2.1 recommendations

[Williamea]

I am looking for a 2.1 setup to replace my 10+ year old Cambridge Soundworks set.
Primary use - Gaming.
Price range - Would like to stay around $150
Connected to a Sound Blaster Z

 

[Williamea]

Narrowed down to the following:
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Swan M10 or M20
Custom setup - I have an older receiver sitting around.

 

[Proglin]

I´m in the same boat. I prefer small speaker with woofer. My last one was Cambridge Soundworks too.

 

[Proglin]

Something like this:

SoundWare XS 2.1 Stereo Speaker System

But it is expensive

 

[mannyman]

Well if you have a receiver laying around grab a pair of Micca MB42 speakers $59.95

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A

And a Polk PSW10 $89.99

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Monitor-Subwoofer/dp/B0002KVQBA

 

[Williamea]

Decided to go the custom route and use the receiver I have.
Think I have decided on the Polk also. Seems to be the best Bang/Buck around that price point.
Now trying to pick out some bookshelf speakers.

 

[mannyman]

The micca speakers i listed are quite small and very good.

 

[Williamea]

The Miccas seem to be really nice. Watched a few review vids. Any other suggestions? Budget is around 100-150

 

[samm]

Kips are good, but in their longevity record is tainted with alot of sub and amp overheat and eventual failures. I went with the Z623 but their highs are lacking.

If your an audiophile and want a universal system so anything can be used with the system I`d go receiver and separates. Its awesome but costly and quick or time consuming and reasonable.

If your the occasional audiophile I`d pick up any respectable 2.1 computer system and call it a day. Watts are not that important here but balance.

 

[96redformula]

Hm...If you are totally about quality sound.

Micca MB42X Speakers
http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-B...F8&qid=1384852044&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42x

Lepai T-Amp
http://www.amazon.com/LP-2020A-Lepai-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y

Monoprice 8" Sub
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=8248&seq=1&format=2

Speakers + Amp + Sub
$80 + 20 + $60
$160 total

I think you would be hard-pressed to find any system that can match it under $250. You can get one of the other subs that has going on sale @ amazon for $70, the polk or pioneer if you so choose.

 

[Williamea]

So I have my old receiver(Technics from late 90s) connected to a really old set of Sony bookshelf speakers(SS-U 4030) and center(from a surround set in the mid 90s) and a Polk PWS10.
HOLY COW. What a HUGE difference. Playing BF4 is a completely new and better experience.

The Bookshelf speakers are really to large for my desk(8") and I really cannot wait to try a new set. Thinking 5-6" would be the largest I would want to go.

 

[atarione]

if you can find some locally

Realistic minimus 7 /77s (or similar optimus branded speakers) make excellent pc speakers I have a number of pairs I have aquired for $10~15 a pair at 2nd hand places


no longer made sadly but they are really quite good and are small ... you can buy them on ebay for ~$50 pretty much always.


a couple of other ideas used speakers can be a amazing deal... right now on my desk I have the following speakers

Monitor Audio Silver S1 (paid $11.25 for these... if u can find a pair buy them amazing but I wouldn't honestly hold your breath on a $11.25 pair )

NHT SuperZero (i paid $50~ shipped for the pair used ..bought these off a different audio forum i belong to) ... these + sub == amazing audiophile quality sound they cost about $100ea new.

I also have the aforementioned minimus 7's and optimus Pro-X5 speakers on my desk (paid $10 for each pair of those.

my wife uses some Teac's I paid $5 for the pair for ...

and I also have some JBL J2050 in near mint shape paid $35 for these are nice sounding speakers also.


a couple pics

older pic w/ the JBL's and NHT superzero's

and with the Monitor Audio Silver S1s



Uploaded with ImageShack.us




if not wanting to look for used speakers (or if having no luck) since you have the polks sub anyways there is of course the always popular Monitor 30 or TSi100

$99 monitor 30's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290200



the Pioneer SP-BS41-LR $130~

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117406


Mordaunt Short Carnival 1 $115~

http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Short-Carnival-Speakers-Black/dp/B004EG5YKC

 

