Computer Speakers

bigaudiofanatic

Well now that my computer is just about done it is time to search for computer speakers. I am between the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 and my previous used speakers the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. The sound card if i used the Klipsch would be the Sound Blaster THX which has gotten amazing reviews.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm not aware of that sound card, got a link?

bigaudiofanatic

newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102033

AsSiMiLaTeD

That's the X-Fi, not the TXH, and that's been out for several years now. Its OK for a gaming rig, would not recommend it for 2 channel music, but then I wouldn't recommend the Klipsch ProMedia for that either.

So for a gaming rig, that card and the Klipsch would be fine, and that's exactly what I run on my gaming setup, but for music it's not ideal.

EndersShadow

For computer speakers I would go with something like the KRK Rokits, AudioEngine A5's, or something within your price range from Swan. Also are the M-Audio 40's and 30's, but I wouldnt put them in the same category as the first 3

dorokusai

What would you recommend for a smoking sound card for <200 Assimilated?

BAF - How do you go from a 150 pair of Klipsch, to the 450/pair B&W? That's a helluva swing in price range. I'd suggest the NHT M-00 as a contender that's modestly priced @ 249/pair. These and Assimilated's recommendations are all better choices than the Klipsch. I'd pass on the Swan suggestion.

shack

I have and like the Promedia 2.1 computer speakers...but I don't play much music throught my computer. When I do they sound pretty good.

Jstas

All the inexpensive, stellar bookshelf speakers out there from Polk Audio and you're still still **** around with garbage like Klipsch ProMedia?

Get yourself a set of new Blackstones or a set of used R15's like these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-R15-Bookshelf-Speakers-/280659705319?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item41589f3de7

Then find a cheap integrated or pre-amp and amp and out perform anything you're going to find on any shelf in any computer/electronics store labeled "computer speakers".

Personally, it's been a loooong time since I've seen computer speakers from any company worth anything.

I have a set of R15's I ran on a NAD 902 with a Oinker pre-amp as computer speakers for years. I haven't found anything that approaches that combo yet.

The only "computer speakers" I have are a set of speakers from Polk Audio that they made for SGI years ago. They still serve to impress.

dorokusai

shack wrote: »

I have and like the Promedia 2.1 computer speakers...but I don't play much music throught my computer. When I do they sound pretty good.

You should move up the food chain a little Steve, try something new.

AsSiMiLaTeD

It depends on your application. For an internal card I like the Xonar D2X which is right at $200 or the Xonar D2 which is around $170, both from NewEgg so you may find cheaper elsewhere.

If you want to go the external route there are LOTS of good USB options, but I gave up on that route a while back.

dorokusai

Internal for sure. I'll check them out, TY.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I don't really agree that the Klipsch speakers are all that bad. They're certainly not up to the task for serious music listening, but for gaming and just background music while you're working they're fine speakers.

I've run a set of R15 as computer speakers before, and even they are better at music than the Klipsch, but the Klipsch are much better IMO for gaming, they just handle the dynamics better and are designed for short range listening.

Like I said, it all depends on your application.

Jstas

I liked the R15's better for gaming. The only benefit that the Klipsch has is the low frequency module but it doesn't dig much deeper than the R15's do. It just plays louder 'cause it's dedicated.

I hooked up a powered Yammie sub just to see how well it worked with the R15's and for gaming, that set up impressed me quite a bit. The Yammie sub didn't detract from music either.

I've also run the Amazings as computer speakers just for poops and laughs. My brother is currently running a used Polk satellite system with an old Sony 5.1 receiver for his gaming rig and I'm working on getting him a SurroundBar for it.

There are way better options out there that I can't even consider "computer speakers" as a viable choice anymore. If it works for you, great but for me, I haven't found anything that I really like.

shack

dorokusai wrote: »

You should move up the food chain a little Steve, try something new.

