Looking for ~$100 2.1 speakers, maybe

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expert464

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Feb 25, 2005
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I just recently built a HTPC for my living room and have the computer hooked up to these 2.1 desktop speakers http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/altec-lansing-vs2121-pc/4505-3179_7-30826052.html which I can tell from reading through posts on this board is going to make a lot of you cringe or shake your heads.

I don't know much of anything about speakers but I'd like to get a new set to replace these. I don't want to go down the 5.1 or 7.1 route and would use them mostly for music. I've read a lot of reccomendations for the Swan M10's, but a few have pointed out that it doesnt have a true subwoofer. Also its kind of on the high end for what I'd like to pay. Is a 2.0 set out of the question because it would also have bad lows? If I just got a 2.0 set wouldn't I need an amp to hook it up to a computer? My living room is not very big and most people would be roughly 6-8ft from the speakers. Would most of this stuff have to be ordered online or would Best Buy or a similar store carry these sorts of things?

Also I'm just using onboard sound right now from the computer. I have a spare Audigy2 in an old computer from maybe 2002 I might be able to fit into it, would this be worth plugging in?
 
These look like they might be decent for what they cost, they're made out of wood unlike most speakers in that price range.
 
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I have the Logitech Z-cinema speakers and they sound great. they do have one big down side to them in that they are USB speakers. So it will bypass your soundcard as it has its own built in. The sub is an 8inch and is very heavy as are the Satellites, these aren't some cheap speakers pushed to there max, they are designed to handle the wattage sent to them, 180watts total. The 2 way Satellites have dual power cables going to them so they can be adjusted more precisly.
I really like them, I got mine for $80 shipped if you look around you can find deals on them but at alot of places they sell for over $180 and shipping isn't cheap as these things are heavy.
One thing to note is these speakers have SRS Surround and the SRS actually works. I have had other speakers that said they had SRS or sound cards that had it, but they never had the quality of Surround that these speakers have. before the sound was just anoying but with these the sounds really seem to come from behind.
 
not gonna get much for that budget. that's why swan m10s are suggested because it's probably the best quality 2.1 sound you can get at the price. just don't expect monster bass, though. still, the "sub" handles itself pretty well for the most part. i assure you, it will definitely be a huge upgrade soundwise from your altec lansing setup.
 
I would honestly advise you save for just a little longer until you can afford something that will be a substantial upgrade. Go audition a nice pair of speakers at a hi-fi store to see what you're missing. If you just make tiny upgrades you will never be happy and will end up wasting more money than if you had just bought the right thing the first time. Trust me.
 
There's plenty of affordable 2.0 sets that would have a decent amount of bass, it might not go as low as a dedicated subwoofer but you might find it's a lot more enjoyable to actually listen to (and if the type of music you listen to absolutely demands more bass you can always pair them with a dedicated sub down the line)... I'd stretch the budget up to $120 or $150 to get something worthwhile tho. It's not that the Swan M10 aren't a good set of speakers, but you can get something noticeably beefier ('specially for HTPC use and listening to music from across the room) w/o investing that much more.

You'll find plenty of recommendations at a slightly higher price on these boards... For listening to music tho, I'd say even those Swan would be a significangt upgrade over those Altec Lansing or most anything in Logitech/Creative's lineup. No offense to those who are happy with their purchases from said manufacturers, I had my share of speakers from them too, but once you try something decidedly better built it's hard to believe you wasted any money on 'em. /shrug
 
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