[andychen]

I decided to get a speaker system setup for my computer. I want to use computer for watching movies and listening to music occasionally. I already have HD580 and will have an amp soon for it, so no point for me to spend that much money to get a really good speaker system. My budget is $200. I am thinking about Klipsch 2.1 ($120), or a T-amp and a pair of cheap bookshelf. i read many threads and many say for music purpose, T-amp and bookshelf should be better, but others say Klipsch 2.1 is hard to beat by any under $200 system and it is great for movies. I want the speakers to be good for both music and movies. If I get a T-amp and bookshelf without a sub, are they OK for movies? I think T-amp cannot power a sub, so if later I want to add a sub, what should I do? Thanks.

If any of you can suggest some 2.0 or 2.1 active loudspeakers in the same price range that are comparable to or better than Klipsch 2.1 that'd be great. Early on I asked about swan m10, but I heard some negative things about it. Thanks.

 

[andychen]

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[MoNelly]

I currently use the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 setup and I think it's pretty solid. It is definitely sounds better than 98% of the PC speakers you'll find on store shelves. Plus, the build quality is good for a product in this price range.

I only have two issues with the rig: You can control the sub and speaker volume from the right speaker, but you can't turn the whole setup off (the power switch is on the back of the subwoofer). Number two: the subwoofer is huge, and it takes up a ton of space under the desk (it is way too big to sit on the desktop). And since it's under the desk, it is very hard to reach the power switch, which means the speakers get left on, and they constantly draw power, even when I'm not listening to them.

So that's my two cents. I would be interested to know what you heard about the Swan M10s, as they seemed like a decent option for good desktop sound.

 

[Operandi]

For $200 you are still in the computer speaker realm. To make book shelf or monitor type speakers plus an amp worth while you'll probably want to speed around $300-400 min (a bit less if you go used).

If you can up your budget it might be worth it though since a separate amp and speakers will have a use besides your computer audio needs. It's also an upgradeable solution; you can pickup better speakers or amp at any time, or add a subwoofer for example.

 

[frankR]

I'd get studio monitors. I bought the M-Audio BX5a for computer speakers. I'm actually using them with my 73" DLP + my DIY subwoofer, it sounds amazing considering they only cost $250.

Amazon.com: M-Audio BX5a 5" BiAmplified Studio Monitor Speakers: Electronics

These sounds great as well, I've used them with Final Cut editors before:
Amazon.com: M-Audio Studiophile DX4 Professional Desktop Monitoring System, Black: Electronics

 

[andychen]

thanks for all the suggestions. I did a relatively thorough search and summarized the following options. but I have mixed reviews on the same systems. I live in a small town and hard to do auditions, craiglist and it is hassle to try something and ship them back. That is why I want to make a descision before buying. swan m200 seems to be the best choice but no longer available.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1: seems to be a safe choice and many say it is better than cheap bookshelf, but I still get mixed reviews. BTW, can I hook up a IPOD with it?

Active monitors: MAudio BX5A $220 ; M-Audio StudioPro 3 $100; Alesis M1 $200; audioengine A2 $200 (some say not worth it) ; M-Audio Studiophile DX4;

bookshelf (I am not sure if all these are passive): Wharfedale Diamond 8.1 $150; Paradigm Atoms $200, M-Audio LX4, av123 XL-S $200, Athena LS-100B $150

I like the flexbility of separate amp and speaker. I may get a T-amp, but then how can I add a sub to the T-amp 2.0 system?

 

[MoNelly]

New version of Swan m200 (M200MkII) is available at the audio insider Web site for $299.

The Audio Insider - Home loudspeaker systems and reviews

I've heard good things about the original m200s, however they required a lot of desktop real estate.

 

[andychen]

thanks, I will keep this in mind. a little pricy though. How do you think of Diamond 8.1 plus T-amp? Is this setup better than Klipsch 2.1? I start to look at ebay now and saw some Paradigm Titan, diamond 9.2 and Axiom. I may think about those also. I hate that I live in a small town and cannot audit those speakers.






Quote:

Originally Posted by MoNelly /img/forum/go_quote.gif New version of Swan m200 (M200MkII) is available at the audio insider Web site for $299. The Audio Insider - Home loudspeaker systems and reviews I've heard good things about the original m200s, however they required a lot of desktop real estate.

 

[cjkel]

A couple of months back I got the Swan m200 mkii from Newegg for $179. I notice that they no longer have them in stock, at least not right now. They have surprising bass, considering they don't have a subwoofer, and for music, I would bet the high end is more responsive than you would get with any computer speaker. They might be worth waiting for.

