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?[/QUOTE said:
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Best Speakers for my iMac
- Thread starter derek1997
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I have the M-Audio BX8a studio monitors (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileBX8aDeluxe.html) and very happy with them.
These things have a lot of power, though. Be ready to wake up your neighbors if you plug them in and have left iTunes at max volume by mistake.
These things have a lot of power, though. Be ready to wake up your neighbors if you plug them in and have left iTunes at max volume by mistake.
I have the HK Soundsticks and I like them a lot. They have good bass and highs and look really good next to Apple hardware. 😀
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Bose Companion 20's if you're looking for a 2.0 setup, but for the best go for Bose Companion 5's. The USB connection gets rid of any hiss or other nonsense that would be heard through the 3.5mm output! The bass module on the Companion 5's puts out quit a punch, and depending upon your room, will sound epic! The "simulated 5.1" sound is great too when gaming. The vocals are so clear. I absolutely love those speakers. Every time I am playing a game or listening to music, I hear things I haven't heard before. It's amazing!
Either way, you can't go wrong with any of Bose's computer speaker offerings. They all sound great.
This is coming from a guy who use to sell home audio for 6 years. I absolutely could not stand Bose at all. Then one day I gave the Companion 5's a thorough testing at work and was blown away by their quality.
I now look to Bose for any audio product. Granted if I can afford it, they're pricey!
Either way, you can't go wrong with any of Bose's computer speaker offerings. They all sound great.
This is coming from a guy who use to sell home audio for 6 years. I absolutely could not stand Bose at all. Then one day I gave the Companion 5's a thorough testing at work and was blown away by their quality.
I now look to Bose for any audio product. Granted if I can afford it, they're pricey!
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I'd recommend the Audessey Sound Dock (http://reviews.cnet.com/speakers-speaker-systems/audyssey-audio-dock/4505-6467_7-34176618.html)
One thing I like about it is the small foot print, excellent sound (4 of 5 stars IMO), and convenience of doubling as your iPhone/iPod dock where you can sync it w/ your Mac. Bluetooth audio's a huge plus as well. Just simple to use and good at what it does. Although it's about $300.
Good luck.
One thing I like about it is the small foot print, excellent sound (4 of 5 stars IMO), and convenience of doubling as your iPhone/iPod dock where you can sync it w/ your Mac. Bluetooth audio's a huge plus as well. Just simple to use and good at what it does. Although it's about $300.
Good luck.
You have two desk lamps? Fierce. 😎Second that 😀
(My mini-fridge is on the right and the TV set is to the left.)
I have JBL Spot in white, they're incredibly small, but INCREDIBLY loud! and they were only about $150
MacOG728893
macrumors 68000
I'm pretty sure everyone is wrong here. These are actually the best speaker ever made! 🙄
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufediP5z_0g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufediP5z_0g
I'm getting these once the new iMac's come out.
http://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-Multimedia-Speaker-System/dp/B0053T4PHC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334558740&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-Multimedia-Speaker-System/dp/B0053T4PHC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334558740&sr=8-1
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if you want to rock - forget about the price and get some truly nice speakers 😀
got my harman/kardon GLA-55 off *bay for about 420$ here in Germany
56W per channel, 35Hz 20kHz frequency (although they already rumble at 32Hz). Really nasty stuff!
h/k GLA-55 on Flickr
got my harman/kardon GLA-55 off *bay for about 420$ here in Germany
56W per channel, 35Hz 20kHz frequency (although they already rumble at 32Hz). Really nasty stuff!
h/k GLA-55 on Flickr
Bye Bye Baby
macrumors 65816
I think the best advice is to make a list of the things that you want to listen to. Then go to your nearest electronics store and try out some speakers. Take some of your music with you. If the store is reputable, they will let you try the speakers out.
It really is the only way. I do use the Bose companion fives, the Bowers and Wilkins MM1s. I also use the Harmon Kardon sound sticks 3.
It really is the only way. I do use the Bose companion fives, the Bowers and Wilkins MM1s. I also use the Harmon Kardon sound sticks 3.
Do yourself a favour and check out the Corsair SP2500's. This is a 2.1 setup that are simply amazing. Should be able to find them around $200ish or so. I replaced a set of Logitech 5500's (5.1 dolby setup) with the Corsairs and couldn't be happier.
Speakers are a very personal decision so if you can, find somewhere where you can listen to them if possible. Do a google search for reviews on the SP2500's and I don't think you'll find a negative review in the bunch. Mine have been awesome so far and a couple of friends have purchased them as well after hearing mine. Connected to 27" 2011 iMac. They're not the prettiest speakers in the world but I didn't buy em' for looks....
Cheers!
James
Speakers are a very personal decision so if you can, find somewhere where you can listen to them if possible. Do a google search for reviews on the SP2500's and I don't think you'll find a negative review in the bunch. Mine have been awesome so far and a couple of friends have purchased them as well after hearing mine. Connected to 27" 2011 iMac. They're not the prettiest speakers in the world but I didn't buy em' for looks....
Cheers!
James
I've had my Swan M200s (mk I) for about 5 or so years now and they've been absolutely wonderful for me. Absolutely the best 2.0 desktop speakers I've ever had the chance to listen to. I'm sure they can be outdone by a proper set of studio monitors, but for set that's made for desktop use, they truly are a great buy. Would gladly buy again, and I imagine the mk III's are nothing short of astounding as well
Second this.
I have the Soundsticks II and they're amazing speakers, best I've owned, though I've also never paid over $100. 😛 They have crystal audio, plenty of power (though I don't try to shake down the building or anything) and look gorgeous. Only caveat is that they are more directional than other speakers I've had, but that's fine for a computer with my use.
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insimbi
macrumors 6502
I like the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 sound but had a set crap out on me shortly after the warranty expired. It was the second set of Klipsch speakers I've had that have gone bad. I don't like to speak ill of Klipsch, as they're a local company--I drive past their headquarters regularly--but I have concerns about the build quality.
I'd second the recommendations for the H&K Soundsticks (I have the Soundsticks ii at my office and the Soundsticks iii at home) and the M-Audio AV40 (I have a set in another room at home). The Soundsticks now look retro!
I'd second the recommendations for the H&K Soundsticks (I have the Soundsticks ii at my office and the Soundsticks iii at home) and the M-Audio AV40 (I have a set in another room at home). The Soundsticks now look retro!
marzer
macrumors 65816
If your price range is $300, look into a Logitech z906. It's a 5.1 surround sound system and you can use a TOSLINK (optical audio). It's about $330 at Newegg.
I bought one earlier this week and I'm loving it. It's plenty loud, lots of bass, and good separation. I'm definitely happy with it.