Notebook speakers for someone who wants fidelity

Hi to all -

Just got my Asus/Vista notebook and am really impressed with the Vista interface and functionality have been great. I am now looking to complete the experience by adding speakers. I have read great reviews on the Swan M200 speakers. I will be using these for music 90% of the time and was wondering how they connect to my notebook. Through the headphone jack? Each speaker has a left/right rca jack so I am confused on whether I can use these speakers for my laptop. Anyone else have a suggestion for great audiophile speakers for an Asus notebook. I am open to 2.1 systems but don't really need that much power as my office is 150 square feet. I am looking for something the gives you the "hair on the back of your neck" feeling. Budget is not really an issue as I think 2.0 and 2.1 systems are all under $500. I did see the Swan has a 2.1 system, is that compatable with a notebook?


Thanks in advance -

JKCDN

 

May I suggest the Klipsch ProMedia series of speakers? They're some of the best 2.0 and 2.1 computer speakers I've ever heard.

http://klipsch.com/products/lists/computer-speakers.aspx

 

I've seen, well heard the Klipsch ProMedia (2.0) at a friend's. They're excellent..

 

Klipsch ProMedia speakers are awesome. You can also consider the Bose Companion speaker system as well.

 

Thanks for the suggestions on the pro media 2.1's. I went to a Best Buy today and tried them out. They were OK, I am sure they are a steal at $100. I am not a fan of Bose due to the muddy bass and other issues.

Has anyone tried the Swan's? Any other suggestions for a 2.1 system above $200? I am so sick of the preinstalled speakers in my living room I am trying to get a better setup in my office.


Thanks again,

Jayson

 

If you want true fidelity... (Make sure this would work before doing it)

Just get bookshelf speakers...

And attach a receiver to them.

Call your laptop company to make sure it would work.

 

I had previously connected my computer to my stereo system. 4 feet tall Infinity wood speakers with 15 inch woofers, mids, tweeters, and "super tweeters." . Can't beat that sound.

Now I have the Promedia 2.1s for my room. The big speakers are in the living room. I did compare the promedias to these Apple looking clear speakers. They both sounded very good, but I went with the promedias because of all the stuff I've read. I wanted to compare the Bose speakers, but they are NEVER connected to the same source as all the other speakers. Must not be as good?

 

I've used the Promedia 2.1, Altec Lansing MX5021, M-Audio LX4 and the Swan M200 speakers. To me, the LX4 setup was best, but if you want a real leap in audio performance then a receiver + speaker setup is the way to go.

You can pick up a good receiver, like a refurbished Onkyo, and a pair of 2-way JBL, Polk, Infinity bookshelves for less than $200. For more "kick" add a small $50 - $100 subwoofer, though it's not necessary for good audio. Even that modest system will outclass any 2.1 computer speaker setup.

I tried a lot of receiver + speaker setups. Eventually, I settled on a Yamaha RX-V990 (near mint condition from eBay), a pair of Onix X-LS bookshelves and a Rocket Tyke sub. The total cost was about $575. Sure, it was a bit pricey, but the audio is nothing short of spectacular. My games and music come alive in ways I never experienced with those 2.1 systems mentioned earlier.

Check eBay for great deals on used, refurbished or new receivers. I'd stick with new speakers for warranty purposes. eBay offers a lot of new, unopened speaker deals, too. I strongly recommend the Onix and Rocket speakers. You can find them at www.av123.com.

Final point: I don't know what kind of built-in audio your Asus has, but to get the most out of any external audio system, invest in a sound card like the Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 notebook card. You can find it for less than $75.

Hope this helps!

 

So if I understand the recommendations and if I go to a seperate amp + speakers I will also have to purchase an additional sound card. Maybe over kill for 100 square foot office. Sure wish I could hear the Sawns or the M-Audio LX4 to see what they sound like. Do they both conect through my headphone jack?

