Speakers for desktop computer suggestions and tips needed
Dec 2, 2007, 10:23 am
#1
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Speakers for desktop computer suggestions and tips needed
mrs pbiflyer has taken to playing on line music through her computer. She now wants better quality speakers for her computer.
Any suggestions? Would the speakers need an additional power source besides/instead of the computer to be effective?
Any suggestions? Would the speakers need an additional power source besides/instead of the computer to be effective?
Dec 2, 2007, 10:32 am
#2
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As to brand - I have always liked Cyber Acoustics, although I haven't listened to any of their new models. Perhaps the thing to do is to take an MP3 player to a couple of appliance/computer stores, plug it in to a few brands, and see if there's anything you/mrs like.
Dec 2, 2007, 1:49 pm
#4
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I don't know if you want to spend this much, but I have a pair of these, and they are great.
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/produ...products_id=43
If you don't want to spend that much, you might want to look at some of the m-audio speakers. I have a pair of them also (I don't remember which model, though) and they are also pretty decent. Not nearly as good as the Divas though, but still pretty decent and they are cheaper than the Divas.
And, yes, these are all powered speakers. The computer sound cards put out enough power to power headphones, and that's it. For speakers, you need an additional amplifier, which are usually built in to computer speakers. You could run the audio out through a receiver (analog out or digital out if your sound device has an optical or coax out) and power it that way and then use normal non-powered speakers too. If you want to do it with digital out and your system doesn't have a coax or optical output, you can buy a very nice $29 sound card that has a digital output.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=292003
(looks like it's $18 at zipzoomfly). If you care about DAC quality, look at the m-audio sound cards. Some of them use the same sound chip as this card, but have much better surrounding circuitry including the DACs. Of course, that makes them more expensive too.
-David
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/produ...products_id=43
If you don't want to spend that much, you might want to look at some of the m-audio speakers. I have a pair of them also (I don't remember which model, though) and they are also pretty decent. Not nearly as good as the Divas though, but still pretty decent and they are cheaper than the Divas.
And, yes, these are all powered speakers. The computer sound cards put out enough power to power headphones, and that's it. For speakers, you need an additional amplifier, which are usually built in to computer speakers. You could run the audio out through a receiver (analog out or digital out if your sound device has an optical or coax out) and power it that way and then use normal non-powered speakers too. If you want to do it with digital out and your system doesn't have a coax or optical output, you can buy a very nice $29 sound card that has a digital output.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=292003
(looks like it's $18 at zipzoomfly). If you care about DAC quality, look at the m-audio sound cards. Some of them use the same sound chip as this card, but have much better surrounding circuitry including the DACs. Of course, that makes them more expensive too.
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Dec 2, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Dec 2, 2007, 1:50 pm
#5
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Despite being pretty anti-Bose, I've always liked their PC speakers. Nice rich sound from small speakers.
Another option (the ones I use myself nowadays) would be the JVC NX-PS1 component speakers. Audio over USB, Line in, USB memory and an iPod interface. I picked mine up for well under $100 despite an MSRP of $249.
Another option (the ones I use myself nowadays) would be the JVC NX-PS1 component speakers. Audio over USB, Line in, USB memory and an iPod interface. I picked mine up for well under $100 despite an MSRP of $249.
Dec 2, 2007, 2:59 pm
#6
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The Ten Commandments of PC speakers and sound according to NHT
[just joking]
That link should be a sticky!!
[/just joking]
[just joking]
That link should be a sticky!!
[/just joking]
Dec 3, 2007, 12:17 pm
#7
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The Ten Commandments of PC speakers and sound according to NHT
[just joking]
That link should be a sticky!!
[/just joking]
[just joking]
That link should be a sticky!!
[/just joking]
But no match to Sermon on the Mount tho.
Dec 4, 2007, 12:11 pm
#8
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I've got a set of Altec Lansing VS-2121 that staples was dumping for $15 that I love, and even bought another pair. Making space for the new model or something.
Dec 4, 2007, 12:34 pm
#10
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IMHO Bose and "sounds like real music" don't fit well together in the same sentence.
Dec 4, 2007, 12:43 pm
#11
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Or if you have money to burn AND want some decent sound, buy a good soundcard and the NHT or Quad Active speakers...
IMHO Bose and "sounds like real music" don't fit well together in the same sentence.
IMHO Bose and "sounds like real music" don't fit well together in the same sentence.
Dec 5, 2007, 10:11 am
#12
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Best Buy has the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 set on sell for 99(reg 158)
HEAR
Sound "REALLY" good for a 2.1 hookup- THX rated, seperate line input !!!
There's probably a 10-12% off rewardzone coupon out there somewhere as well
HEAR
Sound "REALLY" good for a 2.1 hookup- THX rated, seperate line input !!!
There's probably a 10-12% off rewardzone coupon out there somewhere as well
Last edited by windwalker; Dec 5, 2007 at 10:18 am
Dec 5, 2007, 11:38 am
#13
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That's a great price on the HiVis, but I was never that impressed with 'em. I have a pair. VERY large for what they do. If you don't want a sub but still want decent bass, the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 sound very good for the money. The 2.1 system, however, sounds very much better. Best bass out of a computer system I've heard. That'd be my pick.
If you don't mind spending QUITE a lot and want to listen elsewhere in the home, these combined with this will let you listen away from the PC. Those speakers are tiny but sound astonishingly good.
If you don't mind spending QUITE a lot and want to listen elsewhere in the home, these combined with this will let you listen away from the PC. Those speakers are tiny but sound astonishingly good.
Dec 5, 2007, 1:09 pm
#15
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I nominate Harmon Kardon Soundsticks. They are really cool looking and I got mine with free shipping from Amazon. Great sound!
http://www.amazon.com/Soundsticks-II...6885285&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Soundsticks-II...6885285&sr=8-1