Best sounding 2.1 setup for Music?

[shevanel]

I have been rocking out on ADA-305's for quite a while since I traded them from justn sometime back in a local trade. I am starting to outgrow them and I'm craving something with more power.

Can anybody suggest the "best" overall 2.1 sound setup on a $200 budget?

I listen to mostly rock n roll, metal and classic rock.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Soylent Joe]

Klipsch ProMedia's. They'll blow your mind. There are plenty of good reviews around for them. Second up would be the Logitech Z-2300's, also very good.

[brandonwh64]

I have this as my speaker system!! i have two extra speakers for mids!



MINE!


http://www.hctkorea.co.kr/mall/goods...p?goodsIdx=705

[shevanel]

lol when i first saw that pic i thought of jazz from the deceptacons

Its hard to choose speakers...

so for $150 those klipsch's are about as good as it gets?

[DanishDevil]

I would say take your pick of either the ProMedias or the Z-2300s. They're both very good.

[brandonwh64]

Even if you liked what i had you wouldnt be able to get them unless you goto korea or iraq LOL

[shevanel]

Originally Posted by DanishDevil

I would say take your pick of either the ProMedias or the Z-2300s. They're both very good.

do you know how loud these things get without getting distorted?

[DanishDevil]

I can do some testing, but I don't think my apartmentmates would appreciate it

[DanishDevil]

Rather than pissing off everyone around me, I googled Z-2300 and "distortion" and found that a good amount of Newegg reviews noted these speakers for very low distortion at high volume levels, and quoting that it starts around 80% volume, which is more than loud enough for parties

[shevanel]

Screw it, I'm going to take the advice and run with it. I'll get them from Best buy so if I am not satisfied I'll take em back. Ocala has em i stock and I'm free tomorrow during the day, I might go pick a set up.



One of these days I'm going to invest some money into a bad ass stereo system with the works, but for now.. something like this is perfect for my budget. Especially with 2 car payments now ugg..

Thanks for the quick advice.

[DanishDevil]

No problemo! Don't forget that I've got the Prelude if you want an extra kick in the ass with 'em!

[shevanel]

I'll check out some reviews on it, I think getting new speakers would be the better first step for now.. but I'll def check out that sound card after work tonight.

[Dent1]

Originally Posted by shevanel

I have been rocking out on ADA-305's for quite a while since I traded them from justn sometime back in a local trade. I am starting to outgrow them and I'm craving something with more power.

Can anybody suggest the "best" overall 2.1 sound setup on a $200 budget?

I listen to mostly rock n roll, metal and classic rock.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Ignore the computer speakers and buy a cheap AV receiver and 2 wooden bookshelf or floor standing speakers - sound much better than computer speakers.

Klipsch F-1 Synergy FloorStanding $150
Polk Audio R50 Two-Way $130
Sony SS-B1000 5 1/8-Inch Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) $50
Sony SS-B3000 Bookshelf Speakers with 8" Woofer (Pair) $86
Yamaha NS-6490 $119

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synerg...285914&sr=1-32
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Two...285914&sr=1-29
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B1000-...286104&sr=1-24
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B3000-...286158&sr=1-51
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-6490...286215&sr=1-79

If you need help finding a AV receiver just ask.

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by Dent1

Ignore the computer speakers and buy a cheap AV receiver and 2 wooden bookshelf or floor standing speakers - sound much better than computer speakers.

+1 to this. i am using a older kenwood receiver that is perfect with my mid-range (some would call it high-end) 2.1 cambridge soundworks setup. sounds a hundred times better than all of those computer speakers and it realy does not cost much more.

[Paulieg]

Originally Posted by Soylent Joe

Klipsch ProMedia's. They'll blow your mind. There are plenty of good reviews around for them. Second up would be the Logitech Z-2300's, also very good.

This. I swear they sound as good as my Polk audio bookshelf speakers. Actually, since I paired them with my Auzentech x-raider sound card, I barely touch my home audio system.

[Dent1]

Originally Posted by Paulieg

This. I swear they sound as good as my Polk audio bookshelf speakers. Actually, since I paired them with my Auzentech x-raider sound card, I barely touch my home audio system.

