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Best Music Speakers for the Imac

http://www.avguide.com/products/product-225/

look here for the review of the sound dynamics rts-3 (lower pdf is for speakers alone, top one for part of a 5 channel system), if you click to download the pdf, all you have to do is enter your (junk) email to get to it.

"It's disgusting how good this little speaker is. I told myself: People are going to think you're crazy. I mean: It's a two way system, plain looking as home-made fudge, and it costs but $280 (american) the pair. Get serious!"

not quite as shocking as the t-amp, but the 2 combined is almost like cheating.
 
The problem is that I hate the look of the rts-3 and I want them next to my new Imac, and with all respect my desk will be ruined😱
Do you have experience with the Audioengine a5's?
They have an amp build in and if I may believe the audiophile reviews they must sound amazing.

Thanks for your advice tough!
 
I'd look for a pair of Bowers & Wilkins speakers.

I own DM303s, DM601 S3s and B&W DM7 mk2s (which I'm selling).

DM303s:
DM303-2T.jpg

DM601s:
1084.jpg


They look nice in the flesh, much much better with the grilles on.

If you can afford it, their newest 686 loudspeakers are stunningly good (I auditioned them yesterday in my local hifi store).

686Gallery01_l2_w817_h328%5B1%5D.jpg


Very small but perfectly formed. I'd recommend you look for a pair second hand (although they will be difficult to find, as they're almost brand new).

These plus a Rotel amplifier (they've never really produced any lemons, they've all been very good considering their cost), probably second hand (I own a few Rotels from the 70s through to very recent models) and they're brilliant.
 
lol, well at least you are honest about what's important to you. no experience myself with anything but some logicrap before i went the way i am going now. haven't heard much about Audioengine, no audiophile websites shocked with them like the t-amp or rts-3's that i'm aware of...

i thought music was just about the sound first and foremost. they might not be designer for the imac, but ideally each one would be about 2 feet away from each side of the imac on the back corners of your desk, or be placed a little farther apart (maybe 8-10' between them) but then behind the imac would work best (maybe in a bookshelf or something against the wall). maybe your desk or whatever won't work for this, but they should be far enough away not to take away from the imac (dare i say might even add to the sexy black monitor trim of the new aluminum ones if that's what you have). i'd say optimize speaker placement for the room (unless you only listen to music while working on the computer), but try and setup your computer in the sweet spot too.

even if you don't like them, you should still get a t-amp and find the highest decibel rating you can on speakers that won't ruin your desk, but i doubt they'll sound better than the rts-3's unless you pay over a grand for them, and will probably be bigger/uglier.

trust me, any ugliness will go away when you first play some music. I closed my eyes and listened for a while, opened my arms up to as wide as the soundstage i was hearing was, and they were open far wider than the speakers were placed infront of me. i laughed.
 
macsander said:
Please check this website: http://www.audioengineusa.com/news.htm
and: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5

Here you see lots of reviews also by audiophile websites, according to al those reviews the audioengine a5's should sound amazing, please let me know your opinion

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I am sure they sound fantastic and you will no doubt be happy with them, but the t-amp alone is described as having no competition, and even if it was 10x the price (more than the a5's) it would be unparalleled. with a built in amp, nobody can hook up the a5 amp to the $20k speakers 6moons did, but who knows, they might just have a mini t-amp inside 🙄 and speakers as full and rich as the rts-3 in a different looking case.

Whether you will notice much difference between the 2, not sure, they a5 might get close in quality to the t-amp/rts-3 setup, but I would be amazed if they pulled off both miracles of the t-amp and rts3 in one combined package.

if you can find the rts-3's, it would end up being cheaper, and not sure how easy it is to add a sub to the a5's later if you want.

All factors factored in (looks on your desk) you might want to go with the a5 for more $$, but i suspect the t-amp would put you in another class altogether, and unfortunate nobody can pop the amp out of the a5 and test on $20k speakers and a $5k source to see if they are in a class above what they should be too, or to directly compare the speakers with separate amp. pieced components usually get better results than someone's combined efforts.

