Recommendations for computer speakers

[Xethos]

Hi all. I need a recommendation for a speaker which is decent for music, some gaming and movies.

I used to own a ATP3 which I loved, and it last me for 18+ years and is still working. Last July, I bought a Logitech z623 on sale for like $135, with hope that it will be an upgrade. Unfortunately, z623 is not better than ATP3.

The clarity of the ATP3 is superior to z623. There are many songs that used to sound impactful vocally, and has the clarity instrumentals wise with ATP3 that doesn't sound good at all with z623. I listen to all genres, but a good example will be Celine Dion's To Love You More, which is great on ATP3 but muffled and dull on z623. I have given my ATP3 away to one of my family who is enjoying it.

So, I am currently looking for a speaker that allows me to enjoy music once again, on par or better than ATP3, and can be used for gaming/movies as well. Budget will be $100+ to $250. I have heard of swans m10, creative t40, and some edifier speakers.

Any recommendation from people who own these or others speakers which is decent enough for music?

 

[Lastwishes]

The choices computers speakers hasn't changed much, if any, in the last decade. I remember when the ATP3 was popular.

Swans are decent only if you consider the price. If you really want a quality upgrade and are willing to spend a little more, go with Aego M.

If you're willing to spend even more, the best desktop computer speakers with a small footprint is still Klipsch Promedia 2.1 THX. Other alternatives from there would probably be Audioengine A2/A5, after which it makes more sense to move into passive bookshelf speakers with an amp.

 

[wwenze]

I have unfortunate news to break - Computer speaker industry has died in various ways. Low profits have killed Altec, and Creative is just barely hanging on. Logitech is dominating the market (A few, including Klipsch, are still surviving in USA where it is cheaper for them). And with this near-monopoly, performance/price has died. Imagine z623 used to sell normal price for $269, and I wouldn't even suggest paying above half that amount. Because as you have observed, the overall sound presentation is crap.

The age of old Altec Lansing and Creative is long gone.

Fortunately, bookshelf speakers have been dropping in price due to competition. Hence making their already-good performance/price even better.

For a bit over $100 I would suggest M10 in general. If you take form factor into consideration, Creative T20 and T40 are legit choices (slim 2.0) although their auto-powersave and survivability seems like more trouble than worth dealing with.

For above $200 you can start to consider the cheaper bookshelves. At $250 there is Hivi D1080 MK2+ and R2000DB, although I'm leaning towards the latter because it has a bigger and silk-based tweeter.

If you really want a quality upgrade and are willing to spend a little more, go with Aego M.

Are you sure for $299, an Aego M will sound better than a M200MKII at the same price?

Other alternatives from there would probably be Audioengine A2/A5

I'm waiting for Amir (audiosciencereview) to eventually get to testing this brand and the inevitable destruction like what he has done to Klipsch speakers.

 

[Lastwishes]

Are you sure for $299, an Aego M will sound better than a M200MKII at the same price?

Pro lai liao. I recall reading your posts in the other subforum.

Nope. To be perfectly honest, I've stuck with speakers for desktop pcs for the longest time, and know very little about bookshelfs. My comment about Swans was referring to the m10 mentioned; it's great for the price, but I wasn't impressed by the sound. I did really love my Aego M, before it crapped out on me after 10 years. Klipsch Promedia were the only other pc speakers I was ever impressed by.

I'm waiting for Amir (audiosciencereview) to eventually get to testing this brand and the inevitable destruction like what he has done to Klipsch speakers.

I'm aware about Audioengine issues (actually, from a post made by you a long time ago) where their amp kills themselves. That's why I eventually got a pair of passive A5s with powered with a cheap SMSL amp (SA-36 pro). Since you're responding to the thread, any thoughts on what's a good upgrade path, speaker and amp wise?

 

[Entry Level PC]

Nowadays people mostly going either Bookshelf or Soundbar liao.
2.0 or 2.1 Speakers are KNS now (Still better than most Soundbar of cos).

 

[shock]

I settled for JBL charge 4.

 

[noobiee]

wah atp3.... thats a name i have not heard a long time....

 

[Goodshot]

Top abit to $300+ get M50w , its like the best at $300 range

Been using it from 2014 , still v good, but the con is

U need a good soundcard then can hear the best qty from it , if only use onboard sound kinda wasted

 

[wwenze]

The issue with Audioengine isn't really about the amps killing themselves. (They usually last more than 3 years 5 years anyway, which is good enough for actives.) It's their performance/price ratio is horrible.

I'm aware about Audioengine issues (actually, from a post made by you a long time ago) where their amp kills themselves. That's why I eventually got a pair of passive A5s with powered with a cheap SMSL amp (SA-36 pro). Since you're responding to the thread, any thoughts on what's a good upgrade path, speaker and amp wise?

Now that I have evidence of A5+ using EQ internally to boost the bass, I have reasons to believe A5 also does that. (Plus the fact that, like A5+, it also have 5 op-amps doing unknown things)

Or in other words, it's not recommended to run these speakers passive unless you apply back the EQ.

Your amp is ok. Most speakers have distortion levels way above a typical amp. When you need more power due to bigger room and higher listening levels, then change the amp.

