Best 2.1 Speaker System???

I am trying to find the best 2.1 speaker system for my lappy. I will use equally for sound quality and gaming. my budget is around $500. I prefer smaller size system but have crisp trebble, distinctive mid range and deep bass. (almost audiophile quality if possible) Speaker's shape is not important factor

I did some homework try to find some reviews about brand name speakers; such as klipsch, bose ,altec lansing, logitech and creative labs.

Please anyone could help me to give your opinion and tell me about good also bad about the system. Yes I want to know about bad things too such as klipsch promedia have problems with hissing, bad quality of wires and problem in durability (most problems come out after 1 year) according to the most reviews when I tried to goggle and extra input from reviews in Newegg.

Thanks a lot in advance for help and kindness

 

I think the hissing is mostly with the GMX style ones isn't it? If I was going to drop 500 on a 2.1 system then I'd maybe look into AE, Or Difinitive. The 500$ range is alot different than the 150$ range.

 

hey, i dont know if anyone has pointed this out yet, but the logitech 5300e series is 5.1 with built-in processing from 2.1 to 5.1(which means it'll seperate the channels if plugged in just into a stereo input...like an ipod or laptop). It only costs 100 bucks on ebay, and it is BEASTLY loud. i mean somewhere in the high 400s range for it's max, the subwoofer is amazing. It rattled my entire appartment and the neighbors...

 

lol, seems like when you saw the word audiophile then you'd avoid promoting a system because its loud.. loudness is MUCH different than good sound quality. I'm not saying that the logitechs are all that bad, but you can get better, maybe not for the price but it sounds like hes willing to spend enough to get into a proper area for nice equipment.

 

I don't think much in the $500 range is going to come 2.1

The closest you'll get will probably be the Acoustic Energy Aego. I'd look more closely at some midfield monitors with a sub added on. I really like my Edirol MA-15D, and they fit everything you request except the deep bass. What is there is very accurate and quick, though, so I think they'd blend well with a small Hsu. The Edirols have the output for the sub, and they have RCA, digital coax, and optical ins.

 

If you are dishing 500$ on a system, might as well get a Logitech 5.1 or a 7.1 , or an Altec Lansing.
God, this is way too much for me, I can`t keep up with such a price, and honestly I don`t think they make them that expensive.
Do they ?

 

$500 gets you good home theatre quality speakers, of the 5.1 variety. This is way high of a budget for just a 2.1 notebook speaker set. Perhaps a set of Logitech Z-Cinema? These got some great reviews, and were recently like $80.

 

Swans M10. Around $120.

You'll find treble and mid far warmer than just about any other 2.1. It lacks in low end boom though, the sub is meant to be placed on top of the desk rather than under. Bass is very clean and responsive though. They're a great system, and look awesome.

$500 is a significant budget though, you could build yourself an excellent system.

 

Again thx for the inputs. I am still waiting for more inputs. Unfortunately my room fills with so many things already, so I can only fit in 2.1 system.

Btw, Syndrome, sorry maybe I am still noob to this speaker system, what is AE? and would you tell me which type of definitive that you think is good plz?

I have other question now;
Would it be possible to combine speaker system to get the better system, from my review in Newegg for z2300, some people use sub from z2300 and klipsch for mid high? pls share your experience if anyone did this before.

or maybe possible to combine swans 120 with z2300?

thx again

 

yes bose makes some system almost 500$, but I am not sure about the quality tho? the problem is that I cant find any store in my city that carry all or almost all the speaker systems together so I can compare them side to side

Please pardon for my english as my second language.

 

Personally, I reccomend the Bose Companion 5 system to alot of my customers who want the best 2.1 they can get. It really is impressive.

If you dont want to spend that much, then check out the Companion 3's.

Also, bose is running 10% off for a few more weeks.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/site/ol...37343b&list=y&usc=All+Categories&nrp=15&iht=n

 

really dont have TOO much personal experience with 2.1 systems.
i have owned some bose home theater equipment and the sound that comes out of such small speakers are pretty amazing.

 

Alief ehh?

Hi neighbor!

 

Generally Bose is considered to be overpriced for what you get. Some consider them rubbish, others think they'd be a good value at 1/4 of the price or so. Either way, they're really not worth what they're asking, and you can certainly do better.

Of course, others buy them and are perfectly happy. Would they be if they were more familiar with the rest of the market? It's hard to say...

