[$150 budget] desktop speakers

shaokim

New member
Jan 18, 2015
8
0
0
Visit site
Hello,

I've been on the lookout for a 2.1 speaker system for my PC. I would mainly use it for listening to music like electronic music and classical music. I would probably need a 2.1 system to get significant bass, however, I also read that these 2.1 systems sacrifice a lot of sound quality, especially on the budget I am on.

I do have an old 2.1 system by Logitech, of which the speakers are broken, but the subwoofer is in good working order. I don't have the series number at hand right now.

Can I use my budget to buy decent 2.0 desktop speakers, fit for playing classical music in some detail, which could replace those broken 2.1 speakers, so I could keep using my subwoofer? If so, which would you recommend?

Thanks for the help.
 

davedotco

New member
Apr 24, 2013
20
1
0
Visit site
Without more info it is impossible to say whether your sub can be used with different main speakers, many 2.1 setups are designed as an integrated unit, so this may be the issue.

Ignoring the bass unit for a moment, your best bet is a pair of 5 inch active speakers, which can be obtained from any decent music or pro audio shop.

In the UK, the standout speaker for the price are these,

https://www.studiospares.com/Headphones-and-Speakers/Studio-Monitors/Seiwin-5A-Studio-Monitors_248040.htm#tabs-rev

At just £129 pr they are real standout performers but be aware, they have no effective volume control so you will need to use the volume on the computer, adding a usb dac with volume is very worthwhile but adds to the cost.

I assume you are not in the uk so you will have to find out what is available in your market...*unknw*
 

shaokim

New member
Jan 18, 2015
8
0
0
Visit site
Thanks for the reply.

I posted this question on reddit too, and searching for a good fit, I stumbled upon these: the Microlab Solo 6c.

http://www.microlab.com/?r=Stereosystemen&st=full&id=223

Does anyone have any experience with these? Apparently, bass is good on this 2.0 speaker-set, so I wouldn't feally need a subwoofer.

Also, am I ready to use these with a PC without getting a separate amp (I'm a hifi noob).

Thanks for the help
 

davedotco

New member
Apr 24, 2013
20
1
0
Visit site
shaokim said:
Thanks for the reply.

I posted this question on reddit too, and searching for a good fit, I stumbled upon these: the Microlab Solo 6c.

http://www.microlab.com/?r=Stereosystemen&st=full&id=223

Does anyone have any experience with these? Apparently, bass is good on this 2.0 speaker-set, so I wouldn't feally need a subwoofer.

Also, am I ready to use these with a PC without getting a separate amp (I'm a hifi noob).

Thanks for the help

Sorry.

There are computer speakers, then there are hi-fi speakers that can work with a computer. There is a difference.

Where are you based?
 

gasolin

Well-known member

davedotco

New member
Apr 24, 2013
20
1
0
Visit site
https://www.thomann.de/gb/active_nearfield_monitors.html
shaokim said:
davedotco said:
Where are you based?

Hey,

I'm in Europe (Belgium), which limits my options because shipping costs from Amazon US are huge.

Thanks for any help

Take a look at this...

https://www.thomann.de/gb/active_nearfield_monitors.html

This is an online pro store based in germany, they will ship at reasonable cost, free over €199, and are a well established, reliable dealers.

There are loads of options, mostly powered rather than active, starting under €100. Look at Behringer, Alesis, Samson etc. Way better than most 'computer' systems.

If you can stretch the budget a little, the Swissonic ASM 5 is fully active and great value at €179.
 

drummerman

New member
Jan 18, 2008
540
3
0
Visit site
davedotco said:
https://www.thomann.de/gb/active_nearfield_monitors.html
shaokim said:
davedotco said:
Where are you based?

Hey,

I'm in Europe (Belgium), which limits my options because shipping costs from Amazon US are huge.

Thanks for any help

Take a look at this...

https://www.thomann.de/gb/active_nearfield_monitors.html

This is an online pro store based in germany, they will ship at reasonable cost, free over €199, and are a well established, reliable dealers.

