2.1 Speaker Package

Razor Time

Razor Time

Razor Time

Soldato
Joined
1 Apr 2010
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I have a budget of upto £200 and would like some suggestions for a 2.1 speaker package. The main use will be gaming and music.

I have a short list of these:

- Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks III
- Corsair SP2500
- Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1

Any suggestions would be welcomed on the above or for any other setups. :)
 
I have both the Corsair SP2500 and the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1.

For music, the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1 is clearly better sounding than the Corsair SP2500, but its frequency response on the low-end (the bass), doesn't go as low as the Corsair SP2500.

For gaming and movie, the Corsair SP2500 is better due to the sub can go lower on the bass, thus making it better for effects and explosions sounds. The satellites speakers for the SP2500 doesn't offer as great clarity and details that the Aego M 2.1's pair of satellites speakers for the mids and highs, but it does offer a slight bigger soundstage/environment, mostly thanks to the large drivers in comparison. But do note that the sub of the SP2500 is almost the size of a tiny microwave oven, so you would need to have enough surface area on the floor to place it; whereas the sub of the Aego M 2.1 would take only half the surface area.

So it's really down to between gaming and music which you prioritise more in term of usage. Don't get me wrong, both 2.1 systems are great in my opinion, but they do better than one another in different areas of usage. Also power wise the Corsair SP2500 has the advantage, and can go much louder than the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1; not saying you will use it for this purpose, but the SP2500 can go loud enough even for an outdoor party, whereas the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1 would be restricted to purely in-home use.



As for the Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks III, it is generally seen not as good as the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1 judging by reviews, so I think you probably wouldn't need to consider that.
 
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Marine-RX179 said:
I have both the Corsair SP2500 and the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1.

For music, the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1 is clearly better sounding than the Corsair SP2500, but its frequency response on the low-end (the bass), doesn't go as low as the Corsair SP2500.

For gaming and movie, the Corsair SP2500 is better due to the sub can go lower on the bass, thus making it better for effects and explosions sounds. The satellites speakers for the SP2500 doesn't offer as great clarity and details that the Aego M 2.1's pair of satellites speakers for the mids and highs, but it does offer a slight bigger soundstage/environment, mostly thanks to the large drivers in comparison. But do note that the sub of the SP2500 is almost the size of a tiny microwave oven, so you would need to have enough surface area on the floor to place it; whereas the sub of the Aego M 2.1 would take only half the surface area.

So it's really down to between gaming and music which you prioritise more in term of usage. Don't get me wrong, both 2.1 systems are great in my opinion, but they do better than one another in different areas of usage. Also power wise the Corsair SP2500 has the advantage, and can go much louder than the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1; not saying you will use it for this purpose, but the SP2500 can go loud enough even for an outdoor party, whereas the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1 would be restricted to purely in-home use.



As for the Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks III, it is generally seen not as good as the Acoustic Energy AEGO M 2.1 judging by reviews, so I think you probably wouldn't need to consider that.
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Thanks Marine,

I am not looking for huge amounts of bass but something which is clear and detailed, as long as the bass isn't weak I will be happy. As for music duties I have a full av setup in the lounge so this setup will be for light music listening and allot of gaming, once again as long as music doesn't sound too bad I will be happy enough.

I currently have some Harmon Kardon HK695s (similar to the HK sound sticks but only 2 drivers per speaker) and I am happy enough with the sound they make for small speakers but I am getting a hum through them which it seems is a faulty transformer hence the upgrade. If the Aego are better then I will discount the HKS III. If you had to pick one out of the two which on would you lean towards? Are there any other setups I should be looking at?
 
Razor Time said:
Thanks Marine,

I am not looking for huge amounts of bass but something which is clear and detailed, as long as the bass isn't weak I will be happy. As for music duties I have a full av setup in the lounge so this setup will be for light music listening and allot of gaming, once again as long as music doesn't sound too bad I will be happy enough.