"Crystalline transparency; a tube-like midrange purity, naturalness of timbre and monster soundstaging without the bloom of valves; wonderful bass; and very extended yet silky treble that's never grating or dull but just right." Srajan was describing a $3200 integrated but the amazing thing is that those same words also pretty much describe the sound of the Sonic Impact T-amp integrated."

the good things people had to say on the a5 weren't quite as powerful as the stuff i have seen on the t-amp and rts-3, but better than i would have expected for a sub $500 integrated solution.

even if you get the a5's, get a t-amp and hook it up to some old random speakers to hook up your ipod (or airport express) in some other room or garage, and keep a bookmark for rts-3 search on ebay. once you have both, let me know how they compare 😀
 
Add a subwoofer later should be very simple because there is a special port for it in the speakers.

Is it possible to connect the A5's to a t-amp???
 
The A5s don't need a T-Amp as they have amplifiers built in. However, the amps in the A5s won't be anywhere near the calibre of the T-Amp which is a fantastic amplifier.

If you like 'EXCITING' sounding stereos though, you may want to look elsewhere than the T-Amp (which isn't very dynamic, dynamic being the term used to describe how 'exciting' it sounds).

For this, again I would recommend a Rotel amplifier and some B&W speakers (which are exciting sounding, but also never sound too 'overpowering').
 
But I think these BnW speakers+amp are above my budget of 500$, don't you think the A5's are the best option for this budget, which not too expensive subwoofer would you guys recommend to go with the A5's or don't you need one?
 
Dhart,

Do you won the A5's? please tell something about them, is this the best option for 400-500$? Can they go loud?

What is better the A5's or a T-amp and a set of speakers(book-shelve, monitor)?

Do you recommend a sub or are the A5's just fine?
Doest it matter there is no digital connetion possible with the A5's?

Thanks!
 
You should never need a subwoofer with a good pair of speakers.

Look for a second hand pair of B&Ws + a Rotel amp.

There's a good pair of Bowers & Wilkins DM602s on US ebay atm (search for Bowers & Wilkins DM602).

Can't see a Rotel amp which would suit your needs on ebay.com atm, but there's plenty of Nad stuff out there (which is also very good, and should match the B&Ws well).
 
@Killyp
Well, thanks for your help but I would like a new pair of speakers because second hand is too big of a risk for me(maybe broken, bugs) and I Live in the Netherlands so it's difficult to get them here.
 
Seeing where you are then (I assumed you were in the US, like the majority of members on MR), and what you're looking for (the ability to play LOUD), I'd suggest the A5s as it would seem they suit your needs...
 
macsander....just order the A5's. You will be blown away with the quality. Everything you read in the reviews is TRUE. From the moment you open the box they come in you will be IMpressed... they literally REEK quality from that moment on.

I listen to everything from jazz to classical to pop to alternative to rock... and I'm a musician. Of course I have my own opinion and viewpoint, but I do have a very critical ear... all I can say is the A5's are exceptionally pleasing.

Then wait until you plug your iPod or Mac into them.... AMAZING. I am totally thrilled with mine. Without a sub they have absolutely wonderful bass... add a sub (which they really don't need) and you have an extreme set-up.

Nothing wrong with a separate amp and speakers, but then you're looking at a fair bit more money, more boxes, more wiring, more complexity. Simple truth is that you don't really need to do that given your parameters.... I'd say just pass on the separate amp and speaker setup... the Audio Engine A5 powered pair is perfectly matched, simple, very well-designed, potent, loud and clean, very detailed! and ELEGANT! I promise you... plug a pair of A5's into your Mac or iPod and you will be blown away at the superb, rich, detailed, LOUD, full musicality of this system. This set-up makes me re-think the MUCH bigger bucks I've invested in fine components I have in other locations of my home and studio... it sounds that good! "Computer" speakers simply don't even come close to these.

Buy direct from Audio Engine's website ($349) and they have a 30 day return if you don't like them. You can't go wrong.

BUT, I bought mine from ProVantage for $287. They were drop shipped from AudioEngine. Incredible price. Arrived in 1 week. I've ordered a set of A2's for my girlfriend. Again, read the reviews on the A5's and the A2's.... then just DO IT.. you'll be blown away by the sound!

http://www.audioengineusa.com/news.htm

EDITED TO ADD... if the A5 speakers are too big for the space you want to put them, consider the new A2 from AudioEngine... these are what I've ordered for my girlfriend who wants something just a little smaller than my A5's. The reviews on the A2's are incredible. I'll report on my girlfriends as compared to my A5's when we get them.
 
