2.1 PC speakers

Riggy

Riggy

Riggy

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Ok I've given myself a budget of £200 for some 2.1 or more speakers, though I would much prefer it to be lower.

If you can get more then 2.1 and good sound quality then certainly go ahead and suggest them. I'm also looking to hookup speakers to my PS3 as it's connected up to a monitor, so having an external source of sound for the PS3 is important. So having a speaker system with an optical input/output would be good if you suggest 5.1 or 7.1 speaker systems.

I've currently looked at the Razer Mako system, which look very sexy to be honest and the reviews I've read say that the clarity you get in the mid and high frequencies are really good and the low end frequencies are also quite good. They also have the Red and White inputs which would be useful for connecting up to my PS3. Though paying £200+ for them doesn't justify them only being a 2.1 system.
It's the same as the Bose Companion 5 multimedia speaker system, you're basically paying for the privilege to have Bose speakers and not for what you actually get as a product.
So I'm a little unsure of what kind of system to go for, and i'm unaware of what good speakers system that are out there.

So my question is, can you suggest any speakers that are capable of hooking up to a PS3 and PC that are either 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 with a budget of £200?

Thanks
 
Razer Mako's are ridiculous. For PC speakers they might sound good, but £220-£250!? Tbh, unless desk space would be an issue, I'd say a nice stereo amplifier + bookshelf speakers. Of course though, a stereo amplifier does not offer a digital connection, but then neither does the Mako's. An AV amplifier would, but again there is the size of the thing to consider. Also, you have to pay considerably more to get a decent AV amp compared to a stereo one.

As far as PC speakers go, there is very little that offers SPDIF connection. Some monitor speakers that have SPDIF, like the ones linked by MasterPlan1, are one choice. Logitech's Z5500 5.1's are another, but they are very expensive at the moment.
 
Marsman said:
Razer Mako's are ridiculous. For PC speakers they might sound good, but £220-£250!? Tbh, unless desk space would be an issue, I'd say a nice stereo amplifier + bookshelf speakers. Of course though, a stereo amplifier does not offer a digital connection, but then neither does the Mako's. An AV amplifier would, but again there is the size of the thing to consider. Also, you have to pay considerably more to get a decent AV amp compared to a stereo one.

As far as PC speakers go, there is very little that offers SPDIF connection. Some monitor speakers that have SPDIF, like the ones linked by MasterPlan1, are one choice. Logitech's Z5500 5.1's are another, but they are very expensive at the moment.
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Yeah I can't justify spending that much, that is why I've come for advice like. I did look at the Z5500 5.1's but the price kinda put me off a little :D

So am I going to struggle to get SPDIF connection on PC speakers? I think the Behringer MS40's look like a good option or something of similar standards.
 
The MS40's are best value for monitors, M-Audio\Eridol do simular products, but at a higher price tag. But to be fair, both higher brands still fall under your £200 price bracket, so might be worth looking at them. Remember these are professional studio monitors, so the sound quality is great. :)
 
Yeah, I mean these monitors are certainly a valid alternative to "2.1 PC speakers", I would have preferred the ".1" but isn't absolutely necessary. Especially when they offer the capability of hooking up to a PS3 and my PC with no problems or faffing about.

Thanks for this, I didn't think to have monitors as an alternative to what I was looking for.
 
I got the Altec Lansing mx6021's a few months back and love them. They are 2.1 and within your price range. I almost got the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 but heard that the bass has the possibility of failing within two years. The Altecs differ slightely in that the tweets are aluminum thus probably producing greater highs. I've got them in a 10'x10' room and turned up you cannot hear anyone if they are talking :D

I did take a good look at the mako's, but w/o actual midranges it's not gonna be as good as a true three speaker 2.1 system.
 
Gamer4Life said:
I got the Altec Lansing mx6021's a few months back and love them. They are 2.1 and within your price range. I almost got the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 but heard that the bass has the possibility of failing within two years. The Altecs differ slightely in that the tweets are aluminum thus probably producing greater highs. I've got them in a 10'x10' room and turned up you cannot hear anyone if they are talking :D

I did take a good look at the mako's, but w/o actual midranges it's not gonna be as good as a true three speaker 2.1 system.
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Them mx6021's looks promising. Seems like real quality and not just a front like Bose seem to have. Where did you buy them from? I want to do my research before purchasing :)

Also what other connections does the Sub Woofer have? I'm looking to use some speakers for my PS3 with which will be hooked up to my monitor.
 
The speakers accept a standard 3.5mm audio cable. I've got them plugged into my soundblaster for my desktop computer.

A few people have made some strange comments about the sound quality. It's hard to say what they plugged the speakers into and whether or not they were using a motherboard for sound.

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MasterPlan1 said:
Remember these are professional studio monitors, so the sound quality is great. :)
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Well monitors sound clear and clean and are great for studio work/DJing.
But would definately not use them for playing music on a PC especially if your playing non FLAC or low bitrate MP3's as the monitors will not smooth out poor recordings.

If I was in your position, Id get a 2nd hand Nad amp from the bay (320Bee is a good un) and spend the rest on a pair of Q Accostics 2010/2020.

Will urinate over most PC speaker set ups at that price point.
 
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