Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Best Speakers for my iMac
- Thread starter derek1997
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have been VERY impressed by the B&W MM1s (sorry i know above your intended budget)
if you save a bit longer or manage it they are well worth it.
What i like the most is the tight bass, its there but not overwhelming.
Ultimately the sound you like is a personal preference and if possible its best go and listen to the speakers you short list.
I went to the Apple store expecting to by the soundsticks (love the design) but realised after quite a long listening test (very patient Apple store employe) that the sound although initially was good that my ears soon became fatigued with sound they produced, hence the purchase of the MM1s
Also use Apple lossless or FLAC files and you will be rewarded with Happy Ears.
if you save a bit longer or manage it they are well worth it.
What i like the most is the tight bass, its there but not overwhelming.
Ultimately the sound you like is a personal preference and if possible its best go and listen to the speakers you short list.
I went to the Apple store expecting to by the soundsticks (love the design) but realised after quite a long listening test (very patient Apple store employe) that the sound although initially was good that my ears soon became fatigued with sound they produced, hence the purchase of the MM1s
Also use Apple lossless or FLAC files and you will be rewarded with Happy Ears.
Last edited:
I have the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 and I love it. Sounds nice and crisp, bass is tuned just right.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch...lack/9382232.p?id=1218095770265&skuId=9382232
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch...lack/9382232.p?id=1218095770265&skuId=9382232
Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Powered Speaker System
This cost more than your intended budget but I use this for my 2010 Mac Pro.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...stems/computer_speakers/companion_5/index.jsp
This cost more than your intended budget but I use this for my 2010 Mac Pro.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...stems/computer_speakers/companion_5/index.jsp
I would get the bose companion speakers they sound uber-good
and the volume control pod is nice too
They are a little more expensive than the competitors but the highs and vocals are definitely crisper
and the volume control pod is nice too
They are a little more expensive than the competitors but the highs and vocals are definitely crisper
I like the Soundsticks III. Today only $134 at Amazon 
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon...3K9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333735706&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon...3K9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333735706&sr=8-1
i like logitechs x540 surrond sound speakers
i paid more for mine 5 years ago of course but i love them theve been on my windows machine then my mac mini and even on my macbook when the mini heatsink pins broke and i got replacement pins in
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Surr...M8XE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333736293&sr=8-1
i paid more for mine 5 years ago of course but i love them theve been on my windows machine then my mac mini and even on my macbook when the mini heatsink pins broke and i got replacement pins in
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Surr...M8XE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333736293&sr=8-1
+1 for these
have had the companion 3 for a couple of years and they are amazing (to me, I'm not a audiophile by any means). Music sounds crisp, and base is perfect.
While it really depends on what type of music you like, either the following are good choices. I have earlier models of both - the Klipsch are a tad over 6 years old and the SoundSticks a bit over 8 years old and both still sound good to me.
I like the Soundsticks III. Today only $134 at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon...3K9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333735706&sr=8-1
I had those for a few years until I gave them to my brother.
I now just received the Audioengine A2s.
Both are fantastic speakers. I think the Promedia's are better for watching movies or playing video games as they have a lot of artificial bass. It's crazy how much freakin' bass those things had.
On the other hand, I think the A2's have more range and are better for listening to music, plus they don't take up half the space the Promedia does as they don't have a subwoofer, and they look much better.
My choice would be either these two speakers, conclusion:
Watching movies, playing games = Promedia 2.1's
Listening to music = A2's
You won't be upset with either.
If you have the space on your desk, I'd highly recommend the Alesis M1 Active MKII http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-...-active-mkii-powered-monitors/603203000000000 They're studio monitors, but they are incredibly versatile and powerful and they sound great!
Also, have a look at these if desk space is an issue (they also sound great and their looks would definitely compliment the iMac. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/tannoy-reveal-501a-studio-monitor
Also, have a look at these if desk space is an issue (they also sound great and their looks would definitely compliment the iMac. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/tannoy-reveal-501a-studio-monitor
As numerous people said previous, the Klipsch 2.1 Pro Media are amazing.
They give great bass and clarity for just about everything. You cannot beat the price either ($150). Sure you can find better speakers through B&W and others, but I'd say this is great for your budget.
They give great bass and clarity for just about everything. You cannot beat the price either ($150). Sure you can find better speakers through B&W and others, but I'd say this is great for your budget.
another +1 on the Promedia 2.1s, been using them since last summer and it still puts a smile on my face every time I crank them up.
I personally run everything though my amp but in my old flat i used to use SoundSticks and they sounded lovely ( and looked it )
http://www.froogle.richersounds.com/product/ipods-docks-accessories/harman-kardon/soundsticks-iii/harm-soundsticks-2
http://www.froogle.richersounds.com/product/ipods-docks-accessories/harman-kardon/soundsticks-iii/harm-soundsticks-2
I've used the Klipsch Promedia and Bose Companion 3/5 systems. The Klipsch is the best value as it has a good sound and is relatively inexpensive. However, for me, you can't beat the Bose. I like their sound, styling and performance. Currently I have the Bose Companion 5 system for personal listening, but when friends are over I stream my music through Apple TV to my Bose Home Theater speakers.
