24 replies to this topic

[charmin]

Well, since IMG is now THE place to get product recommendations...

I love my Soundsticks, but they're being overshadowed by my huge iMac, and my huge TV, and my huge 360 (not actually mine FWIW), so I'm feeling the need to upgrade.

I found what seems to be the perfect system: http://www.amazon.co...stp_st_edpp_url

They have a hardware decoder, optical inputs, every other kind of input, look good, etc.

Unfortunately, while I could buy those for £80 in the States, they're £190 on Amazon UK. (Also, the used set in the link above for $160 USD because of some minor damage to the sub is an absolute STEAL! Buy them!) That's a bit rich for me. Do any of the hardware buffs here know if there's a system even ALMOST as good as that for a lot less money? Specifically, I need a) something that doesn't look crap, b) 5.1, and c) as many inputs as possible. Obviously my alternative would be to buy some proper audio hardware and hook stuff up to that, but I'd prefer the all-in-one style offering above.

Edit: You're all too slow. WWDC was so bad I had to console myself by shelling out £200 for those bad boys and an optical cable. If they're no good, I hold everyone here personally responsible. If they're amazing, I hold myself responsible.

[Sneaky Snake]

charmin, on June 9th 2008, 05:34 AM, said:

I found what seems to be the perfect system: http://www.amazon.co...stp_st_edpp_url

They have a hardware decoder, optical inputs, every other kind of input, look good, etc.

Unfortunately, while I could buy those for £80 in the States,

Where? I would love to pick those up for $80

[charmin]

£80 - $160. I was referring to the cheap used pair in the link.

[Sneaky Snake]

charmin, on June 10th 2008, 06:28 PM, said:

£80 - $160. I was referring to the cheap used pair in the link.

oh, dang, you had me going there


Also about the speakers. I don't really know anything about them except that my Z-2300's sound amazing. Also expect some people to be pretty anti Logitech, they were when I asked about getting a pair. Quicksilver recommended the Klipsch Promedia Ultra system. they aren't sold anymore but apparently they are friggen amazing and you can pick 'em up on ebay for less then $300



-Snake

[Greg Grant]

I second the Klipsch speakers

Actually the Promedias still can be found at Best Buy....  but only the 2.1s. They're the only speakers I'd pay money for, tried a pair of Z2300s but was rather unimpressed. I should know because I d bought for my office where I'm a little more pressed for space. I returned the Logis for Klipsch.  Logitech makes generally unpleasant speakers in the upper tier. Its hard for a dipolar 2 way speaker to compete with good ol' 3-ways.  The dispersion on the Logitechs suck, they're impossible position right, they're nasally and the subs generally produce bloat (yet loud) undefined bass. It rumbles but it doesn't reproduce as well as it should.

[charmin]

ProMedia link: http://www.klipsch.c...-ultra-5-1.aspx

They do look nice. Dual subs and two-way satellites. The big downside that I can see is the lack of inputs:

Quote

INPUTS 6 analog discrete channels (3 stereo miniplugs), Auxiliary stereo miniplug music input

I'd still need an external soundcard, or a DAC(I think) in order to process any digital output - certainly for the sake of running the 360 through it via optical.

(Incidentally, I'm using my Z5500s now - they certainly look the part, and they're doing very well for what I want them for. Still pricey though.)

Small aside: The Z5500's have a 'boost' volume mode for when you go past max volume, and to top it all off, the boost levels are numbered 1 - 11

[Silver Samurai]

I admit I'm going solely on looks, but I'd always liked the JBL Creatues

And they're cheap too.
http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/B0000SY4SG
They come in silver and black too.

But I'd go for the JBL Encounters. I just love how they look.
http://www.harman-mu...c_encounter.jpg
Only reason I don't is because my speakers still work. I have a 4.1 Cyber Acoustics set. Right now I only have 2 speakers and a sub hooked up though, but until this  breaks down I have no need to buy new speakers. It's been about 6-7years now!

[DaveyJJ]

I almost responded with "Paradigm" as they are superb speakers all round for stereos, but then relaized you were speaking of one's for your smaller systems. But still, if anyone needs good stereo speakers, Paradigm is what I usually like. Best rated speakers for value-sound 17 years running.

[Greg Grant]

Canadian Pride eh? But they aren't making PC speakers

Yeah, Paradigm is as much as I consider for rational purchasing even for my blood, I have a CC-370 Paradigm Center channel and always meant to complete my livingroom setup to all Paradigm (The Monitor 11 are so sexy) but meager college funds always prohibited that and now with gradschool looming, I can't exactly easily transport full sized speakers across the Pacific. One day man... One day. At least my "computer" speakers are all tried and true 55 pound (per speaker) JBL S310s. I got my money's worth.

