New Speaker (Logitech Z533 or Micca MB42X)

[TheColdestFire]

I have an old Bose SoundDock Series 2 that I'm currently using for my setup. I'm finally kind of getting sick of it and have about $150 to spend. I will looking at the Logitech z533 as a replacement. First of all, if it worth getting new speakers if I'm using them for basic music creation and listening to lots and lots of music and if so, are the Logitech z533 a good choice? I was also looking at Micca PB4 2X... However, I it doesn't have a subwoofer. Will it still have good bass? I also have a mic (BM-800) that I am currently use. If I go with the Micca MB42 does anyone have any suggestions for an amplifier/phantom power source that I can use for both the Micca MB42 and my BM-800. My budget is around $150.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

For music creation what you really need is not pc speakers, but at your budget it would be near impossible to get accurate speakers.
Are you trying to get the speakers, amp and phantom input for your mic all for $150 ??
Well, good luck
Best I could recommend at these prices is https://www.amazon.com/Micca-PB42X-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00NXAEPDC
with NoAh DSP profile :
http://noaudiophile.com/DSP_Corrections/Micca_MB42x.php

and this dac/48v phantom power input for your mic:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UM2usb
(if you don't mind waiting till end of july, or try to find used at similar prices on ebay/craigslist)

 

[TheColdestFire]

For music creation what you really need is not pc speakers, but at your budget it would be near impossible to get accurate speakers.
Are you trying to get the speakers, amp and phantom input for your mic all for $150 ??
Well, good luck
Best I could recommend at these prices is https://www.amazon.com/Micca-PB42X-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00NXAEPDC
with NoAh DSP profile :
http://noaudiophile.com/DSP_Corrections/Micca_MB42x.php

and this dac/48v phantom power input for your mic:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UM2usb
(if you don't mind waiting till end of july, or try to find used at similar prices on ebay/craigslist)

Thanks for the quick response! If I had a little more money, would there be anything else you would change? Maybe an extra $150. Also, say I was only using speakers for listening to music, not for music creation, in that case, what speakers would be best?

 

[lovinthehd]

Might help to explain what other sources you intend to use and how you need to connect them for suggestions. For inexpensive speakers with their own amps (i.e. active speakers rather than passive speakers) the JBL LSR305 would be where I'd start. Not a big leap beyond your budget as long as you can save towards them a bit....always worth spending as much as you can on speakers.

 

[MrBoat]

I have those Logitech speakers currently on my desktop. They are 'okay' for desktop speakers. They are not very loud before distortion sets in, but passable. The subwoofer does ok and the headphone function on the volume control works okay as well. I picked them up for under $90 on sale last year sometime.

My Harman Kardon Soundsticks speakers sound a lot better than the Logitechs and they are about $170.

 

[TheColdestFire]

Might help to explain what other sources you intend to use and how you need to connect them for suggestions. For inexpensive speakers with their own amps (i.e. active speakers rather than passive speakers) the JBL LSR305 would be where I'd start. Not a big leap beyond your budget as long as you can save towards them a bit....always worth spending as much as you can on speakers.

Right now, I do a little bit of music production, using my headphones, but I was really just looking for a good pair of speakers for listening to music as I am always listening to music while working.

 

[TheColdestFire]

I have those Logitech speakers currently on my desktop. They are 'okay' for desktop speakers. They are not very loud before distortion sets in, but passable. The subwoofer does ok and the headphone function on the volume control works okay as well. I picked them up for under $90 on sale last year sometime.

My Harman Kardon Soundsticks speakers sound a lot better than the Logitechs and they are about $170.

Ok. Good to know, do you have any suggestions for speakers?

 

[MrBoat]

Ok. Good to know, do you have any suggestions for speakers?

I'd probably like the JBL's suggested above as well as anything but I'd be more inclined to choose a system with a subwoofer instead.

I don't do budgets for recreational purchases. I pick what I want and I save up for it the old fashioned way. If I could not justify the expense, I would build a kit speaker and perhaps save that way. The only reason I bought the desktop speakers I have is, for playing games and watching Netflix on the pc.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for the quick response! If I had a little more money, would there be anything else you would change? Maybe an extra $150. Also, say I was only using speakers for listening to music, not for music creation, in that case, what speakers would be best?

At $300, No doubt it's JBL LSR305. See NoAudioholic review. I guess, I'm not fully impartial since I own and very much enjoy it's older sibling - LSR2325p - they still command top dollar on ebay. I guess there must be a reason for that.
I'd still recommend same dac. Don't get concerted too much over 24/96 stuff - it's not super critical. Just make sure your soundmix is not compressed (not file compression, I mean dynamic range compression)

Might help to explain what other sources you intend to use and how you need to connect them for suggestions. For inexpensive speakers with their own amps (i.e. active speakers rather than passive speakers) the JBL LSR305 would be where I'd start. Not a big leap beyond your budget as long as you can save towards them a bit....always worth spending as much as you can on speakers.

