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Basic questions about PC speakers

#1
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1/26/09 at 2:47am
  • Joined: June 2001
  • Post Count: 2,021
Seems as though I'm running out of things to upgrade, so I've turned my attention to the stock speakers that came with my Dell desktop.

I'd like to spend <$100 to attain some solid sound - nothing related to gaming or surround, just 2-channel music. Including a subwoofer, I suppose.

Firstly, will my current sound card suffice, or do I need to replace it as well? Not sure of it's specs, but I know it's just a basic card. Or will new speakers alone significantly improve my sound?

Second, I'm looking for recommendations. Specific models, or just brands to trust/brands to avoid.

Thanks,

Jon
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#2
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1/26/09 at 8:29am
  • Joined: December 2001
  • Location: Columbus, OH
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Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

I have Swan M200 MkIIs and I think there is pretty much no competition in the PC speaker/active desktop category at its price point. It's $189+shipping from The Audio Insider, so it's out of your price range, but Swan has less expensive options. The Swan M12s are $99+shipping. If you can save a bit more, I would recommend the Swan D1080 MkIIs for $125+$10 shipping.

Swan Active Desktop


The man I loved - the man who vanished - he never came back at all. But maybe he's still out there, somewhere. Maybe some day, when Gotham no longer needs Batman, I'll see him again.
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#3
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2/23/09 at 4:47pm
  • Joined: November 2008
  • Location: New Jersey
  • Post Count: 133

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

Wow...very nice. Can you suggest a sound card to go along with them, or would any sound card do?

Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10

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#4
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3/11/09 at 12:21pm
  • Joined: March 2001
  • Post Count: 3,970

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

I like these, the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System:

Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 Personal Multimedia Audio Speaker System

They have good bass for a 2.0 system. They come in silver or black.

I don't think that 2.1 systems work well at this price level. The third (bass) speaker never blends on cheap systems. So I usually go for 2.0.

"Scientists are saying the future is going to be far more futuristic than they originally predicted." -Krysta Now

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#5
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4/4/09 at 6:56am
  • Joined: March 2009
  • Post Count: 19

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon_Are
Seems as though I'm running out of things to upgrade, so I've turned my attention to the stock speakers that came with my Dell desktop.

I'd like to spend <$100 to attain some solid sound - nothing related to gaming or surround, just 2-channel music. Including a subwoofer, I suppose.

Firstly, will my current sound card suffice, or do I need to replace it as well? Not sure of it's specs, but I know it's just a basic card. Or will new speakers alone significantly improve my sound?

Second, I'm looking for recommendations. Specific models, or just brands to trust/brands to avoid.

Thanks,

Jon


Hey dude..

I think there is no need to replace the sound card with a new one and its possible to get a small wofer of less Watts.
Volkswagen

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#6
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4/6/09 at 3:27am
  • Joined: July 2007
  • Location: Annandale, VA
  • Post Count: 5

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

When buying a 2-channel computer speaker system, look for ones with the THX sign, eg, Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer System.
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#7
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4/6/09 at 1:26pm
  • Joined: June 1997
  • Post Count: 10,882

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

Jon:

You won't have to upgrade your sound card. The speakers will take over the bass, treble, etc. The speakers need to be active.

The Swan's listed above are great. I personally own the M200MkII.

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#8
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4/6/09 at 6:19pm
  • Joined: December 2004
  • Location: KY
  • Post Count: 1,773

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

I am currently listening to Axiom speakers through standard speaker out. I actually won these speakers on HTF and I am still amazed at how my MP3s sound great. I have not shopped around or listened to other quality computer speakers, but I definitely would recommend these.
Cave Country Weather
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#9
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6/15/09 at 2:54pm
  • Joined: June 2009
  • Location: San Francisco
  • Post Count: 198

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasC
I have Swan M200 MkIIs and I think there is pretty much no competition in the PC speaker/active desktop category at its price point. It's $189+shipping from The Audio Insider, so it's out of your price range, but Swan has less expensive options. The Swan M12s are $99+shipping. If you can save a bit more, I would recommend the Swan D1080 MkIIs for $125+$10 shipping

Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker Clack
Jon:

The Swan's listed above are great. I personally own the M200MkII.

What applications do you use your Swans for? I have a Dell PC with a somewhere between a 23" and 28" screen (I'm blanking on exactly how big it is) in my bedroom which I end up watching a lot of movies/Netflix instant play on. The computer and monitor are quite new but my "surround" speakers and sub are from a set-up I got 7 or 8 years ago (was heading off to college then, moving around a lot, had the speakers in storage, etc etc). But it's definitely time to upgrade now.

Do you think the Swans would be good for basic movie viewing in addition to music?
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#10
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6/15/09 at 7:21pm
  • Joined: December 2001
  • Location: Columbus, OH
  • Post Count: 6,427

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by stins
What applications do you use your Swans for? I have a Dell PC with a somewhere between a 23" and 28" screen (I'm blanking on exactly how big it is) in my bedroom which I end up watching a lot of movies/Netflix instant play on. The computer and monitor are quite new but my "surround" speakers and sub are from a set-up I got 7 or 8 years ago (was heading off to college then, moving around a lot, had the speakers in storage, etc etc). But it's definitely time to upgrade now.

Do you think the Swans would be good for basic movie viewing in addition to music?
I mainly watch TV and listen to music on the computer, so that's what I use the Swans for. I don't use Swans for movies, but that's just because the bigger screen is in another room and Swans can't be controlled by remote.


The man I loved - the man who vanished - he never came back at all. But maybe he's still out there, somewhere. Maybe some day, when Gotham no longer needs Batman, I'll see him again.
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#11
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6/17/09 at 5:57pm
  • Joined: June 2009
  • Location: San Francisco
  • Post Count: 198

Re: Basic questions about PC speakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasC
I mainly watch TV and listen to music on the computer, so that's what I use the Swans for. I don't use Swans for movies, but that's just because the bigger screen is in another room and Swans can't be controlled by remote.

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the insight! Luckily my good ol' speakers don't have a remote control. :-) Not too much of a loss there for me and I'm sure lots to gain in terms of sound quality. I think I know what to tell my parents to get me for my birthday!
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