Best portable 2.0 speakers?

I currently have a 2.1 system which sounds great, but I may be going overseas for a year and packing up the 2.1 system isn't really an option.

Ideally Im looking for a powered 2.0 system (since I won't be moving the speakers once they're set up) that is semi portable (carry case would be nice).

Bose Musicmonitors would be perfect size wise but they're excessively expensive.

Any recommendations?

 

logitech v20 2.0 speakers are very good. link: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/199&cl=gb,en

 

V20's are more like ultraportable speakers. I have a set and rarely use them. I prefer using headphones on my laptop now.

V20's are very portable, but they don't sound that great.. Kinda flimsy as well.
USB powered speakers will never be as powerful as ones that plug into the wall.

If the Musicmonitors' size is ok to you, then just pick up a decent set of 2.0 Logitech speakers. You don't actually need the ultraportability of V20 or similar laptop speakers since you're going to leave the speakers in place.

 

If you don't mind using a AC adapter. The logitech Audio Hub is pretty great:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/3503&cl=us,en

Otherwise the Logitech Z-10 would also work:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/202&cl=us,en

 

The Z-10's look really enticing, they're a bit bigger than I was hoping for but Im sure I can manage.

Does anyone here have personal experience with them? Re: sound quality, balance, volume, etc?

 

I have the Audio hub and it sound pretty good, maybe not as good as the Z10 (bigger driver and more power) but definitely better than most speaker of that price and I got it at mwave for $33.00. The Z-10 does offer the added benefit of 3.5mm input so you can use it with a external MP3 and such.

 

I have my review/evaluation of the v20's posted here somewhere. I think they are not very good at all and my build in laptop speakers sound better. they are only good for when I need more volume for something.

Something like the Klipsch Pro Media Ultra 2.0's will blow the logitechs out of the water in terms of quality and probably lifespan too. These are the bottom end of Klipsch too, they have much nicer stuff.

 

Z10s arent worth the money. They are big and bulky oooo they feature a touch play/stop volume change but the quality is not worth the money. Not by a mile.

 

I recommend two systems for portability, size, relative sound quality and availability of a powered adaptor.

Here's the Travelsound 400;
http://us.creative.com/products/prod...&product=13602

Here's the Jbl On Tour;
http://www.jbl.com/home/products/pro...eatureid=12365

The Travelsound does not come with an AC adaptor but it does have the option for one. It does come with batteries. The On-tour does come with an AC adaptor but no batteries though it will take 3 AAA's.

I mulled over the size, aesthetics and package contents of these two along with a few of the logitech options listed above by our fellow NBR brethren. I went with the JBL On tour as purchasing a separate adaptor broke the deal for the creative set. That and the price point was lower for similar if not better sound on the JBL's. It comes with a travel pouch that will hold the unit but not the adaptor. The line-in cable is also a decent length but a few more inches could only have made it better I would think.
Mind you at this size don't expect block rocking bass. But the sound reproduction is good to excellent all the same.

 

Klipsch makes good products and I would recommend them.

There's a difference between portable and easily movable speakers. The OP doesn't really need portable speakers, he just needs them to be compact enough for a one time move.

I have the V20 and JBL On Tour, and their portability sacrifices a lot in sound quality.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I agree with what you're saying. While the suggestions from RasBastard are great, I think those options sacrifice sound quality for extreme portability.

elfroggo, you're also correct in that Ill only be moving them when I first arrive to my dorm and when I leave several months later. My biggest concern is how much space the speakers take up in my suitcase.

That said, the Klipsch Groove PM20's are the flavor of the week for me now. They have the highest wattage, good frequency response, great reviews and can be bought on Ebay for $60-$70. Any comments/experience with these?

 

Klipsch Groove PM20 reviews