Your kidding right?

[Paulieg]

Originally Posted by Dent1

Your kidding right?

No, I'm not. I've got a pretty good ear, and for the money it's about as good as it gets unless you really want to pour a ton of money into a decent receiver and floor standing speakers. I've heard the Z's too, and for my money the Klipsh are better.

[FordGT90Concept]

Originally Posted by shevanel

do you know how loud these things get without getting distorted?

ProMedia Ultra has an SNR of 106 dB. Z-2300 has SNR of 100 dB.

As far as I can tell on my 5.1 system, there is zero distortion throughout the range. They peak (hit the SNR, in my case 115 dB) before they distort.

[shevanel]

Originally Posted by Dent1

Ignore the computer speakers and buy a cheap AV receiver and 2 wooden bookshelf or floor standing speakers - sound much better than computer speakers.

Klipsch F-1 Synergy FloorStanding $150
Polk Audio R50 Two-Way $130
Sony SS-B1000 5 1/8-Inch Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) $50
Sony SS-B3000 Bookshelf Speakers with 8" Woofer (Pair) $86
Yamaha NS-6490 $119

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synerg...285914&sr=1-32
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Two...285914&sr=1-29
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B1000-...286104&sr=1-24
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B3000-...286158&sr=1-51
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-6490...286215&sr=1-79

If you need help finding a AV receiver just ask.

that would be awesome to do but with it being the slow season at work and my kid out on summer break I cannot justify spending $500+ on a sound system when I really use headphones for 80+% of my listening time.. I usually only use the ada-305's whenever I'm in the shower, watching a movie when no one is sleeping or when I just wanna crank up some music which isn't as often as I would normally enjoy to do.

[Easo]

Z-2300
When in dormitory guy, who has them, turns them on, i can hear my x-530 only in my room xD

[shevanel]

No offense but what the heck does that mean?

[hat]

Originally Posted by shevanel

that would be awesome to do but with it being the slow season at work and my kid out on summer break I cannot justify spending $500+ on a sound system when I really use headphones for 80+% of my listening time.. I usually only use the ada-305's whenever I'm in the shower, watching a movie when no one is sleeping or when I just wanna crank up some music which isn't as often as I would normally enjoy to do.

I'm pretty sure those are all seperate sets. I've been through the ringer with using home theater speakers with a reciever and getting it to work with the pc just about a week ago, I probably know anything you'll need.

For analog, the best you're going to get is stereo unless you spend like $400 on the only reciever that actually has 7.1 analog inputs. If you want 5.1, SPDIF over coaxial or optical is a good choice. If you want 7.1... you're going to have to use HDMI, since SPDIF can't handle it.

[Dent1]

Originally Posted by shevanel

that would be awesome to do but with it being the slow season at work and my kid out on summer break I cannot justify spending $500+ on a sound system when I really use headphones for 80+% of my listening time.. I usually only use the ada-305's whenever I'm in the shower, watching a movie when no one is sleeping or when I just wanna crank up some music which isn't as often as I would normally enjoy to do.

You said that you had a $200 budget. I sent you speakers that are in the $50-150 area, you could easily buy a receiver for another $100-150. Its a misconception that you need $500. The cheapest most crappiest bookshelf speakers are better than most of the computer speakers you guys are discussing here.

Originally Posted by hat

I saw a decent stereo reciever at radio shack for $100 not too long ago. Only problem was it's stereo... heh.

Thats what the OP is after, stereo.

If he gets a hometheatre receiver for upto 7.1 or 5.1 he can start out at 2.0/2.1 and add speakers in the distant future when the money is rolling in.

[hat]

I saw a decent stereo reciever at radio shack for $100 not too long ago. Only problem was it's stereo... heh.

[shevanel]

i had a 5.1 sound system before and Im not a big fan of it.. maybe for movies but meh.. and music on 5.1 sounds unnatural to my ears. I just like 2 speakers in front of me and sub hanging out on teh floor..

Plus, space is a limitation for me as well.. Im going to try and score the Klipsch's but I appreciate your suggestion, it'll give me something to think about for a future upgrade beyond this one.