• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Need speaker ideas

M

mrkma

Weaksauce
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
75
I am looking to get a new speaker setup for my computer. They will be replacing a Logitech z680 5.1 system (I only ever used them in 2.1). I am looking for a good 2.1 setup. I am looking at the klipsch pro media 2.1 system which seems like a great system from what I have read. In the past I have always used logitech so I am also looking at the z623 system. I figured I would ask on here for some suggestions and to get some feedback on this.
 
Personally, I'd skip the $100+ 2.1 multimedia range, and save up to get something better. If possible.
 
heflys20 said:
Personally, I'd skip the $100+ 2.1 multimedia range, and save up to get something better. If possible.
Click to expand...
I could save up for something bigger, but the room is not big enough and I dont have anywhere to put the speakers for a 5.1 setup. I could always save up for a higher quality 5.1 setup, and just use the front 2 or 3 speakers and the sub like I did with my previous setup, but I was hoping to avoid that. The 2.1 systems certainly seem to be lacking though. Nobody seems to make a 2.1 system with really nice specs like they do the 5.1 systems.
 
I think 5.1's systems are cumbersome/headache inducing; particularly if space is an issue. That's just me though, others may disagree. I'd skip that, too. If you need 5.1 sound, headphones would be better. LOL.

Could you fit studio monitors in your room? Something about this big:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBX5D2.html

That's just a base/popular set. You can get better than that around the same price (my JBL LSR305' for instance).

In comparison to my 2.1 set (decent Cyber Acoustics 3908), they crap all over them. In everything. The sound the monitors produce is spacious (bigger sound-stage), detailed/clear and the bass is more defined. Sure, the 6.5 woofer with the 2.1 gets boomy. But it's messy and gets easily distorted, plus it envelopes the weaker satellites.

You could also try a an amp with bookshelfs, though powered monitors may be more suited for near-field depending on choice (there are near-field passives out there).
 
The only high end PC oriented 2.1 sets I know of are the
Focal XS 2.1- $600
Blue Sky eXo2 2.1- $500

The Klipsch system is great for the money but really bare-bones under the hood. I found it slightly shrill but quite good otherwise. Hard to argue with $140 but I did not like them for a number of reasons--every time my computer went to sleep or woke up the speakers popped really loud whether or not the gain was up. I'm still paying for my Blue Sky set but they shock me in a good way every time I play them--plus they don't make a peep unless they are supposed to.
 
the thing is I want to try them out before I buy them, so I am limited to the major stores in terms of selection. The 5.1 systems always seem much better than the 2.1 systems, I am not sure if I should just go with one and just use it as a 2.1 or 3.1 system like I was. I would rather do that as around $400 is my budget. It would be for 70% gaming and 30% music.
 
JahRas said:
If you want the best http://www.kefdirect.com/kef-x300a-powered-digital-hifi-system.html
Click to expand...

I've always been a bit skeptical of those KEF due to their asking price.

However, due to their multimedia (computer) focus, they probably are one of the best in that regard. I'd wager some studio-monitors (considering the numerous options), at half-the-price, would slay them in the sound depart though. Can't say. LOL.

Clearly these are very nice powered monitors... but no sub... no option for adding sub later.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there was that, too. Forgot.

the thing is I want to try them out before I buy them, so I am limited to the major stores in terms of selection. The 5.1 systems always seem much better than the 2.1 systems, I am not sure if I should just go with one and just use it as a 2.1 or 3.1 system like I was. I would rather do that as around $400 is my budget. It would be for 70% gaming and 30% music
Click to expand...

Audition some monitors at somewhere like a Guitar Center. Won't hurt. My JBL's (studio monitors) even slay my 2.1 in the gaming department. They set me back $250 (on sale though) and they included a volume controller.
 
Last edited:
heflys20 said:
My JBL's (studio monitors) even slay my 2.1 in the gaming department. They set me back $250 and they included a volume controller.
Click to expand...

I picked up the JBL 308's simply based on the comments of heflys20 and TheToe! and they are really nice and have been impressed so far. Actually, they are amazing. I need to find TheToe! though, that SOB cost me a set of these speakers and a Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker this week.:p I paid $298 for them so I know the deals are out there.
 
TypeO said:
I picked up the JBL 308's simply based on the comments of heflys20 and TheToe! and they are really nice and have been impressed so far. Actually, they are amazing. I need to find TheToe! though, that SOB cost me a set of these speakers and a Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker this week.:p I paid $298 for them so I know the deals are out there.
Click to expand...

That $298/pair price was quite the deal tbh, more than $75 cheaper than the next-best historical price I could find for new LSR308's. I'd been decided on the LSR308's for a month, hoping for a deal, and just happened to see you post about them being on sale at BH about 15 minutes before that deal expired. In retrospect, I'm glad I'd been looking for the LSR308's specifically for so long because it meant I didn't waste any time pulling the trigger, if I'd had to research them, I would've missed the deal!

From my price research before I bought the LSR308's, the best price I could find was $340 for some blemished open boxers, best reported price I found for new LSR308's was $375 during a buy-one get-one 50% off deal months ago ($250+$125).

The LSR308's are great powered monitors, but finding them for $300 may be difficult. The LSR305's for $240/pair typical street price would be a solid budgetary compromise. Depends on what you listen to really. A lot of hip hop/dubstep/EDM/bass heavy stuff (movie explosions) and I'd say spring for the 308's. For rock, jazz, classical, vocals I'd say you won't be missing anything with the LSR305's.
 
For the small space I have them in, the 305's get pretty low. Not window shaking/stuff falling off the shelf low of course. LOL. They sound good with most genres. When I added the sound-card, they got even louder (the Creative equalizer that came with the on-board sucks).

They sound wonderful gaming. I'm certain the 308's are even better.
 
Bluesun311 said:
The only high end PC oriented 2.1 sets I know of are the
Focal XS 2.1- $600
Blue Sky eXo2 2.1- $500

The Klipsch system is great for the money but really bare-bones under the hood. I found it slightly shrill but quite good otherwise. Hard to argue with $140 but I did not like them for a number of reasons--every time my computer went to sleep or woke up the speakers popped really loud whether or not the gain was up. I'm still paying for my Blue Sky set but they shock me in a good way every time I play them--plus they don't make a peep unless they are supposed to.
Click to expand...

You could also include the PSB Alfa PS1/Sub Series 100 @ $499.99

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_760APS1SUB/PSB-Alpha-PS1-SubSeries-100.html?tp=252

The Definitive Technology Inclines are wonderful. Even though they are only 2.0 system. Can be had for $349.99 as of late:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_735INCLINE/Definitive-Technology-Incline.html?tp=252
 
mrkma said:
the thing is I want to try them out before I buy them, so I am limited to the major stores in terms of selection. The 5.1 systems always seem much better than the 2.1 systems, I am not sure if I should just go with one and just use it as a 2.1 or 3.1 system like I was. I would rather do that as around $400 is my budget. It would be for 70% gaming and 30% music.
Click to expand...


Get the Mackie MR5 MK2... those are great studio monitors for any application.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top