Computer speaker setup 2.0 or 2.1 for $50-$100

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Citizen86

Supreme [H]ardness
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Feb 20, 2007
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Hey guys,

So I've been reading through the forums and seeing what others have been looking for and suggesting. I'm looking for some speakers mostly for music and movies. I will play games, but nothing competitive and I sometimes use headphones anyways.

Inputs will probably be my laptop (which has optical out and 5.1 out), but I'm only looking for 2.0 or 2.1 really. Also would like to hook the Wii up to it most likely. I have an HDMI converter so the Wii has a 3.5mm out as well.

One thing to note, I don't mind bookshelf speakers, but I'll probably avoid picking up any type of receiver.

What would the most decent set be for $50-100? Thanks for the input guys.
 
wow i just wanted to make the same topic!
my 5.1 system broke (the hell with 5.1 anyway),i myself am looking at some 2.0 speakers in same budged,something that doesnt require an amplifier....
these are some recomandations i found so far donno if they require an amp or not..
1) Microlab Solo 4C
2) Magnat Monitor Supreme 100
 
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If the budget is stretched a few more bucks, are the Swan M10's still the best bang for buck?

Thanks Gokuz for the recommendations. I haven't heard of either of those

Edit: I decided to take a quick look at some local receivers on Craigslist, just to see if there was anything amazing. I know I said I didn't want a receiver, but if sound is that much better, I'm considering it. There were some real cheap ones, but only a few that had optical/coaxial in.

I found these two:

ONKYO AV REC HR 500 $ 75 - I think this is actually an HT-R500, at least I hope so. Has more than enough for me, 2 optical in, etc.
Onkyo TX-SR308 Reciever $80 - This one looks nicer. He says Best Buy refurbished it, and the images are still in bubble wrap... I would need to make sure it works before handing him the cash.

Are either of those must-haves at the price?
 
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Ok my speakers arived today Microlab 4C and all i can say they are awsome :) they have build in amp ,they are pretty loud for 1 room and the sound is clear.If u still haven't decided citizen86 try and look for them,i know its only 1 day experience but i like what i hear :) they look damn nice also.
 
Logitech z2300
Used them for 3 years ,and they are quite good.
Got good reviews all round as well.
Only downside is the bass can be a bit overwhelming.
 
gokuz said:
Ok my speakers arived today Microlab 4C and all i can say they are awsome :) they have build in amp ,they are pretty loud for 1 room and the sound is clear.If u still haven't decided citizen86 try and look for them,i know its only 1 day experience but i like what i hear :) they look damn nice also.
Click to expand...

Where can you get them in america. I have wanted a pair of B77's or Solo 7C's. For quite a while.


neera said:
Logitech z2300
Used them for 3 years ,and they are quite good.
Got good reviews all round as well.
Only downside is the bass can be a bit overwhelming.
Click to expand...

Also you have no low mids. Like at all.
 
criccio said:
And by more you mean overly loud booming bass with no control? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
No, more like being able to turn the volume up loud enough to hear without distortion. After doing research, and my experience with the AV40s, I won't buy from M-Audio again.
 
For $100 I'd recommend the following deal from Amazon (assuming you got the deskspace):

Dayton B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair - $44.50

LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply - $19.89

RCA AH16100SN 100 Ft. 16-Gauge Speaker Wire - $10.48

Total: $74.87

This is an entry level setup. It should sound good for the money, but set your expectations accordingly. With 6.5-inch woofers the low-end should be acceptable even without a sub (though I'd recommend adding a sub later, when you can afford it). If you don't need speaker wire, you can put the extra cash toward a better amp (like one with input switching) and still be under $100. Pyle makes a few good ones (Amazon has them for about the same price, if you prefer to buy from there, but I'm linking to Parts-Express because they have better pictures):

Pyle Pro PTA1 Mini 2x15W Stereo Amplifier - $39.00

That one has a headphone output and 2 inputs so you can hook up your laptop and Wii and just switch between them. Pyle has a good reputation from what I've heard, I'm sure others can comment on them.
 
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braamer said:
No, more like being able to turn the volume up loud enough to hear without distortion. After doing research, and my experience with the AV40s, I won't buy from M-Audio again.
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My roommate owns them so I know you're either lying through your teeth or had faulty speakers. He has AV40's and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's on his desk. Playing music between the two is night and day. Atrocious on the Klipshes, a complete muddled mess with zero midrange; detailed, clear and crisp at all spectrum's with the M-Audio's.

