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New MacPro... Now In Search of Speakers...
- Thread starter flyingscott
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New MacPro ...Now In Search of Speakers
I ordered the Bose Companion 5 speakers when I ordered my Mac Pro and they were delivered in three days. You can check them out on the Bose site. I have them hooked up to my G5 now and they sound great. I chose them because there are only 2 speakers and a small sub-woofer but the sound is 5.1 surround. It's very simple to connect them because they connect via the USB port on the computer (or Apple monitor, in my case).
I ordered the Bose Companion 5 speakers when I ordered my Mac Pro and they were delivered in three days. You can check them out on the Bose site. I have them hooked up to my G5 now and they sound great. I chose them because there are only 2 speakers and a small sub-woofer but the sound is 5.1 surround. It's very simple to connect them because they connect via the USB port on the computer (or Apple monitor, in my case).
I think I am going to give these a try:
http://audioengineusa.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=79&osCsid=d4cf052f4f6b2a05fbdfcfbaeb046328
http://audioengineusa.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=79&osCsid=d4cf052f4f6b2a05fbdfcfbaeb046328
Will this optical cable work? I am probably going for the z-5500 as well and need an optical cable to connect with my MP, and am not too familiar with how optical works.
Mike, I agree with you about the Klipsch speakers. Excellent speakers and a relatively small footprint. I have had min for several years and they sound as good now as when I bought them.
Thanks.
Not only do they look nice, they have made me re-discover music I had in my collection.
Most speaker systems are biased towards mid-ranges where most of the sound is and that's fine most of the time but you lose the delicate sounds on the top end and the rumble at the low end.
I have audiophile friends who spend ridiculous sums of money on audio equipment and access to some amazing equipment and this set was the only thing under $500 that really impressed me.
As for the Bose stuff - no offense to those that got them but they are just "muddy".
They sound great if you listen to them alone but next to better speakers, they just don't add up for the price.
Cheers!
Just a thought but you might want to look into a headphone + headphone amp instead of a set of speakers. For that price range you can get a great pair of headphones plus an amp and have great audiophile sound. This also depends on what you music is ripped at also though, if its only from 128-256 kbps you might want to get something that is a little bit muddier otherwise you will hear the flaws in compressed music.
I have the Bose companion 3's and the z5500s as well as a pair of Akg k701s through an amp and while the Bose sound ok at first, they really sound muddy after listening for while through the Akg's. The z5500s are fine for gaming (I have them hooked up to my 360 and tv through a toslink) but for music they really arent that great imo.
I have the Bose companion 3's and the z5500s as well as a pair of Akg k701s through an amp and while the Bose sound ok at first, they really sound muddy after listening for while through the Akg's. The z5500s are fine for gaming (I have them hooked up to my 360 and tv through a toslink) but for music they really arent that great imo.
I second Sandylp - I bought the Bose Companion 5's a few weeks ago, and they sound even better than my previous Logitech 5 cube + sub setup - all in just 2 speakers on the desktop and a nice sized subwoofer that gives you booming (but NOT muddy or over-saturated) bass. The highs are clear and don't distort, and the lows thump as they should without sounding crappy.
Price of admission's a bit higher (normally $499), but I got mine through CompUSA's going out of business sale for $100 less ($399)
-Bryan
Price of admission's a bit higher (normally $499), but I got mine through CompUSA's going out of business sale for $100 less ($399)
-Bryan
Very good suggestion if music is going to be the primary use.
As for speakers, Zaph Audio has a couple inexpensive designs that would work well as DIY nearfield monitors if you already have an integrated amp. Building speakers normally saves you between 50-75%.
Also, the used market for any of this higher end stuff tends to be great. Let someone obsessed with having the latest and greatest take the depreciation hit and then buy up their used equipment (which is still 99.5% as good as the next incarnation).
Yeah, 99% of what I listen to is compressed... so, I certainly don't need audiophile grade stuff. I am trying to decide between the A2's (see above), the Bose Companion and the Acoustic Energy (M series).
I figure I can't go wrong with any of the above listed.
I can hear flaws in music I downloaded way back when - 96 to 128kbps MP3 files from the early days of LAME encoding and CDParanoia.
Other than that, No real issues with the Aego M - higher grade stuff (256 kbps MP3, 256 kbps AAC, Lossless AAC, FLAC) all sound just that much better though.
which speakers
ordered my MacPro and i'm looking at some speakers too my first choice is altec leansing 2.1 (the one's that match the cinema displays) or 5.1 logicteh z5500 but don't know that would work with an built in soundcard any suggestions?
ordered my MacPro and i'm looking at some speakers too my first choice is altec leansing 2.1 (the one's that match the cinema displays) or 5.1 logicteh z5500 but don't know that would work with an built in soundcard any suggestions?