 

AE is Acoustic Energy, I was referring to the Aego's mentioned by some one else. Even those though don't come out to 500$. you can get their bigger system thats like 700$, but thats more than 2.1.
If you ask me then Bose stands for: Buy Other Sound Equipment. Its over priced and not all that great. I have some Definitive Power Monitor 500's and I really like them, I have them hooked up to a Cambridge switcher and a infinity sub. It comes out to over 1k but its a VERY good sounding system.

 

Bose is epitome of ripping off customers with Overpriced average products.


If u want Best Speaker system 2.1 then tell me your budget...

I can recommend u $5000 speakers also..

or little affordable Studio monitors: Samson Media One 5a

These ones are too good for Gaming...

These are used by Audio professionals at home.

 

not sure why ppl always bash on bose systems...but show me another speaker that is as small and ergonomic as the bose speakers, and can produce such a great sound.
personally, i dont mind payin the premium for bose speakers. they are so small and ergonomic. they look great with any kind of decor. i would rather pay $500 for a system that looks great and sounds great, than get some big ugly monitors that sound great but look like big blocks on top of my table.

 

IMO they don't look that great, nor do the really sound that great. I'd much rather some nice B&W's or AE's sitting on some stands in my room, even if they are bigger. To me they look alot better(B&W has some amazing finish jobs) and they sound MUCH better. Yeah they cost more, but when you buy those you'll never need to upgrade again. But you can call me biased.. because deep down.. I really am.

 

my budget is around 500$. I need them for equally gaming and sound quality (almost audiophile if possible) , good durability too. the speaker system will be played around 5 -6 hours a day.

Thx

 

Thx for reply. But would u mind to tell me more about detail type or model number of your speaker system plz? hmmm, it looks like very interesting.

 

$500?

Altec Lansing makes some awesome speakers, I have a 5.1 set. But they were like $80.00... http://www.alteclansing.com/index.php?file=north_product_detail&iproduct_id=vs3251 - Whats more important is the sound card, which is why I have a Audigy 2 ZS in my desktop.

You better have a great soundcard in that laptop if you want to spend big bucks on a speaker set.

Anyhow, I don't know how you could spend $500 on speakers, but here is a great 2.1 high end system from Altec Lansing http://www.alteclansing.com/index.php?file=north_product_detail&iproduct_id=fx6021 - Its only $250 however, that may be too cheap for you, lol.....

 

So I'm guessing you do know your stuff... What kind of sound card do you have in there?

 

I intend to use Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi 7.1 Xtreme Audio Notebook Express Card in my lappy. Is Audigy 2 ZS better than above?

 

The Audigy 2 ZS is an older Desktop card (5.1), but it packs a huge punch. People are so surprised when my bass kicks in, or the rhythm picks up rapidly. It sounds great, I can't go back to on-board sound cards

I expect the X-Fi 7.1 to be better, but Creative sometimes just re brands everything and gives it really cool names, hence "Xtreme Audio", but yes, its a great product.

 

Look up the Acoustic Energy Aego M's we've been talking about. They sound brilliant for the price range, and look great.

http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/Product_range/Aego_series/Aego_M.asp

 

those in my opinion look cheap and plain.

 

You gotta try out Harman/kardon..

They simply OWN Bose..

not to mention a rich & detailed Sound output.

 

hmmm. are you mentioning Harman Kardon Soundsticks II?
By Comparing Bose Companion 3 with Harman Kardon Soundsticks II, side to side and make sure plz put the Bose sub on the table too, therefore we can have more fair result.

Yes I agreed with you that harman kardon have much better features and bass compare to Bose, but I am not sure why I still feel that Bose have a bit better on mid and high (feel softer and more nature) but the price of HK is only half from Bose. Therefore, I dont really like Bose.

Just for info, I have B&W sets for my main speakers in living room, but definitely not for gaming http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1729

I am trying to find something softer or bit better from Harman Kardon Soundstick II (at least more nature and softer sound on mid and high) but have to keep the bass at least or bit better.

Btw, in the meantime thx for info. I am still waiting for more input tho.

 

i've had HK stuff as home entertainment before. bass isn't everything. i dont really remember anythin *special* about HK like i do from my bose systems. i do agree that the bass in the bose systems isn't "loud" but the bass hits real clean. mids and highs were great for me. they weren't just loud but they worked well together and produced a great sound. i'm not sayin bose is the best out there. i'm sayin that the sound that comes from such small/compact/ergonomic speakers is pretty amazing. i have family with martin logan speakers that were 20-25k a piece. they can't even turn it up to its full potential cuz it'll just cause a ruckus in the neighborhood. in my opinion...these are laptop/desktop speakers. u dont need to get all crazy...if i wanted a real entertainment setup i'd watch it on a 50"+ TV with 5.1 - 7.1 surround sound.