Don't laugh but..

...I've just bought for £45 in the UK a little JBL Creature II set, two small satellite L and R speakers and a subwoofer...available in several colours too!

😎

In the US I've seen them for $49 somewhere!

They certainly make my mp3s and Cds sound much more than acceptable IMO....
 
The OP can do much better than a 2.1 system, which cannot sound 'fantastic' by it's very nature.

Any 2.1 system will have a 'gap' between the subwoofer and the speakers. The 'subwoofer' (if you could call it that) only exists because the satellite speakers are incapable of reproducing the music correctly by themselves.
 
Killy... I like your choice of Massive Attack - Live With Me... sounds awesome on my A5's! 😉 Teardrop, Black Milk, Unfinished Symphony are some of my electronic faves.
 
Killyp said:
The OP can do much better than a 2.1 system, which cannot sound 'fantastic' by it's very nature.

Any 2.1 system will have a 'gap' between the subwoofer and the speakers. The 'subwoofer' (if you could call it that) only exists because the satellite speakers are incapable of reproducing the music correctly by themselves.
Click to expand...

can't the same be said about any 2 way or 3 way speaker then? that is what well tuned crossovers and balancing and such can do within a speaker, not much different if the non directional frequencies are handled by a speaker not in the same box as the others.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue16/velodyne.htm

i bet this $4000 sub added to a $10k+ system sounds "fantastic" if not better.

DHart- Nothing wrong with a separate amp and speakers, but then you're looking at a fair bit more money

t-amp with power, $60
rts-3's ~$100 or less if you can find them. i paid $200 for mine new, still cheaper setup than the a5 and while the a5's probably have more than 15 watts and can go louder, i would be shocked if the a5 holds up to my roommates $15k system as the t-amp/rts-3's in regards to smooth, clean balanced sound. he discovered the rts-3, i discovered the t-amp, now we both have the setups and nobody can believe sound that good comes from anything less than a grand.

just like building the computer, if you know what you're doing you can build cheaper and better with components (but only with these freak 2 products that i know of!) i doubt my t-amp will get replaced but i am always looking for more sensitive cheap awesome speakers than the rts-3.
 
There's no such thing as non-directional frequencies.

There are less directional frequencies, which occur below around 80 Hz, but they're still directional.

True, poorly designed two, three or even four way systems can sound just as bad, but to this date I've never seen a 2.1 system which works properly as I can always hear where the subwoofer is (even though 2.1 systems have included systems with floor standing speakers covering down to 40 Hz, and the subwoofer covering everything below).

To be honest, I doubt the OP is going to like the sound the T-Amp produces. It's not exactly the most dynamic, exciting and powerful amplifier on the planet (although it does have many other strengths). The A5s are more likely to deliver the volume and dynamics the OP wants, while still providing a good sound.

The T-Amp + a decent pair of sensitive speakers would obviously sound better to the trained ear...
 
yeah, the rts-3 don't pack a punch without a sub on 15 watts, but my khorns? i can't even turn the t-amp up half way with their 104db sensitivity 😱

pretty powerful, dynamic and exciting if you ask me. and having a super cheap amp driving them is wrong, but not exactly budget speakers!

psg_Klipschorn_Elisabeth.jpg


(not my pic)
 
Although that is more down to the speakers. It's impossible to find anything that dynamic and exciting at a sensible price. Just about the only thing I've heard which seem as fast and exciting as many high-end speakers below £800 or so is the B&W 686 and 685, neither of which are particularly sensitive...
 
Hey, the T-amp and low cost, super-sensitive speakers sound intriguing to me too.... but as Killyp alluded to, the A5's are more likely to yield a generally more potent, dynamic, louder, cleaner sound in one fell exciting swoop. 😉 They are 50w RMS per channel and YES, they rock at high volumes!

I'm intrigued by the promise of the T-amp.... I just wish it had more power@@@@!

You just gotta hear a Mac plugged into the A5's, friends.... yikes! $285 USD inCREDibly well spent.