I currently have some Harmon Kardon HK695s (similar to the HK sound sticks but only 2 drivers per speaker) and I am happy enough with the sound they make for small speakers but I am getting a hum through them which it seems is a faulty transformer hence the upgrade. If the Aego are better then I will discount the HKS III. If you had to pick one out of the two which on would you lean towards? Are there any other setups I should be looking at?
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Judging by your comments and your description of what you currently got, I would say the Aego M 2.1 would probably be better suited for you, as it offer better clarity in the highs and mids, and tighter sub bass (less boomy) than the SP2500, with only the shortcoming of not going as low on the low-end frequency response/bass (which you have said it wouldn't matters too much to you) and slightly smaller soundstage.
 
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I have an unused pioneer av receiver sat in a cupboard. Its finding a suitable place to put it, its not small.


I will have a look at the 2020i.



Edit: Receiver is too big to position anywhere in the room without it looking odd. What sort of size would a stereo amp be, I really want to keep clutter down to a minimum and if I did go this route I would want volume control at my desk.
 
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Marine-RX179 said:
Judging by your comments and your description of what you currently got, I would say the Aego M 2.1 would probably be better suited for you, as it offer better clarity in the highs and mids, and tighter sub bass (less boomy) than the SP2500, with only the shortcoming of not going as low on the low-end frequency response/bass (which you have said it wouldn't matters too much to you) and slightly smaller soundstage.
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Thanks :)
 
I recently looked around to find what I would replace my old Razer Make 2.1 system with. I had settled on the Corsair SP2500 but then went a bit crazy and went for something a lot more expensive.

With your budget I think I'd just pick the Corsairs unless you don't want something as large as that.
 
~Divine~Wind~ said:
A stereo amp and proper speakers would come in well under £200 and very likely far superior sound
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PapaLazaru said:
This is very true.

Seen the Q Acoustics 2010i for £99 on sale at the moment and the 2020i for £129. Pair it with a £100 amp and it will be a sweet setup.
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I don't know if you guys have listened to the Aego M 2.1, but I have the Q Acoustics 3010 on my desk as well, and it is certainly not "far superior"; one is better than the other in different aspects. The Aego M 2.1 is just that good; though if we were talking about £200 or above bookshelf speakers, then that is of course a different story, but those will need more expensive amps to sound good as well.
 
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Gotta say I am leaning towards the Aego M setup mainly for its simplicity although the volume control on the sub is a massive negative point for me as I intend on placing the sub below the very back end of my desk. I am happy to go the Q Acoustics route but I am struggling to find a compact amp that can sit on my desk out of the way and not take up too much space.

Edit: Not sure if its any good but a Music Fidelity V90 amp looks small and is priced at £100.
 
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V90 is just a DAC. Doesn't have an amp.

Topping VX1 would be a good choice for a small amp if you want to go for bookshelf speakers rather than a 2.1 setup. Has a DAC as well, so no need to use onboard audio.

For gaming, I think the Aego's would be the better choice. Bookshelf speakers and amp would be what I'd go for if music was going to be the main use.
 
Marsman said:
V90 is just a DAC. Doesn't have an amp.

Topping VX1 would be a good choice for a small amp if you want to go for bookshelf speakers rather than a 2.1 setup. Has a DAC as well, so no need to use onboard audio.

For gaming, I think the Aego's would be the better choice. Bookshelf speakers and amp would be what I'd go for if music was going to be the main use.
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Thanks for pointing that out. :)

I would guess it would be a 80/20 split towards gaming.
 
Also one more thing you should probably also consider is the position of where you going to put the speakers if on your desk.

What I've found with using both bookshelf and satelite speakers on the desk is that if you put them right next to the monitor with them more or less in front of you the sound can be a bit confined. You'd need to move the pair of speakers further apart but not too far, in order to have the sound to become more spacious and allow more details to be heard.
 
Thanks again for the suggestions. Just before I click buy now I just want to make sure I have explored all choices and I noticed there are active monitors available to buy ie Audioengine. Anyone have any experience of these or suggestions on models?

Also can any owners of the Aego or Corsair SP2500 tell me if they hear a low hum when nothing is being played through the speakers? I have read one or two reports of the Aego doing this and apparently Acoustic Energy stating that this is normal for the Aego. The hum is the main reason for me looking to change my current speakers so is very important.
 
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