Laptop Sound Setup - Need Advice

[AudioBarron]

I am looking to set up my laptop (an early 2008 Black MacBook, 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, Digital/Analog In, Digital/Analog Out) with a modest setup, mostly for listening to music. I am on a tight budget (around $100 for speakers), so I know it will not be the "best,"and I have limited (but not compact) space, so I am considering purchasing the Swan D1080 MKII 2.0 speakers from TheAudioInsider.com. Two questions:

1) Are there any other suggestions for 2.0 speakers/self-powered monitors that I should consider? I have heard about the M-Audio AV series, but I have not heard either speaker/monitor in person, nor is there anywhere nearby at which to do so.

2) Should I purchase an external USB soundcard (edit: or DAC) from which to run the speakers/monitors? If so, which sound card (edit: or DAC)?

Any other comments would be welcome.

 

[adwilk]

I've found the Mac's on board sound card to be more than satisfactory. In fact, I highly doubt you'll buy one that you could definitively say "sounds" better, although external cards might have more features.

The Swans are good speakers. You might also consider the Klipsch Pro Media.

The Behringer 2030p is a great deal that is comparable to speakers at least twice the price but is out of your budget a bit and would require an amp.

The DAC idea is a great idea, but could get rather spendy pretty quick.

I use a modest T-amp and the 2030p in my office now and am pretty happy. Could use a little more power if I wanted to listen louder, but I gotta keep it down a bit. The t-amp is perfect for that...