Which 2.1 speaker set should I get?

dferigmu · February 19, 2005 5:53PM

I'm looking for a powerful speaker set with a subwoofer. I've heard good things about the JBL Creature II and the Harman Kardon Soundsticks 2, but they don't seem very powerful. I need something that puts out stereo-level sound and I don't want to spend more than $150.

I have heard very good things about the Logitech Z-2300 and the Klipsch GMX A-2.1 Personal Audio System. Is either one better? Or does anyone have any other suggestions?

meeces · February 19, 2005 6:48PM

Have you actually heard the soundsticks or creature? They both produce pretty good sound. I have the creatures, the fill downstairs of my apartment pretty well. I've only heard the soundsticks briefly, but my understanding is those are pretty powerful. Check provantage.com, they have lots of speakers.

slughead · February 19, 2005 6:53PM

I'd recommend Logitech

sunilraman · February 20, 2005 4:29AM

i had the logitech Z series (can't remember which ones) for a while. ummm... the bass was f8cking MASSIVE on that 2.1 i had to turn the bass level to minimum on the subwoofer...

it was a bit out of balance for me, but if you are into phat bass, you gotta check it out...

i definitely noticed Klipsch -- the choice of pros at psychedelic trance parties -- haven't tried their personal audio stuff, but good on them, hope it's good...

dferigmu · February 20, 2005 6:34AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sunilraman

i had the logitech Z series (can't remember which ones) for a while. ummm... the bass was f8cking MASSIVE on that 2.1 i had to turn the bass level to minimum on the subwoofer...

it was a bit out of balance for me, but if you are into phat bass, you gotta check it out...

i definitely noticed Klipsch -- the choice of pros at psychedelic trance parties -- haven't tried their personal audio stuff, but good on them, hope it's good...

I want bass, but not too much. Is the bass on the Logitech too much even at the lowest level?

magicfingers · February 20, 2005 10:06AM

I got the Klipsch 2.1 a few weeks ago. They were by far the best sounding speakers on the shelf for $150. I coudn't be happier with the speakers. i use them in our bedroom for my ipod and for the television/dvd. They are the best sounding for the money. There was a set of logitechs 2.1 for more $ but they did not sound as good as the Klipsch.

sunilraman · February 20, 2005 7:02PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dferigmu

I want bass, but not too much. Is the bass on the Logitech too much even at the lowest level?

i found it okay at the lowest level, but the thing is that the subwoofer seems a bit too powerful compared to the satellite sepakers -- i didn't have a good feeling of a balanced overall sound, despite the coolness factor of massive thumping bass

dferigmu · February 20, 2005 7:10PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sunilraman

i found it okay at the lowest level, but the thing is that the subwoofer seems a bit too powerful compared to the satellite sepakers -- i didn't have a good feeling of a balanced overall sound, despite the coolness factor of massive thumping bass

Would you say the Klipsch 2.1 set is less bass-oriented? Or what speakers do you have now?

sunilraman · February 20, 2005 7:15PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dferigmu

Would you say the Klipsch 2.1 set is less bass-oriented? Or what speakers do you have now?

i don't have anything now

long story... haven't tried the Klipsch 2.1 , i was referring to their PA (club party etc. systems)

my feeling was that the Logitech Z series was overly-bass-oriented because they managed to get some new technology for the subwoofer, but this left the satellites a bit out of balance

onstage · February 20, 2005 8:50PM

try Cambridge Soundworks, their not stylish but you get alot of sound for the money. You can find them here:

CSW "Micro Works" Speakers

These will shame most computer speakers, no question. I have the original "Soundworks" model, they're still rocking after eight years of heavy use.

hope this helps,

john

splinemodel · February 20, 2005 9:05PM

What kind of music do you listen to? I think the subwoofer+satellite speaker combos are really bad for listening to classical and rock, or for that matter any kind of music with an emphasized low-mid range.

I'm going to get some of these for the office:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...Pro4-main.html

kennywrx · February 20, 2005 11:12PM

Hi guys...

I agree, Logitech lower end subwoofers use a bandpass enclosure which means peaky low quality bass, but as you move up in price you'll find a much better sounding and balanced ported sub.

sunilraman · February 21, 2005 5:00AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Splinemodel

What kind of music do you listen to? I think the subwoofer+satellite speaker combos are really bad for listening to classical and rock, or for that matter any kind of music with an emphasized low-mid range.