[96redformula]

if you can find some locally

Realistic minimus 7 /77s (or similar optimus branded speakers) make excellent pc speakers I have a number of pairs I have aquired for $10~15 a pair at 2nd hand places


no longer made sadly but they are really quite good and are small ... you can buy them on ebay for ~$50 pretty much always.


a couple of other ideas used speakers can be a amazing deal... right now on my desk I have the following speakers

Monitor Audio Silver S1 (paid $11.25 for these... if u can find a pair buy them amazing but I wouldn't honestly hold your breath on a $11.25 pair )

NHT SuperZero (i paid $50~ shipped for the pair used ..bought these off a different audio forum i belong to) ... these + sub == amazing audiophile quality sound they cost about $100ea new.

I also have the aforementioned minimus 7's and optimus Pro-X5 speakers on my desk (paid $10 for each pair of those.

my wife uses some Teac's I paid $5 for the pair for ...

and I also have some JBL J2050 in near mint shape paid $35 for these are nice sounding speakers also.


if not wanting to look for used speakers (or if having no luck) since you have the polks sub anyways there is of course the always popular Monitor 30 or TSi100

$99 monitor 30's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290200



the Pioneer SP-BS41-LR $130~

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117406


Mordaunt Short Carnival 1 $115~

http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Short-Carnival-Speakers-Black/dp/B004EG5YKC

I have heard the Poneers/Polks/NHTs mentioned, I don't think they have anything over the Miccas and are more expensive at that.

 

[atarione]

I have heard the Poneers/Polks/NHTs mentioned, I don't think they have anything over the Miccas and are more expensive at that.

Bold... claim indeed... I have not listened to the miccas (i have heard good things) but I will have to try to check them out..

what was driving the NHT's I have mine hooked up to a vintage (mint~ish) Pioneer SX-3600 and they are so detailed and revealing it is truly astounding..

my NHT's have build quality all over those micca's looking at the pics (very nice piano black finish on the nhts) .....I am not sure if the current ones are but my older SuperZero's were built in the USA .. which matters to me

i have 5 sets of USA built speakers (all used /vintage) JBL L1, JBL J2050, klipsch KG 2.5G, Advent 9s, and my NHT SuperZero's

but i digress if you though the miccas didn't loose out to the NHT SuperZero's I would have to wonder if there was issues with the set up.....but having not heard them can't say ...the reviews I have seen of the miccas make them sound good for being cheap...

 

[450]

Bose Acoustimass 3 or 5 if size is an issue.

 

[Williamea]

I listened to several sets of the cheaper (100-150 range. Think they were the TSX series) Polk speakers at Frys and didn't really like them - To large and didn't really sound that great IMO. I did however love the Klipsch RB-41 II (perfect size for the desk and sounded great) but they were a little more than I wanted to pay at $239.

 

[450]

I listened to several sets of the cheaper (100-150 range. Think they were the TSX series) Polk speakers at Frys and didn't really like them - To large and didn't really sound that great IMO. I did however love the Klipsch RB-41 II (perfect size for the desk and sounded great) but they were a little more than I wanted to pay at $239.

Don't judge a set of speakers by how they sound in a showroom. It will sound much different once you get it set up at home. Consider getting the RB41 used.

 

[96redformula]

Bold... claim indeed... I have not listened to the miccas (i have heard good things) but I will have to try to check them out..

what was driving the NHT's I have mine hooked up to a vintage (mint~ish) Pioneer SX-3600 and they are so detailed and revealing it is truly astounding..

my NHT's have build quality all over those micca's looking at the pics (very nice piano black finish on the nhts) .....I am not sure if the current ones are but my older SuperZero's were built in the USA .. which matters to me

i have 5 sets of USA built speakers (all used /vintage) JBL L1, JBL J2050, klipsch KG 2.5G, Advent 9s, and my NHT SuperZero's

but i digress if you though the miccas didn't loose out to the NHT SuperZero's I would have to wonder if there was issues with the set up.....but having not heard them can't say ...the reviews I have seen of the miccas make them sound good for being cheap...

Oh, yes, excuse me on that part. The NHT SuperZeros do whoops the hell outta the Miccas look wise, its a no contest on that front. The Miccas look as plain as can be, the NHT SuperZero's demand attention with the gloss finish.