Ask Engadget: Best PC speakers for the office?
By Darren Murph 
posted June 12th 2009 12:21AM
posted June 12th 2009 12:21AM
We know you're struggling to take it in, but you really have just stumbled upon this week's episode of Ask Engadget. Fascinating, the timing, yeah? Now that you're here, we're going to ask you to stick around, answer Chris' question below and then send in one of your own to ask at engadget dawt com. First things first, though:"My desktop is wired through my home theater, so everything sounds great when I listen to music at home, but when I'm at the office I only have little Harman/Kardon speakers that came with my Dell. I work in an office that is music friendly, but no one has any decent speakers. I was hoping the Engadget community might have some good suggestions for reasonably priced computer speaker sets that sound good. You know... so I can share my extensive Matchbox 20 bootleg collection with the rest of my colleagues. Thanks!"
First off, congrats on working in a "music friendly" environment. And for everyone else, why not give this guy a little advice before hitting him up for job opportunities?
Creative T20 speakers, they sound great
I LOVE the audio engine A5's. so I would recommend the A2's if they sound anything like the a5's
The correct answer is the M-Audio AV40 or Audioengine A2.
I got some Meridian M33's on special offer for £1000 in 2002. I was suppose to put them into my main Hi-Fi set up, but they are just too perfect as PC speakers
M-Audio speakers. I'm an audio-quality geek and I have a simple pair of two-way powered speakers from M-Audio hooked up to my computer. They are absolutely fantastic and will give you the best sound you can find for only about $150 (or even less if you do some looking for used ones).
Highly recommended.
Definately Logitech Z-2300. THX certified and they sound awesome! Should be able to find them for about 100 bucks. Second choice would by JBL Soundsticks.
Alot of people swearing by Logitechs and Klipschs obviously have not heard Audioengine 2 or 5s
M-Audio StudioPhile AV40 - $130 if you shop around online
I dunno about you guys but for an office I prefer a 2.0 system not only for space but a woofer can disturb others. These are the best of all the 2.0 systems I have purchased and certainly provide a superb aural experience.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV40.html
Quad 9L Active
The Logitech Z-4 are surprisingly good and seem to be mentioned quite often here.
If you can find them, grab a couple of Trevi 450 speakers, Best sound ever for about 50€
I know the saying "If it has no highs, and it has no lows, then it must be bose", but I really love these, and I'm pretty surprised with just how good they sound. Really nice bass module that comes with it too. http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/speakers/computer_speakers/companion_3/index.jsp
I already have computer speakers, but I'm always in the market for a new set, thanks for the great alternatives engadget readers!
I am probably in the minority here but I use (for the past 4 years) and love the Tivoli Model 2 radio with Subwoofer
Amazing sound, also gets great FM radio reception
http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=144
Pricey but worth it
Tivoli stuff is great too.
JBL Duet (smallish, stereo) or H/K SoundSticks (funny looking, 2.1).
SoundSticks are probably the best computer speakers I have ever heard and deliver excellent sound on pretty much anything I throw at them: from alternative to blues, from jazz to classical.
If you are willing to spend a bit more Axiom Audio has a set of computer speakers that will rival your home system:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/audiobytecomputerspeakers.html
X-Hifi they are around $900.00 with a subwoofer but they are a ribbon technology and sound fantastic they have replaced my suround system on my theater and they are small. Go to X-hifi.com and see for yourself
Logitech Z-2300 FTW!!!
Logitech Z-4 hands down.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121130
For the price they pump out great sound, and are small enough to fit well and look nice at work.
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 is fantastic.
Myself and 7 other friends all have the same ones, you'll be impressed.
http://www.teufel.eu/PC-Multimedia/Motiv-2.cfm
Motiv2 from germanys Teufel Multimedia rocks, forget Bose.
Creative GigaWorks T-40 type IIs. They really are the mutts nuts. fantastic sound quality, and offer virtual surround sound from a 2.0 speaker setup, perfect when you are space confined.
Logitech Z-5500
http://www.notascoolasitseems.com/speakers/product/logitech-z-5500-thx-certified-505-watt-51
If you get these you will be able to turn up the base so loud that when you ask your boss for a raise no matter what he says it will look like he is nodding yes.
