Good computer speakers or 2.1 system?
May 15, 2003 at 8:56 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 28
NewSc2

NewSc2

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I've been out of the audio loop for a while, and lately I've been noticing my computer speakers have been less and less sufficient (Videologic Digitheatre DTS). Whenever I hear a Klipsch system I feel very jealous - and although I haven't done an A/B testing between them, I really like the detail and strong bass of Klipsch's computer speakers.

That said, I'm moving into another apartment next year, and I'm putting my HT setup in the living room (currently my HT setup is in my bedroom).

I want to enjoy a good 2.0 or 2.1 system, but I've been looking at the space I have, and there isn't much at all - 12x12 room with 2 people. I've been really looking at a cheap 2.1 setup (~$600 or so), but with space considerations and such it looks pretty impossible. Would it be a better idea if I went with good computer speakers? Any recommendations? (music tastes: primarily jazz and classic rock)
 
May 15, 2003 at 9:41 AM Post #2 of 28
I have been under the impression that Videologic's gear is significantly better than Klipsch when it comes to musicality. When it comes to bass, Klipsch and Logitech are the kings, but generally the bass overpowers the rest of the music as the sub crossover is quite high.

Regardless, I own the Klipsch 5.1, and it is passable for music, but rocks for movies and games.
 
May 15, 2003 at 11:00 AM Post #3 of 28
My Videologics seem underpowered, and my sub bottoms out very easily in explosions in movies (Star Wars, LOTR). My speakers seem a bit muddied is what I'd say as well. Maybe I'm a bit picky - I'll A/B these if I do decide to go the Klipsch 2.1 route.
 
May 15, 2003 at 11:06 AM Post #4 of 28
I've reviewed the Klipsch 2.1 and 4.2 speaker setups at my website before (url in sig) and I really like the Klipsch speakers for rock! The detail and refinement of the Klipschs are better than the Logitech (possibly due to a dedicated horn tweeter in the Klipsch).

As for bass, I find the bass on the Logitechs to be very different from the bass from the Klipsch speakers. I believe Logitech caps the crossover at a higher frequency and you get more thump from the Logitech sub than the Klipsch which IMO, has a tighter, more solid and deeper bass but still has a slightly weaker impression than the Logitech bass (which I find to be a little too boomy). Haven't heard the VideoLogics yet so I can't really say much.
 
May 15, 2003 at 11:13 AM Post #5 of 28
I had the Videologic Sirroco Crossfire 4.1 for a while, and the satellites were awesome, much better than Klipsch. However, the sub was underpowered for games, plus mine was defective.
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I agree with TerryKok's thoughts on the bass between Logitech and Klipsch. My Klipsch 5.1 has higher quality bass than my roommate's Logitech 4.1, but the Logitech puts more of it out there. The Klipsch is no slouch by any means, but Logitech booms the crap out of you.

As far as the tweeters go, the Klipsch is more detailed, but some find them annoyingly bright. It really boils down to preferences. The Logitechs aren't quite as bright or detailed depending on your take on it.
wink.gif


It sounds to me like you would probably be much happier with the Klipsch speakers, or maybe Logitech because they are cheaper and really the differences are small.
 
May 15, 2003 at 11:27 AM Post #6 of 28
I've heard that the VideoLogics use full sized Vifa tweeters so I think they should sound pretty much like a nice pair of small bookshelf hi-fi speakers
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I think part of the reason why the Klipsch sounds bright is due to the slight midrange suckout - although Klipsch has fixed this from the original Promedia speakers I still find it somewhat lacking so the higher frequencies start to become more prominent, this might be something you like or hate. Pity not many computer stores let you setup the speakers in a nice room and audition them
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As radrd said, the Logitechs are cheaper and as much as I enjoy the Klipschs, I still think they are overpriced.
 
May 15, 2003 at 12:01 PM Post #7 of 28
So I guess it's only Klipsch vs. Logitechs? I don't like Logitechs at all personally, my roommate has Z560's and my best friend has them too. They're okay as far as computer speakers go, but bass is very bloated.

