Best PC Speakers for 2009?

[Shaitan00]

I've got an old pair of (2.1) PC speakers that I've been using since 2004 (Samsung), they worked perfectly fine (200W sub, 2x 14W speakers) and they just died on me - so obviously I'm looking for a replacement...

Most of my time is spent watching shows on my PC (TV), gaming, and some music - I am by far not a music audiofile expert but I appreciate quality sound. I'm looking to spend between $75 - $200 (USD) for a nicer pair of speakers - now the only question is ... which ones ...

I've done some reading and 2 things really suprised me:
1- I would have assumed (5.1) was the way of the future, but for my needs (and in general) most reviewers seem to recommend (2.1) instead, for the price/quality that is
2- The highest rated speakers are from 2004 !...!

Seems the general concensus is the following:
1- (2.1) Logitech Z-2300
2- (2.1) Altec Lansing's VS2321
3- (2.1) Harman Kardon Soundsticks

Seriously ... the best on the market is still an old 2004 PC speakers...?
I do not have a hard time believing that (2.1) is best for my needs (and price) but to go for a system like the Logitech Z-2300 (from 2004..?)

So, obviously I'm here looking for feedback, I love "nifty" speakers (like the SoundSticks which look like an awsome Jellyfish) but they still have to work well (15W sub is pretty pathetic no?) ....

Any comments, feedback, ideas, etc... would be much appreciated - having a hard time swallowing that in 2009 I'll be buying 2004 speakers again...
Thanks,

 

[CRSharff]

Per recommendation on Hardforum I am absolutely loving my Swan M10's. I would absolutely recommend them, that is if you can find them. I believe theaudioinsider.com is the only place that carries them, if they don't have the Swan M10's the other recommendation I've seen is the Swan M200MkII. Infact I was debating between the M10's and the M200MkII but my budget could only affort the M10's.

Edit: Just checked the Audio Insider and it looks like they are no longer carrying the Swan M10's but I have seen them go in and out of stock before.

 

[Shaitan00]

What about the Swam M12's?
I can't find the M10's anywhere ... these seem like the new ones ....

 

[JaguarSKX]

I use Klipsch ProMedia 2.1.

Great sound quality and the bass is pretty tight for a PC speaker set.

The negative is the power switch is on the subwoofer unit. Powering on the speakers causes the two main speakers to make a 'pop' sound.

 

[heatlesssun]

I've seen deals on Logitech Z-5500's around $200 in the past, not sure what the best deal on them is these days. NewEgg currently has them listed at $302. Seems like they've gone up a bit, I paid about $250 for mine about two years ago. These speakers are pretty much unanimously considered awesome. If you can find them within your price range or are willing to spend extra to get them you won't be disappointed.

Not really sure where you're getting the idea that 2.1 speakers would be better than 5.1. I'll never go back to 2.1 speakers for my main rig (gaming, music, Blu Ray/DVD/HDTV).

 

[CRSharff]

What about the Swam M12's?
I can't find the M10's anywhere ... these seem like the new ones ....

Not necessarily. I don't believe the M12's are the successor to the M10's. Although I have not heard anything about the quality/performance of the M12's I think they were built more for computer gaming and therefore may not be as good as the M10's.

These speakers are pretty much unanimously considered awesome. If you can find them within your price range or are willing to spend extra to get them you won't be disappointed.

Have you ever jumped over to the Computer Audio section. I have never personally used or heard the Z-5500s but if you were to follow the advice of people in that subforum they would tell you to stay far away from the Z-5500's unless all you are using them for is gaming.

From doing lots of research when I was looking for a really nice 2.1 set. The consensus seemed to be that a lot of speakers made for computers lacked in good quality sound. I was told that if I would be using them for music/movies at all, that a lot of the common computer speaker systems just don't produce a nice sound.