Advice on 2.1 speakers for a PC

MysticalRain

I'm looking for recommendations for a good quality set of 2.0 or 2.1 speakers to listen to music on my PC. Basically I want to turn my PC into a "hi-fi system" seeing as all my music is on my PC. I also have my music on my HTPC, so I may also be using the speakers for that too.

Some people I've spoken to have recommended going down the hi-fi separates route and getting an amplifier + speakers (I don't need a CD or record player). However, I'm thinking that a cheaper alternative might be to get a set of high end dedicated PC speakers. I would like a good quality set up, but I'm not a huge audiophile either. So a "good enough" solution would probably do.

http://www.alesis.com/m1active520
http://www.audioengineusa.com/a5_home.php
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-B2030A-Truths/dp/B000Q6EHA2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263572648&sr=1-1

The Audioengine A5's are the ones I'm veering towards buying. But they only have a standard 3.5 mm analog input and no digital input. Would there be any noticeable difference in quality between a digital and analog input? Again, I'm not an audiophile. So unless there's a significant difference, I'm probably not going to notice.

I'm not a huge fan of bass heavy music, so I can probably do without a subwoofer if the speakers have decent bass output.

wreckless

hi,

i got a lovely logitech 2.1 x210 from click before chrismas, 50 quid i think, sound is brilliant, tiny desktop speakers and powerful sub, which any soundsystem , whether small or large needs- a subwoofer. power is 25watts RMS and its fantastic. this also has a very handy desktop volume pod, for quick control of the volume, and a power button too.

creative and logitech do fantastic systems for computers. totally depends on your budget.

cnocbui

Forget about digital input, it would not be of any audible benefit.

Klipsch pro media 2.0

http://www.ibitstore.com/index.php?controller=product&path=75&product_id=3298

jaybeeveedub

analog vs digital depends on what kind of source files you are using, as to whether it will really be worth it and in computer terms it will make a 'normous difference... most pcs have very shoddy audio cards in audiophile quality terms... anyhoo

you could go for something like this

http://cgi.ebay.ie/HiFi-Class-T-Amp-High-Efficiency-Audiophile-Quality_W0QQitemZ280480678647QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers?hash=item414df382f7#ht_10734wt_1112

with some small speakers for a very nice 2.0 system

or if you're pc has a digital out you could go for summat like this

http://cgi.ebay.ie/TOPPING-TP30-CLASS-T-AMP-Tripath-TA2024C-USB-DAC_W0QQitemZ130373433309QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers?hash=item1e5adcb7dd#ht_9108wt_1112


if you want to go for really hi-fi you could try one of these

http://tirnahifi.org/reviews/?page_id=9

either way for the budget of a pair of those active speakers you could get a nice little hi-fi setup which will sound better

t-class is handy cause it runs very cool... and is highly efficient

on the other hand i use a fatman itube with arcam muso speakers and an audio alchemy jitter filter and dac which sounds just lovely....

this would be a good deal more expensive as the speakers cost about 400, but the amp didn't cost the earth... I got one new open box on ebay without the ipod dock part for a steal....

http://www.fat-man.co.uk/docs/product_07/iTube_ValveDock.shtml

I suppose it depends too on how much clutter you want, or whether you want plug and play.....

these should be out soon....

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=4503

ipodrocker

i have speakers for sale if you are interested.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=204918&cat=500

F.Galway

What about a set of harman kardons?

http://store.apple.com/us/product/T9078LL/A

or if you want something more powerful krk kp's?

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/77639

axton1

If you want hi fi type quality you could check out.
Audica MPS-1 ( DIGITAL AMP WITH 2 SPEAKERS ) has firewire, usb and 2 x 3.5mm inputs . sound is high end but very compact impressive looks too.

Another option would be something like Scansonic s5a , these are active speakers with usb and a sub out plus remote control. different colours are available to match your Mac etc.

That's my 2cw anyway.
cheers