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This is what you won't ever regret !

under 200 bucks any suggestions

Harman Kardon SoundSticks II. PERIOD
Purchase it from Amazon for $109
If you ever regret buying them, I would pay you the $109 you spent. My other systems are Logitech Z-5500 and Kensington S2000.

4116YT828DL._SS500_.jpg
 
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Aego M's
Totally blow you away!

Give it some serious thought!

agreed, but the op wants 2.1's
If you ever regret buying them, I would pay you the $109 you spent.
You really don't wanna say that, someone might take you up on that. HK's are really nice and I love mine, but they just cant compete with the newer technology and louder sound of the Altec Lansing's, you can go to your local Apple Store to test both of them out. :D:apple:
 
agreed, but the op wants 2.1's

You really don't wanna say that, someone might take you up on that. HK's are really nice and I love mine, but they just cant compete with the newer technology and louder sound of the Altec Lansing's, you can go to your local Apple Store to test both of them out. :D:apple:

Hehehhe... that's just a figure of speech :p, but any day HK SS II goes so well with a Mac !
I would check out the AL's tomorrow when I go to the Apple Store to "dump" my 2nd replacement penryn MBP :(:mad:
 
Harman Kardon SoundSticks II. PERIOD
Purchase it from Amazon for $109
If you ever regret buying them, I would pay you the $109 you spent. My other systems are Logitech Z-5500 and Kensington S2000.

4116YT828DL._SS500_.jpg

I have them both, HK Soundsticks II and the AEGO M, Soundsticks are nice speakers, but imho, Aego M system is far superior.
 
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Get a pair of studio monitors:


M-Audio Studiophile AV 40



Samson Resolv 40a



These might be "only" 2.0, but they will sound miles better than any consumer 2.1 set out there. Just please don't get any Logitechs. If you want to listen to music at all, they'll ruin it for you.
 
^^What he said... But, Also take a look at AudioEngine A5's...they are powered bookshelfs & sound terrific; amazing amount of bass (though I'll probably end up buying a powered sub once I pay for an Apogee Duet).
 
I was considering picking up the Harman Kardon SoundSticks II but that changed after reading c|net's review and got Best Buy to PM Staples the Logitech Z-2300 for $86+
 
I'm not understanding you. Isn't the Aego M a 2.1 system (2 satellites and 1 subwoofer)?
Yes...sorry was thinking of their Neo's for some reason...
Get a pair of studio monitors:
These might be "only" 2.0, but they will sound miles better than any consumer 2.1 set out there. Just please don't get any Logitechs. If you want to listen to music at all, they'll ruin it for you.

Clearly there isn't going to be a sound comparison acoustically speaking, but some people want some speakers that will make their desk shake and that they can throw a party with, monitor's probably aren't the best solution.

I was considering picking up the Harman Kardon SoundSticks II but that changed after reading c|net's review and got Best Buy to PM Staples the Logitech Z-2300 for $86+
The Logitech's aren't bad at that price, but i still say Altec Lansing FX6021


Also two or three other threads have had this same type of discussion, the prices are really irrelevant, most posters just posted what they thought regardless of price

The "Under $100" Speaker Thread, that turned into any speaker really goes

The Under $400 three-piece discussion
 
The problem is the FX6021 can not be found. Nobody has them. Tiger Direct has a similar black model, but I won't purchase anything from them.
 
2.1 Nirvana

I've been at the same hunt; looking for an excellent 2.1 system. First off let me just say that I have owned the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia THX system AND the FX6021's. They are both great systems without a doubt. Between the two, the Klipsch is definitely louder but (and I'm a HUGE Klipsch fan, my home theater is all Klipsch Reference Series), they (well the sub) can be a bit boomy. Fortunately the control pod fitted under the right channel speaker lets you tweak the sub level. I also really like the FX6021's and IMHO provide a less "colored" sound. That is to say, more natural. Not perfect but really good for the $. This is from a (critical) music listening perspective. The Klipsch system is it for gaming though and is what I had when I had a major PC gaming rig.