No more listening than I do on my computer they are more than adequate. I have some RT15is, RT25is, some Mini Advents...all of which would probably sound better than the promedia...but then I would need a pre/amp, int amp or receiver to use them. Too much trouble. Now I just plug in my laptop whenever I need to and I'm good to go. Simple and works just fine.

billbillw

I had the Klipsch promedia system and I much prefer my current setup which is a setup of mid-sized book shelf speakers with a decent power 2-ch receiver or integrated amp. I don't feel that I'm giving up anything in bass and the imaging, smoothness and detail is much much better with the bookshelf speakers. I feel they are more dynamic than the Klipsch as well. I'm using a set of discontinued Athenas, but a decent set of Polks would be great too. In near field use, you don't need much power. I had an NAD 40wpc integrated amp that just rocked on my desktop. I later found a good deal on my current NAD receiver (which is rated higher @75wpc), but I don't really see any improvement in sound with the higher wattage. I just like having the tuner at my desktop.

I say shop around for used gear and for the same (or lower) price, you can put together a nice receiver/amp and bookshelf speaker system that will outperform either of those two computer only systems that you mentioned.

newrival

Jstas wrote: »

I've also run the Amazings as computer speakers just for poops and laughs.

You must have a big desk

bigaudiofanatic

I am trying to keep my desk space and not have two large bookshelf speakers and a amp and so on. That is why I was looking at these two.

newrival

Can you speak to the question of application? There have been good suggestions, but we really need to know your expectations.

What will be your usage?
Mostly games?
mostly music?
near field/from a distance?

-the m200 mkiii's are excellent for nearfield hi-fi stereo (you'll probably want a sub)
-razer mako's are great for games and decent for music
-audio engines make good near-fielders too but you'll need a sub and i think they're outdone by the swans
-the b&w's are way over priced IMO
-Kanto iPair5's are a good choice if you want to plug your ipod into em too.
-powered moniters could work too but you may find them too analytical. If you like that then krk's or behringer truth 3031A's would suit you well

EDUBAG

Self amplified audioengine A5, or if space is an issue the A2s. I own the A2 in my office and for desktop I do not feel i need more, and they sound really good and much bigger than they are.

199, check audioengineusa.com and watch the amazing amount of reviews for the a2.

I also own the p4 and the n22 amp and posted a review on the p4 here on the forum, i beleive that they are a very good quality product, but if you ask me i believe i should have bought the a5.

good luck.

Jstas

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I am trying to keep my desk space and not have two large bookshelf speakers and a amp and so on. That is why I was looking at these two.

Blackstones aren't big at all (6-1/2" H x 3-3/4" W x 4-7/8" D) and an amp/pre-amp or integrated doesn't take up much space especially if used as a monitor stand.

Even VM10's (11" H x 4-1/8" W x 4-1/4" D) would be a much better step up over even the B&W stuff.

Hell, the RM series is a good option as well.

Since all the systems you are looking at have a sub, you can pick up a DSW Pro 440wi subwoofer and you won't even have to deal with any extra wires at your feet.

Grab a receiver or even a pre-amp and amp from the flea market and you're good to go. Plus, you have the option of running other sources through your receiver or even bypassing to a TV.

I think you'll be served better with a set of decent bookshelf speakers than any one-box set of speakers for a computer.

newrival

I own the audioengine A2, A5, and the Swan M200mkiii's and have to say the Swan's are level more refined than either of AE's offerings and theyre the in same price range. I'm as big a proponant as anyone for AE gear, but it all depends on the listener. Audio engine performs better at low levels in my opinion and has a very analytical presentation, which i like. I feel, however, most people would enjoy the more tube-like presentation of the Swans. They are fuller and livelier and feel more dynamic, which is what many people enjoy, especially for casual listening.

bigaudiofanatic

The application is going to be 50/50 meaning 50% games 50% music.

billbillw

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I am trying to keep my desk space and not have two large bookshelf speakers and a amp and so on. That is why I was looking at these two.

