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?
I have the A5s, they are incredible.
I agree with the above post that suggested Axiom Audiobytes.
If you want _good_ speakers, get those.
I have a set and they're worth it.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/audiobytecomputerspeakers.html
Vote for H/K SoundSticks (2) here - they sound great, look great and always seem to be a talking point for those who have never seen a set before! They work brilliantly in the bedroom with an old AirPort express and iPhone as remote.
I was hoping someone would mention the soundsticks. They're kinda old-school but they sound so nice, plus they look awesome - people always ask what they are.
Otherwise, (and I know people will rip me for this) the Bose Companion 3's sound lovely or any (less controversial) Logitech 2.1 speakers are really sweet too.
2nd the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks.
I recently bought a set of the Bose Companion II's at Best buy and returned them the next day because they sounded so dull. I did a little research to find the best ones for my price range and found that the Boston Acoustics MM 226 actually makes an affordable system with a subwoofer that look and sound incredible. These are some of my favorite speakers. I bought them from here http://www.thenerds.net/BOSTON_ACOUSTICS.Boston_Acoustics_MM_226_Computer_Speaker_System.MM226MDNT.html?affid=8&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=MM226MDNT^~^BOSTON%20ACOUSTICS. $126.99 and I got mine with free shipping. If those aren't an option I recommend looking for something by M-Audio. I have yet to find a bad review for any of their products. :)
I just got some Logitech Z-5 Omnidirectional speakers. For $59 they really sound great. They're usb input, so great for a laptop.
M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 : rockin' sound, and no need for a subwoofer.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV40.html
I am currently using M-Audio Studiophile AV-40's, they are amazing. I got them for only $125 from Newegg, no shipping fee, which is marked down from $200 list.
Buy yourself a little mini or book shelf system with good sound an wire into that, just like at home.
I've been using Edifier I-Fuze Station for 2 years now and it still hasn't failed me.
http://www.destroytheodds.co.uk/18-casino-heists/
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JBL Duet if you've got a reasonable budget. Pretty good bass with no sub, so they're quite small. Will fill a room too.
HEADPHONES!!!! so one has to hear your crappy Barry Manilow or the Macarena ...LOL
Panasonic RE-7070. Free on the curbside, and bonus, it has an 8-track player. That's what I use at work. I forgot though that the speakers came from a Sears Airline receiver/8-track.
Earphones. Everyone hates a nice "set" of speakers when trying to do work when they come in the form of earphones :)
If you want speakers
pick the audioengine set that fits your budget best. no question.
if you want headphones, which may or may not be better, go with skullcandy and get the skull crushers or SK-PRO
either way, no dissapointment.
and now, if you were extremely boss....you'd get your Audioengines (A2 or A5) and you'd get their external sub as well. they pump out extemely good bass, but pair them up with the woofer and you could rattle the house. I know from experience
I've been happy with Logitech, but would rather sport Klipsch on my desk at work. Too much bass will piss people off. The problem is, what is everybody else going to have? A 2.1 setup on your desk probably won't work for everybody else. Talk to the neighbors. I made an old computer play music and spliced long headphone lines to everbody's desk. Everybody bought their own speakers, and could control volume at their desk.
Fore go buying some cookie cutter Logitech/Bose crap and instead opt for a super-efficient Class T amplifier and some decent speakers. You'll end up spending WAY less for better sound. Dayton makes a $40 Class T amp that rivals amps in the $1-2K range. Pair it with some actual quality bookshelf speakers and you've got yourself a stunning system in an extremely small form factor. If you're extra adventurous, try the $16 Dayton Audio Exciters. They turn anything (even the box they come in) into a speaker and sound amazing. Read the reviews on both below.
CLASS T AMP:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-380
SOUND EXCITERS:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-375
How about trying some Axiom Audiobytes. Axiom audio is a well respected Canadian speaker manufacturer, and they came out with these computer speakers not too long ago. They have free shipping and a 30 day in home trial period. http://www.axiomaudio.com/audiobytecomputerspeakers.html
Thanks for the great comments everyone. I knew I could count on the Engadget community to come through. To be honest...y'all brought up more points of consideration than I had thought of (size, amplification, Hello Kitty, etc...).
To those who suggest headphones - I agree that it is more considerate, but we have a REALLY open floor plan and in the afternoon everyone makes requests for music so I figured I might as well get some better speakers with which to share.
I appreciate all the suggs.
-Chris
I would recommend hooking up a pair of Studio Phile BX5's. Or if price isn't a concern maybe some Totem Acoustic Rainmakers or the Signature?
forget buying 'computer' speakers, instead, buy self powered musicians monitors like the M-Audio studio pro 3[there is an updated version, I don't know the name evolution, though] for some 90$. They sound fairly great, if you have real money to spend, go up a model or 2, or get a sub for it.
I totally agree. Haven't heard the M-Audio, but generally studio stuff should be better, and the Genelecs I've heard were great (a bit expensive though).
i don't mean to sound like an ass but, really, they are called... headphones. a good pair of cans go a real long way.
