Speakers for computer: review resources?

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RedShark

[H]ard|Gawd
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My 7 year old Altec Lansing ADA-885 speakers just crapped out. They were a modest set of 4x15W satellites + 1x60W subwoofer. Unfortunately, I think the failure is with the electronics, since none of them output any sound any longer. I tried all kinds of unplugging/replugging to no avail, and the "diagnostic" button does not emit the expected test tones. Needless to say, it kind of pisses me off since it's likely a trivial problem but is simply not one that an end user can correct.

Therefore, I'll need some new speakers, and figured I'd ask: where do I start? What are some resources for deciding which ones would be any good? Any [H]ardSpeakers web sites?

Specifics about the situation:
- High quality is my primary concern
- Cost isn't that important
- Output "power" or volume is not that important, since I live in an apartment at the moment and wouldn't really be able to exercise them anyway. Additionally, my PC is already hooked up to my stereo, which does a decent job of filling the room. I don't need a 500W subwoofer, for instance (as much as I'd like one).

Thanks for any input!
 
Or you could have us help you. I think we know enough as a collective group...

Shoot your questions, your budget, your constraints, and your experience with audio and we'll reciprocate as necessary.
 
Great, thanks for the link.

- My experience with audio is limited. As a poor graduate student, I haven't had the opportunity to buy anything fancy (that day will come ;)). I know how to set this stuff up, that optical/SPDIF is better than RCA, and that Bose is overpriced for what you get, but other than that, I'm definitely not an audiophile and I don't know anything about which speakers would be any good.
- My requirements are modest, which should, by definition keep the cost down. I don't think I want to spend much over $300. A 2.1 setup would be fine, because I don't physically have space for 5.1 or greater.
- The speakers only need to be good for gaming and occasional music. Most music I'd just play on the stereo, anyway.
- I'm just using the integrated sound card at the moment, but I'm using the optical out for my stereo. The card has an available coaxial SPDIF output, plus the usual miniature line-in/out etc.
- Here's an example setup that I just browsed across: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122 I suspect this one fits the bill, but I'm really interested in getting something that will last a while. I hate the thought of throwing away all the equipment I have now and do not want to do that again.

Thanks again for any suggestions. Let me know if you'd like more information before making a recommendation.
 
If primary use is for gaming and you usually listen to music on your stereo, consider headphones instead. You can get a pretty good setup for $300.
 
$300 is a good amount...

Since you have a good stereo for your music, this will be mostly gaming.

I will say that the Logitech you looked at would be a good choice or something like Gautama mentioned would work. It all depends if you prefer visceral impact versus something a little more precise when it comes to gaming positioning.
 
Thank you again for the input. I don't think I want to go the headphone route at this time. Personally, I just don't like headphones, and would rather suffer with crappier speakers than decent headphones :)

That said, let's say my budget was $500. Would it be worth looking into an amp/2 bookshelf speaker/no subwoofer combination at that price point, or is it too low to bother?
 
After wasting the last couple hours investigating this, I think I'll have to stick with good old computer speakers, simply because I just don't have the space for a separate receiver and larger bookshelf speakers. I also read some positive things about the Klipsch Promedia 2.1. How do these compare with the Logitech 2.1? Any other 2.1's worth considering?
 
If $300, get something like the Klipsch 2.1 or Logitech 2300 or Altec Lansing 5021.

If $500.... let's start looking at real speakers and a receiver.
 
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