Best 2.1 Speaker System

[Soylent Joe]

I'm looking to get a new 2.1 computer speaker set that costs no more than $65 including shipping.

No home theater speakers, studio monitors, or 5.1 systems. I don't want to have to deal with amplifiers, lots of cords, and "surround sound".


The main debate is between these two systems, but I'm looking for any good suggestions of comparable systems.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 - Tested these at Best Buy and I thought they were awesome. It's compact with no dongles or anything for volume control, it's a true 3-piece system.

Logitech Z-2300 - They're less expensive but I'm sure they still sound good. They're also silver, and I have nothing silver.

Nevermind, I got the ProMedias.

 

[AltecV1]

cant go wrong with the Z-2300

 

[Dent1]

I'm looking to get a new 2.1 computer speaker set that costs no more than $165 including shipping.

No home theater speakers, studio monitors, or 5.1 systems. I don't want to have to deal with amplifiers, lots of cords, and "surround sound".


The main debate is between these two systems, but I'm looking for any good suggestions of comparable systems.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 - Tested these at Best Buy and I thought they were awesome. It's compact with no dongles or anything for volume control, it's a true 3-piece system.

Logitech Z-2300 - They're less expensive but I'm sure they still sound good. They're also silver, and I have nothing silver.

That is a bias, lots of cords? There is only 1 power cord for the amp. The speakers do not have a power cord as they get there power straight from amp. If you get a stereo hi-fi then the cabling will be the same amount as the Logitech or Klipsch.

You can go for a stereo amplifier and a pair of bookshelf speakers, it is feasible for $150-200. Sound much better then those two speakers you've posted above and it'll be of actual build quality and replaceable components.

 

[Soylent Joe]

That is a bias, lots of cords? There is only 1 power cord for the amp. The speakers do not have a power cord as they get there power straight from amp. If you get a stereo hi-fi then the cabling will be the same amount as the Logitech or Klipsch.

You can go for a stereo amplifier and a pair of bookshelf speakers, it is feasible for $150-200. Sound much better then those two speakers you've posted above and it'll be of actual build quality and replaceable components.

I'm not looking for bookshelf speakers, I actually already have two Realistic ones like that connected to a spare amp for radio. The reason I want a compact 2.1 is because I could very well be taking the set into a small college dorm room within the next two years.

 

[MKmods]

I have fought over that question for years. I found a set of Z2300s for $60 w/FS so I went with those and have loved them since (about 3-4years)

If they were the same price the decision would be harder (I always wanted a set of Klipsch). I think the separate tweeter would make them just a tad better sounding to me(I love to abuse the highs)

 

[Soylent Joe]

I have fought over that question for years. I found a set of Z2300s for $60 w/FS so I went with those and have loved them since (about 3-4years)

If they were the same price the decision would be harder (I always wanted a set of Klipsch). I think the separate tweeter would make them just a tad better sounding to me(I love to abuse the highs)

Newegg had the Z-2300's on sale for under $100 about a month back (there may have been a small rebate too). I would have picked them up but was broke at the time.

How well does bass-rich funk music sound on them?

I won't be ordering the speaker system until right before November, so I have a little while to find out which is the best set.

 

[amd64skater]

I'm not looking for bookshelf speakers, I actually already have two Realistic ones like that connected to a spare amp for radio. The reason I want a compact 2.1 is because I could very well be taking the set into a small college dorm room within the next two years.

i have had my z-2300 for about 5 years and i love them they have alot of bass to them they have great highs not audiophile quality but they do sound great. when u have them up and the sub up about 3/4 up in a small room or living room it sounds like a loud car audio system bass wise. they are a great buy and so far last for a long time with absolutly no problems with them

 

[mudkip]

Harman Kardon GLA-55
Creative Gigaworks T20 Series II
Creative Inspire T3130

 

[MKmods]

Newegg had the Z-2300's on sale for under $100 about a month back (there may have been a small rebate too). I would have picked them up but was broke at the time.

How well does bass-rich funk music sound on them?

I won't be ordering the speaker system until right before November, so I have a little while to find out which is the best set.

LOL, bass wise these things shake stuff off my walls...Its pretty funny when I show them to customers (they freak)

They are not up to killer car stuff (but close)

 

[Soylent Joe]

i have had my z-2300 for about 5 years and i love them they have alot of bass to them they have great highs not audiophile quality but they do sound great. when u have them up and the sub up about 3/4 up in a small room or living room it sounds like a loud car audio system bass wise. they are a great buy and so far last for a long time with absolutly no problems with them

That sounds pretty tempting. It's cool to see someone else from Jax on here, I live about 45 minutes up I-95. We go down to Airport road and the CompUSA on Arlington quite a bit.

