The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    2.1 Speaker Recommendation?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Shuru421, Aug 5, 2012.

  1. Shuru421

    Shuru421 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I need a new set of 2.1 speakers for my laptop since my last set was given to my sister. my last set was a logitech, but when turned on there is a constant buzzing noise when i turn up the volume without anything playing (music/games). I dont know what the cause of this was, maybe due to "wear and tear"? but it was only 1 1/2 years old..i want to spend ideally 100-150 AT THE MOST. by the way 2.1, must have the bass for music. thanks.

    by the way, i have been looking at logitech z623 and couple of altec lansings with price range from 80-150.
     
  2. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    That buzzing is the result of the price you pay for an inferior product; and poor amplification workmanship.

    Unless mobility is necessary I say use home speaker instead. They're typically built a whole lot better can come in configuration nearly as small and mobile as the off brands you buy from those laptop speaker makers.

    The con is that you usually need to purchase separate amplification (there are exceptions). Alternately, you can even run your laptop speaker from the B channel of your amplifier/receiver. Although you will still need to deal with separate wiring.

    The advantage, much fuller sound. My motto is always buy speaker from a speaker manufacturer.
     
  3. Shuru421

    Shuru421 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    like JL audio type of speaker manufacturers? could you give me any recommendations? loll didnt really help me too much..
     
  4. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I'd be happy to. But you didn't give a budget so I'll have to assume you want to keep it basic?

    http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PHNgrq... got since I don't really follow PC speakers.
    Well the idea was to give you an alternative to the common everyday set-up. Now you have more variety and can make a better more informed choice. Isn't that at least a little helpful?
     
  5. houstoned

    houstoned Yoga Pants Connoisseur.

    Reputations:
    2,852
    Messages:
    2,224
    Likes Received:
    388
    Trophy Points:
    101
    if u want to stick to a simple 2.1 PC speaker system then there probably isn't a better choice than the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's, in the $100-$150 range. i really enjoyed mine while they lasted. the PM 2.1's satellites had very clear sound quality and the tiny sub produced a surprising amount of bass. my only advice would be: purchase them from an authorized Klipsch dealer so IF u happen to encounter a hardware issue, Klipsch can directly take care of u.

    i've tried alot of different 2.0/2.1 PC speaker systems and the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's are really up there, for me. they're probably the 2nd best set of PC speakers i've owned, only bested by my Corsair SP2500. the SP2500's are a tad bit more expensive though.
     
  6. Shuru421

    Shuru421 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    haha yeah its at the least little bit helpful. thanks.
     
  7. Shuru421

    Shuru421 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ^thanks for the recoms.
     
  8. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

    Reputations:
    1,765
    Messages:
    1,501
    Likes Received:
    546
    Trophy Points:
    131
    IMO the Klipsch are better than the Corsair SP2500's. The Corsair set has very harsh highs when you turn them up to high volume. You could also check out the Swan M10 speakers. I haven't actually heard them myself but I have heard pretty good things about them, and I've got a different set of Swan speakers.

    Your selections are pretty limited at 100-150 when it comes to getting a good sounding system.
     
  9. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Exactly. In fact, I typically ignore speakers at that level since my ear can't tolerate anything much below the $500 category.

    Still, there are always exceptions; and price is not always the best judge of quality. Therefore, I always keep an open ear. :p
     
  10. houstoned

    houstoned Yoga Pants Connoisseur.

    Reputations:
    2,852
    Messages:
    2,224
    Likes Received:
    388
    Trophy Points:
    101
    i dunno...at first, i kind of thought the SP2500's highs were a bit too bright as well. i started to play with the EQ a bit and found that they sounded the best (for me) with a flat EQ. after about 2 weeks, the sound really came together as the subwoofer began to break in more. one area that isn't subjective is how loud the SP2500's can go. u can literally turn them up 100% and there will be very little to no distortion. pretty impressive for PC speakers.
     
  11. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    2,389
    Messages:
    10,552
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    Definitely agree, while the Corsairs are great speakers, I prefer the Klipsch. Another brand that is usually compared to the Klipsch is Audioengine, though they're only 2.0.
     
  12. Vahlen

    Vahlen Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    243
    Messages:
    323
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Amazon.com: Genius SW-G2.1 1250 2.1 Speaker System: Electronics

    This setup is $50 and will definitely give the Corsair and Klipsh setups a run for their money, there is a slight amount of distortion when maxed but the bass is out of this world for the size..........38watts and manages to shake my bookshelf. They also look pretty damn cool and go long ways to spiffing up the look of your desk!
     
  13. houstoned

    houstoned Yoga Pants Connoisseur.

    Reputations:
    2,852
    Messages:
    2,224
    Likes Received:
    388
    Trophy Points:
    101
    those might have comparable bass/lows as the Klipsch or Corsair, but those tiny 1-way satellites will leave u yearning for more in the mids/highs/sound clarity department. u will hear so much more with a good pair of satellites.

    P.S. - my SP2500's make my whole 2-story house vibrate. :p
     
  14. LPTP-LVR

    LPTP-LVR Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    298
    Messages:
    1,794
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks!! Cost a bit more than the other but at least it's an actual decent set of speakers :)
     
  15. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    We need to categorized these speakers gentleman. Let the record show that we're talking "compacts"
     
  16. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

    Reputations:
    1,765
    Messages:
    1,501
    Likes Received:
    546
    Trophy Points:
    131
    lol, the 5.25 inch subwoofer in the Genius is going to have a very hard time coming close to the big 8" subwoofer in the Corsair model.

    I guess really it comes down to size and money. If you need something cheap($150 or less) and small then get the klipsch.. If you have a good amount of space and about $1400 to spare then pick up a system like mine... Marantz NR1402, Wharfedale Evo2-10's and a Sunfire Jr subwoofer.
     
  17. Kuu

    Kuu That Quiet Person

    Reputations:
    765
    Messages:
    968
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I think if you're going to be spending $1500 on speakers, you know what you're doing and won't be asking which ones to get in the first place...

    That said, I'll toss in another vote for the SP2500's;they are out of the price range a bit, but they tend to go on sale for $200 every now and then.
     
  18. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Not necessarily. Even when I spend a few hundred I will still sometimes get a second opinion just in case I've missed somethings. It's not always that there's a better product rather that there may be a better buy. That said, your point is certainly justified.
     
  19. Vahlen

    Vahlen Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    243
    Messages:
    323
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    While the sound from Genius may not be superior to the Corsair it is damn close to it, and unless you're and audiophile you will probably not notice a large degree of difference in quality. If that is the case though buying any speaker system under $500 is going to leave you disappointed.

    The satellites are a little weak but you don't buy a 2.1 system to "shake the house", reviews on the Genius system speak for themselves having earned several magazine audio awards. You would have to spend another $150+ to match/beat their quality.
     
  20. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

    Reputations:
    1,765
    Messages:
    1,501
    Likes Received:
    546
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Funny, because when I bought them I asked around a lot on what I should get. Honestly I didn't have much of a clue but I asked alot and learned alot, now I have a set of speakers that I consider the most pleasurable purchase I have ever made. I have never regretted spending the money on this sound system.