For an upgrade, ELAC Debut Reference is a good position at SGD$850.
https://www.lazada.sg/products/elac...okshelf-speakers-i564664113-s1609064205.html?
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-debut-reference-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/

 

[iduncheckmail]

iLoud Micro monitors . Pretty good and doesn’t take a lot of space

 

[SnorlaxGorGor]

Nowadays people mostly going either Bookshelf or Soundbar liao.
2.0 or 2.1 Speakers are KNS now (Still better than most Soundbar of cos).

What soundbar for PC that we should go for?

Posted with iFinger HardwareZone Forums app

 

[Entry Level PC]

What soundbar for PC that we should go for?

Posted with iFinger HardwareZone Forums app

Those for TV.

 

[wwenze]

Those for TV.

Those with tweeter + woofer have pretty narrow dispersion characteristics

Yet those without tweeter sound like shyt

 

[YouHeypiCanLiao]

I have unfortunate news to break - Computer speaker industry has died in various ways. Low profits have killed Altec, and Creative is just barely hanging on. Logitech is dominating the market (A few, including Klipsch, are still surviving in USA where it is cheaper for them). And with this near-monopoly, performance/price has died. Imagine z623 used to sell normal price for $269, and I wouldn't even suggest paying above half that amount. Because as you have observed, the overall sound presentation is crap.

The age of old Altec Lansing and Creative is long gone.

Fortunately, bookshelf speakers have been dropping in price due to competition. Hence making their already-good performance/price even better.

For a bit over $100 I would suggest M10 in general. If you take form factor into consideration, Creative T20 and T40 are legit choices (slim 2.0) although their auto-powersave and survivability seems like more trouble than worth dealing with.

For above $200 you can start to consider the cheaper bookshelves. At $250 there is Hivi D1080 MK2+ and R2000DB, although I'm leaning towards the latter because it has a bigger and silk-based tweeter.



Are you sure for $299, an Aego M will sound better than a M200MKII at the same price?



I'm waiting for Amir (audiosciencereview) to eventually get to testing this brand and the inevitable destruction like what he has done to Klipsch speakers.

just wondering how come you didn't recommend the JBLs ah

 

[wwenze]

just wondering how come you didn't recommend the JBLs ah

Which JBLs

305P goes for around $500 per pair

 

[Lastwishes]

The issue with Audioengine isn't really about the amps killing themselves. (They usually last more than 3 years 5 years anyway, which is good enough for actives.) It's their performance/price ratio is horrible.


Now that I have evidence of A5+ using EQ internally to boost the bass, I have reasons to believe A5 also does that. (Plus the fact that, like A5+, it also have 5 op-amps doing unknown things)

Or in other words, it's not recommended to run these speakers passive unless you apply back the EQ.


For an upgrade, ELAC Debut Reference is a good position at SGD$850.
https://www.lazada.sg/products/elac...okshelf-speakers-i564664113-s1609064205.html?
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-debut-reference-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/

Fair enough on the price/performance ratio. I got a really good deal on a pair of secondhand A5s; otherwise I wouldn't pay the retail for them either. The bass does sound a little loose, but I can live with that (was never something I focused on).

Thanks for the recommendation, will check that out when its time for an upgrade.

 

[Hafi]

Hi all. I need a recommendation for a speaker which is decent for music, some gaming and movies.

I used to own a ATP3 which I loved, and it last me for 18+ years and is still working. Last July, I bought a Logitech z623 on sale for like $135, with hope that it will be an upgrade. Unfortunately, z623 is not better than ATP3.

The clarity of the ATP3 is superior to z623. There are many songs that used to sound impactful vocally, and has the clarity instrumentals wise with ATP3 that doesn't sound good at all with z623. I listen to all genres, but a good example will be Celine Dion's To Love You More, which is great on ATP3 but muffled and dull on z623. I have given my ATP3 away to one of my family who is enjoying it.

So, I am currently looking for a speaker that allows me to enjoy music once again, on par or better than ATP3, and can be used for gaming/movies as well. Budget will be $100+ to $250. I have heard of swans m10, creative t40, and some edifier speakers.

Any recommendation from people who own these or others speakers which is decent enough for music?

unfortunately, Logitech speakers doesn't sound great out of the box. You'll need to do some tuning using your sound card software (ex... Realtek HD Audio Manager) or a separate equalizer software.

Try and see if it improves the sound quality on your Z623.

 

[dreamer_toons]

Last year, I was in a similar situation shopping for computer speakers.

My usage are primarily on movies and flight sim with music occasionally. Almost got the Logitech z906 but in the end, I settled for the soundbar instead; neater with less wiring.

The soundbar is connected to my Nvidia card’s HDMI. The sound is decent and the only quirk is Windows 10 is detecting this HDMI as a secondary monitor. Hence, my Windows application can ‘get lost’ in this monitor when I drag to the far edge.

 

[wwenze]

Last year, I was in a similar situation shopping for computer speakers.

My usage are primarily on movies and flight sim with music occasionally. Almost got the Logitech z906 but in the end, I settled for the soundbar instead; neater with less wiring.

The soundbar is connected to my Nvidia card’s HDMI. The sound is decent and the only quirk is Windows 10 is detecting this HDMI as a secondary monitor. Hence, my Windows application can ‘get lost’ in this monitor when I drag to the far edge.

Or you can connect your monitor to the soundbar...

 

[lib_rian]

Creative t20 pretty good..