Gotta agree with all the people talking about Bose. I have two companion systems in my house and really enjoy them as primary sound. Do yourself a favor and go to Best Buy and listen to all of them, side by side. Its a little hard to do since Bose speakers are merchandised and demonstrated on their own but it will become abundantly obvious that they sound better than the others. You'll have to pay a little more but its worth it. When you get home and plug them into your pc you will be pleasantly surprised at how good they sound. Logitech is second best but the product design and size leaves a lot to be desired, in my opinion. They are way too techie and cheaply built. Sound is very good but not up to Bose quality.
I have listened to the Bose Companion quite a few times in shops, and they have _always_ been awful. Mind you, I am used to real HiFi. I love the Bose car suspension system though.
I'd recommend a T-amp for more flexibility and better sound quality. Then you can use any good (non-powered) bookshelf speakers.
I'm still using my original Sonic T-amp with a pair of old Cambridge Soundworks (the old Henry Kloss models) speakers in my home office and it's really great sound.
I wouldn't get those Bose Companion. They never sounded even decent to me.
I would suggest the Nubert nuPro AM-10/AM-20. They haven't launched yet though. I also quite enjoyed Genelec monitors, good sound, small size. Personally I am using 2 Nubert nuBox 380 connected to a NAD amplifier. Rather affordable, and they sound amazing, being linear between 41 Hz and 22 kHz (-3dB). Who needs a subwoofer anyway?
I love my Klipsch Promedia 2.1. Bought them a month ago. Waited years too. Man I wish I didn't wait so long.
I run my PC through a FUBAR II DAC, Super T Amp, and JBL Control 1Xtreme speakers. For less than $300, I have a system that really sounds terrific. It isn't intended for earth shaking video games, but I get outstanding musical sound. I play a large FLAC collection through this system--it has a really impressively wide sound stage and great sound detail for such a small and inexpensive system.
another recommendation for the bose companion 2.
Work perfectly in my law office. Enough fidelity and bass so that I actually recognize the song I am listening to. Have a decent setup at house (Klipsch) and the Bose allow me to listen to my music in the office and not hate the experience.
I know that Bose = flames, but those companion 2s are a good deal for the price.
Especially in an office...A subwoofer in my office (and I have my own office) would just not be acceptable. the companion 2s are fairly discreet (not much large than the stock HKs from Dell) with much better sound. good combo.
I looked in a set of M-Audio monitors. the highs were much better, but the bass was missing. Unless you are willing to go sub, I think the bose are a good deal. Never heard the companion 3s
Audio Engine A2 speakers are amazing. Simple wiring, no need for a sub, absolutely brilliant sound and if you have a laptop, they are extremely portable.
http://www.audioengineusa.com/a2_home.php
Audio Engine A2's - $200 of audiophile goodness
How about Swan M200?
Or Audioengine A2?
Grab some Mackie MR5's and make some ears bleed. Sure they're a little bigger, but if you want real studio sound quality that fits on your desk, these are the ones (MR8's are better, but you need a stand for them.)
Get the Logitech S220 2.1 set. Its cheap, has great bass, plenty of volume. Best bang for your buck speaker set I have ever seen.
the klipsch pro media 2.1 are on the high end of but the sound is clear and full. you can tell these speakers are awesome because when you listen to them with low volume, the music still sounds awesome.
Klipsch Promedia 2.1 are THX certified and are around $100. I got mine open box @ Best Buy for $89.99. They're beyond perfect for a desktop solution and are about the same size as those Harmon Kardons that used to come with dell
Seems that when they ask best office speakers they would want ones that sound nice at a modest soundlevel not ones that can blast the windows out immediately.
JBL Creature speakers. A little on the pricey side, but you can find a good price on eBay.
I have to 2nd 3rd 4th w/e its at right now the Klipsch 2.1's. I've been eye'ing these babies for awhile and although the Z2300's are nice, Klipsch still tops them. (Klipsch was also the first maker of True PC speakers). Can't go wrong with that!
Logitech Z-2300.
Their cheap and have great sound.
Bose Companion 2 $99 @ Best Buy....Dual inputs, good sound, good company, good warranty, decent price.....
aseer didn't mention it first. And aseer didn't even point out the A2's specifically.
If you are going to waste space with "mee toooo" comments, at least get the facts straight.
"mikalew @ Jun 12th 2009 11:55PM
Audioengine A2 will blow you away. I replaced my Klispch Pro Media 2.1 with them and don't regret it for a minute. These little beauties will only set you back $200. Google them and read the reviews, don't take my word for it. "
"aseer @ Jun 12th 2009 12:42AM
check out AudioEngine."
btw, I'm not saying that mikalew suggested A2's first, just that mikalew suggested A2's a whole 47minutes before aseer! For me to know who was first I'd have to read the replies to every comment up till 11.55PM. And that's not even including deleted comments and replies.
Um, I accidentally clicked "undo" on the "replying to" before clicking add comment. Windows 7 RC mouse properties not set yet on the new install... oops.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/ask-engadget-best-pc-speakers-for-the-office/2#comments
see page 2 of the comments.
Pair of Genelec 6010A's. Absolutely superb speakers.
The Altec Lansing ATP3. I got these speakers way back in 2001, and they are still by far the best set of 2.1 speakers for the computer I've ever heard.
http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/atp3-enhanced-2-1/4505-3179_7-1587363.html