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Computer Speakers

20K views 30 replies 12 participants last post by  Ralfy 
#1 ·
I will start by saying that I don't think this question will qualify as "hi-fi" any more than you do, my discerning amigos. But as this is the most hardware-related subforum, I thought it should go here.

I recently got an HD monitor and Blu-Ray drive for my computer, and I'd like to raise the quality of the sound a bit to be on par with the awesome HD opera I've started collecting. I know computer speakers in general won't compete with a real system, but I don't have a lot of money or space or technical knowhow. I would just like to raise the bar from the generic $30 ones I'm using at the moment.

Does anyone know of any that would be acceptable for classical music? I'm not
concerned at all with surround sound or subwoofers or anything like that, and in fact would prefer just the 2 speakers.

Thanks!
 
#3 ·
I upgraded my PC speakers last year to the Logitech X-240 system. There are two desktop speakers and a subwoofer that really compliments the two modest desktop units. Although not anywhere comparable to my home audio setup, they do deliver a nice clean sound with enough bass (adjustable) so that I can enjoy pipe organ mp3's and the like.

I paid around $40 (USD) at Best Buy at the time. Saw them on Amazon for ~$48 recently.
 
#4 ·
Logitech X-230 is a 2.1 system that's plenty good enough for the computer. Mine cost £45. The bass is heavy, but the model below it has no sub and that sounds fine too. It's a good brand, there's no great need to look further.
 
#6 ·
An update, if I may.
The X-230 is listed at £45, but mine was £32-ish from Amazon. It's great for rock, pop & electronica. For Baroque chamber music it's dire. In general, if you want a big sound it's really good, but if you wish to hear what acoustic instruments sound like you'll get a lot closer if you spend around £90 on a 2.0 system.
Salieri has a point. 'Phones or buds are cost-effective in this application.
 
#5 ·
Well, I own an old Bose computer set up. I prefer wearing my $9.00 RCA ear-buds to it. My Sharp floor model stereo is just amazing, way better than Bose, but overall, I prefer headphones, mostly ear-buds. You hear a lot more with headphones. It depends on what you want. I am covered in audio equipment and I record music as well. Headphones are really the way to go (It is a mistake to pay $100 for those noise canceling ones, cheap ones do great if you are lucky)

Seeing as you are a fellow U.S. citizen, go to a Rent A Center and try out what speakers they have.
 
#7 ·
You might consider looking into some powered monitor speakers found in the musicians catalogs like Sweetwater or MusiciansFriend. Alesis, Mackie, and JBL are among some names to consider who make excellent speakers at reasonable prices. Coupled with a good quality outboard audio interface, like an EMu 0202 for example, and you can get excellent sound indeed. Prices range from about $100 per pair, to thousands. As a purist, I appreciate that these have none of the equalization or pseudo "surround sound" processing of speakers designed for computer or gaming use.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I agree with all of the above. The OP wanted a solution for his computer system which I assume means that he would be sitting at a desk to enjoy music. In that case having a small "sweet spot" would not be a problem. Besides, speakers designed for computer use would have this same limitation. He also didn't want a subwoofer which the Logitechs have, and was willing to spend more than $30, the Logitech's price range. The solution I suggested could be as low as $100 without an outboard sound card and IMO offer higher performance capabilities than comparably priced computer speakers. That someone would recommend something they consider to be "awful" to somone else who is looking to "raise the quality of the sound a bit to be on par with the awesome HD opera I've started collecting" is surprising. An "honest and true representation of sound" is my number one criteria when choosing audio components, and I've known more than a few audiophiles who've used studio monitors in their systems. Without going into separate components, again the OP's preference, I still think that powered monitors are a viable option for someone looking for better sound from their computers.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Some confusion certainly appears to have crept into this discussion.

I understood the OP was asking for advice on a set of powered computer speakers that would improve the sound somewhat above his present $30 set: ".. I don't have a lot of money or space or technical knowhow. I would just like to raise the bar from the generic $30 ones I'm using at the moment".

One set of speakers that was advised was the Logitech X-240 . In the UK (where I live) these retail at about £25. I have no idea what the maximum budget of nefigah is since no budget figure was actually given, but this price of £25 is consistent with "raising the bar" above the $30 of his present set.

I would not dispute that, for the money, these speakers are probably OK for certain purposes and there may be nothing significantly better in that price bracket. However, in my opinion speakers in this price category are not of anything like suitable quality for listening seriously to classical music. You need to spend a fair bit more, but since I don't know the budget it was difficult to specify a particular product. What I did suggest (if you read again what I wrote) was that he takes a CD along to a store and try out a few systems. Asking for advice in places like this is not the best way to buy "hi-fi" (sic), as none of us knows exactly what his budget is or how fussy he is in his listening requirements. Some people are content with the tinniest sound imaginable and think it's great. Others spend £'000 and are still not happy.

On the other hand, the system you are recommending costs in the UK about £350 in total: comprising £250 for the Alesis M1 Active Monitor and £100 for the external DAC. I am not sure what these items would cost in the USA but this price would seem to be way above the price bracket that could conceivably be construed as "raising the bar" from his $30 set.

In summary, I wouldn't be happy with a set of Logitech speakers costing only £25. I know the quality of sound they give and in my opinion it's awful. It's nothing remotely like Hi-Fi and they're only suitable for watching TV or such like activities. Furthermore, it makes no sense to me trying to marry up such low quality speakers with blu-ray video and HD opera etc, that he already has. It's a complete joke in fact. I would suggest that it's far better to bite the bullet and get a decent sound system to bolt onto a PC. I flagged up a suitable reference site for decent hi-fi HERE.
 
