Question $300-600 entry level speakers for computer and/or TV usage

[Steven Mal]

Budget: $300-$600
Purpose: Enhancing the listening experience with my laptop in my basement. I am willing to spend more if it isn't too difficult or expensive to switch usage between my laptop and TV.

These will be my first speakers, unfortunately purchased online. I want a better experience listening to music and/or the TV because I'm tired of listening to my subpar laptop and TV speakers. The main goal is to improve the sound of my laptop, but I've read that there are methods to connect speakers to a TV as well. Again, if this is not too difficult or expensive, I am willing to spend more. I do not have a preference between wired/wireless, or between bookshelf /floorstanding speakers, or active/passive as long as the entire purchase fits within the budget. Should I look for an amplifier first and speakers that go with it, or pick out speakers first and look for an amplifier that goes well with them? What speakers and amplifier are recommended in a $600 budget? Are there any brands or products I should avoid? Thanks.

 

[muljao]

I'd recommend looking at either Adam t5v or Jbl 305p studio monitors. Topping E30 dac. Plug tv via optical cable to the dac, plug laptop via USB to the dac. Put 80-100 dollars for decent stands. All covered for approx your budget.

These speakers have the amps built in

 

[AJM1981]

Studio monitors are fine. I would have probably looked online for a small form factor second hand amp like the Marantz MCR503 (50-100 euro's) and a relatively cheap bookshelf speaker with good resolution properties.

 

[rainsoothe]

Budget: $300-$600
Purpose: Enhancing the listening experience with my laptop in my basement. I am willing to spend more if it isn't too difficult or expensive to switch usage between my laptop and TV.

These will be my first speakers, unfortunately purchased online. I want a better experience listening to music and/or the TV because I'm tired of listening to my subpar laptop and TV speakers. The main goal is to improve the sound of my laptop, but I've read that there are methods to connect speakers to a TV as well. Again, if this is not too difficult or expensive, I am willing to spend more. I do not have a preference between wired/wireless, or between bookshelf /floorstanding speakers, or active/passive as long as the entire purchase fits within the budget. Should I look for an amplifier first and speakers that go with it, or pick out speakers first and look for an amplifier that goes well with them? What speakers and amplifier are recommended in a $600 budget? Are there any brands or products I should avoid? Thanks.

Klipsch the Fives or the Sixes might be worth a demo, just check if they have all the connectivity you need. Unless they're for placing on a desk.

 

[Steven Mal]

Sorry for the long wait. I have received many suggestions and am attempting to investigate them all. The more I learn, the more confusing and difficult the decision becomes. I have also received reccomendations for a Bluetooth soundbar. Unfortunately, due to the bizarre, idiotic design of my TV stand I am limited to a soundbar smaller than 32". For better or worse I'm open-minded and so I'm interested not only in soundbars but also bookshelf speakers and tower speakers, with or without a subwoofer. To make matters worse, I don't know anything about choosing an amplifier for speakers, which is why I'm partial to powered speakers. Of course, because the subwoofer can be added later I am willing to go without one for now if I find a particularly encouraging set-up.

SWAN 300
https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Speakers-Powered-Bookshelf-Warranty/dp/B07C1TVLDX

Creative T4 Wireless
https://us.creative.com/p/speakers/creative-t4-wireless

JBL Professional Studio Monitor
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-Next-Generation-Powered-305PMKII/dp/B077NHM2K6?th=1

Adam T5V
https://www.amazon.com/ADAM-Audio-Two-Way-Nearfield-Monitor/dp/B07B6JXBZH

Klipsch The Fives
https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Powered-Speaker-System-HDMI-ARC/dp/B08KYNYJ8D/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=klipsch+the+fives&qid=1622658648&sr=8-3

Klipsch The Sixes

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Sixes-Powered-Monitor-Walnut/dp/B01MZYT1RF/ref=sr_1_5?crid=SR5HA7ZXPKFY&dchild=1&keywords=klipsch+the+fives&qid=1622658716&refinements=p_36%3A30000-60000&rnid=386442011&sprefix=Klipsch+%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-5

(Unfortunately I've gotten different recommendations from most, however I've also had more recommendations for the Klipsch Fives and Sixes than any other products)

VIZIO SB2920-C6
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMBFZNG?tag=rollingston07-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

Bose TV Speaker
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088KRPCQJ?tag=rollingston07-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

Sonos Beam
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D4734HR?tag=rollingston07-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

I should have mentioned earlier, the primary usage will be listening to music with my laptop. The ability to use the speakers with my LG OLED 65B7A is a welcome bonus, but not a deal-breaker. In other words, if I can't use the speakers with my TV, it's not a problem. Of course, if there's an adapter to use the speakers with my TV, that is also a welcome idea.

 

[rainsoothe]

Sorry for the long wait. I have received many suggestions and am attempting to investigate them all. The more I learn, the more confusing and difficult the decision becomes. I have also received reccomendations for a Bluetooth soundbar. Unfortunately, due to the bizarre, idiotic design of my TV stand I am limited to a soundbar smaller than 32". For better or worse I'm open-minded and so I'm interested not only in soundbars but also bookshelf speakers and tower speakers, with or without a subwoofer. To make matters worse, I don't know anything about choosing an amplifier for speakers, which is why I'm partial to powered speakers. Of course, because the subwoofer can be added later I am willing to go without one for now if I find a particularly encouraging set-up.

SWAN 300
https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Speakers-Powered-Bookshelf-Warranty/dp/B07C1TVLDX

Creative T4 Wireless
https://us.creative.com/p/speakers/creative-t4-wireless

JBL Professional Studio Monitor
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-Next-Generation-Powered-305PMKII/dp/B077NHM2K6?th=1

Adam T5V
https://www.amazon.com/ADAM-Audio-Two-Way-Nearfield-Monitor/dp/B07B6JXBZH

Klipsch The Fives
https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Powered-Speaker-System-HDMI-ARC/dp/B08KYNYJ8D/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=klipsch+the+fives&qid=1622658648&sr=8-3

Klipsch The Sixes

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Sixes-Powered-Monitor-Walnut/dp/B01MZYT1RF/ref=sr_1_5?crid=SR5HA7ZXPKFY&dchild=1&keywords=klipsch+the+fives&qid=1622658716&refinements=p_36%3A30000-60000&rnid=386442011&sprefix=Klipsch+%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-5

(Unfortunately I've gotten different recommendations from most, however I've also had more recommendations for the Klipsch Fives and Sixes than any other products)

VIZIO SB2920-C6
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMBFZNG?tag=rollingston07-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

Bose TV Speaker
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088KRPCQJ?tag=rollingston07-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

Sonos Beam
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D4734HR?tag=rollingston07-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

I should have mentioned earlier, the primary usage will be listening to music with my laptop. The ability to use the speakers with my LG OLED 65B7A is a welcome bonus, but not a deal-breaker. In other words, if I can't use the speakers with my TV, it's not a problem. Of course, if there's an adapter to use the speakers with my TV, that is also a welcome idea.

If it's for music, defo try to get a stereo setup instead of soundbar. By the way, forgot to ask a crucial thing: how big is the room and where are the speakers gonna be placed?

(By the way, if you get studio monitors, you'll also have to budget for an audio interface or a DAC with volume control).

 

[Tinman1952]

I'd recommend looking at either Adam t5v or Jbl 305p studio monitors. Topping E30 dac. Plug tv via optical cable to the dac, plug laptop via USB to the dac. Put 80-100 dollars for decent stands. All covered for approx your budget.

These speakers have the amps built in

I second this. The JBLs really are an absolute steal for the money…and I don’t believe you will need a sub for music as they go pretty low! 🙂