Speaker assistance

[laryenhilllvr]

I'm looking for a good set of speakers for my imac. I'm no audiophile, but the speakers on the 2012 imac SUCK! I see a lot of people have the harmon kadon speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon...UTF8&colid=56Y64SLJR295&coliid=I3OLWIWP4MTXWS) or the b&w speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Bowers-Wilkin...e=UTF8&colid=QPVQFN8ZZPDI&coliid=IVGMKP80X3CN). i'm also considering these (http://www.amazon.com/Focal-Satelli...UTF8&colid=56Y64SLJR295&coliid=I2PPJ6RNW9I2DP) i've read mostly good, but a few reviews that say there are better for the price. any thoughts on these or suggestions for others?

i'm not very tech savy, but i'm not a complete idiot so a medium amount of installation is acceptable. size is not a huge issue, but i'm not looking for tiny speakers or huge 6 footers either. preferably something that can sit on my dest with a subwoofer underneath.

oh and my budget is ABOUT $500. thank you all for the help and advice in advance!

 

[phoenixsan]

Check out.....

the Bose branded speakers. A coworker buys a 2012 iMac and like you, hate the sound coming out. So she settled for:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TP719VC/A/bose-computer-musicmonitor?fnode=4f

Seems to her that the bass are powerful enough and the sharps no too crisp.

 

[dangerly]

I'm about to buy the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 computer speakers.
Bose are overrated and overpriced IMO.
http://www.klipsch.com/promedia-2-1-computer-speakers

 

[trustever]

I assume you have tried all of the 3 models in your initial message, did you?

I know both the HK and the BW, not the 3rd one you mentioned, and my preference goes for the BW also becasue they do not need a separate subwoofer but I recon that they are not cheap at all!

 

[LaunchpadBS]

I'm looking for a good set of speakers for my imac. I'm no audiophile, but the speakers on the 2012 imac SUCK! I see a lot of people have the harmon kadon speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon...UTF8&colid=56Y64SLJR295&coliid=I3OLWIWP4MTXWS) or the b&w speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Bowers-Wilkin...e=UTF8&colid=QPVQFN8ZZPDI&coliid=IVGMKP80X3CN). i'm also considering these (http://www.amazon.com/Focal-Satelli...UTF8&colid=56Y64SLJR295&coliid=I2PPJ6RNW9I2DP) i've read mostly good, but a few reviews that say there are better for the price. any thoughts on these or suggestions for others?

i'm not very tech savy, but i'm not a complete idiot so a medium amount of installation is acceptable. size is not a huge issue, but i'm not looking for tiny speakers or huge 6 footers either. preferably something that can sit on my dest with a subwoofer underneath.

oh and my budget is ABOUT $500. thank you all for the help and advice in advance!

http://www.orbitsound.com/product.asp?id=4

Problem solved

 

[phrehdd]

You'll have your hands full with other people's favorites as suggestions.

I have used many types of speakers with computers over the years and find that you have to consider -

how big a speaker do you want next to your iMac
what type of music do you play (and movies)
how loud do you want to play your speakers

The Focals that you mention are pretty impressive in sound and look good.
The Harmon Kardon Sticks are still a great bang for the buck and are unobstrusive for the most part as well as sound quite decent.
Klipsch 2.1 has been a tried and true set up

The list goes on.

On the more esoteric side you can move to monitor style speakers such as Audioengines (don't require a sub for the most part), M-Audio's M-40's or as another mentioned - try the Orb desktop offering. They are more than decent in sound and output for their size.

I'll admit a complete disdain for Bose which is interesting since I picked up the middle priced units for about 10 bucks at a garage sale and use them on a system when I want simple audio (beeps and such). Bose makes very strange speakers in that they fake an airiness that people confuse for quality. Sorry Bose lovers, you are honestly getting ripped off with those speakers and the quality of the drivers is more than suspect.

In your shoes, you might zero on on the Focals if you like them, the Klipsch 2.1 for high end typical sound, the sound sticks if you like the acrylic clear looks (the sound speaks for itself) or go more esoteric. Your budge seems to allow for a lot of room and you are lucky as such. Enjoy the shopping experience!

As for me - I tend to use my regular AVR with a zone two set for my desktop speakers (older but very thoughtful sounding Energy XL:15's. I can control the AVR through my iPhone and it works similar to airplay.

 

[Htin]

Bowers & Wilkins FTW!!!

 

[laryenhilllvr]

ok, thank you all for your suggestions...i'll have to do a little more research and read some more reviews!

 

[K0BI]

consider studio monitors?

I was discouraged when auditioning computer speakers up to the $500 range. I realized for that much money, I should consider other options like studio monitors. Ended up getting a pair of JBL Pro LSR2325P monitors and love them.

 

[stevefo]

These things kick hard! Love em!

Logitech Z623 2.1 200 watts (RMS) THX certified.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/speaker-system-Z623?crid=47

 

[Tomorrow]

The two I've heard very good things about are the Klipsch Promedias and the HK Soundsticks. I can't vouch for the Klipsch set, but the Soundsticks may well be the worst speakers I've ever heard try to produce sound. Just one guy's opinion.

I'm using an old set of Logitech Z-5500's, and they sound fantastic.