#17 ·
OK, well I'm new here. Does this forum have members mostly from the UK? The price you quoted for the M1's is significantly higher than here in the US (they sell here for the equivalent of about 62 pounds), and as I mentioned in my last post have a USB interface thus not requiring the PC to have any sound card at all. This makes them only slightly more expensive than the Logitechs+SoundBlaster. A far better value IMO. (The Logitechs can be found here for about $30, or about 18 pounds.) I can tell that we are in agreement on the performance and quality of computer speakers, but you and I are comparing value in two completely different markets so our reasons for our recommendations are also different.

You're right, we don't know much about the OP who isn't giving us much feedback, and he really needs to listen for himself. Unfortunately, in the US there isn't a single dealer I'm aware of that stocks computer speakers and can demo them properly. I find I have to shop at stores that have a liberal return policy and audition things at home.

I've always enjoyed What Hi-Fi, btw. It's fun to see gear you never see here, and you Brit's seem to have a bigger high-end market than we do here, sad to say.
 
#18 ·
Thank you, everyone, for the suggestions. I see some input is required!

To answer the budget question, I'd be fine with something in the neighborhood of $100, give or take. Tis not the first time, unfortunately, that I've read
that there isn't a middle ground when it comes to audio equipment. A bummer, and not much to do other than await more fortuitous financial times.

I probably wouldn't waste the money on something unless it:
a) is decidedly better than what I have (and I have heard stuff from Logitech at sub $50, and wouldn't say it's much better in the realm I'm interested in)
b) actually garners some measure of respect from someone who owns them :)

So with that said, the Alesis recommendation is the most promising thus far, and I will look into them. I do have some concerns related to what others have said regarding monitors.

Thanks again everyone, and I'm sorry for not being more specific originally!
 
#19 ·
Unfortunately it's not a pricerange that many people study and develop 'favourites' in. I would go to a shop and check if you can return the item if it's really not to you taste. Examine the stats on the boxes and look for the product with:

-the desired connections to fit in with your system.
-powered (as in, you can just plug them in and go, don't require a separate amp)
-a wide enough frequency range (they say human hearing is 20Hk-20,000Hz), usually the bass is the area to watch for. Cheap speakers can be lacking there.

And with those in mind, get the best in your pricerange.
 
#20 ·
I wonder if you're still searching. I just demoed some M-Audio AV40s and was very displeased with them. They, like so many other speakers, were boomy (slight hump in the lower midrange) and poorly resolving. It's hard to get this right, in my opinion, and I find that balanced armature earphones, for instance, do a far better job at this than most speakers. My Monitor Audio RS-1s are excellent at timbre accuracy. The AV40s were not. So look elsewhere if this is important to you.

I have no idea what I'm going to try next ....
 
#21 ·
I wonder if you're still searching. I just demoed some M-Audio AV40s and was very displeased with them. They, like so many other speakers, were boomy (slight hump in the lower midrange) and poorly resolving. It's hard to get this right, in my opinion, and I find that balanced armature earphones, for instance, do a far better job at this than most speakers. My Monitor Audio RS-1s are excellent at timbre accuracy. The AV40s were not. So look elsewhere if this is important to you.

I have no idea what I'm going to try next ....
Monitor Audio RS-1s are in a completely different price range to what this thread is all about. They're good quality speakers.
 
#23 ·
I'm still semi-searching, but have pretty much resigned myself to subpar speakers + occasional headphones. If someone does happen in on something acceptable, I'm open to giving it a shot. And who knows, after long enough I may have saved up sufficiently to get something decent.

Along that line, at what price range do speakers start getting "not bad"? $500? $1k? More?
 
#24 ·
You might check out THIS source for impartial, professional quality advice on best buys in Hi-Fi. Look at the section on "Stereo Speakers and Sub-woofers" where you will see that the cheapest speakers they recommend are Q Acoustic 2010, which retail in the UK for about £110. I've not heard these speakers but if What Hi-Fi recommend them they will be good vfm. They require a separate amplifier to drive them.
 
#25 ·
Thanks, Artemis. I spent all last night researching headphones and amps; was a daunting experience. We'll see how long before I get the
courage to tackle speakers as well. It's comforting to know that the barrier to entry isn't as high as I feared. Is that stuff largely available in the US as well?
 
#26 ·
Here is the manufacturer's website: http://www.qacoustics.co.uk/2000/2010.htm

If you go to the "Where to" section you will see a list of international stockists. They seem to be virtually everywhere except the USA, which seems rather strange. But there is a stockist in Canada (Montreal), if that's any good.

To be honest I wouldn't take this advice too literally if you have any trouble locating these speakers. There's bound to be a USA based hi-fi mag that's should be able to give you some decent advice on entry level bookshelf speakers. The market is always changing so that's usually the best source of advice.

I was working in the USA for a year until this Summer but I never got round to worrying about hi-fi, so therefore I didn't check out the hi-fi mags. I made do with my laptop, an external DAC and my (Grado) headphones.
 
#31 ·
I was inquiring about this in various fora, and thought that it would be practical to use computer-based hi-fi systems as digital sound is good enough, and what needs to be done is attach a better digital to analog converter to the computer (compared to the one that's already found in the computer sound card), and then attach some good speakers to the converter.

That would mean a regular PC or laptop with a USB port and DVD drive and/or music files in lossless format in the hard drive, a DAC attached to the USB, and some good speakers (with a subwoofer) connected to the DAC.

One reason why I thought that this would be practical is that unlike a hi-fi system, a computer can also be used for other things.
 
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