I need a decent 2.1 speaker system for my son's computer. Since I can't even justify the Axiom Audiobytes for myself yet, I'm looking for something sub-$100 that won't make my ears cry. I'm not opposed to used (like from Ebay). Any suggestions would be appreciated by both of us.

How about some headphones?

Not a bad idea, except he has pretty good taste in music so I don't mind listening.

It's not that, you will get much better sound from a $100 set of headphones than you will a hundred dollar set of of computer speakers imo.

$100 headphones will be rocktastic. Hook him up with some Grado SR80's if you want the best in sound quality.

If you're going with sub $100 speakers, I don't think there's really any option that could be considered anywhere close to hi-fi.

I would say go for a satellite/subwoofer setup from klipsch or logitech if you really want to go to the speaker route.

The Grados will completely trounce any speaker/sub setup in terms of sound quality though.

I've read good things about the Hercules as a cheaper computer speaker.

Anyone try them? Was thinking of getting them myself at some point, as I don't think I can justify the Axioms for what is mostly gaming audio. Don't listen to a lot of music on the computer.

If you can stretch the budget to $129 or so... you should be able to get a pair of Edirol MA-10Ds - I've used them as micro monitors, and use their big brothers the 20Ds as desktop monitors on all but one computer.

They're clearer than you'll get out of "multimedia" speakers... you won't get the crappy rattly plastic bass you'd get out of $100 Altec-Lansings, but really, who wants that anyway?

Bren R.

You can't always find them, but you may want to try to find some older monsoon planar speakers. They're pretty decent little computer speakers. I picked up a pair with a small sub for under 100 about 4-5 years ago. Still work great.

I have a Monsoon speaker system for my old Dell PC. They are a great setup (subwoofer and planar speakers). I don't use them much anymore with having a new Apple iMac. I was thinking about trying them with my Roland drums just for fun.

I booted my "desktop" speakers and got an Onkyo desktop audio system. Plug the usb in and you get real speakers and nice looking stainless steel and black control unit with CD, etc, the plays nicely with Windows. Way better than the similarly priced PC speakers - of plastic and paper.

Actually, I have a set of the Monsoons on another computer. I definitely agree that they are head and shoulders above any mainstream multimedia speakers I've heard. My first thought was to find another set on Ebay, but there isn't anything listed right now that caught my eye. I think I'll keep watching for a while before I pull the trigger on something that I'll instantly regret.

I have an old pair of Koss Pro4A headphones gathering dust, so I might as well give them a try.

I was really hoping you guys would try to convince me to go for the Audiobytes. I'm a little disappointed!

Its all about protocal. Page one is for rational answers, page two for hijacks and at page three comes the wheedling, conniving and such.

Stick around. We'll get you into those Audiobytes yet.

Joe, my M22s are my "computer speakers". I'll second Charles(zimm)on this and suggest feeding the output from the USB port into a higher quality setup than the typical computer speaker represents. My computer is a basic Dell laptop and when I want to listen to quality sound on it, e.g., classical music stations, I simply bring the Dell over to my M22 setup and plug it in.

And I'll add to John's point, as running the REW software I found my internal sound card is not real accurate. The stuff (???) in my Onkyo desktop system is much better and sounds great.
Plus, I have a problem with speaker systems marketed as PC speakers costing as much as a decent system with CD/AM/FM/USB plus good little speakers. Perhaps the Axioms are worth it, but most are cheaply built by mouse and software companies, not speaker companies.

I definitely agree with your points. That's why I asked for advice, because I know PC speakers suck. Now you've got me thinking about buying a cheap AVR and using my spare M22s.

I can't wait until we get to page 2 when the peer pressure to go for the Audiobytes kicks in!

You have a spare set of M22s and are asking about computer speakers, shame on you I would most certainly be getting a inexpensive receiver and hooking those babies up.

The Audiobytes are excellent!

Now I just feel stupid! Actually, I don't have room at the computer for those big speakers and a receiver. I have a bad feeling that I'm gonna end up spending too much money...

I think this little job would be just what you need, small, quality, plug and play with computer and 22's:
Computer DAC/Amp

Or, look around the used sites or bargain places. I paid $150 for my Onkyo system on clearance from Crutchfield. You don't need much and I bet with some patience you could get a system to bypass your sound card and add 10-40 clean watts to your M22 for under $150, and have a great little setup.

(Note: I use mine 8 - 15 hours a day, so I'm a little particle to decent sound as I work.)

Don't be so hard on yourself. You're big enough to smoke!

Wow, I guess that belongs on the "what psych med are you" forum? One day they will invent a spell check that knows what I'm trying to say. I found the difference between offering to give a message v. a massage can cause some to be uncomfortable at later conferences.

Or I could read more closely...nah, work on that mind reading spell check.

You don't even need an AVR, especially if space is a concern.

I have one of these powering my M22's in our bedroom. Just RCA inputs, a volume knob, and outputs to the M22's.

While it can't provide house-party levels of volume, for normal listening volumes in an average sized room, the sound quality is incredible. In a PC setup, where you're sitting just a couple of feet from your M22's, the volume should be way more than ample.

And heck, you can even run the thing on 8 AA batteries - great for M22 tailgate parties. And you'd get to enjoy sexy class D amplification.

The only negative about it is that the build quality is about what you'd expect if you won it at a carnival. Super cheap feeling. But I've had mine for almost two years now and it's still working perfectly, and the sound quality is great.

I'd use one of these myself.

Hey! It's an Emotiva BPA-1!

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is.

I'm currently on the hunt for an old beater stereo amp for some bookshelf speakers in my garage. You would be think that would be easy to find but they are not, and the people in the local 'used' listings who have them seem to have delusions as to their worth.

I have a buddy who will build small tube amps for small sized speakers just for fun and more for show, but his price is high so he is not forced into serious production by his friends, thus removing the fun. I can inquire though if you want something unique looking.

Thanks guys. Both of those PE amps look very promising. The price of the Sonic Impact is very tempting, but the specs are a bit weak, especially the THD. Can using M22s make up for that?

I wouldn't count on it. The M22s are very much a GIGO speaker.

Wait a second. Emotiva, an amp company, just re-badges some amp made somewhere and sells it for more than Dayton? That aint right. I'm thinking of buying their amps. That is bad management my friends. Wow.

$10 more ain't too bad. And it's not like stuff like that doesn't happen all the time. Familiar with the Pontiac GTO?

Of course, a good counterargument is a Cadillac Escalade. Enjoy paying $20K more for your ugly grill.

Emotiva also offered a 5 year warranty and just before phasing them out had the price in the $129-$149 range.

Good point about the Escalade.