JKCDN

 

Uh, no sound card. You don't need it, it's only for extra umph.

But the speakers are not big, your are thinking the older big speakers.

We are talking bookshelf speakers, which could fit on a bookshelf.

It wouldn't be too much of a problem, unless you live in a one room apartment.

If you really want small though:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2173,CONTENTID=12263

LOL, someone will hate me for showing you that.

 

I plan to buy the Onkyo HT-S990THX or Sony and figure out a way to stream music from my notebook to the Onkyo through WiFi. I don't know if this is really possible.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Onkyo_HT_S990THX/4505-6740_7-31934315.html

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...ProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=DAVFX900W

 

As Z mentioned, the external sound card isn't necessary. I can hear a big improvement when I use the Audigy notebook card with my Asus, but I usually have my desktop connected to my receiver. If you forego the card, the headphone jack is where you'd connect the speakers. To connect a receiver, you'll need a Y-cable which can be had for less than $10. Dayton and Monster make pretty good cables. Amazon sells them at great prices.

Bookshelf speakers typically range from 10" - 20" high, 6" - 9" wide, 8" - 12" deep and weigh 12 - 18 pounds each. Do some web-searching to find a reseller that offers 15 or 30 day return policies. Some even pay the return shipping so trying different speakers isn't much of a hassle. I've never seen the Swan or M-Audio at any local store.

 

You should be able to connect your Swan's directly up to your laptop, The M-200's do have their own amp, so all you need is to run to radioshack or walmart or anywhere and buy a little cable that goes from 3.5mm to RCA.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5fid=2004&sku=40613

Edit: I personally like my ProMedia 2.1 better than I do my Swan M-200's But I'm some what of a bass head.

 

Thanks Syndrome -

That was a great bit of info.


JKCDN

 

if you want fidelity... it would be good to get an external DAC... helps eliminate more of the electronic noise that can come through the internal sound chip, plus I'm sure the quality of the actual converter is much better.

I personally have a SilverStone EB01 DAC. It is powered through the USB port, and has an RCA out to pipe into whatever amplifier you want. I just have mine going through the AUX-in of my old mini-system and into my Grado headphones. I notice a significant difference in sound quality between the headphone jack on my laptop and the USB DAC.

The EB01 is about $85 or so at newegg.

 

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...ONTENTID=12263

those speakers have no umph, Zellio. All the cost goes to the tech put in them.

 

Big V -

What is a DAC? Checked out the website and could not figure it out. If it's USB to one RCA how do I connect my SWANS speakers which each have an rca connection? Would I not need a device that provides (2) rca outs or can I by some sort of splitter?


Great to see everyones input on this as I know alot of us are looking for speakers to pair with out notebooks!


JKCDN

 

A "Y" cable such as what I referenced above would do the trick. Here's what I use for my PC to receiver connection:

http://www.amazon.com/DAYTON-3-5RCA...7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176528902&sr=8-5

 

sorry if I wasn't clear... the EB01 provides left and right RCA outs (red and white). if the SWANS speakers have a built in amplifier with volume adjust, you're golden. if not, you're probably going to want an amplifier/receiver, as it's been recommended to me that you run the computer's volume at full (line-level,) and then control volume with the amp.

Basically, a DAC or Digital-to-Analog Converter takes the 1's and zeros from your computer and turns them into the analog electrical impulses that audio equipment runs on. Your laptop's soundcard does this already, but the quality of the chip used to do this is generally pretty low on the integrated sound chips laptops use. As well, they're subject to quite a bit of electronic noise, being right next to all of the other equipment inside your computer. So, you combine a better quality chip with better isolation from electronic noise, and you get a better signal going to your speakers.

 

I personally don't think that you will need to go out and spend all the money on a DAC, I'd first get one of the cables I showed you and try that. Maybe if you were a very meticulous audiophile then you would get a DAC, but if you were then you'd probably already know about all these things like DAC's and such... no offence.