If all you want is something that looks good, by all means, buy BOSE.
If you want something that sounds good, for the love of all that is holy, don't buy BOSE.
In the audiophile community BOSE stands for Buy Other Stereo Equipment.
My intention is not to offend any of those who have purchased their products, Bose has an amazing Marketing campaign. Their stuff is easy to setup, and sounds good to people who have only listened to TV speakers or very low-end sound systems.
However, for the money, you can have much better sound. BOSE is extremely mid-range heavy with little to no highs or lows. They use extremely cheap components with woofers frequently made of cardboard like material.
If you want more impressive sound, you would be much better off buying some of the studio monitor models recommended here like the A5's(for more options checkout the A5+), Alesis or even B&W. If you only listen to streaming internet music or highly compressed MP3's it probably doesn't matter what you get. You would actually notice the compression with any $300 setup, but more so with these studio monitors.
My 2 cents.
If you want something that sounds good, for the love of all that is holy, don't buy BOSE.
In the audiophile community BOSE stands for Buy Other Stereo Equipment.
My intention is not to offend any of those who have purchased their products, Bose has an amazing Marketing campaign. Their stuff is easy to setup, and sounds good to people who have only listened to TV speakers or very low-end sound systems.
However, for the money, you can have much better sound. BOSE is extremely mid-range heavy with little to no highs or lows. They use extremely cheap components with woofers frequently made of cardboard like material.
If you want more impressive sound, you would be much better off buying some of the studio monitor models recommended here like the A5's(for more options checkout the A5+), Alesis or even B&W. If you only listen to streaming internet music or highly compressed MP3's it probably doesn't matter what you get. You would actually notice the compression with any $300 setup, but more so with these studio monitors.
My 2 cents.
Last edited:
Ive been hearing great things about Swans M10s i believe and the A5 AudioEngine speakers.
I personally use the M-Audio AV40's - I love them.
http://audioengineusa.com/DS2-Desktop-Stand-Pair
I got these with recently and has helped the sound tremendously being they were sitting on the desk, it helps level out the low end and keep all the audio clear
I personally use the M-Audio AV40's - I love them.
http://audioengineusa.com/DS2-Desktop-Stand-Pair
I got these with recently and has helped the sound tremendously being they were sitting on the desk, it helps level out the low end and keep all the audio clear
Allmost any near-field studio monitor will do just fine.
You will most likely place your speakers on either side of your iMac, and you will sit most likely 2 feet from the screen. This places you dead-center in the optimum position. The near-field is the area in which the output of the speaker is dominant and the acoustics of the room has negible effect on what you hear. You can buy decent near field monitors starting from $200 but can spend 20K or more if you want something in horrible colours and endorsed by an ugly rapper.
Deciding what to buy is easy. Bring along a song you know very well and ask to listen to a couple of speakers. If you go to a musicians store they have speakers set up in the right position. (Two feet apart, and stand two feet away when listening.) Buy something that fits your budget and sounds good.
(For reference: I have a pair of ESI nEar 05 eXperience's. Over your budget, but extremely good speakers and after seven years in studio's and on stage I'm rather spoiled by listening to expensive equipment.)
You will most likely place your speakers on either side of your iMac, and you will sit most likely 2 feet from the screen. This places you dead-center in the optimum position. The near-field is the area in which the output of the speaker is dominant and the acoustics of the room has negible effect on what you hear. You can buy decent near field monitors starting from $200 but can spend 20K or more if you want something in horrible colours and endorsed by an ugly rapper.
Deciding what to buy is easy. Bring along a song you know very well and ask to listen to a couple of speakers. If you go to a musicians store they have speakers set up in the right position. (Two feet apart, and stand two feet away when listening.) Buy something that fits your budget and sounds good.
(For reference: I have a pair of ESI nEar 05 eXperience's. Over your budget, but extremely good speakers and after seven years in studio's and on stage I'm rather spoiled by listening to expensive equipment.)
Do you want them to sound good, too, or is style your only consideration?
Hard to recommend the best speaker for you since you haven't told us what you listen to on your Mac? What kinds of music are you into? Do you prefer low volume background music or something capable of shaking down the neighbor's house? Do you listen to podcasts or other spoken word content on your Mac? Heavy metal?
While I understand what you're saying, "expensive" isn't necessarily the best measurement of quality. If it was, I would have a lot of Bose speakers.
As it stands, derek1997 needs to take the suggestions here and go listen to the various speakers. Hopefully with a small assortment of test music.
Very wise advice! I must admit threads such as this, starting with something like "What is the best......" are pretty meaningless, usually ending up with a list of peoples personal preferences - as evidenced above!
We all have differing perception and preferences of what we hear - one man's "like" can be another man's "dislike". In my experience, the only realistic way to make a decision is to visit the local store and listen to a selection of speakers. That way you will select what you like and not what others do!