I'm looking for desktop speakers like the M-Audio Studiophile AV-20 or the Bose Companion 2. I don't really need huge bass to shake up the walls or anything like that, but decent bass to hear lows would be nice. I am only comparing these two right now, but I am open to anything else as well. I don't want to spend more than $100. The Cnet reviewers recommended the M-Audio AV-20 over the Bose. What do you all think?
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M-Audio Studiophile AV-20 vs. Bose Companion 2
- Thread starter rambusanna
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AV-20 is significantly better then the Bose.
The general recommendations are going to be some Bose product that I won't recommend and people will make jokes about. The Sound Sticks which people seem to be giving a lot of credence to these days. I'll recommend the Altec Lansing FX6021 over those, which will lead to another discussion. Then someone will recommend the Logitech Z-2300. At this point, someone will recommend that something from Wal-Mart that costs $25.00 and they will swear it that's greatest thing ever. Someone will then recommend Bose and get flamed, followed by the comment about get yourself a good set of cans (headphones), because those will always sound better. Somewhere along the way the M-Audio's will be thrown around, followed by people like me recommending a different set of pro monitors, followed by another Bose posts. A good chance there will be a discussion about the Logitech-Z5500s, which are a good choice. There are a couple of intangibles: someone might recommend the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1, Creative's T40 or some other Logitech that's probably not as good as the Z-2300s. After about 20 posts or so, the general consensus will be reached by a couple of users, you should probably just go hear them for yourself, making the thread well...you can decide...
My recomendation is the Swan M10. To put these in the category of computer speakers is insulting because they are that much better. The main problem with these is that they are impossible to find, but these things are truly on a different level. They even ship with white gloves so that you don't get fingerprints on the speakers. And they are barely over $100.
Lastly, my thoughts on Bose. Audiophiles will tell you never to buy Bose. People like me, that want to be audiophiles will tell you not to buy Bose. I don't think they sound awful, but when you place the price tag next to them, then they start to sound awful. For the most part, the Bose stuff is mid-range stuff at top range prices. With that being said, if you are satisfied with your purchase, then more power to you. To say that Bose is "junk" is probably a little overstating it, because they are no worse then any of the other companies. But, to say that they are the best, is giving way too much credit. I love my 901s, but I believe that the in-ear headphones belong only in one place, the trash.
Now you of course would have known all of this if you searched, but I did all the work for you.
Speakers Discussions Are Rampant:
A good example of my comments are found here.
Here is one thread for $100 USD. Good Discussion.
USB Speaker Discussion Here
Here is another discussion
Wireless Thread Here...although it diverged.
2.0 DiscussionHere
$200 Discussion Here
The general recommendations are going to be some Bose product that I won't recommend and people will make jokes about. The Sound Sticks which people seem to be giving a lot of credence to these days. I'll recommend the Altec Lansing FX6021 over those, which will lead to another discussion. Then someone will recommend the Logitech Z-2300. At this point, someone will recommend that something from Wal-Mart that costs $25.00 and they will swear it that's greatest thing ever. Someone will then recommend Bose and get flamed, followed by the comment about get yourself a good set of cans (headphones), because those will always sound better. Somewhere along the way the M-Audio's will be thrown around, followed by people like me recommending a different set of pro monitors, followed by another Bose posts. A good chance there will be a discussion about the Logitech-Z5500s, which are a good choice. There are a couple of intangibles: someone might recommend the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1, Creative's T40 or some other Logitech that's probably not as good as the Z-2300s. After about 20 posts or so, the general consensus will be reached by a couple of users, you should probably just go hear them for yourself, making the thread well...you can decide...
My recomendation is the Swan M10. To put these in the category of computer speakers is insulting because they are that much better. The main problem with these is that they are impossible to find, but these things are truly on a different level. They even ship with white gloves so that you don't get fingerprints on the speakers. And they are barely over $100.
Lastly, my thoughts on Bose. Audiophiles will tell you never to buy Bose. People like me, that want to be audiophiles will tell you not to buy Bose. I don't think they sound awful, but when you place the price tag next to them, then they start to sound awful. For the most part, the Bose stuff is mid-range stuff at top range prices. With that being said, if you are satisfied with your purchase, then more power to you. To say that Bose is "junk" is probably a little overstating it, because they are no worse then any of the other companies. But, to say that they are the best, is giving way too much credit. I love my 901s, but I believe that the in-ear headphones belong only in one place, the trash.
Now you of course would have known all of this if you searched, but I did all the work for you.
Speakers Discussions Are Rampant:
A good example of my comments are found here.
Here is one thread for $100 USD. Good Discussion.
USB Speaker Discussion Here
Here is another discussion
Wireless Thread Here...although it diverged.
2.0 DiscussionHere
$200 Discussion Here
I have a pair of companion 2s. Pretty satisfied with them. I'm not an audiophile, but I listen to music pretty much all the time so I wanted a decent set of speakers for $100. I played around with these, a pair of altecs that were $100, a set of JBLs that were either $80 or $100 and the companion 2s. The companion 2s sounded the best out of those. Those swan m10s do like awfully nice, but I bought mine for a dorm. Where I didn't think a sub was necessary and didn't want my speakers to be massive.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I am really diggin the Swan M10s. I think I am going to get them. I hope they are as amazing as you say.
I just purchased the Swan m10s. They are perfect for me! The highs and mids are apparently unmatchably brilliant for its class, and like I said I don't need the best bass. The bass on this system, I am sure, is going to be a lot more than what I need. I am into SQ more than thump. Sexy electronics turn me on so that's a plus. The polished white exterior is going to perfectly match my white macbook. I can't wait to get them!!! I am going to do a review on youtube after I get them since there are none out there.