Old PC speakers better than new ones?

I'd say trust your ears and return them if you're unsatisfied. A lot of mainstream speaker brands have gone the cheap route in modern times. If you state your budget and space limits, the folks here can easily make some recommendations.
 
If you have desk space:
Dayton Speakers/Lepai T-AMP/ computer to RCA Plugs cable/ 6amp monitor power supply
Alternate speaers Pioneer BR41 on sae from newegg, or Polk
2A included power supply hums or distorts at higher volumes, 6A much better(not exact power brick I purchased, do not see that anymore, )

http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-...id=1405573728&sr=8-1&keywords=dayton+speakers

http://www.amazon.com/LP-2020A-Lepa...id=1405573768&sr=8-3&keywords=dayton+speakers

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z

http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Power...05573880&sr=1-2&keywords=monitor+power+supply
 
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seems creative leaves alot to be desired in terms of quality, i like wtourist suggestion of T-amp, and bookshelf speakers, im using a similar setup and cannot see myself going back to a 2.1. If 2.1 is your thing its a little over your budget but the corsair SP2500 seem decent.
 
The cheap stuff in speakers has actually declined as years go past. For example old mono TV sets had much higher sound quality than the new flat panels. Even though they were mono, they had space for a large 6x9" or 5x3" speaker that was sometimes even boxed. Now the panels have tiny speakers, almost like in mobile phones.

Same progress is seen also in entry-level speakers, the stuff is produced out of thin plastic and increasingly cheaply. Did you know that when you buy a stereo set from the shop, the included OEM 5-8" speakers cost around 5 dollars a pair to manufacture in 90's? :) Now they're produced even cheaper, using plastic instead of wood.

No wonder 'stereo sets' sound like crap.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Shor...5589845&sr=8-1&keywords=mordaunt+short+alumni

I have noted this deal in another topic, but if you get a pair of these and pair them with a Topping or Lepai, it might work out pretty well. The price on those speakers is quite a steal, I think. I'm not sure how the sensitivity plays with those amps, but I'm fairly certain it'll be alright for near field listening... could always just return the amp and get a stronger one (Sewell or something) if it doesn't work out. You can add a woofer in later if it doesn't work out.



As for earphones, that's a different ballpark. Yours are probably trash. If you don't mind headphones, you can easily get something <=150$ that you will like. DT990, HD598, etc.
 
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You're not alone in this... I have an ancient pair of LCS-800 Labtec speakers that came with the Reveal multimedia system my Dad got for my 486DX back in the early 1990s... and those speakers STILL sound better than any computer stereo speakers I've been able to find since. Most stereo speakers made now are a lot thinner.

I'm deaf in one ear, so most of the more expensive solutions are impractical for me... I can't even really hear in stereo, let alone 7 channels of sound. Best I can do is simulate stereo by putting a pair of stereo speakers on one side of my head, and place one speaker above the other so that the sound seems to be coming from different places.

Don't get me wrong, there ARE better stereo speakers out there if you're willing to pay the big bucks. But they're not really designed for use with computers, and you'd probably need speaker wire and an RCA to 1/8" Y-adapter to make them work.
 
You should also consider a soundcard. The creative Z series starts around $56. That will clear things up considerably. Again, 2 good speakers and a real amp will sound MUCH cleaner than some 2.1 pc speaker crapola.
 
I miss the various Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 computer speaker systems they had 10-15 years ago. I think they were among the first to make a serious attempt at computer speakers that sort-of, sometimes, sound decent. I know they still sell some systems, Microworks, etc, but it's just low-quality re-branded Creative trash now.
 
spaceman said:
You should also consider a soundcard. The creative Z series starts around $56. That will clear things up considerably. Again, 2 good speakers and a real amp will sound MUCH cleaner than some 2.1 pc speaker crapola.
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This is absolutely ridiculous and completely untrue advice. Also, $56 would be a waste, even if you think it's "just $56."

Adding $56 to ANY other component in his system would be MUCH better. It takes a lot of distortion to make sound "muffled" and it's going to be your speakers doing that... period.
 
dandragonrage said:
This is absolutely ridiculous and completely untrue advice. Also, $56 would be a waste, even if you think it's "just $56."

Adding $56 to ANY other component in his system would be MUCH better. It takes a lot of distortion to make sound "muffled" and it's going to be your speakers doing that... period.
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See where I wrote consider? He may want to add a bit to the total for improved gaming sound.

Consider, verb: think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision.

Example: You should consider acting civilly towards myself and others in the future.
 
spaceman said:
See where I wrote consider? He may want to add a bit to the total for improved gaming sound.

Consider, verb: think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision.

Example: You should consider acting civilly towards myself and others in the future.
Click to expand...
Not possible for the angry gecko.
 