They're studio monitors for a reason. They are designed first and foremost to reproduce music/audio with absolute accuracy.. and they live up to that name in spades, especially given the price.

Sigh..

Cheap plastic computer speakers sound like crap. Period. They're just loud...
 
criccio said:
My roommate owns them so I know you're either lying through your teeth or had faulty speakers. He has AV40's and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's on his desk. Playing music between the two is night and day. Atrocious on the Klipshes, a complete muddled mess with zero midrange; detailed, clear and crisp at all spectrum's with the M-Audio's.

They're studio monitors for a reason. They are designed first and foremost to reproduce music/audio with absolute accuracy.. and they live up to that name in spades, especially given the price.

Sigh..

Cheap plastic computer speakers sound like crap. Period. They're just loud...
Click to expand...

Yeah the AV30's are not the AV40's. Only one person suggested any box computer speakers. And you haven't said a thing to him. The AV series are decent at best and suffer from poor craftsmanship crappy customer support and If they are such good studio monitors how come anytime you go to a studio they don't have a set?
 
mannyman said:
Yeah the AV30's are not the AV40's. Only one person suggested any box computer speakers. And you haven't said a thing to him. The AV series are decent at best and suffer from poor craftsmanship crappy customer support and If they are such good studio monitors how come anytime you go to a studio they don't have a set?
Click to expand...

What have you suggested for under $100?

To answer your last question, most studio's don't have $100 budget for monitors. :p Hell, if I had no budget i'd be surrounded by Genelec's ;)
 
Well for under 100 the passives plus a t-amp is the king. Yeah but a lot of studios use 300 dollar pair of monitors. Money is no object for them but it doesn't mean they buy expensive stuff.
 
Well this thread took off, eh? Thanks for all the recommendations.

Here's a question, how are the M-Audio's vs. the Pioneers everyone suggests for $100?
 
Personally, I hated the AV-30s when I had them. Way too recessed, laid-back and "boxy" sounding. What's more, the mid-bass is bloated to make up for their lack of size, and the resulting sound grated my nerves.

Honestly, I've heard the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 set before. While imperfect, I'd take it any day over the M-Audio offerings.

IMHO your best bet in the $100 range is either a) the ProMedias, or b) decent $75 bookshelf speakers coupled with the Dayton DTA-1 T-amp.
 
Citizen86 said:
Well this thread took off, eh? Thanks for all the recommendations.

Here's a question, how are the M-Audio's vs. the Pioneers everyone suggests for $100?
Click to expand...

No contest. The pioneers are the best speaker for the money.
 
King of Heroes said:
For $100 I'd recommend the following deal from Amazon (assuming you got the deskspace):

Dayton B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair - $44.50

LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply - $19.89

RCA AH16100SN 100 Ft. 16-Gauge Speaker Wire - $10.48

Total: $74.87

This is an entry level setup. It should sound good for the money, but set your expectations accordingly. With 6.5-inch woofers the low-end should be acceptable even without a sub (though I'd recommend adding a sub later, when you can afford it). If you don't need speaker wire, you can put the extra cash toward a better amp (like one with input switching) and still be under $100. Pyle makes a few good ones (Amazon has them for about the same price, if you prefer to buy from there, but I'm linking to Parts-Express because they have better pictures):

Pyle Pro PTA1 Mini 2x15W Stereo Amplifier - $39.00

That one has a headphone output and 2 inputs so you can hook up your laptop and Wii and just switch between them. Pyle has a good reputation from what I've heard, I'm sure others can comment on them.
Click to expand...

+1
Bookshelf speakers paired with a decent amp will always be lightyears better than any computer speaker system. I would look at other amps as well to expand your options.
 
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criccio said:
My roommate owns them so I know you're either lying through your teeth or had faulty speakers. He has AV40's and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's on his desk. Playing music between the two is night and day. Atrocious on the Klipshes, a complete muddled mess with zero midrange; detailed, clear and crisp at all spectrum's with the M-Audio's.

They're studio monitors for a reason. They are designed first and foremost to reproduce music/audio with absolute accuracy.. and they live up to that name in spades, especially given the price.

Sigh..

Cheap plastic computer speakers sound like crap. Period. They're just loud...
Click to expand...
Thanks for accusing me of lying. Ad hominem attacks are always so effective.

