Hi - would like help on speakers

[Vicarious]

Hi,
I'm not sure if I'm even in the right forum here, I'm looking for advice on speakers and/or headphones for my home computer. Audioholics was the most promising forum I came across. If I am indeed in the wrong place, does anyone know a good forum ?

I'm not a hardcore audiophile, as a student I can hardly afford to be, but I do enjoy music in decent quality.
So with my new iMac I'm looking for some decent speakers. Originally I'd thought about getting wireless headphones (I hate cables) but all the models I tried out had a constant buzzing sound in the backround, even the most expensive ones I found (Sennheiser RS 140 - 8) had that buzzing interference. So if one can't get wireless headphones without interference then it'll have to be speakers.

And thats really my question, I'm looking for some good speakers, max cost around $220, with a clear full spectrum sound, not just bass heavy, but with clear middle tones as well.

Thanks in advance
Tom

 

[Alamar]

Are a good set of wired headphones out of the question?? I know you hate wires but headphones [in general] would come in very handy because you don't need to worry about bothering the neighbors with the headphones.

While I will likely get flamed I personally find the sound quality out of a decent set of headphones [<225$] tend to be better than what I find in comparable speakers.

If you have a receiver you might find some use from the following link:
Budget Bookshelf Speaker Shootout

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One thing that I recommend [based on the wisdom of other posters here] is that you should listen to whatever you want to buy yourself with a good selection of your own music. If it sounds good then that's something that would probably be OK to spend $ on. If you can do an in-home demo with full return rights that's even better.

 

[Rickster71]

I agree with Alamar.
A good set of $200 headphones will sound better than a $200 dollar pair of speakers.
I'm far from being an expert on cans. If you decide to try them, give a pair of Sony MDR-V6's a listen. I have those and I'm happy with them.
They were in the $60+ price range.

For PC speakers, if you only need 2.1
Logitech Z-2300 are very good and their price range, $80 to $150

 

[Vicarious]

Yeah, I tested some good headphones with cable in my price range and the quality was considerably better, but I also want to be able to listen to music when I'm not sitting at my desk, for example lying on my bed, couch, etc. and a wire would just get in the way.

I was considering the Logitech Z-2300, but I'm not sure what difference 2.1 makes vs 5.1. My room is fairly small and I wouldn't have space to arrange a 5.1 system around me, so the Logitech Z-2300 is definitely a possibility.

 

[Rickster71]

The difference between 2.1 and 5.1

2.1 is a stereo pair, and a subwoofer.

5.1 is Front L, R
Rear L, R
a Center,
and a Subwoofer.
In the dorm situation your in, I would go with the 2.1
IMHO

 

[oldgringo]

Re: Sponse

Hi Vicarious (live through this!),

For real-estate, we all know about “Location, location and location”. In project management we did “Communications, communications and communications”. With audio, I go for listen, listen and . . . you've got it!

Advice may or may not get you into your required ballpark – the bottom-line will eventually (this time or the next) all come down to your ears.

Based on what you’ve shared with us so far, I submit: “Bottom-of the-line” Grado SR 60s, for which I’ve never felt the need to purchase an amp; along with the Logitech Z4 (tight-sub!), for you to audition – in a room of similar size and acoustics if pos.

I had a ball for a couple of years with these H./Phones, along with the less-than-subtle JVC “Kaboom” box, which was used when “all” was required to be hung-out (Hand-drumming/ didgeridoo, etc). The phrase “Loose Movements” comes to mind for the Z 2300, in any size of room, actually. If I’d needed more presence, combined with accuracy, I’d have sprung-out my Energy Reference 22s or borrow a Remington 788!

If you want to go more towards the “phile” route and instant gratification is not rearing it’s ugly head too much, I’d suggest that, through these pages, you identify some good smaller bookshelf speakers that folks might recommend over, say, the Paradigm Titan Monitors (if these do not appeal); then save/ meditate/ save for a good “little” two-channel receiver (going for “surround” would change that). I can almost guarantee that when the wait is over, you will likely think that it was worth it.

Cheers.

PS: As a student, possibly fighting your landlord, semi-starving and poorly shod (haha), one of the Logitechs or other folk’s higher-end portables would be well able to immerse you (and yours!) in some pretty cool (and hot) music, till you are ready to splurge .

 

[Davemcc]

For a 2.1 computer system, I love my AEGO-M. Great quality sound that fills a room with two small speakers and a sub (no comparisons to Bose, please. This is far superior). I regularly use this to play whole house music instead of firing up the main system and it sounds great.

 

[jcPanny]

Computer speakers

Check out the AudioEngine powered monitors. They have a smaller pair for $200 and a larger bookshelf speaker version for $300.