I don't know that anyone said to use 'Large' bookshelf speakers. A small or medium sized bookshelf is plenty. The slightly larger footprint of a small/medium sized bookshelf speaker on the desk is a trade off for not having to deal with a subwoofer box on the floor. As discussed above, the sound quality is worth giving up an extra 1/2 square foot or so of desk space. BTW, if you put the amp underneath your monitor, you shouldn't notice much, if any, change in the footprint.

Hey, if you buy used, you can try it and see if it will work for you. If not, you shouldn't loose any money re-selling the gear.

EDIT: Looks like John already said the same thing. Just a 2nd opinion I guess.

EndersShadow

billbillw wrote: »

BTW, if you put the amp underneath your monitor, you shouldn't notice much, if any, change in the footprint.

I tried that and it ended up moving the monitor waaaayyy to high, so we ended up getting a small HT rack from Target to put the reciever in. So maybe think about that as well. It also will eventually house my 2 channel amp and possibly a printer on top.

billbillw

EndersShadow wrote: »

I tried that and it ended up moving the monitor waaaayyy to high, so we ended up getting a small HT rack from Target to put the reciever in. So maybe think about that as well. It also will eventually house my 2 channel amp and possibly a printer on top.

? I don't get it. Is the desk tiered? Is your desk at chest level? Are you sitting on the floor or something?

For a normal flat desk and normal chair, I think helps by bringing the center of the monitor closer to eye level.

EndersShadow

billbillw wrote: »

? I don't get it. Is the desk tiered? Is your desk at chest level? Are you sitting on the floor or something?

For a normal flat desk and normal chair, I think helps by bringing the center of the monitor closer to eye level.

Here is a pic of the setup:



As you can see the actual top of the desk is a bit tall to begin with (hence keyboard and mouse tray). When I added the HK3490 to it I lost a massive amount of space and the HK is about 8" tall so it just looked all wrong and put the monitor up to high. And in all fairness I have the "ghetto lean" when on the computer, and have been known to put my feet up on the desk lol...

But as with all things YMMV.

JimKellyfan

There are speakers on the floor you could use.
In my living room set up, we have an HDMI and we use the main set up, or the HT, same as watching TV. If not on, then it reverts back to speakers built into our monitor.
The other office set up, we use our old HT as well.
Having every disc on our hard drives kind of steered me in that direction.
And the RCA on the back deck, I hook the lap top to it and get internet radio or network to all our music on one of the other pc's as they are on both. A back up to the back up, if you will.

Depends on how you use it, I guess.

If you do Hulu and Netflix through it or what not, it saves from one more purchase.

As stated, you have speakers in place already.

Sherardp

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

It depends on your application. For an internal card I like the Xonar D2X which is right at $200 or the Xonar D2 which is around $170, both from NewEgg so you may find cheaper elsewhere.

If you want to go the external route there are LOTS of good USB options, but I gave up on that route a while back.

I use the Asus Xonar D2x and it is the best sound card I have used so far. I came from the Creative and Onboard mobo sound chips and the Asus just sounds amazing. They make very good cards that perform well for music and gaming.

In my own personal PC rig I use the Klipsch Ultra Promedia 5.1 and it does a good job for what it is. I would stick with what you have unless you need the upgrade.

TECHNOKID

I never cared for any of the computer speakers on the market, way too cheap for my taste IMO. I don't care for a receiver in the computer area either. I decided to go with powered monitors (M-AUDIO) which for decent quality and small foot print. Depending on the SQ and price point, I just noticed monoprice has some half decent offering; http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10904&utm_source=May_Newsletter_2_g5&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=May_Newsletter_2_g5_Email_C_Wall_Mount_Active_Speakers#1090406

billbillw

If you're not looking for multi-channel movie decoding or multichannel gaming, I still say you get much better sound out of one of the professional cards, ie: M-Audio Delta, E-mu, etc. High quality output plus high quality inputs (if you ever decide to digitize an analog sound). You can usually find a great used pro-audio card for $50-$75 if you are patient. I paid less than $30 for both mine (Emu 0404 and M-Audio Delta66).

AsSiMiLaTeD

I've seen Swan mentioned a couple times, where the hell do you buy them?