Best 3rd Party Speakers?

[kwk1]

I picked up Logitech Z-2300's. It's a 2.1 system, THX certified.
They sound as good as the Klipsch Pro Media's, and were half the price.
Well, I paid $125, I see they are around $150ish now.

http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/logitech-z-2300/4505-3179_7-30993080.html

 

[iSayuSay]

Hi everybody,
this post is getting bigger & bigger.
I'm an audiophile for many years...
Have a turntable worth a few thousands$, etc, still about 600 LP (about 100 of them 'Original Master recordings' [when these albums used to cost $35 when 'normal' albums used to be $8...]).
So I just want to point out with all this that "I know what I'm talking about"...
Bose & Logitech don't belong in the 'audiophile' class of speakers.
If it's just casual listening then those speakers are OK.
If you want to do some quality listening then you have to look elsewhere.
I'm personally using these:
On my Mac: AudioEngine A2 + Yamaha 10" selfpowered Sub.
On my 'Gaming PC': AudioEngine A5 + Velodyne 12" selfpowered Sub.
And for any serious listening - don't use any MP3's...

Okay .. should I be impressed with your Grand Master Audio collections? Considering yourself as "audiophile" .. it's a shame that your computer using active speakers I'd use separated amp with that. Even PC for audiophile shouldn't bother about integrated PC speakers. Tube or regular amp would be better than any active speaker solution.

Remember, you're an audiophile

 

[Stan Mikulenka]

Hi guys (and a "Demi-Goddess"??),
please don't post about things you don't know much about.
And before you start mumbling about "should use separate this (& 'that')":
computers aren't that good for music overall = I use separates for my hi-fi set-up.

And "Demi-Goddess", if you are as knowledgeable in computers as you're in audio - then God help us...

 

[Mord]

Hi guys (and a "Demi-Goddess"??),
please don't post about things you don't know much about.
And before you start mumbling about "should use separate this (& 'that')":
computers aren't that good for music overall = I use separates for my hi-fi set-up.

And "Demi-Goddess", if you are as knowledgeable in computers as you're in audio - then God help us...

Where the heck do you get off?

Firstly, I've not even weighed in with any advice, I don't have a whole lot of experience with computer speakers so merely echoed what looked to me to be the best advice offered through the thread. If you'd like to take me to task over anything technical be my guest, prove you're as knowledgable as you claim to be. So far all you've shown us is you have have attitude problems and a propensity to big yourself up.

Are you seriously saying that a decent 24-bit audio source makes computers not "that good" for audio, thus unworthy of separates!? There's a reason audiophiles are often called "audiophools".

I personally like the tripath solution, it's a nice compromise, doesn't take up space, should be a step up from whatever generic class D is in active gear the O/P may purchase and it allows for a possible upgrade to something better in the future without having to replace the speakers too.

If you want to get into a hifi pissing contest look elsewhere, I'm not going to play that game with you.

 

[Stan Mikulenka]

Hi Mord,
well that what happens when you start picking on somebody you know ****** about & on top of it you don't know much about the subject, also...
Ignorance is not good for your karma, too.

 

[swingerofbirch]

I have Klipsch iFi speakers which are WONDERFUL. I'm not an audiophile, I just happened to see them half off at Costco about 4 years ago and picked them up. I'm not sure what Klipsch offers now that is equivalent; although, I have heard only casually that the ProMedia speakers are not as good as the iFi. Klipsch no longer makes the iFi though, unfortunately, and after 4-5 years mine are starting to crackle and not sure if I will repair or not. However, given my experience with Klipsch I will probably look at their offerings again. I wish there were a clear successor to the iFi. I came across it with dumb luck, but it is so remarkably better than my dad's Logitech speaker set up. Better than any other sound system hands down I have heard, but that's also because I don't really know anyone with high end audio systems.

 

[Mord]

Hi Mord,
well that what happens when you start picking on somebody you know ****** about & on top of it you don't know much about the subject, also...
Ignorance is not good for your karma, too.

I've not spoken much about the subject so your assertion is completely without basis and as such just comes across like a petty insult.

I'm clearly not the only one who thought your post was off, it merited 4 negative responses including mine and not one but two that included Buddy Jesus.

Think about that, consider your posting style, your accusations and your posturing.

I'll break it down for you. You came into this thread not seeking to just offer a solution and speak about it's merits, you decided to big yourself up as an "audiophile" by citing your LP collection and expensive turntable. If you feel you know more than us convince the O/P with an argument better than citing your spendy records.

Please don't post childish drivel simply because you've been made to look foolish, it does not help your case.

 

[philipma1957]

Okay .. .. it's a shame that your computer using active speakers I'd use separated amp with that. Even PC for audiophile shouldn't bother about integrated PC speakers. Tube or regular amp would be better than any active speaker solution.


Remember, you're an audiophile

look if you don't like stan's remark and you want to complain that he came off wrong it is okay to let him know that. I only ask that you research your complaint.

