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Best speaker bang for the buck?

post #1 of 19
6/1/06 at 12:08pm
Thread Starter 
I'll get a MBP17" (eventually). What is the best value in speakers, sound verses price?
I was looking at the Harman Kardon SoundSticks II, but I'm not sold on anything yet.
Thoughts?
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post #2 of 19
6/1/06 at 12:24pm
See if you can get a Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 at a decent price.
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post #3 of 19
6/1/06 at 12:49pm
I have Altec Lansing speakers and love them. The sound and sound quality is absolutely amazing! They no longer sell the particular model I have but if I were buying right now I would go here

http://www.alteclansing.com/product_cat_stereo.asp

and I would probably buy these
http://www.alteclansing.com/product_...asp?pID=VS3121

That said, what you really need to do is go to a store that has a bank of speakers set up from different manufacturers and listen to each set of speakers one by one... that's how I chose my Altec Lansing speakers. They still sound increadible! An excellent value for the price. 8)
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post #4 of 19
6/1/06 at 12:56pm
My advice:
Buy a stereo of 2.1 setup and not a surround sound setup.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Creative (Cambridge Soundworks) MegaWorks 2.1
Altec Lansing (forgot which models are good)
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post #5 of 19
6/1/06 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
They will be bought through work and they have to be bought off the apple website. With those limitations, what do you think? $150 give or take...
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post #6 of 19
6/1/06 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally posted by SquireM
They will be bought through work and they have to be bought off the apple website. With those limitations, what do you think? $150 give or take...

This model is sold on the apple website.

http://www.alteclansing.com/product_...MX5021_OOS.asp

Note: I have never heard the sound from these speakers but based on the Altec Lansing speakers I DO have I would feel comfortable buying them "sight unseen" or recommending them.
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post #7 of 19
6/1/06 at 1:50pm
.
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post #8 of 19
6/1/06 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally posted by baygbm
This model is sold on the apple website.

http://www.alteclansing.com/product_...MX5021_OOS.asp

Note: I have never heard the sound from these speakers but based on the Altec Lansing speakers I DO have I would feel comfortable buying them "sight unseen" or recommending them.

Those speakers are quite nice. In fact, I like their sound better than my cambridge soundworks 2.1 and klipsch promedia 2.1.

I chose another set over these due to their shape. However, I still think the ones at that link sound better even though they're analog only.
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post #9 of 19
6/1/06 at 3:29pm
  • Ebby
  • RIAA's Most Wanted
It is a little expensive, but THIS is probably your best bet using the bang/buck model.

Sounds like carp though. 8)
horrid misuse of cool technology
SSBA.COM
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horrid misuse of cool technology
SSBA.COM
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post #10 of 19
6/1/06 at 4:07pm
These are excellent but don't expect the link to stay open forever

(if the link goes down, Bose Companion 3 Speakers)

DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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post #11 of 19
6/1/06 at 4:43pm
This is admittedly more than a computer audio setup, but Logitech's Z-5500 Digital is a ridiculous bargain for the money. I've had one in my house for a year and it's serious stuff.

I've seen them go on dealmac for around $250.
2.66ghz Mac Pro - 5gb / 830gb / 7300gt 256mb
1ghz Tibook - 1gb / 60gb / 9000 64mb
iPhone - 8gb

netbanshee.com
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2.66ghz Mac Pro - 5gb / 830gb / 7300gt 256mb
1ghz Tibook - 1gb / 60gb / 9000 64mb
iPhone - 8gb

netbanshee.com
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post #12 of 19
6/2/06 at 7:58am
When I worked at a computer store I found (after a lot of experimentation) that only the high-end Logitechs were even CLOSE to the Promedias in terms of overall sound quality. The Altecs had a very depressed midrange and artificially sharp tweeters.

Get a pair of Klipschs, let them break in for about 8 hours, and enjoy.
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post #13 of 19
6/2/06 at 10:25am
Quote:
Originally posted by Ireland
These are excellent but don't expect the link to stay open forever

(if the link goes down, Bose Companion 3 Speakers)

...a bit, well, ... sorta gay though...
How is it?
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How is it?
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post #14 of 19
6/2/06 at 11:16pm
when i first got my G3 ibook in 03, i decided to go for a JBL Creature setup.

three years down the line, i'm pretty happy with my investment...

BTW, this is an interesting link where they have shown the innards of the Creature... reminds me of the (in)famous "Area51 Alien Autopsy" pages that was a craze a few years back...
95% of your DNA is junk.... or is it?
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95% of your DNA is junk.... or is it?
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post #15 of 19
6/3/06 at 4:39am
Quote:
Originally posted by Ebby
Sounds like carp though.

Sounds fishy to me.

For speakers, you don't have to get expensive ones. My Mac Mini sound output is practically non-existant. I bought a cheap 2.1 setup and it sounds awesome. The sub really makes all the difference.
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post #16 of 19
6/3/06 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally posted by Chris_here
...a bit, well, ... sorta gay though...

You are confused, if you think a speaker is gay

DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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post #17 of 19
6/3/06 at 11:06am
Another vote for the JBL Creatures here. I got some after deciding that the Harmon Kardons Soundsticks were too pricey. They are half the price, and whilst not quite as good sounding, are still excellent. I have them in white, but you can also get them in silver etc now too. I believe, incidentally, that Harmon Kardon own JBL.
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post #18 of 19
6/3/06 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Ireland
You are confused, if you think a speaker is gay


Uhmm, well, o.k. - so they're not I guess, great, that's good news. I just got me a pair of them and my girlfriend keeps saying they look gayish.

They do sound good, but whenever someone in our house turns on a light, turns off a tv you can hear some bad noise coming out of these speakers. And the on/off-switch is located on the backside of the sub, and a subwoofer usually stands on the floor, close to a wall even, so have fun turning it on and off twice a day, or leave it on, but then you - and the rest of your family - have got to get used to these bangs!
How is it?
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How is it?
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post #19 of 19
6/3/06 at 2:10pm
  • e1618978
  • will burn in the Fiery Pit of Hell.
Quote:
Originally posted by Ebby
It is a little expensive, but THIS is probably your best bet using the bang/buck model.

Sounds like carp though. 8)

That is enough power to kill a person. 155dB is enough to simulate the sound wave pushed out by a space shuttle launch, and even that is enough to kill you - 188dB is seriously loud (1000x the energy level of a space shuttle launch, since dB is a logarethmic scale).
45 2a3 300b 211 845 833
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45 2a3 300b 211 845 833
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