Harman Kardon GLA-55
Creative Gigaworks T20 Series II
Creative Inspire T3130

Neither of the really Creative's impress me and $1000 for the ice sculpture ones? Really?

 

[amd64skater]

That sounds pretty tempting. It's cool to see someone else from Jax on here, I live about 45 minutes up I-95. We go down to Airport road and the CompUSA on Arlington quite a bit.



Neither of the really Creative's impress me and $1000 for the ice sculpture ones? Really?

yeah been here in jax for about 4 years now orig from aurora, il. but yeah they are great speakers when people come over i hook up my laptop and these speakers outside for pool side music and people say it sounds like we have a huge system outside and dont believe all that sound and bass come these 3 speakers. yeah bought the z-2300 from tiger direct 5 years ago at a one day only sale at their naperville, il store for $79.

 

[NinkobEi]

edited: overprice

 

[hat]

My friend has the Z-2300s, he seems to like them.

 

[mightysi]

I bought these for my uni flat, small, easy to transport, decent sound and pretty damn cheap

 

[wolf]

my best mate has the Z-2300's and they sound fantastic for a 2.1 system IMO. he could'nt be happier with them.

a guy he lives with has Z-5500's too but he didn't want 5.1 and the price difference is large.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I've been looking for a some 2.1 to replace my z4 that I gave to a friend to cover a debt. How do the z2300 compare to the z4?

 

[commission3r]

u could try these http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-000-AE&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat= been using these for some years now you wont be disappointed

 

[Soylent Joe]

I did a little bit of research and I think I've decided on the ProMedia's.

The reasons for choosing the Klipsch speakers:
- Have separate large mid-range drivers (tweeters)
- Satellites use standard 18-gauge speaker wire
- Cleaner bass

Now, what do you think about a sound card? I'm currently using onboard sound but some users on other forums say that the audio quality between a standard onboard audio chipset and a nice card such as the Creative X-Fi can be heard with the ProMedia's. I've never owned a sound card before so picking a good one out would be an adventure by itself. The price range would be somewhere around $75.

 

[NinkobEi]

Have you considered 2.0?

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/503088/2-0-speakers-compilation-best-for-500

 

[Dent1]

These guys are unbelieveable - $1,000s spent on their computer and $50 comprising of their sound system

​

On a serious note, maybe the OP should look into some headphones? Perfect for college as you will not disturb your flatmates.

 

[NinkobEi]

These guys are unbelieveable - $1,000s spent on their computer and $50 comprising of their sound system

​

agreed. Sound is incredibly under-appreciated it seems like. A good sound setup can make as big of a difference (if not bigger) as a top tier video card. Of course this is taking into account movies/music as well as games.

 

[MKmods]

I did a little bit of research and I think I've decided on the ProMedia's.

The reasons for choosing the Klipsch speakers:
- Have separate large mid-range drivers (tweeters)
- Satellites use standard 18-gauge speaker wire
- Cleaner bass

Now, what do you think about a sound card? I'm currently using onboard sound but some users on other forums say that the audio quality between a standard onboard audio chipset and a nice card such as the Creative X-Fi can be heard with the ProMedia's. I've never owned a sound card before so picking a good one out would be an adventure by itself. The price range would be somewhere around $75.

I really love the Asus cards. I am using the DX
ASUS Xonar DS 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Inter...

for the $$($29ar) its unbeatable and has a swappable op-amp as well.

 

[Soylent Joe]

I really love the Asus cards. I am using the DX
ASUS Xonar DS 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Inter...

for the $$($29ar) its unbeatable and has a swappable op-amp as well.

If I were to get a sound card like that one (which looks like a nice deal), would my front panel audio ports still work?

 

[erocker]

If I were to get a sound card like that one (which looks like a nice deal), would my front panel audio ports still work?

Yes, you just connect the front panel cable(s) to the sound card.

I really love the Asus cards. I am using the DX
ASUS Xonar DS 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Inter...

for the $$($29ar) its unbeatable and has a swappable op-amp as well.

Do you like it over the cheaper Auzentech stuff? NCIX has a nice sale going on sound cards as well.

 

[Soylent Joe]

Yes, you just connect the front panel cable(s) to the sound card.

Call me vain, but that would look straight nasty. There's no way to have the onboard sound and sound card both enabled to where it switches back and forth?