I would go with a receiver/integrated amp + 2 speakers/subwoofer route, but I've been under the impression that real hi-fi speakers need good listening position, and 3 ft. away from the speakers isn't good enough.

FYI, I had my Videologic Digitheatre DTS hooked up as my main HT/music setup for a couple months a year ago or so. Sound was okay, but nothing I was particularily thrilled about. I think it was mainly that the speakers sounded very small and didn't quite encompass the range I'd hoped they would.
 
May 15, 2003 at 12:08 PM Post #8 of 28
3 ft? you need nearfield monitors
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computer speakers tend to sound small from a distance, even the Klipschs sound small to me about 5 - 6 feet away and i need to turn them up fairly loud to compensate. i guess it really boils down to a compromise between flexibility (being able to use them with the computer or for watching DVDs) or quality (real hifi setup).
 
May 15, 2003 at 3:52 PM Post #9 of 28
You can get a pretty solid 2.1 system for $600. I would say get a set of swan m200's and add a sub, or get a set of mini-monitors such as these
which can be used for computer use, and add an integrated amp and sub.
 
May 15, 2003 at 7:28 PM Post #10 of 28
My favorite question is how much are you willing to spend? I have read about the swan Divas being relly good for what they are and I think that probably adding a sub like an acoustic research 8" which seem to get good reviews at audioreview.com might be a good option?

Consider that or consider some passive / powered nearfields like the M-Audio SP-B5 or the Yorkvilles YSM-1 i think (Note that I have never heard any of these). Theses are affordable but with all things listen first.


D
 
May 15, 2003 at 10:16 PM Post #11 of 28
Quote:

Originally posted by radrd
I have been under the impression that Videologic's gear is significantly better than Klipsch when it comes to musicality. When it comes to bass, Klipsch and Logitech are the kings, but generally the bass overpowers the rest of the music as the sub crossover is quite high.


The crossover on the Klipsch's and Logitech's were actually a lot lower than Videologic's 4.1 and 5.1 offerings. Klipsch is still all alone at 120hz while the competition is content to sit on 150-200hz.
rolleyes.gif


It's sad though that Videologic dropped from the running in the "high-end" multimedia speaker stakes - their current PC offerings are pretty cheesy.
 
May 15, 2003 at 10:29 PM Post #12 of 28
Quote:

It's sad though that Videologic dropped from the running in the "high-end" multimedia speaker stakes - their current PC offerings are pretty cheesy.


That's too bad. I really liked the Sirocco Crossfire; damn nice sounding for multimedia speakers.
 
May 16, 2003 at 1:53 AM Post #13 of 28
Quote:

Originally posted by vrao81
You can get a pretty solid 2.1 system for $600. I would say get a set of swan m200's and add a sub, or get a set of mini-monitors such as these
which can be used for computer use, and add an integrated amp and sub.


I was thinking about those or the NHT SB1's that are out. I kind of forgot about those Rutledge audio ones, i remember passing them by in my search for HT setup.

Where can I still find Diva M200's? I don't see them anywhere~
 
May 16, 2003 at 3:35 AM Post #14 of 28
Quote:

Originally posted by NewSc2
I was thinking about those or the NHT SB1's that are out. I kind of forgot about those Rutledge audio ones, i remember passing them by in my search for HT setup.

Where can I still find Diva M200's? I don't see them anywhere~



They can be bought at http://www.theaudioinsider.com/ . They cost a little more now though.
 
May 16, 2003 at 3:40 AM Post #15 of 28
The NHT SB1 should be a great little speaker. I've heard it's bigger brothers, the sb2 and sb3 and I came away very impressed. Match the SB1 with a sub (as they only go down to ~70 hz), and you have a killer system.
The entire NHT superaudio series has been praised for accuracy, transparency, and speed that's unheard of for their asking price.
 
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