Which 2.1 system?

Admiral Huddy

Admiral Huddy

Admiral Huddy

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I've had my current 5.1 system for ages but reverted them to 2.1 ages ago due to space. However, I've noticed they lack the quality which I noticed only when using my headphones recently.

Anyway, I was looking the Z623s : .

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-095-LG&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=1920

What do your think? Anyone own a set? They seem to pack a punch and review seem ok.. I don't really want to spend more than £140 so they are within budget.
 
You could go for some separates, if you have the desk space. You'd have to go second hand though. But quality should be better than desktop speakers.
 
PapaLazaru said:
Logitechs or the Antec Rockus.

The problem with the Aego's is that they were great, in 2006.
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So you recommend that people buy the Panasonic RP-HTF600 headphones, over a headset made by Logitech and the rest, yet when it comes to speakers, you think peripheral and PSU/case manufacturers like Logitech and Antec, are going to make better speakers than a company that specialises in making speakers?

How bizarre.
 
Yep, the Aego's are stellar for the money, totally recommended for £120..

If you can stretch to £180, then the Corsair SP2500's are the other standout 2.1 system, that little bit extra in all departments, but it's quite over budget..

I demo'd the Z623's and was underwhelmed in terms of quality, my Brother has the Aego M's and they blew me away for the money, I ended up with the corsairs and can't recommend either of these enough..

Of course 2.0 active monitors are another choice, they just don't have the impact of a good 2.1 system, but obviously do excel for some music type and in terms of rounded response, they tend to be quite 'accurate' etc...

As for newer = better, there was a big uproar with the Z623's they replaced the Z2300's and many complained they sounded worse, when someone did a more indepth strip down of the systems it does admittedly look as if it was more about cutting costs then anything else..
http://rishiguru2300.blogspot.com/
 
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dz1 said:
Just to add some balance...

http://www.whathifi.com/review/acoustic-energy-aego-m-system
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I see what they are saying, there are plenty of 'audiophile' companies doing 2.0 speakers systems these days that can exceed the Aego's in some aspects..

But be careful of What Hi-Fi, they say that AudioEngine and Lars & Ivan are doing better desktop setups, the AE A2's are the only thing close in price (£140) and they do get 4 stars, but look a the comments,
http://www.whathifi.com/review/a2

Clearly these are different to the Aego M's, one is a 2.1 with moderately good bass, the A2's are more articulate but lack 'scale' which pretty much tells you what music types they probably suit best..

The Lars&Ivan's they mention must be the Bobo + Amp package they do, which do review very well, but are £180 and again are less scale, and more about articulately good midrange etc (at least they claim they go down to 60Hz).. But for £180 you get the Corsair 2.1's, which are that step up again from the Aego's and with very clean bass down to 35Hz they again are a different market to 2.0 desktop speakers..

I'd still recommend the Aego M's as a definite step above something like the logitech Z623's, but sure, if you listen to music that suits a 2.0 setup or can live without the bottom end in more bassy types of music, then you can get more midrange detail and cohesion, although the Corsairs IMO bridge the gap perfectly, very credible midrange for the money, but fantastic scale to boot that no 2.0 can get close to..

So yes, spend £180-£300 and you can get much better, but for £120? Aego-M's or AE A2's? Hmm.. not sure..

And lets not forget that this is very much the lower end of hi-fi, spending £500+ well, just blows these all away on just about every level bar maybe the bottom end in the case of 2.1's..
 
Demon said:
So yes, spend £180-£300 and you can get much better, but for £120? Aego-M's or AE A2's? Hmm.. not sure..
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Wharfedale 9.1 would be a closer match than AE2.

Wharfedale 9.1 plus t-amp will set you back £120, the same price as the Aego M. The bass on the Aego M will go down to 50Hz, and the bass on the wharfedales will also go down to 50Hz. So you're not getting any lower bass notes on the Aego M despite it having a sub. Yes, the Aego M will have a greater quantity of bass (and will go louder unless you upgrade the amp on the wharfedales), so if bass quantity is your thing, then maybe stick with the Aego M. But for sound quality, the Aego M will be no match for the wharfedales.
 
I had a set of Aego M 2.1 when they first came out, after 14 months or so their was a buzzing coming from the subwoofer, low and behold the warranty was only 12 months.

They did sound really good when they worked though.

I've used headphones the last few years, but I'm going to get a second hand Arcam or Nad Amp along with some Wharedale 9.1 or similar speakers I reckon.
 
dz1 said:
Wharfedale 9.1 would be a closer match than AE2.

Wharfedale 9.1 plus t-amp will set you back £120, the same price as the Aego M. The bass on the Aego M will go down to 50Hz, and the bass on the wharfedales will also go down to 50Hz. So you're not getting any lower bass notes on the Aego M despite it having a sub. Yes, the Aego M will have a greater quantity of bass (and will go louder unless you upgrade the amp on the wharfedales), so if bass quantity is your thing, then maybe stick with the Aego M. But for sound quality, the Aego M will be no match for the wharfedales.
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That's not a bad idea! I have a t-amp and mission MX1s for a squeeze box in the kitchen. Although the t-amp I got isn't that good, it lacks oomph (and I don't mean volume), if I put the MX1s on a dexnon amp, they sound noticeably better, but I do know some sound better then others, I couldn't find any good recommendations down the cheap end.

I think the OP has plenty of choice, just stay away from things like the logitech's and creatives in that price range, and as pointed out, there are other setups you can consider, depending on desk space, muswic types, personal preference etc..
 
Marsman said:
So you recommend that people buy the Panasonic RP-HTF600 headphones, over a headset made by Logitech and the rest, yet when it comes to speakers, you think peripheral and PSU/case manufacturers like Logitech and Antec, are going to make better speakers than a company that specialises in making speakers?

How bizarre.
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Well I admit that my offerings were not the best, but I fail to believe that a set of speakers made 5 years ago with known issues cannot be bettered for the money. The Antec speakers get good write-ups.
 
Off topic I know but those Panasonic RP-HTF600 headphones are one of the best reccomendations that people on these forums have ever given, £30 and sound better than my old Seinheisser HD595's that cost £120! :D
 
Nelly said:
Off topic I know but those Panasonic RP-HTF600 headphones are one of the best reccomendations that people on these forums have ever given, £30 and sound better than my old Seinheisser HD595's that cost £120! :D
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This.

And also, for cheapish speakers (less than 100 quid) Microlab M700. Incredible for the price :D

For more expensive speakers, go with the Corsair SP2500s :)
 
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