 

[Operandi]

If you are considering going with used equipment take a look at the some of the stuff on Audiogon. The selection is much better and they are community driven so it's a safer bet then Ebay. I would also recommend you look more at monitors (passive or active) vs. book shelfs. Monitors are designed for nearfeild use where as book shelfs may not do so well nearfeild.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andychen /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like the flexbility of separate amp and speaker. I may get a T-amp, but then how can I add a sub to the T-amp 2.0 system?

There are couple of ways you could hook up a sub. May sub amps have high-level inputs where you would run the speaker wire from the amp to the sub amp first and then to speakers themselves. You could also use a splitter (Y-cable) to get the signal to both your speaker and sub.

 

[andychen]

Thanks. To be honest, I cannot tell the difference between monitors and bookshelf. They look the same to me. I am really a newbee. I also don't quite understand why bookshelf may not do well nearfield. Can you help a little bit? Thanks.


Quote:

Originally Posted by Operandi /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you are considering going with used equipment take a look at the some of the stuff on Audiogon. The selection is much better and they are community driven so it's a safer bet then Ebay. I would also recommend you look more at monitors (passive or active) vs. book shelfs. Monitors are designed for nearfeild use where as book shelfs may not do so well nearfeild. There are couple of ways you could hook up a sub. May sub amps have high-level inputs where you would run the speaker wire from the amp to the sub amp first and then to speakers themselves. You could also use a splitter (Y-cable) to get the signal to both your speaker and sub.

 

[Bones13]

To answer your question about the Klipsch 2.1...

On the right satellite, where the volume control is there is both an aux in mini-jack and a 1/8th headphone out jack.

I have had 2 of these systems, and really liked the sound. One of them finally broke after 4-5 years of hard use in the kids playroom, and the second one I moved down there is still working. This one pumps either the kids iPod, or the team fortress garbage.

I had the Klipsch iFi, but had the amp crap out within the first year. I got into HeadFi not long after, and did not look back.

I too can recommend the Klipsch 2.1, available at best buy even. Sound is quite good. Is it the equal of the $100+ each studio monitors, perhaps not, but if you want powered speakers in that price range, I think its a great choice. The Swans M200 is definately a more refined speaker, and better to me for vocals and jazz, but you about double the price.

 

[Operandi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by andychen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks. To be honest, I cannot tell the difference between monitors and bookshelf. They look the same to me. I am really a newbee. I also don't quite understand why bookshelf may not do well nearfield. Can you help a little bit? Thanks.

Sure. Cosmetically there usually isn't any dead giveaways that separate bookshelfs from monitors. The difference is more of a design choice made in the crossover. A typical speaker is usually designed to work on a stand about a foot or so away from any walls.

A monitor is often times placed a right a above a mixing board or a desk of some sort. When a regular speaker is placed in this positing the desk or mixing board tend to muddy the bass by reflecting the sound waves back to your ears that would otherwise dissipate into the open room. Hence the recommendation for many speakers to be placed a away from walls and corners if possible.

There are also timing issues that deal with the relative listening distance and the distance between acoustic centers of the tweeter and woofer but thats usually not an issue since bookshelfs and monitors both tend too be small for that problem to crop up.

Bookshelfs will work but they may not sound as good as monitors. I would really recommend you check out Audiogon's Monitor classifieds. These NHTs for example would be an awesome deal.

 

[andychen]

Operandi, thank you so much. I really appreciate your explanation. I also found new superzero at $150 and used superone at $180. How are they compared to SB-1? I actually had a new thread in the speaker forum because I did not get many replies here. Somebody suggested infinity p152 ($100) over p162 ($120 used) for desktop use.

I know I probably should not ask these questions since this is a headphone forum. but I was introduced to hi-fi by this forum and the community here is very friendly, patient and helpful. So I prefer to stick to this forum. I know so little and also has limited budget. So sorry if I am a little bit annoying.

 

[Operandi]

They aren't monitors but they are pretty small, and NHT says they are wall mountable so they should be fine on a desk.

The manual says ideal placement is 1 ft. from rear walls and 2 ft. from side walls with the tweeters near ear level and slightly toed in. Pretty similar to typical recommendations for monitors really.

I think the Super Zero are older than the SB-1, but look pretty similar in design, just older tech. The Super One uses a 6.5" woofer )vs. 5.25" off the SB-1 and Zero) and is also an older design. Also a woofer that big may be more a of liability than a benefit for desktop use so I would probably go with the SB-1. You can always add a sub into the mix at a later date if you want some low end action.

Personally I would opt for NHT over Infinity.