Logitech Z Cinema. Best bang for your buck. Great quality speakers and amazing design. Perfect power output, it can bump but too loud. 79 bucks i think. CANNOT beat that. Oh ya, most importantly, sound is sent thru USB so that in can be intelligently controlled via your PC. Sheck it out!
I have two Bang and Olufsen CX 100 old school non-amplified speakers hooked up via a Temple Audio Bantam T-Amp..., lovely
I gotta agree with the Logitech X-230 crowd... I bought a pair of those for my office two years ago (I worked nights... alone) and couldn't believe the quality for the price range and size. They're so good, in fact, that to this day my wife uses them in her music studio for teaching/recording (they're very warm sounding, which makes the recordings sound more professional). Only problem today is finding a new set, as that model has been discontinued. The posts about the X-240's are right on the money also... they're vastly inferior to the 230's (bought and returned...).
If space is an issue and you want quality without the subwoofer, check out the Boston Acoustics Horizon MM220's on Amazon. I have the MM226's (same speakers only with an 8" sub) and I can honestly say they are the best sounding PC speakers for MUSIC that I've heard in the sub-$300 price range. The MM220's can be had for as little as 40 bucks shipped, while the MM226's run as low as 80 right now (they're normally $180). If space isn't an issue I'd recommend going for the 226's... the sub not only adds a ton to the music listening experience, it turns them into very capable speakers for movies and gaming.
I also have the Logitech Z-2300's, which are unmatched for movies and gaming (again, we're talking on a budget here) and also aren't too shabby in the music dept. That's of course if you have room for the GINORMOUS subwoofer on or around your desk and are going to be doing more movies and gaming than music.
Genelec 8030A
monitor quality neutral sound.
Really? Active Nearfields that run something like $700 each? That's the recommendation?
Might as well suggest he get a Neve 8068 and a couple Fairchilds too. Oh, and he'll definitely need Apogee D/A to get out of the PC.
Go on Craigs List or eBay, and for about $40 or $50 more, you can get Logitech Z5500s that are used, and usually in good, working condition.
Hey Chris get some uber-cute Hello Kitty's and show everyone the sensible man in you : )
http://www.engadget.com/2004/09/02/hello-kitty-speakers/
I'd have to disagree- I think especially for their size, the sound is quite accurate (incl. bass).
I agree the treble and mid-range are sufficient for computer speakers but I found the bass to be lacking. I don't recall specific details but that doesn't mean it's not a good speaker set. My pair of audiotechnica AD700s are fantastic but have extremely limited bass response. I am referring to bass that is below 50hz of course. Even the least concerned listener will note it sounds lifeless ( if it's a song that has bass ). Hence the success of logitech. The bass isn't accurate but it's there, and there is a bunch of it. The average consumer doesn't detect if the bass is muddy or not, they just like it being there.
For chris' uses I would say that the 100 dollars would be better spent on a system with a subwoofer.
Yeah, you're probably right- just I wouldn't be hauling a sub into work.
Oh... and along the same lines as the X-230 versus X-240 thing, be warned that the Logitech Z-Cinema's are much inferior to the Logitech Z-2300's. Don't let the cool look or even the wireless remote fool you. The poster that mentioned the JBL Duets and Harmon Kardon Soundsticks was also on the money... the Duets are an excellent small, affordable 2.0 speaker system, and the Soundsticks do sound quite nice and are extremely funky lookin' in a stylish sorta way. But... I still recommend the BA MM226's for their awesomeness and bang for the buck factor.
BA Horizon MM226 = PC Music Heaven
Bose = Overpriced Crap
Logitech Z-5500 = Insane for PC use, unless your PC is the home theater/living room variety (insane = awesome and impractical)
Razer Mako = Droooool (probably my next speaker purchase)
Logitech Z-2300 = PC Movies/Gaming Heaven
M-Audio AV 40's = Studio Monitors (flat and cold, like a good studio monitor should be, but not for listening enjoyment)
Any PC Speakers above $500 = You have too much money and... well, you just plain suck :P
Funny all these comments, none of them mention the importance of the source.
If you have a good size office, why not get a $100 USB DAC as a source, a decent used SS amp. Or if you want small, something like trend audio T amp. Then get ANY decent book shelf speakers (you can find some in craigslist for cheap, new is like 3-500),...ascend audio, axiom, dynaudio, B&W, monitor audio, aperion, klipsch.....any of them BLOW AWAY all the logitech regardless model. Heck a Wharfedale Diamond 8.1, British brand, cost $200.