 

[TheColdestFire]

I'd probably like the JBL's suggested above as well as anything but I'd be more inclined to choose a system with a subwoofer instead.

I don't do budgets for recreational purchases. I pick what I want and I save up for it the old fashioned way. If I could not justify the expense, I would build a kit speaker and perhaps save that way. The only reason I bought the desktop speakers I have is, for playing games and watching Netflix on the pc.

That's kind of similar why I want them. I use my headphones for media creation, so I'm looking for a casual set of speakers so I can just chill out and play some games and hang out. Would you say the Logitech z533 or something of the similar price suffice?

 

[TheColdestFire]

At $300, No doubt it's JBL LSR305. See NoAudioholic review. I guess, I'm not fully impartial since I own and very much enjoy it's older sibling - LSR2325p - they still command top dollar on ebay. I guess there must be a reason for that.
I'd still recommend same dac. Don't get concerted too much over 24/96 stuff - it's not super critical. Just make sure your soundmix is not compressed (not file compression, I mean dynamic range compression)

Ok great! I'm honestly starting to debate whether I should just keep my Bose SoundDock because I would only be using these speakers for things like Netflix, games, music, Youtube, etc. If I would be doing no media creation, do your opinions change at all? I'm just trying to find a pair of decent speakers for the price. (150)

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ok great! I'm honestly starting to debate whether I should just keep my Bose SoundDock because I would only be using these speakers for things like Netflix, games, music, Youtube, etc. If I would be doing no media creation, do your opinions change at all? I'm just trying to find a pair of decent speakers for the price. (150)

You have suggestion for both $150 and $300. Both great value at their price points. In this case the $300 JBL is much better than Micca.

I don't consider any Bose product to be good speaker for critical listening and especially not for music production, unless you'd want your music to sound like crap on better speakers.

 

[MrBoat]

Ok great! I'm honestly starting to debate whether I should just keep my Bose SoundDock because I would only be using these speakers for things like Netflix, games, music, Youtube, etc. If I would be doing no media creation, do your opinions change at all? I'm just trying to find a pair of decent speakers for the price. (150)

What are you trying to do media creation with, exactly? To me, that would mean by way of my desktop pc, or a laptop at least, so I really can't help you there.

The only two pairs of speakers I have any experience with, other than 2.1 systems that actually came with multimedia pc's, is the Logitechs you mentioned in your OP, and the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks I mentioned.

To be honest, if I was you, and I know this is probably taboo in these forums, I would buy one of these type bookshelf systems that has just about everything included. They actually sound pretty good and can do more for that price range than what you are looking at.

 

[lovinthehd]

Right now, I do a little bit of music production, using my headphones, but I was really just looking for a good pair of speakers for listening to music as I am always listening to music while working.

That wouldn't change my opinion about the speakers. I've used similar Logitech speakers and not impressed, but when the company dictates what you can have and what they'll pay for at your desk....would never use them at home or on a music related job, though. How much did you spend on your headphones? Do you have an amp or receiver of some sort? How and with what do you listen? Just from a computer or cd's or ?

 

[MrBoat]

I have this bookshelf stereo at work. It holds 5 cd's and the guys plug their phones into it and it cranks and has been going strong for almost 10 years. When I come in, I have to turn it down because I can hear the bass from the front of the building.

It sounds better than the Logitech speakers by about 10:1. The speakers are detachable so can be set up like stereo. There are a lot of choices in this category and they have come a long way from the portables that were available when I was younger. I think the one I have is called a 300 watt system.

 

[slipperybidness]

@TheColdestFire

If I were in your situation with a meager budget and looking for the best that I could afford, I would go take a look at the local Guitar Center to see if they may have any used gear available. You can also search their online used stock.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Studio-Monitors.gc#narrowSideBar

You really can't go wrong with those JBLs, they are just about the default studio monitors.

If you are really looking to save a few bucks, then maybe look at similar offerings from M Audio or KRK, but you will also take an accuracy and performance hit at the lower prices.

If you had an AVR or amp already, then a DIY solution may do the trick, note that this is the price for 1 speaker
https://www.parts-express.com/hitmaker-mt-studio-monitor-speaker-kit-with-knock-down-cabinet--300-7116

 

[j_garcia]

The Miccas are just OK in my opinion and for playback by themselves, they have very little bass. For a similar price the BS22LR is a better speaker IMO, but a lot larger.

Behringer 2030a and 1030a are already amplified and should be fine for monitoring.

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-B2030a-High-Resolution-Reference-Monitor/dp/B000Q6EHA2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496415098&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+2030a

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=behringer+1030a&rh=i:aps,k:behringer+1030a