To say that ;

"tube or regular amp would be better than any active speaker solution."

Is quite simply incorrect.

The setup below is a very hi end active system. As you said the word "any" in your post the setup below qualifies. You would be hard pressed to beat it with a " regular amp " of any build .


http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM11L/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM11R/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM11S/





This is a $22500 2.1 active system .

BTW with a good dac and an iMac there are more then one user of this setup for mixing . People like Beyonce , Lady GaGa and Skywalker Sound Studios.

Some have it that it can mix 2.1 5.1 7.1 with the 5.1 and 7.1 setups costing even more. Other sound engineers use lower cost active setups Like
Behringer B1030A at about 300 for a pair.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=680593&Q=&is=REG&A=details

The theory is most people don't know an fff'ing thing about sound so if the sound engineer can make it sound good on cr @ ppy speakers then it will sound good on systems from bose (Remember my earlier post ) and the like.

 

[sth]

The theory is most people don't know an fff'ing thing about sound so if the sound engineer can make it sound good on cr @ ppy speakers then it will sound good on systems from bose (Remember my earlier post ) and the like.

And my theory is that any professional sound engineer that uses those crappy Behringers as main monitors in a professional studio setup should be shot to death with cat poop.

 

[Nanker/Phelge]

+4 for the SoundSticks...I had the originals for a while before the power supply gave out.

As of late I'm running a pair of Sony SS-B3000s with a Pyle Pro Amp. They're fairly large but I by far favor the sound depth of bigger bookshelf speakers to a classic computer speaker set up.

 

[philipma1957]

And my theory is that any professional sound engineer that uses those crappy Behringers as main monitors in a professional studio setup should be shot to death with cat poop.

I agree but it is done in the business.

 

[imahawki]

I'm sure this will go over like a lead balloon but I had a chance to hear the SoundSticks and thought they sounded terrible. There is no integration between the sticks and the sub. The sticks are bright and tinny and don't go low enough to blend with the sub. The sub wasn't bad for PC speakers (neither was it outstanding) but the sticks themselves were awful.

 

[sth]

I agree but it is done in the business.

Yes, sadly. On average, audio quality has been declining in the last ~15 years. Of course there are exceptions (just as there were a lot of bad recordings back in the days) but it's ironic that now, when you can build a top-end studio setup for less money than ever, audio quality seems to become less and less important.

 

[Stan Mikulenka]

Hi Mord (again),
"Please don't post childish drivel simply because you've been made to look foolish, it does not help your case. "
Please relax - remember that I don't care about your opinion (or anybody else's on this board for that matter).
And in the future, try to be more 'balanced' in your "comments"...

 

[Mord]

(or anybody else's on this board for that matter)

It shows.

 

[mr.steevo]

To say that ;

"tube or regular amp would be better than any active speaker solution."

Is quite simply incorrect.

Other sound engineers use lower cost active setups Like
Behringer B1030A at about 300 for a pair.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=680593&Q=&is=REG&A=details

The theory is most people don't know an fff'ing thing about sound so if the sound engineer can make it sound good on cr @ ppy speakers then it will sound good on systems from bose (Remember my earlier post ) and the like.

At one point most studios had a pair of Yamaha NS-10's hooked up which were used in the mixing process along with the studio's near field monitors. The reason they were so popular is because they were considered to be what the average listener had at home (in other words they were cr @ p.)

The funny thing with active speakers is they are probably the most used style of speaker in recording studios. Years ago I asked my instructor why larger studios would use active speakers and he said it is due to proper matching of amplification to speaker drivers and cabinets so as to get the least coloured sound. I figured it would be something to do with cost or size but there you go. It's harder to walk into a recording studio and find near field monitors with separate amplifiers, though they are there.

A lot of these suggestions are interesting and I'm thinking I'd like to check out the AV 40's, the audioengine a2's, and the Swans. I'll let someone else listen to the Bose. The thing with audio is sound can be subjective and one man's junk is another man's treasure. Quality of product is much easier to measure than the details of how they sound. I look for quality first and then have a listen (then have buyers remorse because I think I spent too much/not enough!)

 

[iSayuSay]

look if you don't like stan's remark and you want to complain that he came off wrong it is okay to let him know that. I only ask that you research your complaint.

To say that ;

"tube or regular amp would be better than any active speaker solution."

Is quite simply incorrect.

The setup below is a very hi end active system. As you said the word "any" in your post the setup below qualifies. You would be hard pressed to beat it with a " regular amp " of any build .


http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM11L/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM11R/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM11S/





This is a $22500 2.1 active system .

BTW with a good dac and an iMac there are more then one user of this setup for mixing . People like Beyonce , Lady GaGa and Skywalker Sound Studios.

Some have it that it can mix 2.1 5.1 7.1 with the 5.1 and 7.1 setups costing even more. Other sound engineers use lower cost active setups Like
Behringer B1030A at about 300 for a pair.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=680593&Q=&is=REG&A=details

The theory is most people don't know an fff'ing thing about sound so if the sound engineer can make it sound good on cr @ ppy speakers then it will sound good on systems from bose (Remember my earlier post ) and the like.