Audioengine Tech Stuff
Custom Built
Audioengine designs and manufactures our own tweeters, woofers, and many other critical components. In other words, these are not "box built" speakers with off-the-shelf parts but entirely custom-designed to our specifications. What we do not fabricate directly in our factory we have custom-made to our designs (parts such as toroidal transformers, magnets, and wiring harnesses, for example). The cabinets, drivers, bass port designs, amplifiers, and crossovers are all painstakingly tuned together for each Audioengine model. This, in turn, makes for a much more efficient system that requires much less power than AV stereo receivers and passive speakers.

Based on Studio Monitor Designs
Studio monitor speakers are used by producers and engineers in recording and production studios. They are designed with a theoretical flat frequency response which allows the engineer to create a final mix in such a way that the recorded music will sound good on most other speakers. Although Audioengine speakers are not designed to be up-close "nearfield" studio monitors, we do carry over much of the same higher-end technology, components, and design philosophy for Audioengine speakers.

Drivers
Audioengine uses audiophile quality, ferro fluid cooled, silk dome tweeters with Neodymium magnets. Silk tweeters hold up well under high power and the edge-driven design gives very smooth response. The woofers are Kevlar woven glass aramid composite with rubber surrounds. Kevlar is obviously very strong, which means that the woofer retains its shape when being driven at high levels. The speaker materials and construction are robust enough to stand up to some serious thrashing, so speaker grills aren’t needed. In other words, we did our homework on the speaker drivers and they will sound and look great after many years of use.

Cabinets
To minimize unwanted resonances and distortion, Audioengine cabinets have thick high-resin MDF walls with extensive internal bracing. Heavy internal sound-damping material is used to reduce unwanted sound reflections inside the cabinet. All cabinet edges are rounded which look great and reduce high-frequency diffraction effects on the front baffles. Each cabinet contains tuned, rear-firing ports. Both speakers are tuned and tested together and sold in pairs.

Power Amplifier
The amplifiers in Audioengine speakers are located in the left speaker and are a very conservatively rated all-analog design. All components are tuned together for each model, which provides a much more efficient system requiring less power than passive speakers and separate amplifiers. Circuit boards for the power and preamp sections are vertically mounted for maximum mechanical shock protection (a good thing).

Transformers
Power transformers are a large contributor to the overall audio performance, especially in the low end. Again, no off-the-shelf parts here. Audioengine uses gapless core toroidal transformers which have a tighter radiated magnetic field, directly translating to lower noise. They are lighter than standard, lower-cost "EI" transformers and also generate less heat. In other words, toroidal transformers do make a difference.

Shielding
Both drivers are directly video shielded and allow the user to place the speakers within a few inches of a video monitor. This shielding also offers protection for hard-drive digital music players.

USB Power
5V@1.2A USB power supply powers the latest generation iPods and most other USB "bus-powered" devices. The USB port is for charging only, not for data transfer or music syncing. Available on Audioengine 5.
 
ghettochris said:
if you want awesome sound out of your computer or ipod cheap, the t-amp is the miracle product you want.

http://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Impact-...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203469253&sr=8-1

it is the 2nd generation of the amp that shocked the audiophiles, the original was $30 but you had to buy a $20 power supply or use 8 AAs all the time, so it's almost as cheap at $60 for included ac power.

you plug it right into your ipod headphone jack or computer speaker output, I have 2 of these, 1 hooked to the imac and the klipschorns, and 1 in the basement hooked to some rts-3's and a powered sub that is hooked to the airport express, or i can unplug that cable and hook it to my ipod if i want.

the amp held it's own against ones 100x it's price, i will probably never buy computer speakers or even a home theater receiver again. the last amp i had was huge, this thing is like a can of tuna. if you love music and don't have one of these yet you're missing out.

I think it would be hard to beat a $60 t-amp and $100 used rts-3 speakers (plus powered sub if you need lots of kick, but not needed for full rich sound)

$500 computer speakers will not sound as good as this solution, and it is likely to sound as good as someone's $3k plus system. this should be a no brainer. any speakers 90db or higher sensitivity will be awesome with the t-amp. don't let the low power rating scare you.
Click to expand...

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm thinking of getting this amp... Thing is, I currently use Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers plugged directly into the headphone jack of my MBP. Can I use my Klipsch computer speakers through this amp (temporarily as I shop for better speakers) using the same, single connector, or would I have to jerry-rig the speaker cables to use w/ this amp? IOW, does the amp have a 3.5mm input jack?
 
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