Anyone know if this works with the z-5500? Anyone?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1419&seq=1&format=2
Boot Camp
Sort of related, in terms of using speakers hooked up via an optical cable.... when you use Boot Camp and Windows, are there drivers in windows that support surround sound via the optical cable? I want to buy some for games, but it's pointless if they're not supported under windows.
Sort of related, in terms of using speakers hooked up via an optical cable.... when you use Boot Camp and Windows, are there drivers in windows that support surround sound via the optical cable? I want to buy some for games, but it's pointless if they're not supported under windows.
I like the Bose and will more than likely be upgrading to these as well. A couple of observations:
1. They are silver/gray which goes great with a Mac Pro and Apple cinema display
2. Small footprint
3. Full sound (note it is not the "best" but very good for general/game use
4. Reasonable price
I know the price is not the lowest but the spekers virtually disappear and have an affinity for filling most reasonably sized rooms with sound. With that said, if you are a true audiofile, get a monitor headset and never look back.
1. They are silver/gray which goes great with a Mac Pro and Apple cinema display
2. Small footprint
3. Full sound (note it is not the "best" but very good for general/game use
4. Reasonable price
I know the price is not the lowest but the spekers virtually disappear and have an affinity for filling most reasonably sized rooms with sound. With that said, if you are a true audiofile, get a monitor headset and never look back.
Reference Monitors...
I use the KRK rockit 5s great small reference speakers for the money. The ones flying scott found look like a modified cheaper version of them.
My mac pro arrives tomorrow so I can't comment for the new model. Over the summer though I was assigned to a 2.66 standard quad mac pro and noticed RF interference picked up when using the front end headphone and built in rear analog jacks. This isn't a problem for my home setup because I use an Mbox Pro for all my audio in outs.
I would highly recomend the mini or standard Mbox if you want pro quality I/O and a basic version of pro tools. There are probably slightly better units out there but I think that is a great all in one package for feeding monitors and headphones alike and it provides you with independent table top control of both. If you do get that buy from sweetwater or someone else who provides support for installation.
I use the KRK rockit 5s great small reference speakers for the money. The ones flying scott found look like a modified cheaper version of them.
My mac pro arrives tomorrow so I can't comment for the new model. Over the summer though I was assigned to a 2.66 standard quad mac pro and noticed RF interference picked up when using the front end headphone and built in rear analog jacks. This isn't a problem for my home setup because I use an Mbox Pro for all my audio in outs.
I would highly recomend the mini or standard Mbox if you want pro quality I/O and a basic version of pro tools. There are probably slightly better units out there but I think that is a great all in one package for feeding monitors and headphones alike and it provides you with independent table top control of both. If you do get that buy from sweetwater or someone else who provides support for installation.
despite my endorsement...
depsite my endorsement of the KRKs I'm listening to them through a cheap-o mini to RCA cable right now through the stock out on my macbook and they don't sound as good. If you're going to go with reference monitors get a break out box of some kind even if its that M-audio junk. Get something with a pro minded balanced output get a TRS cable or two and you'll be set. Otherwise I would go with the Kiplisch consumer oriented speakers which are designed to accept the signal from a stock sound card headphone jack.
Also just because you have a output on the back that might say speaker or have a little symbol all it is another headphone jack.
Depsite my distaste for M-audio gear I've heard good things about there prosumer monitors, as well as the Behringers stuff. Both company sell decent pairs of speakers for the money which will have you under 200 bucks for a pair in some cases. But 150 a monitor seems to be where the major companies put there entry level stuff. I found a page on sweetwater
top monitors for under 500 a pair.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=s:monitor500
I found a new pair of 5 inch mackies, people in my field swear by the 8 inch mackies. I'm to buy a few of those and start mixing 5.1
depsite my endorsement of the KRKs I'm listening to them through a cheap-o mini to RCA cable right now through the stock out on my macbook and they don't sound as good. If you're going to go with reference monitors get a break out box of some kind even if its that M-audio junk. Get something with a pro minded balanced output get a TRS cable or two and you'll be set. Otherwise I would go with the Kiplisch consumer oriented speakers which are designed to accept the signal from a stock sound card headphone jack.
Also just because you have a output on the back that might say speaker or have a little symbol all it is another headphone jack.
Depsite my distaste for M-audio gear I've heard good things about there prosumer monitors, as well as the Behringers stuff. Both company sell decent pairs of speakers for the money which will have you under 200 bucks for a pair in some cases. But 150 a monitor seems to be where the major companies put there entry level stuff. I found a page on sweetwater
top monitors for under 500 a pair.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=s:monitor500
I found a new pair of 5 inch mackies, people in my field swear by the 8 inch mackies. I'm to buy a few of those and start mixing 5.1
I also just bought these for my iMac. Excellent sound and small footprint. Well worth the price.
I say if you got the room go for the Z-5500's I have had them before and just ordered another set to go with my Mac Pro for $209.99 and they sound mutch better than the Bose in my opinion. I have heard both.