Looking for advice on a solid 2+1 speaker set for my computer

[anocer]

Greetings Audiophiles!

I would love some suggestions/advice on a 3 piece speaker set for my home computer.

I use my computer for watching movies, listening to music and streaming TV and my oldschool altec lansings are heading the way of the dodo.

So, can anyone recommend a quality set of speakers in the $100-250 range? A lil more for something really nice would be worth it.

Plz halp?

 

[KEW]

Are you talking speakers plus sub for $100 to $250 to use with a separate amp or receiver, or a powered PC type 2.1 system?

If the former, these have been getting a lot of positive attention at AVS forum for $130 shipped:
http://www.jr.com/pioneer/pe/PIO_SPBS41LR/
and this is consider about as good a sub as you can get for $150 shipped:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-633&source=googleps

That gets you out for $280 after shipping.

 

[HexOmega]

Do you already have a receiver/amp or are you looking for powered speakers?

 

[anocer]

Hi and thanks to the both you of you for your feedback.

I'm looking for powered speakers at this time.

Mostly just looking for something that will be output quality sound and last a long time, commensurate with the price.

It may be blasphemous to say here... but I've been considering Logitech as I've had such immense success with their other products and they have such stellar customer support.

I just picked up their 1/3" thick, wireless, solar-powered keyboard and it is SO freakin sweet; also, their Anywhere MX wireless mouse w/ the darkfield tracking tech is awesome as you can pretty much use it on any surface, like cloth or glass both great for couch-surfing! bonus is that they use they same USB port rather than occupying two.

 

[jp_over]

Alesis M1 Active 320 USB

Anocer,

Do you have the model number on that keyboard? I'd like to look into that.

For powered PC speakers, I purchased these for my home desktop and have been impressed for the price ($100):

Alesis M1 Active 320 USB
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M1Act320USB/

Not sure of what type of longevity one can expect with any electronic device. It seems they can all either last forever or crap out at any given time. Of note, for some estimate of reliability take a look at the Amazon ratings or even Newegg ratings to get an idea of how many folks have problems with specific brands/devices.

The Alesis speakers in the above link have been doing well for about a year now. They get pretty loud for nearfield and are even decent for background music.

This would leave you $150 for the sub.

 

[anocer]

jp_over, the model number is K750; it retails for a remarkably inexpensive $80. Best keyboard purchase I've ever made.

I would need a receiver or some sort for that Alesis, yeah? Or how would I add a sub?

I was looking at Logitechs Z-2300 or the Z506

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[jp_over]

Man, that keyboard is so new it's not even on Amazon yet. It does look pretty sweet. Once I buy a new PC one of my current PCs will become a media server. The K750 looks like a good match up.

Back on topic, if you wanted to run a sub with the Alesis, you could do this:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633

1) PC headphone out to SUB: 1/8 stereo to (RCA) sub in
2) Sub to Alesis: Sub out (RCA) to (RCA, 1/8 stereo, or 1/4 TS) Alesis in

On the speakers you mentioned, I don’t know much about them and haven’t heard them. I’d take the Alesis over most PC speakers I’ve heard but this is a limited opinion.

While I was looking to see if the Dayton has a crossover, I saw this deal that you might like to check out as well (caveat: I’ve never heard these but thought the price was in your range):
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-694

About those PC speakers, do a search on this forum and see what you come up with. The higher order members here sometimes comment on such things and you might find out some good info.

 

[anocer]

Man, that keyboard is so new it's not even on Amazon yet. It does look pretty sweet. Once I buy a new PC one of my current PCs will become a media server. The K750 looks like a good match up.

Normally, I would have simply ordered it from Logitech directly but Best Buy had a sale going on for the Anywhere mouse so I bought the both of them locally.

Back on topic, if you wanted to run a sub with the Alesis, you could do this:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633

1) PC headphone out to SUB: 1/8 stereo to (RCA) sub in
2) Sub to Alesis: Sub out (RCA) to (RCA, 1/8 stereo, or 1/4 TS) Alesis in

On the speakers you mentioned, I don’t know much about them and haven’t heard them. I’d take the Alesis over most PC speakers I’ve heard but this is a limited opinion.

While I was looking to see if the Dayton has a crossover, I saw this deal that you might like to check out as well (caveat: I’ve never heard these but thought the price was in your range):
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-694

About those PC speakers, do a search on this forum and see what you come up with. The higher order members here sometimes comment on such things and you might find out some good info.

Thanks for all the info on this! A lot to research/consider before making a purchase.