Okay I might be wrong about ANY separated system would be better than integrated active solution. At least I should've limited it on certain class/price range. But there always crazy ultimate thing for everything, right?

But still, going with separated audio system means easier customization, in any price. Without costly customization, you get more inputs, better management and equalization, much much wider choice of speaker, mix and match between amp and speakers, cabling etc. And the best thing is, you can replace/change partial component if you need it, whether it's just speaker/amp/cabling.

Well what am I talking here. This is getting off topic, but thanks for your correction anyway.

I'd recommend Harman Kardon Soundstick III for OP. Properly priced, looks good, and sounds good too for what they offer in the package. It won't sounds grand theater, but that'll do because you don't sit far away from your iMac

 

[yakkowarner epi]

@ stan

I was curious. Are records really superior to CD's.
And I know mp3's compress. But at the highest setting for mp3's, is there really a big difference in their quality?

I'm curious because I don't know why record companies don't start producing their music in a high def format like the home movie industry did.

 

[elithrar]

I was curious. Are records really superior to CD's.

That's debatable and probably just going to start a huge religious war if anyone tried to answer that here.

And I know mp3's compress. But at the highest setting for mp3's, is there really a big difference in their quality?

There is, but you'd be hard pressed to hear it; in fact, most won't tell the difference on the stock Apple earbuds, or even cheap canalphones. You might pick up the difference on a higher quality pair, but even then, it might take back-to-back listening to notice.

I'm curious because I don't know why record companies don't start producing their music in a high def format like the home movie industry did.

They do; it's called DVD audio. Thing is, it's a funky standard and most people won't notice the difference with regular, affordable gear.

 

[Chris5488]

And the price?

Well it depends on how much you want to spend
Spend more and it'll sound better. However, there are solutions which costs the same (or are cheaper) than others which sound just as good or even better. Then you are refering to the Price/performance ratio.

I think it's a good idea to post only speakers/audio solutions which have an excellent price/performance ratio. I saw things here of >20,000 dollars, now that's not a good price/performance ratio unless you are going to build a cinema or organize your own festival.

To mention some speakers which have a good price/performance ratio:
Creative Gigaworks T40, Corsair Gaming Audio SP2500, M-studio Audiophile AV40, Harman Kardon Soundsticks III, AudioEngine (any), Swans (any, however M10 are worth to mention), Logitech Z5500, Logitech Z2300, Focal (any), Bose Companion 5, Razer Mako 2.1, Teufel (any, however the Concept B 200 USB are worth to mention),...

Also worth considering is a DAC or amplifier, or why not both?
I have a Maverick Audio D1, which is a DAC, Headphone amplifier and tube amplifier in 1, for 199 dollars. Now that's a bargain. Sounds terrific, and has Optical, Coaxial, USB and analog inputs. I use it with a Creative Gigaworks T3 (which has too much bass ) and Sennheiser HD595 headphones (heavenly)

 

[The.316]

i just received my first speaker upgrade ever, going from plain 2.1 Logitech's to M-Audio AV40s. The sound is completely night and day between the two, but after reading this thread, I am wondering if I need a amp for them? They sound great, but I really have no clue when it comes to speakers, studio monitors, etc. If I do need an amp for them, does anyone have any opinions on what I should purchase, without being overly expensive?

 

[sine-nomine]

No, the AV40s are active (powered) speakers, meaning they have an amp built in.

 

[paulg1979]

I heard the Soundsticks, the lars and ivan speakers (with supplied amp) and heard talk about the Audioengines have a mid bass hump, which i personally can't stand.

I'd be looking at the Adam A3X. Sure they are ugly, but I bet they sound incredible for their size. I have a pair of Adam A5 and a Adam Sub7 and the sound is quite spectacular in comparison to standard computer speakers, with a well mastered recording. You'll possibly want a good external DAC like the apogee duet or better, as these will show deficiencies in the Mac's DAC.

I think the A5X and A5 (its predecessor) come in white.

http://www.adam-audio.com/en/pro-audio/products/a3x/description

Image
By the way, Is it ok on this forum to hotlink images from a 3rd party site?

I agree with you. I have the A7X's and an Apogee One DAC out of my iMac and the sound is absolutely amazing.

 

[andvari]

Surprised nobody mentioned the Magneplanar Minis. Really something special as a desktop system.

The Focal Solo6 Be is pretty special too. If these are too big in size or budget the smaller Focal CMS are very nice.

 

[jmpage2]

Surprised nobody mentioned the Magneplanar Minis. Really something special as a desktop system.

The Focal Solo6 Be is pretty special too. If these are too big in size or budget the smaller Focal CMS are very nice.

You're "surprised" no one mentioned speakers that cost as much as the iMac itself and required amplifiers?

Personally I'm rolling with Audioengine A2s and they are pretty damn good for reasonably sized self powered mini monitors.