Best Bang for Buck 2.1 Speaker System?

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chewmanji

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I'm looking for some recommendations for the best bang for buck 2.1 speaker system for less than $100.

I realize that it's possible to find the Logitech Z-2300 for less than $100, but purely in terms of price to performance ratio, what's the lowest I can really go without sacrificing too much sound quality? Logitech Z-4? Creative? Sony?

I will be running these - for now - out of the onboard sound of a Gigabyte P35-DS3R. My only requirement is a headphone jack on a satellite or remote - which most speakers have nowadays. Primary uses will be music and gaming, with the odd movie here and there.
 
I don't know about the US but in Canada right now London Drugs are selling the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 for $99.99 CAD. These speakers use to cost $299.99 CAD at one time. I paid $199.99 CAD and that was considered a very good price at the time.
 
$100 is about the most they're worth. I used to have them. They're junk. They've got volume considering their size, but that's about it.
 
That's real funny. What computer speaker can you name better for $100.00? What you just said is diametric to every review ever written about them so clean your ears out, sonny.
 
milkweg said:
That's real funny. What computer speaker can you name better for $100.00? What you just said is diametric to every review ever written about them so clean your ears out, sonny.
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Computer speakers are overpriced junk. I'll take a half-decent 2.0 setup (say Dayton BR-1s for example) over any computer speakers.

Lots of people think Bose is great when they simply haven't heard better. I almost feel sorry for your ignorance. Almost.
 
Yea, then you have to buy an amp and a subwoofer. That costs a lot more than $100.00. I have Energy RC-1 satellites that are not much bigger then the speakers the Klipsch ProMedia comes with and they cost $500.00 CAD. Then I had to buy a sub and that cost me $450.00 CAD. And that doesn't even include the integrated amp that cost $1100.00 CAD when it was new. Oh, and better get an external DAC if you want real clean audio out of your PC because a PCI soundcard just doesn't cut it for that purpose. I use EMU 0404 USB that cost me a further $220.00 CAD. What was that you were saying about my ignorance again? Hahaha.
 
I'll take 2.0 over Promedia 2.1. And a T amp doesn't cost that much. And the Promedias can't be worth the same as a decent 2.0 + T amp setup, else they wouldn't be worth it, so they have to be worth less.
 
Anyone have experience with 2.0 active monitors? I'm looking at the M-Audio Studio Pro 3 as a possibility. $89 shipped from Amazon.
 
dandragonrage said:
I'll take 2.0 over Promedia 2.1. And a T amp doesn't cost that much. And the Promedias can't be worth the same as a decent 2.0 + T amp setup, else they wouldn't be worth it, so they have to be worth less.
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A *good* ClassD amp costs a lot more than $100.00. Cheapest you can get the Onkyo A-9555 for is $499.99 at B&H Photo in NY. That's the only ClassD amp I would buy right now. I do have ProMedia 2.1 and also Monsoon 2.1, which are planar speakers, and for $100.00 the ProMedia's are good little computer speakers. You still haven't shown me a better setup for $100.00 yet. I'm waiting. I've been buying audio gear since 1976 so am not talking out of my ass.
 
I just ordered the Z-4i for 36$ from eBay. They got some pretty good reviews. (the z-4i is white the z-4 is black)
 
illgiveumorality said:
B&H Photo! What a great place.

I think dan is speaking sense, though. The T-amp has become highly reputable by many audiophiles for its abnormal amount of clarity. It is only good for near field, though.
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No he isn't because he still hasn't shown me a decent T amp and speaker combo for $100.00 or less that can better the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. He has to include a sub too. It just can not be done for anywhere near $100.00. This Dan guy is very opinionated anyway so I discount most of what he says by default.
 
I'm still plenty damn happy with my ProMedia 2.1 THX set (coming up on three years now), and would recommend them in a hot minute. Failing that, the field's wide open...
 
milkweg said:
No he isn't because he still hasn't shown me a decent T amp and speaker combo for $100.00 or less that can better the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. He has to include a sub too. It just can not be done for anywhere near $100.00. This Dan guy is very opinionated anyway so I discount most of what he says by default.
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He clearly said he would take a 2.0 over the ProMedias', so no...he doesn't have to include a sub. You can easily build 2.0 system using bookshelf speakers and a T amp for ~$100.
 
milkweg said:
I don't know about the US but in Canada right now London Drugs are selling the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 for $99.99 CAD. These speakers use to cost $299.99 CAD at one time. I paid $199.99 CAD and that was considered a very good price at the time.
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The Pro Media 2.1 is the only dedicated computer set I'd buy. Even if they are $60-$70 more than your budget they are worth every damn cent. Provided you have a decent sound card. If you could get them for $100 you'd be insane not to buy them.
 
