CagedTiger
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2005
- Posts
- 69
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- 18
I'm about to buy an iMac 21.5" and need a good set of compact speakers that are sub-$150. I do not have a dedicated desk for the computer; my desk is actually a dining table for four that I use as a desk as well as a livingroom-/dining table. You could say that half of the desk is dedicated to the computer and the rest is for eating and keeping random stuff on it. This is why I need something compact. 2.1 sets are popular to many but as my apartment is small I really want to limit the cables and other stuff on the floor. This is why I do not want a separate subwoofer.
Now I know many of you are thinking I should just get Audioengine A2s or Swams M10, but those are out of my price range -- not to mention are hard to get because I live in EU where those aren't easy to get.
So what are my option. I have done a bit of research and found that the M-Audio AV 30 or the Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass would be good choices. But which one?
M-Audio -speakers are well respected, especially AV 40. I do know how good they are but unfortunately they are just too bulky. That is why I would go with the AV 30 which is not necessarily as good but is a little bit smaller. M-Audio does have the AV 20s but I hear they are a serious letdown. With AV 30 I would imagine getting top notch audio, especially for music which is a priority. But is it worth the space these things would take up?
The reason I chose the Altec Lansing Expressionist to this is that they have had good reviews. I do not necessarily need the bass as I live in a building where the walls aren't that thick (do not want to disturb the neighbours). However I like the style of these speakers and, as I said, they have got great reviews. I know some of you might suggest looking at Creative Gigaworks T20/T40 but I do not like the looks of them at all and think the M-Audios are the better choice.
So this is my dilemma. Should I get bulky but well-respected and music-friendly speakers or speakers that are nice to look at, do not take much space but are not as good with music? I would not be cranking up the volume and would only need these to fill up one medium-sized room with music at reasonable levels. My current speakers are Logitech V20 USB travel speakers which are respected in their class but which are pretty bad for listening to music -- especially if you turn the volume up a little bit.
In short, AV 30 or Expressionist Bass? Keep in mind that I'm not able to test any of these (will be buying them online from another country).
Now I know many of you are thinking I should just get Audioengine A2s or Swams M10, but those are out of my price range -- not to mention are hard to get because I live in EU where those aren't easy to get.
So what are my option. I have done a bit of research and found that the M-Audio AV 30 or the Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass would be good choices. But which one?
M-Audio -speakers are well respected, especially AV 40. I do know how good they are but unfortunately they are just too bulky. That is why I would go with the AV 30 which is not necessarily as good but is a little bit smaller. M-Audio does have the AV 20s but I hear they are a serious letdown. With AV 30 I would imagine getting top notch audio, especially for music which is a priority. But is it worth the space these things would take up?
The reason I chose the Altec Lansing Expressionist to this is that they have had good reviews. I do not necessarily need the bass as I live in a building where the walls aren't that thick (do not want to disturb the neighbours). However I like the style of these speakers and, as I said, they have got great reviews. I know some of you might suggest looking at Creative Gigaworks T20/T40 but I do not like the looks of them at all and think the M-Audios are the better choice.
So this is my dilemma. Should I get bulky but well-respected and music-friendly speakers or speakers that are nice to look at, do not take much space but are not as good with music? I would not be cranking up the volume and would only need these to fill up one medium-sized room with music at reasonable levels. My current speakers are Logitech V20 USB travel speakers which are respected in their class but which are pretty bad for listening to music -- especially if you turn the volume up a little bit.
In short, AV 30 or Expressionist Bass? Keep in mind that I'm not able to test any of these (will be buying them online from another country).
