Macs and Sound Quality

[King Cobra]

I just happened to be listening to my Pro Speakers while I am typing this...

But I was wondering...what speakers are better than the Pro Speakers that I can hook up to my Mac that are currently up for sale? I want something that can go real loud, have a lot of bass, and also be really compact.

To make this a general topic, what do you use your speakers for? (DVD movies, iTunes, etc.)

Or answer your own questions. Blast away!

[Hemingray]

Well, I use the Altec-Lansing ACS65i speakers. They put out pretty good sound and of course there's a sub included with the system. I'm not claiming it's the best of systems, but it does the job for me! If I'm listening to music/DVDs on my G4 that I want a REALLY good sound spectrum on, I just turn on my vintage Pioneer SX-950 and power up the Pioneer HPM-100 speaker cabinets sitting on either side of my desk. Those things put out! I sure miss the days of wood and brushed aluminum.

Here's another thread that has some good insights on that sort of stuff too:
G4 Home Theater (http://www.macrumors.com/forums/showthread.php3?threadid=3566)

[AlphaTech]

Cambridge SoundWorks has kick a$$ speakers... I have a set that was plugged into my G4 (before it went to a new home). I was gaming with those the other night, and my downstairs neighbor said he was hearing/feeling the base through the floor (chain gun from Commanche 4 :D ). The speakers have a base control on the subwoofer, as well as a on/off/volume dial that can go wherever you want it. I used to have it attached to the monitor, but it is beside it now, since I had to move things around, and just haven't bothered to put it back. I will be setting up my second set of Cambridge SoundWorks speakers soon (larger satellites and subwoofer). I also have their surround sound system on my tv (DTT3500) and it ROCKS!! Five speakers, front left/right, rear left/right, center and subwoofer. Makes my living room sound like the movie theatre. :D

[Mr. Anderson]

I have Bose Acoustamass Multimedia Speakers, which run about $400. The sound quality is phenominal and as for loud, well, I can get things vibrating on the second floor and my speakers are in the basement. And they're great quality aside from the sound. I haven't ever had problems with the connectors, as opposed to some brands.

The subwoofer has all the volume/base/trebble controls, but the units 4 years old. Bose was the first company to come out with the subwoofer as a major part of their system. Go online and check them out, but if you get a chance, go to a Bose store or Best Buy has them as well.

Your best bet is to play with a bunch at a store and see what quality fits in your budget, there are plenty of options.

[3rdpath]

i'm using 5( surround) Event Electronics bas20/20 monitors. each one is internally biamped with 200 watts, so thats 1000 watts of clean power for me in the sweetspot. i only have them individually set at "2" ( out of " 10) and i can easily pump 135 -db without breaking a sweat. of course, i usually keep my spl's at around 85-db 'cause anything over that just fatigues my ears. my sub is an older passive jbl that is powered by a pretty basic yamaha amp-bridged at ( i think) 600 watts.

this is all in my isolated/floated studio which is outside of the house so i can be cranking it while playing twisted metal 4 at midnite...machine guns and rockets never sounded so good.

growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional!:D

p.s. after a good gaming session i have to pick everything up off the floor thats vibrated off my desk....:D

[Rower_CPU]

I have a set of the Klipsch 4.1s (rev a; specs:THX-Certified,400 watts,dual 6.5" subwoofer, 29-20,000Hz frequency range, 110dB max) on my PC...they rock...but I would need a 4 point sound card to plug them into on the Mac.
Anyone know if the Creative cards for the Mac are worthwhile?

[mac15]

I have my computer (sometimes)connected to my phillips stereo
600watts aint bad, plus my panasonic amp helpa lot and doesn't blow my computer to bits:D

[stromie952]

I have the Klipsch 2.1 promedia speakers, very similar to the 4.1 version, except with only 2 satellites instead of 4. They have the best quality I have heard for compuer speakers. You can change the volume and bass levels from the right satellite and I love them so much! They wre definitely worth the $180 I spent on them. You also dont need to plug them in to a sound card, jsut into the headphone port on your computer.

Just my 2 cents.

[mc68k]

I never saw the point in investing in PC speakers, just extra $ and space...

I just run a male->female 1/8 extender from my computer to a RCA->male coming out the AUX in my receiver. This allows me to either plug in my 'pod or my S900.

[Beej]

Kenwood XD-752 system:

[mymemory]

I have a pair of JBL EON G2 speakers!!!

http://www.jblpro.com/General/photos/eon_pictures.htm

And for near field monitor a pair of event 20/20p.

[resm]

response to King Cobra

one of the best products....money against quality.....you can get from Cambridge Soundworks.

The first thing I did when I recieved my iMac 800 was to remove the Mac Speakers and connect my Cambridge Speakers .
They are small, taking not much space and the Woofer goes under the desk
I use it even as my second stereo system listening to my CD's and watching some DVD's

Mac Speakers (by Kennwood) may look cool but can't deliver