I'm going to get some of these for the office:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...Pro4-main.html

m-audio speakers are like, whoa

i was using the BX5 or something like that -- personal monitors for my bedroom dance music studio

the 'multimedia' line should be more affordable and *should* have balanced sound. yeah the 2.1 is actually a bit unweildy at times, those StudioPro4s seem nice

dferigmu · February 21, 2005 7:35AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Splinemodel

What kind of music do you listen to? I think the subwoofer+satellite speaker combos are really bad for listening to classical and rock, or for that matter any kind of music with an emphasized low-mid range.

I'm going to get some of these for the office:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...Pro4-main.html

I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. Alternative, top 40, and techno are the three main kinds and I'll also use the speakers for DVDs. I want good bass, but not so it overpowers the satellite speakers.

I have a stereo in my room but it's a 7-year-old Aiwa and the CD player has broken so many times that I'm not spending money to fix it anymore. I need a speaker set that will replace my stereo for music-listening.

splinemodel · February 21, 2005 9:12AM

Sounds like the satellite speakers might work well for you. Out of curiosity, where do you live in DC? I grew up in DC and am merely curious.

onstage · February 21, 2005 10:02AM

If you're used to an aiwa shelf system the CSW Microworks will blow you away. They are completely different in design from the 2.1 computer speakers you'll find at Bestbuy, no mid-bass hump and lots of power. (20 wats X 2 for the sattelites + 40 watts for the sub, the sub is a 6.5 inch driver with an 8 inch passive radiater, not a bandpass design.)

Trust me, you'll be pleased with pretty much any type of music!

john

dferigmu · February 21, 2005 2:25PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onstage

If you're used to an aiwa shelf system the CSW Microworks will blow you away. They are completely different in design from the 2.1 computer speakers you'll find at Bestbuy, no mid-bass hump and lots of power. (20 wats X 2 for the sattelites + 40 watts for the sub, the sub is a 6.5 inch driver with an 8 inch passive radiater, not a bandpass design.)

Trust me, you'll be pleased with pretty much any type of music!

john

How come it's mainly computer speaker systems by Logitech and Klipsch that are sold in places like Best Buy and Comp USA? I have never heard of some of these speakers you guys are suggesting and would have never know if they were good if I had not posted here.

About the power of the CSW Microworks though, it sounds like a total of 80 watts compared to Logitech's 200 watts of power. What's the difference then? The power of the sub?

dferigmu · February 21, 2005 2:36PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Splinemodel

Sounds like the satellite speakers might work well for you. Out of curiosity, where do you live in DC? I grew up in DC and am merely curious.

I was born in NW and have lived in Arlington and McLean, VA. Now, I live in Great Falls. I put DC in my sig b/c I don't think anyone knows where Great Falls is.

And you?

splinemodel · February 21, 2005 5:23PM

I grew up in the Tenley area for a spell, then moved to Bethesda to finish growing up, then moved to New Jersey, and then moved to Florida. . . right now I'm a ripe, old 23.

onstage · February 21, 2005 7:17PM

Well, power is cheap. The logitech speakers give you alot for the money, where they cut the corners is the question! Either they or the CSW speakers will likely be subjectively equally loud (power is cheap, but all power is not created equal)

Me, I'd still go with CSW, they are a speaker company that's been around for a long time now and they have a great track record of extremely musical products. Logitech is a peripherals company. I like the experts for my money!

You should also check out Boston Acoustics. They have some sweet sounding designs with nice understated style.

Hope this helps!

john

sunilraman · February 21, 2005 7:33PM

i had cambridge sound works back in 1996-1998 just about when creative was buying them over... it was nice

for a sub + satellite set up back then

one thing that i liked about that 2.1 set up was the sound filling up a room quite well.

yeah i remember lying back on my bed listening to U2's "Pop" album as the CSW filled up the whole space not too bad for smallish-sattelites and "lower" power

a 2-speaker set up like m-audio is designed for you to be in one position most of the time for optimal music enjoyment/production (the triangle-thingy setup)

ah decisions, decisions

Which 2.1 speaker set should I get?

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