Computer speakers

[nicodemus]

I've gotten to the point where I'm listening to a lot of/most of my music off of my computer these days. My current speakers suck and I'm willing to pay for quality stuff. Any recommendations based on what you all have as the options seem limitless when I check out online stores.

[Fleetwood Mac #1]

This is one of the best in PC speakers, costs about $350 but worth every single penny.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/USsoccerfan22/ultra51_store_large.jpg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836119106

Reviews from Newegg customers (http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/FeedBack/CustRatingReview.asp?Item=N82E16836119106)

You can read more on the specifications here (http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=831)

If you have a budget this big I really recommend you spend a little more to get a good 24-bit sound card like SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS to get the most out of the speakers.

[Motterman]

Do you already have a very good surround sound home theater system?

Cause, if so, I recommend getting a sound card with RCA jacks and running it into one of your inputs on your home theater receiver. There's probably some good wireless technology out there at the moment too....

[nicodemus]

Do you already have a very good surround sound home theater system?

Cause, if so, I recommend getting a sound card with RCA jacks and running it into one of your inputs on your home theater receiver. There's probably some good wireless technology out there at the moment too....
My home surround system is decent, but I'm looking for something a little simpler. I've already used up all of the inputs in my receiver and don't want to have to be switching stuff all time time.

[skipshady]

If you're looking for a simple two speaker/woofer desktop setup, you could do a lot worse than JBL's Encounter (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/jbl-encounter-21-speakers-ipod/) and Harman Soundsticks (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/harman-soundsticks-ii-21-speaker-system-ipod/).

The reviews I liked to are from iPodlounge, but they should apply for computer use too. I've heard both of them in use and they're excellent.

[quentinc]

Mine are pretty basic, but the bass is really powerful; you can hear the beat anywhere in the house on normal volume. They came with the computer, and they're Altec Lansing. Not the best, but they get the job done.

[Dante]

If you're looking for a simple two speaker/woofer desktop setup, you could do a lot worse than JBL's Encounter (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/jbl-encounter-21-speakers-ipod/) and Harman Soundsticks (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/harman-soundsticks-ii-21-speaker-system-ipod/).

I can vouch for the Soundsticks. I've got them hooked up to my Powerbook and they sound great. They look nice too.

[Scoey]

What kind of soundcard do you have? If you have a total crap sound card, it doesn't make sense to spend a bunch of dough on great speakers.

I listen to music exlusively on my computer (don't even have a home stereo anymore). I have a pretty cheap set up and it gets the job done. An Audigy sound card, and Creative Inspire 5.1 speakers. My understanding is that this a fairly lame set-up as far as computer audio set ups go, and is light years lamer than klipsh or harmon, but, to me, it sounds as good as any home stereo I've ever had.

[Fleetwood Mac #1]

If you have a total crap sound card, it doesn't make sense to spend a bunch of dough on great speakers.

Well said. I love the Klipsch Ultra so much that I recommend it to everyone, shamelessly, with any chance I get but without a decent sound card it would be impossible to enjoy it the way I do now. Audigy2ZS has signal-to-noise ratio of 108 decibels and Klipsch has 99, so they are a perfect match. I can turn the volume all the way up to 100% and the sound will still stay pure! I never cranked it up past 85% though because of my neighbors (remember the monsters run at 470 watts).

So I'd like to second that if you don't plan on getting a good sound card any speaker set under $100 should be good enough and much above that will result in waste of money.