Best Speakers for $300

[lovinghart]

Good day everyone! I was wondering if there are suggestions for the best speakers (either passive or active) that can be bought for $300? I'm planning to use it as a nearfield monitor for my computer. My audio preferences lean towards folk, acoustic, alternative-type music, with a preference for male voices and guitar music. Hope I could hear from a variety of people! Thanks!

 

[shadyJ]

Do you already have an amplifier? If not, you should just stick to near-field monitors. Go to a Guitar Center or Sam Ash or whatever pro-audio store if you have one near you, and listen to what they have. There are good active speakers under $300 a pair, KRK, Behringer, Mackie have some in that price range. If you some some you like there, check the price on them online and ask if they will price match if you can find a lower online price. Emotiva also has their 4" woofer Airmotivs on sale now for $314 a pair shipped, they won't have much in the way of bass, but it doesn't look like you listen to bass heavy music anyway.

 

[afterlife2]

Double post: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/84988-best-speakers-$300.html

 

[lovinghart]

Do you already have an amplifier? If not, you should just stick to near-field monitors. Go to a Guitar Center or Sam Ash or whatever pro-audio store if you have one near you, and listen to what they have. There are good active speakers under $300 a pair, KRK, Behringer, Mackie have some in that price range. If you some some you like there, check the price on them online and ask if they will price match if you can find a lower online price. Emotiva also has their 4" woofer Airmotivs on sale now for $314 a pair shipped, they won't have much in the way of bass, but it doesn't look like you listen to bass heavy music anyway.

Would the Lepai amp be enough? Would the Lepai+ passive speakers be better than the alternatives available among active speakers? Thanks!

 

[shadyJ]

Would the Lepai amp be enough? Would the Lepai+ passive speakers be better than the alternatives available among active speakers? Thanks!

The Lepai amp would be enough to power some bookshelf speakers, but I can't believe it would be enough to ever make them blaze. That might not be a problem for you, for near-field use. I would rather have speakers designed for a desktop on top of a desktop, so I would go for some near-field monitors. A lepai+passive certainly wouldn't be better than a decent set of monitors, but it could be a lot cheaper.

 

[jcunwired]

I'm currently entertaining the idea of replacing my desktop speakers with Emp Tek E41, $299 shipped. At least here on audioholics they have been getting very good reviews for nearfield use.

Having gone through a lengthy audition and decision process a year ago I decided to stay with passive speakers. IMO there wasn't much that's impressive about active monitors until closer to the $500 price point.

 

[VicTorious1]

The EMP Tek E41s are a great speaker. I use them for my office at work. I looked at some active speakers from Swan, Beringer and Audioengine, but the E41s sound great and are quite inexpensive. You should be happy with them.

 

[jcunwired]

Thanks Vic. I found a pair of E41-B, they will be delivered tomorrow (unless another east coast snowstorm surprises us!), I'm excited! I love my current desktop monitors but just couldn't resist after hearing good things from great people here.

 

[psbfan9]

These come in right at your budget, $299.00 a pair. PSB Alpha PS1 powered speakers. I have the PSB Alpha B1 (non powered) and they are great speakers. I'm sure the PS1's would be just as good.

Alpha PS1 Powered Speaker - PSB Speakers

PSB - Alpha PS1 - Powered Speakers-Audio Advisor