IF your office don't even have space for a bookshelf, then you should just do a pair sennheiser 600.
Then again, you mentioned "home theater" setup, maybe your music equip standard is Pioneer/logitech level.
They don't mention the source since chances are you won't notice crap on cheap speakers. By cheap I mean less than 1 grand. Even then in double blind tests people cannot identify between decent SSD amplifiers (onkyo 6+ ) and 3k amplifiers. Using a tube amp in an office is also simply stupid. Waiting for tubes to warm up is not something ordinary people enjoy. You might as well suggest he roll out the 20 dollar a foot speaker wire too. I'm assuming they don't have an acoustically optimized office seeing as that's not the point of an office. You're over analyzing his situation.
In spite of my issues with your post I do agree that Logitech is not the way to go. The more you spend on Logitech the more bass you get, it's not better, there's just more of it. The treble and the mid-range is still crap.
Sorry if I was harsh, I just get sick of audiophiles having a complete disconnect with the average person.
@andi: He does suggest a quite reasonable thing to do. Although an external DAC might be a bit over the top (depending on the source... laptops usually have horrible soundcards, you WILL easily hear their awfulness even with cheap Koss headphones), getting a second hand amplifier won't be too expensive. I'm using a vintage NAD for the purpose. Then some Wharfedale, KEF etc. bookshelf and you will have something decent that will be by far superior to anything Logitech, Bose, Creative etc. makes. A bit more expensive, perhaps, but you will hear the difference. I'm using Nubert nuBox 380 bookshelves, in the $200 per speaker range, and they can easily compete with decent floor standing speakers, if you add a special built $200 device to extend the low range. 41 - 22000 Hz at -3dB. It's hard to get them outside of Germany though.
Thanks kadajawi. I'm no audiophile, just an avg music lover w/ sole interest on max price/performance. NOBODY is saying tube, in fact I made sure SS amp is the choice. $20 wire??onkyo?? doubleblind test?! You tryin to sound u know anything about audio when u don't, its so pathetic.
Most computer audio chip is defaulted to only decode 48kHz to accommodate the 44-48 range (DVD is 48). Anytime you play a cheap 44kHz mp3, it gets convert in windows/mac to 48 first. Any external USB DAC not only would be much much better sounding w/ dedicate circuit, but will allow 44 and 48 without conversion. If you saying you can't hear anything different from a sound3D chipset that cost Dell $4 vs ANY good external DAC, you shouldn't be posting in this forum, in fact u should contact a specialist in hearing.
My setup suggestion is 100-dac, 200-integrate amp, 3-400 speakers, and a freakin $2 USB cable, you got yourself a extremely competent setup that last forever for $6-700. A set of logitech is $350 with a 3.5mm plug that will only plug in the sound3d chipset.
Now instead on stereotype anyone, why don't u give us a helpful setup suggeston.
Swan 2.1s. The best computer speakers I've ever used. They are so much clearer and more balanced than Klispch or Logitech, it's not even worth comparing.
Best computer speakers for the price are Alesis M1Active 320USB
just avoid logitech. avoid bose. instead have a look at professional active monitors for your desk. the start at around 100$ and sound way better than anything you can buy for his money from the consumer range.
Logitech Z-5. Best bang for your 100 bucks. End of story, these things are beauties.
These are #1 on my shortlist: Acoustic Energy Aego M
http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/Product_range/Aego_series/Aego_M.asp
Small and stylish but decent sound.
I haven't heard them myself but they are highly rated.
if you want something very small:
the HUMP NF2 (available on eBay only, iirc)
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/humpunique
if you want something still small but not tiny:
Audioengine A2
(both have been mentioned already)
If you can stretch to accommodate their price, have a look at Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1s, I have a set and whilst being nowhere near on par with properly amplified monitors, they still pump out some smooth, good sounding tunes.
Go for a 2.1 system. I've got a Creative Soundworks cheap system and it sounds GREAT.
AudioEngine A2's... small compact and they sound good... tad pricey though
I just went out and got some bose companion 5 there useless and im taken them back.
Audioengine A2 or go home.