Spec me some decent speakers!

Gas Panic! · 5 Aug 2007 at 11:09

Hi guys,

I currently have a Creative 2.1 system - similar to this but with a smaller subwoofer. While this sounds OK, since getting a set of decent Sennheiser headphones and a pair of Etymotic earphones for my iPod I've become accustomed to much better audio quality. With this in mind, I'd like to use my current Creative system with my TV (it'll sound better than the bundled speakers for sure) and get a decent speaker system for my PC.

As I listen to my PC 80% of the time I'd really like a decent system. I'm only looking for a 2.1 system as a) I'm a Uni student and setting up 5 speakers every few months was a PITA the first year, and b) I hardly used the surround sound when I owned a 5.1 system.

Price-wise I wouldn't like to spend more than £100, but if you could justify (really justify) spending a bit more than that I might be inclined to stretch.

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

C64 · 5 Aug 2007 at 14:01

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-032-LG&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=173
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-000-AE&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=173

I'm not sure how much of a leap up you can get from creative i trigues for £100
i have never heard them and couldn't tell you the difference but i have heard the above two.
Personally i went for the z4's as the aego doesn't have a headphone socket
the specs on the z4's don't sound like much but they are a tremendous set of 2.1 got mine for £51 delivered.
If lack of a headphone socket doesn't bother you get the acoustic energy aego.

bailey12856 · 5 Aug 2007 at 18:35

aegos are magnificent speakers. the bass sounds great also you can set it to 3 different levels, i left it on 2 seems to be fine although sometimes with bassy music is does get abit too much if loud. Other than that the best set of speakers ive owned that are 2.1

Tripnologist · 5 Aug 2007 at 21:13

I can vouch for the Aego 2.1's as well. Excellent speakers.

Reviewed by: Tripnologist
I was torn between these and the Z-2300. Ended up going with these as I was worried about the Z2300's being too bassy for my neighbors.
Sound is nice, clear and balanced. With EQs set right, the bass is perfect. Nice and deep without overpowering everything else.
They go surprisingly loud considering their size. The speakers themselves are really small and fit nicely under my 20" LCD. The sub is taller than I thought it would be but doesn't take up too much room.
If I had to choose again, I would still buy these which to be honest, is probably the best compliment you can give a product.

C64 · 5 Aug 2007 at 21:38

is it £24 better than the z4's though is the question

Gas Panic! · 6 Aug 2007 at 00:42

Thanks for the suggestions. I like the look of the £90-ish Logitech system but the subwoofer looks scary.

Are the Aego's really that good then?!

Tripnologist · 6 Aug 2007 at 02:03

Rivey said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I like the look of the £90-ish Logitech system but the subwoofer looks scary.

Are the Aego's really that good then?!

I've not heard the Z-4's so I can't speak for them but I can say I really really like my Aego 2.1's and I'm quite picky about sound. My feelings are as follows..

Pro:
- They sound really great. (Not sure about burn in time for them. Mine didn't sound too great at first. Then after about 30 minutes of use, they just suddenly sounded wonderful.)
- Great bass (certainly not weak by any standards.. but not overpowering either.)
- Sats are very very small. They fit perfectly under my monitor thus keeping my desk looking clean and uncluttered.
- Speakers do go very very loud without distortion. Surprisingly loud for such small speakers.

Con:
- Lack of volume control wired remote for desk.
- Volume knob is on front of sub. Sub is quite tall though so it's no problem leaning over to change it. Fortunately, I have volume control on my keyboard so this isn't a problem for me.

Gas Panic! · 6 Aug 2007 at 17:06

I really like having a volume knob on the desk, I think that excludes the Aego's then.

Might have to look into the Logitech set in which case. Cheers.

Tripnologist · 6 Aug 2007 at 17:49

NP.

If I had to have a volume control, I'd go for the Z2300's myself.

SS-89 · 6 Aug 2007 at 18:18

Yh the z2300 speakers are excellent, a friend of mine has them and the sound quality is great.

dakaiez · 6 Aug 2007 at 18:20

SS-89 said:
Yh the z2300 speakers are excellent, a friend of mine has them and the sound quality is great.

I have them myself and they are brilliant and the volume control is on the desk which is a big plus

.