I'm looking for the best computer speakers $200 (or less) can buy

ml1209

New Member
I have been looking on Newegg and I am leaning toward the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers (2.1 means 2 satellites and 1 subwoofer). I am also looking at the Harmon Kardon Sound sticks II.

Logitech Z-2300


www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121122



Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II


www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836101057


I admit I am limiting myself to 2.1 systems for cost as well as my computer does not have a high-grade sound card (using onboard sound right now).

My PC is a AMD FX64 dual 4200 with 2 gigs of RAM, a 320 MB HD.

Thanks for your input.
 
For the cpu that would be the AMD64 4200+ X2 model there. You can easily find some good sounding 5.1 or even 7.1 surround sound setups for less then $200. Logitech has an excellent sound even for onboard. The only thing really lacking when using onboard is EAX effects seen mainly with Creative brand sound cards. With Vista's Media Center found in the Home Premiun and Ultimate versions EAX is simulated.
 
For the cpu that would be the AMD64 4200+ X2 model there. You can easily find some good sounding 5.1 or even 7.1 surround sound setups for less then $200. Logitech has an excellent sound even for onboard. The only thing really lacking when using onboard is EAX effects seen mainly with Creative brand sound cards. With Vista's Media Center found in the Home Premiun and Ultimate versions EAX is simulated.

What are you talking about?
 
spend 150-175 and good Klipsch or Logitech speaker and another 25-50 on a good sound card. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 are pretty good, I spent a good hour at best buy testing Klipsch and Bose speakers, the Klipsch I think are better than the Bose ones
 
I would lean away from the Audigy line of cards if you are planning to run Vista anytime soon. The X-FI line would have the newer software and drivers that would be a little more compatible there. Creative is in slow motion still seeing beta drivers for the Audigy line. I still give an edge to Logitech over Creative for speakers as well. Some of their 5.1 and 7.1 are worth it.
 
I have been looking on Newegg and I am leaning toward the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers (2.1 means 2 satellites and 1 subwoofer).

i think we all know what x.0 or x.1 means.......but i have a set of really nice 6-yr-old Harmon Kardon speakers so i have to recomend their products
 
i think we all know what x.0 or x.1 means.......but i have a set of really nice 6-yr-old Harmon Kardon speakers so i have to recomend their products

Sorry - I posted this on several forums (copy and paste) and some of them aren't computer related.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...mpareItemList=N82E16836121006,N82E16836121118

Either of these are excellent...great sound quality, and nice price. The 2 are pretty much the same, except the X540's have a wired remote with bass and volume adjustment, rather than having them on the sub and right speaker. Also, the X540's have "matrix" which make 5.1 sound out of 2.0 sound. I personally have the X530's, and the sound quality is really not something you would expect from speakers these inexpensive.
 
The one thing that stands out for me on Logitech models is not sounding like nail in a tin can. Instead you have a more balanced bass and tremble alike instead of rattling tin sound from crap speakers. They have an excellent mid to high range or full range depending on whether they are the 2 1/2, 5.1, or 7.1 surround.
 
For your price range I would suggest the Logitech Z-5300.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121

For what you pay for them the bass is excellent. It has a 6.5" subwoofer in a ported box receiving 100watts RMS. The bass really pounds and isn't overly sloppy like a lof of subs in a ported box. I wasn't too impressed with the mids...they seem a little hollow to me, but that could be due to physical arrangement of the speakers. I can't complain about the highs for a $140 speaker system. I've heard a lot better but I can live with what the Z-5300 produces for sure. Overall I consider it a "good" speaker set. The bass is the most impressive. If you'd like to invest in a sound card to compliment the speakers I'd go with Creative, avoid Turtle Beach like the plauge.
 
Logitech is a great brand at a lower cost then others from what I have seen. Altec Lansing is another name that some have been favoring. At one time names like JBL and Harman Kordan "were" the names along with Marantz and a few others in the Hi Fi days of the 12" vinyl. But that was before the Asus and Gigabyte and MSI and... and... days came upon us.
 
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