Cheap but good dorm speakers

[ErnieM]

For our son for Xmas: a set of 2 or 2.1 active speakers for him to plug into his laptop for his dorm room at college. Budget: $100 or less.

He listens to classical (mostly solo piano) and some classic rock, but not at loud levels (unlike his Dad).

The laptop is an Acer 5551-2805. I can't find any specific info on the sound card for this unit.

He is a minimalist as far as material things go, so he won't go for buying a cheap used receiver and using passive speakers. The less fuss the better - he hates clutter.

The Klipsch Promedia at $150 look good, but are a bit above our budget.

Thanks for any and all responses!

 

[GranteedEV]

Tell him to get some Audio Technica ATH-M50 headphones instead... way better bang-for-buck! They're easy to drive, have very deep and reasonably tight bass, minimal coloration, and while they're not noise isolating, they're still closed back and give you good silence. Very comfortable too.

You're not going to get close to this kind of SQ out of an active loudspeaker until you're in the 350-400 dollar range or so... and it still won't dig as deep on bass as these.

Plus it comes with a pretty little carrying pouch

 

[JerryLove]

I agree headphones would be the best option. I've not seen anything in that price range, new, that compares to some of the older gear (I have some Altec Lansing speakers from about 12 years ago that I prefer to anything in the $100- category I've seen at Comp-USA / Best Buy).

If used is an option: you might want to see if any of the major audio brands have used active speakers in that range. I know Paradigm used to make Active Studios, and there may have been Active Monitors. Behringer makes active speakers: but I've heard poor things about the built-in amps (though the speakers themselves are terriffic). Check used studio / keyboard monitors.

I'm sorry I don't have a more specific recommendation.

 

[markw]

I've had good luck with Altec Lansing computer speakers. They aren't fancy or expensive, but they can be. I use them on two of our computers and I keep a setupr very similar to this at my son's house in Texas to use with our MP3 players in "our" (the spare) bedroom in their house for when we visit. I find them to sound great, play loud enough, and are simple to connect, operate, and look at.

I'm sorry if it's not expensive enough to meet your requirements.

Here's a listing of their current line-up of computer speakers.

 

[dkane360]

I had the Klipsch Promedias while I was in a dorm, and they worked very well for their purpose. Dorm rooms are pretty poor places acoustically to start with, so you're limited no matter what you pick. I recommend headphones as others have said, but if he would rather have speakers, then I would try and stretch the budget another $50 for the promedias or find them used online. Be weary though, most being sold online probably have something wrong with them. Some of the connectors get loose on the back if you're not careful, and its better to be under warranty by buying new.

 

[riker1384]

How about a mini-receiver? That, plus 2 speakers is the same # of boxes as a 2.1 set.
Onkyo makes one: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-325-CD-Receiver-System/dp/B0016K990K

It has a built-in CD deck that also plays mp3 data CDs.

I don't know how good the speakers are though. I bought the receiver by itself on Ebay, new for about $100.

 

[ohskigod]

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-StudioDock-Powered-Studio-Monitors/dp/B0014HO9QY


surprisingly good little monitors for little scratch....self powered, and I got them for 100 even at Sam Ash music stores......but most pro music stores should have them. Has an Ipod doc to boot. epic win. I use it for my Imac but obviously could easily be used with a laptop in the same fashion. Plug it in, hook up the USB if you have an Ipod (allows you to put the ipod in the dock and have it link to your computer while it is there, handy little feature.)

just my .02, I always found the Promedia a little to bright and annoying

 

[Jung]

Klipsch ProMedia is a good choice.

 

[Shike]

Maybe the Swan M10 speakers? Or maybe something like a pair of use NHT SuperZero speakers and a simple T-Amp used? I personally think the latter suggestion is the better, allows some freedom in changing what one is able to do later on.