There are loads of options, mostly powered rather than active, starting under €100. Look at Behringer, Alesis, Samson etc. Way better than most 'computer' systems.

If you can stretch the budget a little, the Swissonic ASM 5 is fully active and great value at €179.

 

Our davedotco gets occasionally a bit carried away with hair shirt actives for the financially deprived :). No insult intended, if anything I include myself. You have to excuse him.

In my admittedly limited experience (a once visit to a pro shop where everything up to some ribbon equiped Adams sounded woeful) with these cheap Chinese boxes for bedroom DJ's, they sound similar to how they look; crude.

Unless you want to live with a permanent headache I'd personally stay away.

Perhaps they have come 'a long way since' and I eat my words but I somehow doubt it.

Stick with something made for the hifi/home (imho).
 

davedotco

New member
Apr 24, 2013
20
1
0
Visit site
drummerman said:
davedotco said:
https://www.thomann.de/gb/active_nearfield_monitors.html
shaokim said:
davedotco said:
Where are you based?

Hey,

I'm in Europe (Belgium), which limits my options because shipping costs from Amazon US are huge.

Thanks for any help

Take a look at this...

https://www.thomann.de/gb/active_nearfield_monitors.html

This is an online pro store based in germany, they will ship at reasonable cost, free over €199, and are a well established, reliable dealers.

There are loads of options, mostly powered rather than active, starting under €100. Look at Behringer, Alesis, Samson etc. Way better than most 'computer' systems.

If you can stretch the budget a little, the Swissonic ASM 5 is fully active and great value at €179.

Our davedotco gets occasionally a bit carried away with hair shirt actives for the financially deprived :). No insult intended, if anything I include myself. You have to excuse him.

In my admittedly limited experience (a once visit to a pro shop where everything up to some ribbon equiped Adams sounded woeful) with these cheap Chinese boxes for bedroom DJ's, they sound similar to how they look; crude.

Unless you want to live with a permanent headache I'd personally stay away.

Perhaps they have come 'a long way since' and I eat my words but I somehow doubt it.

Stick with something made for the hifi/home (imho).

And it is based on your limited experience...!

And your only practical recomendation is for a product that that is 2 to 3 times overbudget.

Way to go DM...*crazy*

And you can stop apologising on my behalf, thank you.
 

drummerman

New member
Jan 18, 2008
540
3
0
Visit site
My advise precisely.

Save up a little longer and get something decent (or go s/h as in the case of the QAcoustic BT3 suggested).

Either way $150 is not a lot to play with and if money is tight, twice as important to get it right.

In my limited experience the cheap boxes pretending to be 'pro' equipment dont warrant the tag Hifi and the last time I've looked, this site was still called 'Whatyouknowhat'.

Dont be grumpy
regular_smile.gif
 

davedotco

New member
Apr 24, 2013
20
1
0
Visit site
drummerman said:
My advise precisely.

Save up a little longer and get something decent (or go s/h as in the case of the QAcoustic BT3 suggested).

Either way $150 is not a lot to play with and if money is tight, twice as important to get it right.

In my limited experience the cheap boxes pretending to be 'pro' equipment dont warrant the tag Hifi and the last time I've looked, this site was still called 'Whatyouknowhat'.

Dont be grumpy

I am being lectured by a man in a frock...*give_rose*

Cheap speakers are cheap speakers, some are just awfull, some ok, some actually quite decent for the money, doesn't matter what market they are in.

My Studiospares (Seiwin) SN4 were bought for my desktop, they ended up being used virtually as a main speaker, at £100 paid, currently £115, they were/are brilliant value and no, they do not give you a headache.

The OP is in Belgium, so Thomann are an obvious supplier, they have a selection of powered (passive) 'multimedia' devices for around £100. Ie new, guaranteed and within budget, and some of them sound fine for the money.

The Q Acoustics model is massively overpriced, so only sells when available 'on offer'. Currently £199 (in black) from Sevenoakes, which is closer to what they are worth than the £300 they usually cost.
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts