[Frank D]

Well, my beloved Logitecs finally crapped out on me after several years. They were as heavy as bricks but sounded great. They connected via USB, which seemed to cause me problems in some areas so I'd like to replace them with speakers that connect via standard audio jack. Any recommendations?

 

[rleitch]

Not a recommendation (haven't actually tried them), but I'd have a look at these.

http://axiomaudio.com/axiom-reviews.html#audiobyte

 

[MartinMusicMan]

I've been happy with these Altec Lansing speakers.

 

[Spooner]

I have used this set-up for quite a while:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Speaker-System-Subwoofer-Black/dp/B000AM6QHE

The system plugs into the audio jack. I'm no guru when it comes to audiophile stuff, but these have served me well for a long time and I think they sound pretty nice.

 

[magical pig]

How much do you want to spend? What kind of music do you mostly listen to?

I have the Z4 and they have served me well over the years, however I've been wanting to upgrade since I heard a pair of Adam A5X (of course they're 10 times more expensive...)

 

[diskman50]

Check out Klipsch, most people have probably never heard of them but the sound is fantastic although expensive.

http://www.klipsch.com/computer-speakers

Diskman50

 

[CooolJazzz]

Sorry I can't help. I haven't used PC speakers in ages. I use Bose headphones. No going back for me.

 

[magical pig]

Sorry I can't help. I haven't used PC speakers in ages. I use Bose headphones. No going back for me.

Bose? OMG! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo....

 

[Wagspdx]

I use these: http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-5

Sound great, have a USB input for an iPod and a power outlet on the back that works perfectly with an AirPort Express.

 

[magical pig]

These look promising: http://emotivapro.com/products/powered_monitors/airmotiv4.php

 

[saxmusicguy]

Bose? OMG! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo....

Why?

 

[mcudahy]

Bose? OMG! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo....

Is Bose the Kenny G of headphones? People have such strong opinions about them! They do make computer speakers, too (but I haven't tried them).

I've been using Audio Engine 5 speakers for a couple years, and was really thrilled with them for a long time. But they recently stopped working, and I haven't had time to figure out where they are failing. I like the sound. But speakers and headphones are as much a matter of personal preference as are reeds and mouthpieces. Most obviously, there's the question of how much bass you want, but there are many other differences in sound that are a matter of preference. Especially important with computer speakers, where you might not have all the control you have with a receiver/amplifier. (Although I've been happily using Breakaway Audio Enhancer to adjust equalization on my computers lately, and that works nicely.) If you really care about how they sound, try to find a store where they're set up so you can hear them.

For what it's worth, I have two pairs of headphones I prefer to my Bose Quiet Comfort 2s (partly because those have active noise cancelling, and I feel like they're gently sucking the brains out of my head). The ones I really love are Audio-Technica ATH-W5000 (closed) and AKG K702 (open, so can't use them at work). Still looking for the perfect speakers, but Audio Engines are pretty good.

 

[Koen88]

creative 2.1 sets are mostly good.. used the last one for 4 years and is now used by my parents.. i got a 5.1 set now.. or else I still had the creative set..

 

[magical pig]

Why?

/IMO/ Bose products are all hype, no substance. They're basically overpriced POS with a fancy design, a huge marketing power behind (ads, product placement in stores, etc...) and less than stellar performance. Same strategy as Apple without the quality product behind (being a PC guy that speaks volume about my opinion on Bose). For the price of a midrange Bose setup you can get an audiophile grade setup that will blow it away. Every Bose product I have heard so far was, to say the least, underwhelming for the price. This goes for their home product line (speakers, ipod docks, headphones) and pro audio lines.

In themselves Bose products aren't that bad, they're just WAY overpriced for their performance. /IMO/

Is Bose the Kenny G of headphones?

:lol: I will re-use this.

 

[LateNiteSax]

/IMO/ Bose products are all hype, no substance. They're basically overpriced POS with a fancy design, a huge marketing power behind (ads, product placement in stores, etc...) and less than stellar performance. Same strategy as Apple without the quality product behind (being a PC guy that speaks volume about my opinion on Bose). For the price of a midrange Bose setup you can get an audiophile grade setup that will blow it away. Every Bose product I have heard so far was, to say the least, underwhelming for the price. This goes for their home product line (speakers, ipod docks, headphones) and pro audio lines.

I tOTALLY AGree about Bose products. They are a total rip for the money. they look cool, and that styling luls most undiscerning consumer electronics buyers into liking them. Don't be fooled. They are lipstick on a pig.

 

[CooolJazzz]

/IMO/ Bose products are all hype, no substance.

I've been MORE than happy with my 901's that I bought back in the 70's. I did buy them at factory cost, but that didn't influence my opinion of them. I still think they were great speakers. I've never been equally as impressed with their smaller speakers, especially the newer "home theater" set-ups. Admittedly I've used better headphones, but those also fell apart a lot faster. The main point I was making is that I choose headphones over speakers when it comes to audio on my PC.

 

[soybean]

I agree about Bose. Overpriced and nothing special. they spend way too much money marketing instead of R&D. Most of their headphones are copies of others (including Sony noise reduction) technology. However, two things they did were good. The wave radio is legitimately an advance in acoustic sound technology (unless they copied that too). Also the L1 concert speakers.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

two things they did were good. The wave radio is legitimately an advance in acoustic sound technology (unless they copied that too). Also the L1 concert speakers.

The L1 speakers have been both trashed and praised on this forum and on others.

 

[magical pig]

The L1 speakers have been both trashed and praised on this forum and on others.

I played quite a few gigs in different venues with two L1 Model I double bass packages as the PA (a $4,600 value). It sounded okay although quite thin and artificial, almost hollow. There was also a lot of mud in the low end / low midrange.

I bugged the guy who owned the PA enough that he eventually sold his system and bought a pair of QSC K10 (a $1,500 value) as a replacement. He couldn't thank me enough when he heard the difference. I knew the Bose weren't that great but even I was surprised by the difference. Tight and abundant lows that don't bleed onto other frequencies, a beautiful vocal midrange and detailed yet not harsh highs. Compared to the Bose system as I remembered it was like someone had pulled out a pair of socks from my ears.

The Bose also were a pain to setup compared to the QSC. The towers come in 2 pieces and you also have to haul a set of heavy bases (which is where the amp is located) and 4 bass modules. Then you have to plug these modules to the base and finally connect the whole thing to a mixer. The QSC are 2 powered speakers you put on stands, plug a mixer into and you're done.

As for the Wave technology, my friend has one of these in his studio. The first time I heard it I thought Bose had finally released a decent product, then I learned how much it sells for. It is AT BEST worth $200, not $500.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

Heh heh. I recently got a pair of QSC K8's for my setup. I double on sax and keybd. For small clubs, I put both of them through a small Mackie mixer and out to the 2 QSC's. I don't put either through the PA. I'm liking me those QSC's. Expensive, but a lot less so than a Bose L1 system.