Fast forward to today (well really Thursday but who's counting): Based upon mucho research, thread reading, reviews and general lamenting over hardware as is my joy/pain, I picked up the Blue Sky EXO 2.1 system. To sum it all up, this system ABSOLUTELY OWNS both the ProMedia and FX6021 system. The thread referenced above actually drew my attention to these and as the title says, I'm in 2.1 Nirvana. The sound is absolutely amazing. Very natural and uncolored sound; this company does high end studio monitors so they have that down pat. Everything I have thrown at them has been a joy to hear... I would say they are not as "loud" as the Klipsch, but they produce NO ear fatigue like the Klipsch do at high volume. The system hits HARD, it's phenomonal. I am getting the same type of SQ that I get from my Reference series system driven by a high end Denon receiver.

Now here is the kicker. I paid $246 shipped for these, a little beyond the $200 mark but well worth the extra. I purchased them from their "refurb" distributor (via eBay) but they also sell them on their site as well. They came to me as good as new and I saved $150 + tax over what Guitar Center and others sell them for at $399.00.

Anyway, hope this might help a little in the decision. By far, if your going for music listening, you would have to spend a LOT more to get better SQ than the EXO setup, and you would also have much bigger speakers sitting on your desk as well.

For your enjoyment, a few pics of my setup:
 

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Fast forward to today (well really Thursday but who's counting): Based upon mucho research, thread reading, reviews and general lamenting over hardware as is my joy/pain, I picked up the Blue Sky EXO 2.1 system. To sum it all up, this system ABSOLUTELY OWNS both the ProMedia and FX6021 system. The thread referenced above actually drew my attention to these and as the title says, I'm in 2.1 Nirvana. The sound is absolutely amazing. Very natural and uncolored sound; this company does high end studio monitors so they have that down pat. Everything I have thrown at them has been a joy to hear... I would say they are not as "loud" as the Klipsch, but they produce NO ear fatigue like the Klipsch do at high volume. The system hits HARD, it's phenomonal. I am getting the same type of SQ that I get from my Reference series system driven by a high end Denon receiver.

Now here is the kicker. I paid $246 shipped for these, a little beyond the $200 mark but well worth the extra. I purchased them from their "refurb" distributor (via eBay) but they also sell them on their site as well. They came to me as good as new and I saved $150 + tax over what Guitar Center and others sell them for at $399.00.

Anyway, hope this might help a little in the decision. By far, if your going for music listening, you would have to spend a LOT more to get better SQ than the EXO setup, and you would also have much bigger speakers sitting on your desk as well.

For your enjoyment, a few pics of my setup:
Hi Tom. Thanks for your review. I've had a look at their web site and hope you don't mind answering these questions:

1) Is there any software / drivers to install, or are they just plug and play?
2) Did you have a demo of them before you bought, and
3) Do you think the mediadesk 2.1 / 5.1 would be worth the extra cash? (nothing professional, just want something that's plug and play and good quality)

Thanks!
 
Hi Tom. Thanks for your review. I've had a look at their web site and hope you don't mind answering these questions:

1) Is there any software / drivers to install, or are they just plug and play?
2) Did you have a demo of them before you bought, and
3) Do you think the mediadesk 2.1 / 5.1 would be worth the extra cash? (nothing professional, just want something that's plug and play and good quality)

Thanks!


You bet...

No drivers or software... the control pod has 3 sets of inputs: One RCA type which is what I'm using... came with a mini 1/8 (like the audio out on the mac uses) to RCA (L/R). It also has XLR connectors for high end audio recording/source equipment. And then it has an input on the front for an iPod or such device.

Guitar center does sell them but didn't have any set up when I went by. After finding the deal on eBay and seeing what they go for, I figured worse case I could just pop them back on eBay without much loss.

From what I have read, the MediaDesk is a step up from these (reflected in price too)... but same sub (speaker wise, different enclosure/amp), larger L/R monitors. Probably a bit more power pushed to them and the ability to upgrade to a 5.1 setup too. It's all relative of course.... I've always been a big fan of getting to about that 90% performance mark while spending about 50% of the cost. It always seems that you pay a tremendous premium to get incremental improvements and with the way these sound, I would bet the MediaDesk while better may not be 2X the $ worth of better. YMMV of course. :)

I will say that the fit and finish on these is really nice. They are definitely assembled well with good quality materials. They are certainly bigger than the Bose setup and others, but I think it's worth it.