Do these 2 speaker bookshelf setups still require a separate subwoofer if someone wants the deep bass they provide? If so any recommendations on a good subwoofer to add to a bookshelf speaker setup? My last set of speakers were Klipsch Promedia 2.1's, loved the bass but haven't listened to anything else really.
 
Yes, you'll need the subwoofer to hit those really deep notes. I ditched an old Logitech 5.1 system for the M-Audio AV40 (a 2.0 stereo pair). Yes, the sound quality is very good, but no, they can't match the Logitech sub for depth. A good tradeoff for me might have been the Promedia 2.1, which are very popular, but I've not heard them so can't go further than speculate.

Edit/ I notice you were referring to bookshelf speakers, and I addressed PC speakers. I think the point still stands, that if you need deep bass, you need a sub. If you're more into music than games or movies, then a hefty set of bookshelf speakers would work; my brother has some Polk bookshelves that produce some impressive bass. The only way to know for sure is the audition the set before buying.
 
A subwoofer would give you that last bit of impact yes. However, a good pair of bookshelf speakers have good bass down to around 60-70 hz.
 
I have to wonder how many people actually have the space / room arrangement to really benefit that much from a sub woofer with their pc setups vs how many are just needlessly pissing off their neighbors / housemates / wife..etc


right now I'm listening to my Monitor Audio Silver S1 speakers ($11~ at GW) hooked up to a 80s Kenwood KR-V106R ($20) ... taking up a bit of desk space to be sure but $31 worth of PC audio ain't hardly ever sounded so good.

near field most bookshelf speakers go low enough (for me at least) to not really miss a sub or feel one is needed... of course that is just me and might depend on musical preferences to be sure ....
 
@ the_b_man and spaceman:

I noticed wtourist mentioned bookshelf speakers and since the OP was talking about 2.1 speakers I was wondering if the lack of a subwoofer would be a big loss.

atarione said:
I have to wonder how many people actually have the space / room arrangement to really benefit that much from a sub woofer with their pc setups vs how many are just needlessly pissing off their neighbors / housemates / wife..etc


right now I'm listening to my Monitor Audio Silver S1 speakers ($11~ at GW) hooked up to a 80s Kenwood KR-V106R ($20) ... taking up a bit of desk space to be sure but $31 worth of PC audio ain't hardly ever sounded so good.

near field most bookshelf speakers go low enough (for me at least) to not really miss a sub or feel one is needed... of course that is just me and might depend on musical preferences to be sure ....
Click to expand...

I've spent the last several years listening to music through Klipsch Promedia 2.1's when it's just me at the house I love having the bass booming. I listen to lots of African and Caribbean music with heavy use of the bass guitar so I love to crank that up.
 
FM 3370 said:
@ the_b_man and spaceman:

I noticed wtourist mentioned bookshelf speakers and since the OP was talking about 2.1 speakers I was wondering if the lack of a subwoofer would be a big loss.


I've spent the last several years listening to music through Klipsch Promedia 2.1's when it's just me at the house I love having the bass booming. I listen to lots of African and Caribbean music with heavy use of the bass guitar so I love to crank that up.
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Depends on the bookshelf speaker but it shouldn't be a big loss, for instance the sub in the promedia 2.1 setup is only 6.5". You can find lots of bookshelf speakers that size or larger.

I recently picked up a 2.0 setup to replace my old Klipsch V.2-400 setup consisting of 2x JBL LSR308's, and adding a sub seems unnecessary. I bet even something as small as 5" (good quality) bookshelf speakers would do fine in a 2.0 configuration.
 
Old speakers. Yeah I had a pair of these back in the day and for a somewhat budget offering in it's time nothing today sounds as good in it's " budget computer speaker" 2.1 class, though the Logitech X-230's got close.
 
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I won't try to comment on what's normal, but, if you want speakers that are true to the source, those with a flat frequency response can be a step in the right direction.
 
z623 I have them as well. If you search for that, theres this one customer or not (dont really know) who posted paragraphs on paragraphs on why the z623 is absolute crap compared to the z2300. Now I personally didnt see them until after i got them, but some of it i experienced and really dont have a problem.

Basically the Z623s were purchased caz of the power output and the sub. i wanted a clean firing sub that didnt max out on the slightest bass heavy songs. I cross shopped a hk and altec lansing and after hearing them found that the 2.1 market has a simple concept:
you either get a good firing sub but crappy mids and highs or you get a good set of mids and highs paired with a very boomy sub that sounds like someones hammering a steel pillar on the lows.

4.1+ is better.

The only oddball out are the Kips which I recommend to those who can handle an overheating amp later on in its life.
 
I simply upgrade the 50 cents general purpose op-amp in my old Creative 2:1 system's amplification side for a more audio orientated one. Worked a treat for not a lot of cost.
 
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