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    2.1 or 2.0 speaker set?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by WimadS, Mar 19, 2014.

  1. WimadS

    WimadS Notebook Guru

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    Hello guys,
    I don't know if there's anybody out here with some knowledge about sound systems, but I will try to pose my question here anyway.
    As my current 2.1 speaker set is kind of on it's last legs I am looking for a new set. It does not have to be top quality, as long as I can play my music as it is supposed to.
    My current set kind of makes a vibrating noise at the lowest tones. Even when volume is not loud at all. So the new speaker set should not have this problem.

    My thought was (and correct me if I am wrong, I'm a complete noob) that I need a speaker set that can go lower tones than my current one. And my second conclusion was that a 2.1 set seems logical, as it has a sub woofer.
    But then I came across this 2.0 set ( bol.com | König CMP-SP32 Luidspeakerset - Zwart / Grijs,Konig | Computer ), which can go till 30 Hz. A 2.0 set is quite a bit cheaper... but what can I expect from it? Will it actually perform in this frequency range? Or is it better to pay a bit more for a 2.1 set if I wan the low tones?

    Then another question. I came across these two 2.1 sets, both from Edifier.
    1 Multimedia Audio Speaker System - M1380 | Edifier
    2 Stylish 2.1 Multimedia Speaker with USB Input Port - P3060 | Edifier
    The first one has a wider range, (20 - 20k Hz). The second one has a smaller range, (30 to 20k Hz) and has a gap inbetween the frequencies of the sub woofer and satellites, but it is also more expensive. Assuming that the more expensive one from the same brand would logically be better, then what is better about the second one? Any one with more knowledge who can shed some light on that for me? Or am I just paying more for the funky design?
    Oh and, actually how bad is this frequency gap (between 130 and 160 Hz)? Will I notice that, or is it unnoticeable for untrained ears like mine?

    Hope some more knowledged guys can help me out here!
    Greets, Wim
     
  2. Saiyan96

    Saiyan96 Notebook Geek

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    mattcheau likes this.
  3. WimadS

    WimadS Notebook Guru

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    Sorry, I should have posted a budget. I'm willing to spend around 50 euro's (70 dollar). I might go up to 65 if its really worth it.
     
  4. un4tural

    un4tural Notebook Evangelist

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    Well I had a Logitech 5.1 and it's brilliant, you can just turn down the bass on sub and it doesn't shake stuff as strongly.

    But if you can find a good set definitely 2.1. Will sound better, most of the time. There are some good 2.0 speakers I'm sure, but highly doubt any can reproduce the base of a 2.1 system.

    Cannot suggest any sets, but I had good experience with Logitech speaker systems. Undeniably there's better ones, but did the job great for me at home. Just don't get the rubbish tiny ls ones.

    Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
     
  5. Wattser93

    Wattser93 Notebook Consultant

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    You won't be getting down the 20Hz or 30Hz with any of those setups. I'm going to assume those frequency response measurements are purely marketing and mean absolutely nothing. 2.5" or 3" widebands like that 2.0 speaker set will certainly struggle to get to 250Hz +/- 3db at listening volume, let alone 30Hz, and those tiny subs certainly won't be getting to 20Hz +/- 3db.

    I would recommend you look for reviews on the speakers in your price range. Your budget is low, but with some decent research, you might be able to find something decent. If you can raise your budget, I recommend the Klipschs. They're the best bang for buck PC speakers you can buy. My dad has a pair and they're impressive for the price.
     
  6. WimadS

    WimadS Notebook Guru

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    Hey,
    Thanx for the replies so far! I guess a 2.0 set is of the radar then ;)

    I did this test on my current speakers Frequency Sweep 1-100hz (Bass Test) 1080p HD - YouTube
    It seems that at 50 Hz it is starting to produce some noticable sound. And if I listen really carfully I can distinguish the first sound at 40 Hz. But the vibrating sound actually happens at around 95 Hz. So I guess that the problem that causes that has nothing to do with the lower limit of my current sub woofer.
    So I want a set that can just perform well. And with well I mean just play the music, and no weird noises along with it. So I guess the getting as low as possible for the money is not really the issue any more. The 50 Hz limit (advertised as 40) of my current speakers seems to be sufficient for my music style.

    So in that case I am just looking for a well balanced 2.1 set. Producing nice bass, mids and higher notes at a more or less equal level.

    The Edifier m1380 (link 1 i posted) has some good reviews regarding being balanced and having decent bass.
    The other edifier I posted misses mid range tones (the gap I mentioned). So although it has a nice design, I guess that one is off the hook.
    I also saw the Logitech Z323. It has a nice price and also nice reviews, but some state that the mid range tones lack a bit.

    Do any of you have other recommendations I should definitely consider? (balanced 2.1 set for around 50 euro/70 dollar)?
     
  7. WimadS

    WimadS Notebook Guru

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    BTW, totally off topic, I love that avatar :p haha...
     
  8. WimadS

    WimadS Notebook Guru

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    Anyone familiar with this one? Really like the design :)
    http://www.amazon.de/dp/B00DUUO4C2/...de=asn&creative=22494&creativeASIN=B00DUUO4C2

    It's got tons of good customer reviews as well, but I cannot really find any "expert" reviews. I really like the design, and the sub woofer seems to be good. But most of the reviews don't really say anything about the mid range/high tones. So anyone here who happens to have one?
     
  9. Wattser93

    Wattser93 Notebook Consultant

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    Expert reviews are hard to find for any PC speakers. Cheap PC speakers are a dime a dozen and all just differing levels of "okay performance", so reviewers generally don't take the time to review them. I can't speak for anything you've been looking at (I've never seen any of those speakers in the USA before), but would recommend reading the user reviews. Occasionally you'll get lucky and find somebody that does an in depth user review with some useful measurements.
     
  10. un4tural

    un4tural Notebook Evangelist

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    Creative make good speakers too as far as I can remember. Possibly a bit better than Logitech. My friend used to have an old 5.1 set of creative mid range speakers and they sound perfectly fine. I don't know about exact numbers, but playing games/movies/music couldn't distinguish them as lacking.

    What current ones you've got? If they're good ones, you could look into replacing the cables, don't know how much a guy would charge you for it, but it's certainly something one with a bit of diy experience and soldering skills could do? The 5£ or so in cables and few hours work might be worth it?

    Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
     
  11. mattcheau

    mattcheau Notebook Deity

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    even though they're out of your stated budget, i second the klipsch promedia 2.1 setup. you won't be replacing those for a long time, and you won't be disappointed with they're quality and range.
     
  12. WimadS

    WimadS Notebook Guru

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    I had a look at creative. They have a 2.0 with good reviews, but I want the subwoofer... their 2.1 in my price range has pretty bad reviews though...

    My current set is actually pretty decent, but also pretty old and worn. Its missing a foot and as mentioned before it vibrates/rattels at 95 Hz.
    I dont think the vibrating is a cable issue...

    I will do some more looking around, but as of now it is between the edifier m1380 and the speedlink jugger ;)