Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) › Best budget bookshelf speakers for 2.1 PC setup.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Best budget bookshelf speakers for 2.1 PC setup.

post #1 of 14
4/4/08 at 6:11pm
Thread Starter 
I am looking for some bookshelf speakers for my 2.1 PC setup. I have been looking at the Infinity's P152, POLK R150, and Insignia's from bestbuy. which one is the best one, or are there any more in the same price range? For a 2.1 setup should i just get the swan m10?
Reply
post #2 of 14
4/4/08 at 9:24pm
If you can stretch your budget a little, take a look at the AudioEngine A2 or A5. Stereophile did a very favorable review on the A2.
Reply
post #3 of 14
4/4/08 at 9:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by furball View Post
If you can stretch your budget a little, take a look at the AudioEngine A2 or A5. Stereophile did a very favorable review on the A2.
I want to spend less than $150 for the pair.
Reply
post #4 of 14
4/5/08 at 12:52am
I asked the same question a few days ago looking for something around $100. I ended up ordering the Swan M10s. I will post my impressions of them as soon as they come in.
Reply
post #5 of 14
4/6/08 at 3:02am
Audioengine 2 and 5s and the Swan m10s are powered speakers, meaning you plug them into a wall outlet and directly into your computer. This makes a very easy to setup and are geared toward PC use.

The Infinity p152 and the Polk R150 are both bookshelf speakers, meaning you will need a receiver or integrated amplifier to power them. You will then connect your computer to your receiver. This adds another $100-$200 to your cost but the sound quality will definitely be superior to both the Audioengines and the Swans.

Both would probably be great upgrades to your current setup, but the bookshelves are noticeably better than the powered speakers.
Reply
post #6 of 14
4/6/08 at 8:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by juventuscadillac View Post
I want to spend less than $150 for the pair.
I see that Audioadvisor.com still has some Athena LS-100 speakers for $99/pair.You had better get them before they are gone.The Athena brand is being phased out and their bookshelf speakers are way better than the Insignia's.
Reply
post #7 of 14
4/6/08 at 10:40am
Hunt down some Advent "The Smaller Loudspeaker", not "smaller advents", not "mini advents", but "The Smaller Loudspeaker", and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the amount of ridiculous sound you get out of them. They really are giant killers and well reknown for it. They're larger than Athena speakers, and a little larger than the Insignias, but sound SOOOOOO full and rich.
Reply
post #8 of 14
4/6/08 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oicdn View Post
Hunt down some Advent "The Smaller Loudspeaker", not "smaller advents", not "mini advents", but "The Smaller Loudspeaker", and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the amount of ridiculous sound you get out of them. They really are giant killers and well reknown for it. They're larger than Athena speakers, and a little larger than the Insignias, but sound SOOOOOO full and rich.
Excellent recomendation, another possibility are the AR-18.
Reply
post #9 of 14
4/6/08 at 4:59pm
I recently refoamed mine, and am loving every second I hear them. They are a LITTLE on the large side, but the amount of sound that comes out of those beasts is AMAZING. Best thing about them is they really don't care how much wattage is thrown at them (very generally speaking), and they just sing and have a MASSIVE amount of CLEAN, TIGHT BASS. Something that all other smaller speakers can't even come close to touching in quantity and arguably quality.
Reply
post #10 of 14
4/8/08 at 12:36pm
I just got my Swan M10's in. Right out of the box they sound fantastic. I don't think you could do any better without going double or triple the price of the M10's.
Reply
post #11 of 14
8/20/08 at 11:53am
Bumping/resurrecting this thread. I can't find Swan M10s anywhere! Little help?
Reply
post #12 of 14
8/20/08 at 12:01pm
nm, found them on audio insider. =)
Reply
post #13 of 14
8/20/08 at 12:10pm
At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, for a 2.1 budget desktop set-up, I would recommend a pair of Realistic Minimus 7s and a decent small subwoofer.

The Minimus 7s can be spectacular for the size and any lack of bass can easily be compensated for with the sub not to mention that they can image like crazy from 2 feet!

For $30 on fleabay, you may just surprise yourself and save a few bucks too.
Reply
post #14 of 14
8/20/08 at 12:59pm
In case you weren't aware already, the subwoofer of the Swan M10's go on your desk as opposed to the ground.

hope you like them
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) › Best budget bookshelf speakers for 2.1 PC setup.