[Markovich]

Silver Samurai, on June 12th 2008, 07:21 AM, said:

I admit I'm going solely on looks, but I'd always liked the JBL Creatues

And they're cheap too.
http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/B0000SY4SG
They come in silver and black too.

But I'd go for the JBL Encounters. I just love how they look.
http://www.harman-mu...c_encounter.jpg
Only reason I don't is because my speakers still work. I have a 4.1 Cyber Acoustics set. Right now I only have 2 speakers and a sub hooked up though, but until this  breaks down I have no need to buy new speakers. It's been about 6-7years now!

I have the JBL Creatures and they sound very good. The bass can get a bit muddle or boom sometimes and there is no headphone jack anywhere.

[Markovich]

Greg Gant, on June 13th 2008, 03:14 AM, said:

Canadian Pride eh? But they aren't making PC speakers

Yeah, Paradigm is as much as I consider for rational purchasing even for my blood, I have a CC-370 Paradigm Center channel and always meant to complete my livingroom setup to all Paradigm (The Monitor 11 are so sexy) but meager college funds always prohibited that and now with gradschool looming, I can't exactly easily transport full sized speakers across the Pacific. One day man... One day. At least my "computer" speakers are all tried and true 55 pound (per speaker) JBL S310s. I got my money's worth.

I have a set of Paradigm Mini Monitors....sweeet sounds.

[Dark_Archon]

Markovich, on June 16th 2008, 12:53 PM, said:

I have a set of Paradigm Mini Monitors....sweeet sounds.

I hate you.

I demoed them at the local dealer. I really want a pair of em.

[Silver Samurai]

Markovich, on June 16th 2008, 09:47 AM, said:

I have the JBL Creatures and they sound very good. The bass can get a bit muddle or boom sometimes and there is no headphone jack anywhere.

I don't have any on my speakers either. Headphone jack that is.
I just unplug the speakers. Easy if you have a laptop, not so much if you have a desktop.
Could always get a splitter for $1 if it's so important I suppose.

[Dark_Archon]

I'm leaning towards picking up a pair of Paradigm Titan Monitors now that I have some disposable income. I'd love to get a pair of Monitor 7s, but they are a bit out of my price range.

I'm moving in 2 weeks, so I need to wait until then.

[J'nathus]

I have found Cambridge Soundworks to be far superior to Logitech.  My current set is over 6 years old and still sound perfect.  

AND they're having a deal on them: http://www.cambridge...p;item=k1sntos4

The sub can be connected to additional satellites to upgrade to 5.1...  although I personally prefer 2.1 for my computer setup.

[jgwdoc]

I have the Bose Companion 5s. They're a touch pricy (~$400), but have a really open and transparent sound, clean bass, and the ability to go very loud.

[Greg Grant]

Nah, don't bother spending on Bose, for the $400 you could have an actual HT receiver and decent pair of bookshelves. At least get a boxed Onkyo set for that price, the HT-S5100s are about $375 many places and they're pretty decent.

For PC speakers the only speakers I can recommend are the Klipsch Promedias. I don't like any of the Logitech offerings, they're often using any corner cutting device such as dipolar "nipplized" drivers as opposed to a tweeter + driver. I haven't used Cambridge's speakers myself but by the looks they're better than the Logitech and JBL speaker offerings.

Lastly Paradigm is great, I have a Paradigm CC-370 as my center channel in my livingroom getup. If it weren't for Grad school I'd have the monitor 9s to compliment it instead of the get up now. Thumbs up to the mini monitors although you need a sub for those guys to get a full range of sound.

[Togglemeister]

I am looking at some speaker options for my G5 tower. So far i am looking at the Logitech Z323 and Z523? Any other suggestions?

[Mister Mumbles]

For simple desktop speakers, I'm quite fond of my Bose Companion 2 set. It doesn't come with a subwoofer, but the bass is plenty good for my needs. An on/off switch would have been nice though. That's about the only niggle I have with them.

[devSin]

If you're looking at those, you must be price sensitive?

The Klipsch Pro-Medias are still around and still a great 2.1 option for under $150. The Harman Soundsticks might be a little pricier, but are pretty universally well received. I don't prefer 2.0 sets, but I guess it depends what you're used to (or what you can live with).

You can get monitor pairs for under $200 (M-Audio and such), but these are usually quite large and can run warm (each being self-powered and with an internal amplifier).

These days, I think people just use headphones (or display speakers, egads) or use the digital audio port to connect to an external receiver, so quality self-amplified sets aren't as numerous. I had to replace my set recently, and I chose to go with the Pro-Medias (purchased in February). I was a bit trepidatious (they've been redesigned recently with a more compact power supply and other unspecified internal changes), but I've honestly been extremely pleased with their performance. For $130, I really couldn't say anything bad about them.