Hope that helps some!
 
You bet...

No drivers or software... the control pod has 3 sets of inputs: One RCA type which is what I'm using... came with a mini 1/8 (like the audio out on the mac uses) to RCA (L/R). It also has XLR connectors for high end audio recording/source equipment. And then it has an input on the front for an iPod or such device.

Guitar center does sell them but didn't have any set up when I went by. After finding the deal on eBay and seeing what they go for, I figured worse case I could just pop them back on eBay without much loss.

From what I have read, the MediaDesk is a step up from these (reflected in price too)... but same sub (speaker wise, different enclosure/amp), larger L/R monitors. Probably a bit more power pushed to them and the ability to upgrade to a 5.1 setup too. It's all relative of course.... I've always been a big fan of getting to about that 90% performance mark while spending about 50% of the cost. It always seems that you pay a tremendous premium to get incremental improvements and with the way these sound, I would bet the MediaDesk while better may not be 2X the $ worth of better. YMMV of course. :)

I will say that the fit and finish on these is really nice. They are definitely assembled well with good quality materials. They are certainly bigger than the Bose setup and others, but I think it's worth it.

Hope that helps some!
Thanks Tom, appreciate it. I've sent an email to both the parent company and their distributor where I live to organise a demo. (They wrote back almost immediatley!)

Is there any problems in playing back DTS or other forms since they are not a digital connection? I'm asuming the computer software decodes what is necessary and the speakers just play what signal is sent to the analogue connection. If this is the case - why the big deal about digital / USB connections of other systems? Cheers!
 
Altec Lansing FX6021 look the best. you can hang them on the wall pretty easily and save some desk space
 
I've been at the same hunt; looking for an excellent 2.1 system. First off let me just say that I have owned the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia THX system AND the FX6021's. They are both great systems without a doubt. Between the two, the Klipsch is definitely louder but (and I'm a HUGE Klipsch fan, my home theater is all Klipsch Reference Series), they (well the sub) can be a bit boomy. Fortunately the control pod fitted under the right channel speaker lets you tweak the sub level. I also really like the FX6021's and IMHO provide a less "colored" sound. That is to say, more natural. Not perfect but really good for the $. This is from a (critical) music listening perspective. The Klipsch system is it for gaming though and is what I had when I had a major PC gaming rig.

Fast forward to today (well really Thursday but who's counting): Based upon mucho research, thread reading, reviews and general lamenting over hardware as is my joy/pain, I picked up the Blue Sky EXO 2.1 system. To sum it all up, this system ABSOLUTELY OWNS both the ProMedia and FX6021 system. The thread referenced above actually drew my attention to these and as the title says, I'm in 2.1 Nirvana. The sound is absolutely amazing. Very natural and uncolored sound; this company does high end studio monitors so they have that down pat. Everything I have thrown at them has been a joy to hear... I would say they are not as "loud" as the Klipsch, but they produce NO ear fatigue like the Klipsch do at high volume. The system hits HARD, it's phenomonal. I am getting the same type of SQ that I get from my Reference series system driven by a high end Denon receiver.

Now here is the kicker. I paid $246 shipped for these, a little beyond the $200 mark but well worth the extra. I purchased them from their "refurb" distributor (via eBay) but they also sell them on their site as well. They came to me as good as new and I saved $150 + tax over what Guitar Center and others sell them for at $399.00.

Anyway, hope this might help a little in the decision. By far, if your going for music listening, you would have to spend a LOT more to get better SQ than the EXO setup, and you would also have much bigger speakers sitting on your desk as well.

For your enjoyment, a few pics of my setup:

I just purchased these speakers and I'm beyond happy :) I really like the remote with all the multiple source inputs.
 
I just purchased these speakers and I'm beyond happy :) I really like the remote with all the multiple source inputs.

They really are quite amazing. My situation (ie: wife rearranged office and we have a 2yr old) changed and I had to reduce the clutter so ended up changing to a set of Audioengine A2's... and though they are no Exo 2.1 setup, they do sound quite nice for a 2.0 system!
 
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