I just replaced the AV40s within the last two weeks. I would have to say they were faulty speakers... faulty design. Go read reviews, and you will find out I'm not the only one who has had issues with humming, crackling at higher volumes (not loud, mind you), and poor volumes pots.

They were good in the beginning, but didn't last long at all. I bought them to replace Monsoon M-2000s. I sure wish I still had those.
 
The AV40 aren't bad for the money, they've just developed too many QC issues with time... Samson, while not known for craftsmanship, makes a line of powered monitors in the same price range (MediaOne) that are more reliable, at least in my experience (with three pairs of them).

If another small component on your desk and/or a larger speaker footprint isn't a big issue then you're better off with passive bookshelf speakers and an amp tho, like the Lepai amp + Daytons mentioned above or one of the Polk, Pioneer, and Infinity bookshelves that Newegg puts on sale all the time (they get discounted $50+ off so you'd spend like $125 total).

A setup with passives is way easier to upgrade down the line (say, if you wanna add a sub) or even repurpose for use with a TV, with a Bluetooth receiver in a bedroom, etc. Powered monitors have their place, it's just a less flexible approach that also limits your buying options and price ranges.
 
I'm sure the comparison has been made before, but since it's so heavily suggested, the Pioneers + T-amp will be better for everything than the Swan M10's? Music, movies, games, etc. Personal use and for filling a room?
 
IMO, yes. The Pioneers need some back clearance since they're rear ported, but the Swan setup would be even more troublesome to place with that desk-bound mid woofer, the Pioneers are a better value (specially if you're getting the larger B41 for close to $100 during a sale).
 
King of Heroes said:
For $100 I'd recommend the following deal from Amazon (assuming you got the deskspace):

Dayton B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair - $44.50

LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply - $19.89

RCA AH16100SN 100 Ft. 16-Gauge Speaker Wire - $10.48

Total: $74.87

This is an entry level setup. It should sound good for the money, but set your expectations accordingly. With 6.5-inch woofers the low-end should be acceptable even without a sub (though I'd recommend adding a sub later, when you can afford it). If you don't need speaker wire, you can put the extra cash toward a better amp (like one with input switching) and still be under $100. Pyle makes a few good ones (Amazon has them for about the same price, if you prefer to buy from there, but I'm linking to Parts-Express because they have better pictures):

Pyle Pro PTA1 Mini 2x15W Stereo Amplifier - $39.00

That one has a headphone output and 2 inputs so you can hook up your laptop and Wii and just switch between them. Pyle has a good reputation from what I've heard, I'm sure others can comment on them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendations. I was wondering if these Sony bookshelf speakers would be worth the extra ~$25 or so extra (note that they are 5 1/4", not 6 1/2 like the Daytons): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OG88KY/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk

Also, is there any amp that would be maybe ~$20-30 more that would be drastically better? I don't need input switching. If not, I'll stick with that one.

This type of setup is totally new to me. I actually came on here to see if the Bose Companion 2 setup was worth the $90 bucks. I just want a 2.0 or 2.1 setup for no more than $100 that will sound a lot better than this cheap 2.1 Logitech that I currently have. I'm concerned about the lack of bass in a 2.0 setup, with no dedicated sub. Also, the 20w per channel on that amp seems like not much to me, but I don't really know. Like I said, this is all new to me. I'm no audiophile. Just want the best sound for my budget.

Thanks again.
 
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wope said:
Thanks for the recommendations. I was wondering if these Sony bookshelf speakers would be worth the extra ~$25 or so extra (note that they are 5 1/4", not 6 1/2 like the Daytons): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OG88KY/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk

Also, is there any amp that would be maybe ~$20-30 more that would be drastically better? I don't need input switching. If not, I'll stick with that one.

This type of setup is totally new to me. I actually came on here to see if the Bose Companion 2 setup was worth the $90 bucks. I just want a 2.0 or 2.1 setup for no more than $100 that will sound a lot better than this cheap 2.1 Logitech that I currently have. I'm concerned about the lack of bass in a 2.0 setup, with no dedicated sub. Also, the 20w per channel on that amp seems like not much to me, but I don't really know. Like I said, this is all new to me. I'm no audiophile. Just want the best sound for my budget.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

If you need the headphone amp get the Lepai and spend the 25 on a Fiio D5 i decent little dac/headphone amp.

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Audio-Decoder-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B005LSV04G
 
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