 

$500 is an odd range for 2.1 IMO. None of the packaged systems cost that much, and if you want something nicer than that then it will cost you more. They system I use isn't a packaged system. I bought the sub, then the amp, then the speakers, and hooked them all up. If you want bass then it can have ALOT, I use it for dancing all the time and it will really rock the house, or you can turn it down to listening levels and it sounds great too. I already mentioned the units I'm using in my last post.

 

Axiom Audiobyte. A lot of people love them and Maximum PC just picked them for their latest ultimate computer:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/audiobytecomputerspeakers.html

If you can wait and save up more money, the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4 computer speakers sound FANTASTIC. They are $1000 though, but well worth the cost if you love crystal clear sound.

 

Man, if I had $1000+ to spend on computer speakers I'd get Dynaudio's offering in a heart beat.

Of course, the 2 monitors go for $1300, and the sub adds another grand.

 

Honestly speaking, I love Beolab 3 much better for gaming and sound quality extra the unique look from B&O line. Beolab 4 is not enough bass for gaming. I know quite well about B&O system bcz I use B&O sets as my surround system in my living room. But the problem is that Beolab 3 is too much for computer 2.1 speaker system.
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/page.asp?id=38

But thx for giving me input for Axiom, now I am trying to find the closest store that carry the products to test the sound quality.

 

Could you let me know how that Express Card Sound Card is? I was looking into buying it when Creative had it back in stock, and some info would be appreciated.

 

B&O products are just bad a$$. i used to go to their show room once in a while and listen to their home theater set ups. wow. just wow.

probably a bit over-kill for a computer system tho =P

 

Personally, my own Klipsch system (though it's slightly older, not the weird alien looking ones) have no hiss, no buzz, and perfect balance, along with the wiring being about twice as thick (which is good, lots of contact surface between the sub and the wires to the other speakers) as my older Altec Lansings...

main thing that makes a difference in the subwoofer can be had for far less than $500, and that is that it must be hardwood--if it isn't encased in wood, it's going to sound like junk...

but I go on music standards since I performed professionally for 6 years, not on games (but I haven't seen a game that can out-sound the William Tell Overture, either, for instance)... I haven't been so thrilled with Bose systems, and I find them very unappealing aesthetically, maybe because I am female... but the mid-range sounds aren't as clear as I would like them on the system my mom has. My dad has harmon, which performs well for his guitar/piano/drums/vocals music, but I haven't put any electro/techno/punk stuff in those.

I'd get a less expensive set with a killer warranty that will cover things like hissing... or get something from inside the store, try it out, and see if you like it, take it back if not... or take it back if it's cheaper online, too. Just my 2 cents. I generally use my speakers mounted on the wall at 4 corners with the subwoofer wherever and if there's a fifth it's by me/my computer. If I had to go back to a 2.1, I'd honestly just get Altec Lansing again. They make beautifully balanced 2.1 systems, whereas most companies focus heavily on their 5.1 stuff and neglect the smaller baby systems. My housemate, though, also has a cool Logitech 2.1 system with a wooden subwoofer that was really inexpensive comparitively... as long as he doesn't turn it up high, it's pretty solid, but the subwoofer tries to dominate and has to be turned pretty far down (like at 10%) or it is crazy loud and can be heard across the 2,000 square foot house we share.

Really, just find a best buy, a tweeter, a circuit city, and a music supply store (as in for musicians or specifically musical composers) and see what they have. 30 day returns are a huge perk for in-store purchases.

 

I have not received my card yet too, it is in backordered, also I am still trying to find the best speaker fit to me. I wish I could help you more, but I could not for now.

However based on reviews, quite lots of peoples are satisfied with the product, only I found a few people have some problems with setting and driver. Additionally, I dont have any other choice, bcz this is the only product with pc express, Audigy use PCMCIA.

one thing for sure, I will never get sound blaster from usb, it is always lesser sound quality compare to others (internal or card)

 

"But thx for giving me input for Axiom, now I am trying to find the closest store that carry the products to test the sound quality."

Sure thing! Worst case, they do offer a 30 day home audition.

 

If you want don't mind a 2.0 setup , I have 2 M-Audio Studiophile BX8a. They sound amazing. I love them.

 

I GOT IT. I was reading maximum PC's magazine today, and in their "dream machine" build were the " Axiom Audio Audiobyte" 2.1 speakers that cost $530. They seemed to be very happy about the quality, but I don't know anything of it. It seems to fit your bill perfectly

EDIT: whoops, didn't see Raziel's post there