Speakers??? Bose? Logitech? Which one

Im looking to get a nice pair of speakers for my desktop, my budget is around 250-300. Ive mainly been looking at the logitech z-5500 and i had my decision made until i heard the bose companion 3 series II. Which one do I choose? I need to know asap I want to order tonight!

 

I've listened to both systems. Both arevery good, but I personally feel that the Bose Companion 3 speakers are phenomenal.

 

I agree i listened to them in circuitcity and they are amazing sound, but for 20 dollars more or so I can get 3 more speakers and a lot more power with the logitech

 

True. If you feel that you need more power, then get the Z5500s. Otherwise opt for the Bose.

 

I had the logitech z-2300's before and those were great, I think im leaning towards the logitech's though...

 

Logitech's are the better bang for your money, literally.

 

Yeah I can agree with that, None of the stores around me have them in stock, do you have them and how clear do they sound?

 

My friend from college used to have em, they had just massive bass. Don't remember the model number, so it may not be the 5500's. Midrange was OK, great for gaming, decent for music.

 

I dont play barley any games on my computer so are they not worth getting?

 

I have no clue which ones to get now!!?? I need some serious advice

 

What kind of music do you listen to? Do you watch movies on your computer?

I agree that Logitech aren't very good for most music (maybe rap, or other simplistic electronic music), but they're good for movies and games. I've never liked Bose, but that's coming from an enthusiast standpoint (I wouldn't call myself an audiophile) where transparency is the promised land. But, you aren't going to get transparency in multimedia speakers. In monitors sure, but most monitors are going to require balanced outs.

That said, I bought the only monitors that really seamed a realistic option to me: the Edirol MA-15D. They're not as transparent as a good stereo speaker, but they do a very good job. And really, I can't expect too much, they need some coloration to keep things balanced with such small size and only two drivers. Anyway, I've been thrilled with everything I listen to, which is mostly folk (from Bela Fleck to CSNY to Cash to Habib Koite), but also some rock (old alternative like Radiohead's The Bends and Pablo Honey, some punk like The Clash, Ten Foot Pole, and Lagwagon), Pink Floyd, Van Morrison, Widespread Panic, Tori Amos, Skatallites, Dizzy Gillespie... The things just don't have any overwhelming weaknesses, they're very well balanced, and generally very nice speakers. They don't struggle with clarity and definition like the Logitechs. They don't struggle with synthetics like Klipsch, and they don't create their own vision for the music like Bose and Harmon Kardon. The only thing that lacks is the depth of the bass, but I really don't feel like I'm missing out because it's still represented, and very musical. If it were a problem they have an output for a sub, I could very easily add something like a small Hsu or Velodyne. I got mine from Sweetwater (highly suggested), for about $180 if I recall.

I generally suggest Klipsch Promedia if you want more bass, and like acoustic music, or acoustic rooted music (not entirely synthetic sounds, or modified acoustics then played on a keyboard; but distortion added to a string still sounds good). Another couple places to look, though they wouldn't be multimedia speakers and you'd need to worry about connections, would be Polk and Hsu. People also like the Diva Swan M200 multimedia speakers. I replaced those with the Edirols because the Swans were too muddy in the midrange.

 

Bose suck..anyone that's a true audiophile will know..my brother sells professional audio equipment and others will tell you Bose really suck..why don't they ever publish true specs on their speakers? No frequencies/total harmonic distortion/efficency..I'll take naything..but they give nothing..
http://digg.com/hardware/Why_Bose_Sucks!
http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/67909965/m/267000805831/r/789000015831
The best one can get and in the long will be an investment is Klipsch..
any set you get will beat anything on the market..But you can easily hook up your regular speakers to your computer..That would be the best solution..problem is who wants huge blocks of wood sitting on the desk or to far to the sides to not make an impact..and let's not forget meagnetic shielding.. so computer speakers come in..
I have Klipsch promedia THX 4.1
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-4-1.aspx
which is an older system but let me tell you..it's sound is amazing..clean clear, distortion free..nothing more you can ask for..the sub is made out of wood..not plastic like others..I can easily turn the volume on to the end and it sounds clean, no raspy sounds, not too boomy..2 61/2" for the sub...not good but not bad at all..Take the time and read about Klipsch...they're not cheap, but you get what you pay for in audio and video..unlike other things in life..
Just because Logitech make speakers doesn't mean they're good..not all of their products are excellent..I would easily take altec lansing's before bose or logitech.. Klipsch are professional speaker makers..Klipsch make professional monitor speakers for professional audiophiles and for testers..they have a lot of knowledge in this area..
I wish Boston acoustics would've continues with their computer speakers..Bostin accoustics also have some amazing speakers...
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=86622
For the sake of your ears, check out Klipsch or altec reviews..

 

Klipsch! Nothing else is even close.

Josh

 

stay away from bose, not worth it in the price/performance.

the main compeitor with the logitechs with ultimatly wins over them is the Klipch pro media ultra's

Look around for a sale, omg you wont be sorry.

I actually run Klipsch Quintet III's and a Synergy 10" sub from my sterio amp. You have more versititality that way, it may cost more upfront, but in the long run its better since you can replace just speakers or just an amp, and not both like PC speakers when they die. Plus more interface options and higher SQ.

I got both the sub and the speakers 1/2 off on black friday from best buy, it was well worth the money.

 

Glad I didnt get bose, I ended up ordering the Logitech z-5500's from dell for 263 dollars..not a bad price i guess since the retail is 399..

 

Those are good, there quality is nearly on par with the ones I mentioned. Some people prefer the warmer sound of the Logitechs, others the Klipsh.

Only reason im agaisnt the Logitechs is there are alot of documented cases of problems with them, cracking in the speakers (sounds not actual cracks), pre mature amp failure, they dont electricly shield the amp and stuff so it sends feedback into the speaker signal.

Id hope they have fixed those probelms by now but they have not said they did yet.

 

Yeah I hope they, knowing the prices for some of their stuff you'd think theyd make their products bulletproof

 

They can go ahead and make their wares bulletproof, but they'll still sound like crap

It would take some of the fun out of finally replacing them with a real stereo, though... The firing range just wouldn't be the same!

 

I too think the Bose suck. I owned the Bose 501's for a very short period a few yrs ago because a friend was desperate and needed some money to buy something else and sold them to me cheap. Thou i must say their were fairly accurate in the mid bass and higher end it severely lacked in bass.
Bose's pro history is really in vocal broadcasts and simular stuff like that. Thou their philosophy is multiple small drivers in any enclosure they just arent good enuff to reproduce the entire musical range 20hz-20khz that most other speaker manufacturers can.
But your other choice of the Logitechs is the other side of the spectrum. I have never heard any Logitechs that sounded good 'flat'
Overly boomy for my tastes but your listening habits may like that.
I was recently at a high end audio store that sold Creative SoundWorks computer systems and i must say i was very very impressed.

I have never been a fan of any speaker system with onboard amplification. Ive always found them all sound muddy, dirty and overly colored, hollow or with shallow dynamic range. But these were amazing
If you get a chance to listen to these do so.
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=113&product=10321


have a look at the Pro gamers series
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=25&product=14661
Wireless rears makes placement easy