good as these imo), very good bass, and the little dial / speaker plug in / power switch is really convenient and nice to have.

A cheap 5.1 setup is a no no, extra space for meh quality. If you really want 5.1, spend the extra cash and get the Z5500's like thefallenpimp suggested.

Edit - My speaker set has also lasted 5+ years with no faults, +1 to logitech there as well

[Jayws]

Right now I have a Creative X-Fi Extreme Audio... I'm not too happy with creative these days though so I'm thinking of switching to an Audiotrak Prodigy HD2.

I'd really prefer 2.1's to save space, sub $200 would be my goal but that is still open, sorta. I would be gaming and listening to music on these things. I like the ones that Shiggity suggested, would I be good with those or should I look a bit higher. I wouldn't mind spending a bit more to get something really nice that will last me a while.

[antipacker]

I would go for Harman kardon

[tom10167]

School's over for now and the summer money is rolling in :)

Being as such I was thinking of ways to spend it and one of the first things that I thought of is a nice set of speakers. Right now I have some set of... something. They're 2.1 speakers with a sub that is about a foot long with maybe a 2 inch diameter hole in the front. They're not terrible... who am I kidding they suck. My biggest problem is that at lower to mid-range volumes have loud, washed out bass that makes me want to rip my hair out.

I have no idea where to start, 2.1's, 5.1's, 7.1's? Not a clue. Preferably something nice but not too pricey. Bass and good quality at low to mid volumes is a must.

I'd go with a receiver and a 2.0 setup and it's not even close. This is coming from a Z-5500 owner.(Tried it both on optical and regular)

The SQ on those Logitechs is really, really lackluster if you're used to mid-fi or hi-fi stereo.

I was also not really impressed with the whole "surround sound" thing, if you really like that than obviously get it but I just didn't think it was much more impressive than a 2.0 system.

It was more interesting in games, in movies, about the same. Keep in mind with the Logitechs you are using the same speaker for the center channel as you are for the satellite speakers.

I don't think that ANY PC speaker is going to come clsoe to a good stereo set up and some of those PC setups aren't exactly cheap. Also keep in mind with a surround system you have to deal with wiring and mounting of speakers.

I'm currently using a Harman Kardon 2 channel receiver that I bought used for $80 or so, and two JBL speakers(4311B if you can think that far back) overall I am reasonably satisfied with my system.

[Sir Barton]

If youre going for a Prodigy HD2 computer speakers wont fit the bill. A great sound card like the HD2 wont shine through crappy computer speakers. You should be looking at a standalone amp and bookshelf speakers if youre looking into the HD2. All computer speakers are crappy, most that love them have never heard better. A $100 pair of bookshelf speakers on a second hand stereo receiver will sound better than any "1000W" Logitech/Klipsch/(your brand of choice) computer speaker setup you can get. The main drawback of computer speakers is most are a 1 way design and have small drivers in them. The 6.5" drivers in my speakers are bigger than the subwoofers of most computer speaker setups. The only downside of an amp and bookshelves is that they take up considerably more space. If you have the space and can swing a few more dollars, its definitely the way to go.

[Jayws]

If youre going for a Prodigy HD2 computer speakers wont fit the bill. A great sound card like the HD2 wont shine through crappy computer speakers. You should be looking at a standalone amp and bookshelf speakers if youre looking into the HD2. All computer speakers are crappy, most that love them have never heard better. A $100 pair of bookshelf speakers on a second hand stereo receiver will sound better than any "1000W" Logitech/Klipsch/(your brand of choice) computer speaker setup you can get. The main drawback of computer speakers is most are a 1 way design and have small drivers in them. The 6.5" drivers in my speakers are bigger than the subwoofers of most computer speaker setups. The only downside of an amp and bookshelves is that they take up considerably more space. If you have the space and can swing a few more dollars, its definitely the way to go.

Part suggestions for such a project?

[Sir Barton]

The best speakers you can get for under $100 are the Insignia 6.5" (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705307&st=insignia+bookshelf&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1138085354138) bookshelf speakers. I was using a set of these before I bought my AV123 X-LS speakers. Sometimes Best Buy has them on sale for $50 to $60 a pair. Theres quite a long thread about them over at AVSForum...best bang for the buck bookshelves out there. As far as an amp or receiver to drive them, take a look at craigslist....lots of deals to be found there. The best receivers are the vintage type...they have more power per watt. Look for an old Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz, Sherwood, or Sansui...most of these old goodies were made from the late 60s to early 80s. If the bookshelves dont provide enough bass for you, you can add a sub no problem. You can find one of those on craigslist cheap too. Heres my setup from when I had the Insignias hooked up...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/brasshonkey/desk3.jpg

[ratbuddy]

I don't see any tweeters on those speakers.. Are they coax drivers?

[icantfindone]

Yeah, the silk dome tweeter is mounted in the center of the 6.5" woofer. I used them until I upgraded to my onix rocket 750 sigs :)

http://evilsmurfs.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10786/normal_IMAGE_027.jpg

[Sir Barton]

Yep, theyre coax with the tweeters in the center. For under $100 theyre probably one of the best options out there...if you want to spend more the AV123 X-LS or Paradigm Atoms get my vote.

[Sir Barton]

Yeah, the silk dome tweeter is mounted in the center of the 6.5" woofer. I used them until I upgraded to my onix rocket 750 sigs :)

http://evilsmurfs.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10786/normal_IMAGE_027.jpg

How do those Rockets sound? Ive been toying with the idea of getting those for a little while now.

[icantfindone]

They sound absolutely superb. I have no need for my subwoofer now when listening to music, the bass extension on them is pretty impressive, easily hitting 30hz with power.

They do seem to be quite a bit more power-hungry then the Insignias, as I seem to have to turn up my receiver a bit more to get the same volume from them. That may be an issue with lower power T-amps, however, it doesnt even phase my Denon (140wpc).

To compare them with the Insignias though, the highs are not as harsh and fatiguing, and the lows much cleaner and articulate. The rockets just sound very smooth and clean throughout the entire range, with a very nicely balanced, slightly warm character.

[ratbuddy]

Wait, are you using those tower speakers while listening in that chair between them? Any chance you could pull the desk away from the wall and put the speakers a bit closer to each other and farther from you? Imaging must be very mucky..

[icantfindone]

The only time I sit there is when I am gaming. Then, the center channel and surround coding take care of the imaging. I have actually moved since I took that picture. That system is in my computer room (originally intended to be a dining room), with the insignias moved to the rear. When I listen to music, I am usually on the couch across the room, or doing work in the kitchen or bedroom. As far as imaging goes, the insignias create a deeper soundstage, and their imaging is very impressive. The rockets center the vocals and percussion very well, with the other instruments spread to the sides. The soundstage isnt quite as deep as with the insignias, but that is probably a result of their positioning (16" from back wall and 12" in from side walls), but the sound is still great.

I am usually walking around working while listening to music, so imaging is not really such a huge concern for me, as you really have to sit still in the "sweet spot" for the accurate imaging anyways.