PolygonGTC said:
The Pro Media 2.1 is the only dedicated computer set I'd buy. Even if they are $60-$70 more than your budget they are worth every damn cent. Provided you have a decent sound card. If you could get them for $100 you'd be insane not to buy them.
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LOL
 
aznpxdd said:
He clearly said he would take a 2.0 over the ProMedias', so no...he doesn't have to include a sub. You can easily build 2.0 system using bookshelf speakers and a T amp for ~$100.
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And where are the low frequencies going to come from? Your ass? At first I thought my Energy RC-1's would suffice but once I hooked them up I realized they definitely needed a sub to go along with them. Or are you going to claim there are bookshelf speakers for under $100.00 that do low frequencies well too? Uh, how much is the T amp? Which is going to be cheap junk if it is only $50.00. Now find me a good bookshelf speakers for the $50.00 you have left over. Can't be done!
 
dandragonrage said:
We should all know where people who use this argument end up.
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Well, it's more valid than someone who is clearly making biased comments with nothing to back up their claims. I'm still waiting for you to show me what it is exactly you are telling us to buy for $100.00 that will better the ProMedia's 2.1. Show links to online stores with prices. If you can't do that then STFU.

Still waiting for you to tell me what DAC the M-Audio Firewire Solo uses that you claim is better than the EMU0404 USB too. My guess is you have never even heard an EMU0404 USB. My guess is also that you are a young twerp who knows very little about audio quality and is just being a parrot.
 
milkweg said:
And where are the low frequencies going to come from? Your ass? At first I thought my Energy RC-1's would suffice but once I hooked them up I realized they definitely needed a sub to go along with them. Or are you going to claim there are bookshelf speakers for under $100.00 that do low frequencies well too? Uh, how much is the T amp? Which is going to be cheap junk if it is only $50.00. Now find me a good bookshelf speakers for the $50.00 you have left over. Can't be done!
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It can be done on Craigslist though lol. Get something better than the Klipsch easily enough.
 
milkweg said:
Still waiting for you to tell me what DAC the M-Audio Firewire Solo uses that you claim is better than the EMU0404 USB too. My guess is you have never even heard an EMU0404 USB. My guess is also that you are a young twerp who knows very little about audio quality and is just being a parrot.
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says the guy who hasn't heard a Firewire Solo or a T amp. You STFU.
 
As tempting as a T-amp + bookshelf speakers is, I'd rather try to find something as an integrated system, like a 2.1 computer setup or 2.0 active monitors. I'm very close to trying the M-Audio Studiophile AV30.

Plus, the original T-amp is discontinued, and I haven't really found any reviews on the 2nd edition of it. Is it the same amp in a prettier package? Either way, that amp goes for something like $60 now, which gives me $40 to find a decent set of bookshelf speakers.
 
spaceman said:
LOL
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Care to enlighten me on what is so damn funny? He's looking for a dedicated 2.1 computer setup and I haven't found one better than the Promedia 2.1, just avoid the GMX.

Any tool bag knows that you can get a better set of bookshelf speakers powered by a separate amplifier.
 
CountChoculaBot said:
Yarr
http://www.buy.com/prod/sonic-impac...gital-audio-amplifier/q/loc/111/90136534.html
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They don't give you any of the important specs, most likely because they are so abysmal you wouldn't want to buy them.

CountChoculaBot said:
Yarr
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...ignia&lp=7&type=product&cp=2&id=1138085354138

Pick em up in store if you can

Or try bidding for it
http://cgi.ebay.com/Insignia-6-1-2-...ryZ14991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Once again, if you don't care about sound quality then buy them. With a 90dB sensitivity level I'm not very impressed though it's better than most 2.1 systems.
 
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I love the z2300's. You could always get that set and upgrade the satellites later. They are are really good buy imo. The remote is convenient and they can be pumped up loud enough and not distort to entertain a small apartment party.
 
PolygonGTC: Do a Google search for T-Amp review and you will be very surprised. I haven't actually heard them that's why I'm wondering. As for the speakers I have no clue.
 
chewmanji said:
PolygonGTC: Do a Google search for T-Amp review and you will be very surprised. I haven't actually heard them that's why I'm wondering. As for the speakers I have no clue.
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There are some good ClassD amps out there but they are not selling for less than forty bucks. Look up Onkyo A-9555 and Red Wine Audio for good examples of what I am talking about. They will cost you a lot more than forty bucks.
 
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