Topic: Multimedia 2.0 Speakers

[gren]

Okay, before someone throws a subwoofer at me for bringing up the dreaded M word in a high-fi forum, hear me out first :>

I'm looking for a pair of decent active/powered 2 channel bookshelf/desktop speakers, for use with either my PC (listening to music) or the Ipod.  I've been using the Edifier mp210, which are good in their way being accurate, but I'm hoping for a bit more bass.  Not your thumping bass, mind you, as I'm planning to use this in the office aside from placing a premium on accuracy over heart pounding beats.

So far, I've seen the following in the local market:

Klipsch Ultra 2.0 - at 6k they produce decent bass, but I"m not too happy with the highs.  Build is plasticky; reading Amazon comments presents you with a lot of quality control issues.  So-so choice.

Bose 2 channel thing - I didn't really bother with the model number, I just gave them a listen (a measure of my desperation).  They're not bad, actually, with bass enough and nice highs.  Not sure what to make of their mids though (something I associate with Klipsches since I like the sound of their mids).  For 7k, they look and feel nice, but my money would be on the Klipsch.

M-Audio DX4 - My god, this is where its at; some review mentioned that they're more purpose built bookshelfs (self powered and appropriate input to boot).  They're good, really good.  Unfortunately, they're selling for 13k (at powermac), whereas they're being sold for 140 USD in amazon; I cannot justify paying powermac through the teeth, so to speak, especially given their insane markup.  Oh, the 'near field monitors' are ginormous, at 14 lbs a pop

Behringer MS 20 - These sounded pretty good, competitive with the DX4s.  They're also relatively cheap, given the package.  Imaging and highs are good, and bass is decent.  They're almost as big as the DX4, but lighter.  Build is MDF (same as DX4, too) and you can even have digital input (both coax and optical) played alongside your analogue input (RCA), at least, that's how I read the literature.  I want to have a look at the MS 40 (8k+), which boasts a bigger woofer (120mm I think, vs 100mm, tweeter for both is at 65mm), before I set my heart on any of the speakers from this line (there's a smaller MS 16, which has a plastic body and no digital input).

Are there any other decent 2.0 systems out there?

[barrister]

On my PC, I prefer the more natural sound of 2.0 speakers rather than a 2.1 setup.

Does anybody know where I can get the Creative GigaWorks T20?

[vinci]

On my PC, I prefer the more natural sound of 2.0 speakers rather than a 2.1 setup.

Does anybody know where I can get the Creative GigaWorks T20?

hi.  i think villman carry this product at a whopping price.

http://www.villman.com/Product-Detail/GigaWorks_T20

[Huddaf]

On my PC, I prefer the more natural sound of 2.0 speakers rather than a 2.1 setup.

Does anybody know where I can get the Creative GigaWorks T20?

Ang mahal pala nito. 

[dts-HD 3D]

hi.  i think villman carry this product at a whopping price.

http://www.villman.com/Product-Detail/GigaWorks_T20

Updated ba price ng Villman? Mataas sa kanila . . . 3,580 lang sa PCX:

http://www.pcx.com.ph/pcx/

Kung meron si Techjunction, malamang mas mura pa sa kanila . . . libreng plugging.

might get this one also.

[barrister]

hi.  i think villman carry this product at a whopping price.

http://www.villman.com/Product-Detail/GigaWorks_T20

Price is too high; could be the old introductory price.  At any rate, Villman's prices are no longer competitive these days.



I just got my Creative Gigaworks T20 Series II.  I had to wait a few days kasi order basis lang.  Mahina daw benta ng good quality 2.0; most customers want a 2.1 system.



I ordered the T20, but they gave me a T20 Series II. 

Ayos naman.  Mas maganda pa nga ito.  Gloss Black, mas bagay sa Samsung LCD monitor ko.  And the formerly too-bright blue pilot light is now dimmer. 

I think it sounds great, but I don't know if I'm qualified to say so.  That's because this is the first time I bought a speaker costing over ₱500 for any of my PCs ; baka nasanay lang ako sa tunog-lata na PC speakers.  Hindi kasi ako interesado sa mga 2.1 na naririnig ko sa mga demo sa malls, nakakabuwisit kasi ang tunog ng subwoofer nila

I've recently taken an interest in internet radio, so I needed a speaker upgrade.  And my T20 Series II is a pleasure to use for the purpose.


Manufacturer's site:

http://ph.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=789&product=18020&listby=



T20 Series I positive reviews:

These are by far some of the best speakers we've had a chance to test and not only do they perform well, but they don't cost half the earth either. If you're looking for a sleek new set of speakers to go with your rig, then the Gigaworks T20 2.0 speakers should definitely be at the top of your list, especially if cost is an issue.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/05/15/creative_gigaworks_t20_speakers/1


Mids and highs on the T20 system are very accurate considering their price and form factor, and at high volume the system can dominate other kits that become muddled with distortion and overbearing and inaccurate bass. http://gear.ign.com/articles/700/700749p1.html


I can't find any professional reviews for the Series II, probably because it's a new release.  At any rate, the Series II is nearly identical to the Series I anyway, except for the gloss black color and the blue pilot light.

[dts-HD 3D]

Hindi kasi ako interesado sa mga 2.1 na naririnig ko sa mga demo sa malls, nakakabuwisit kasi ang tunog ng subwoofer nila 

buti pa sila masaya na sa ganung tunog. I tried the 5.1 speakers only to find out it has no use for me aside fr. gaming, they just add clutter on the table.

hmm T20 Series II . . . black . . . nice.

sir barrister, sent u PM.

[barrister]

May reply na sir.

[dts-HD 3D]

got it sir. tnx

[odyopayl]

I frequently travel, I'm using this on my laptop:
Good quality (build), very handy (luggage friendly), acceptable SQ and elegant! but pricey



My everyday speakers for my i-touch and desktop speakers:
I want a descent speakers compact for my desktop computer as well as to handle MP3



I like them because of simple look no Subs but with incredibly bass and most of all  no fancy style

[raptor]

I frequently travel, I'm using this on my laptop:
Good quality (build), very handy (luggage friendly), acceptable SQ and elegant! but pricey



My everyday speakers for my i-touch and desktop speakers:
I want a descent speakers compact for my desktop computer as well as to handle MP3



I like them because of simple look no Subs but with incredibly bass and most of all  no fancy style

Sir,

We have the same set of speakers ... both are highly recommended ...I can say that it is difficult to find a better sounding speaker than the Companion 2, a little bit pricey nga lang especially if bought locally (more than 7k sa mga local stores - got mine in the US, $99 lang at the time na less than PhP 40 to $1 ang conversion) - if interested, there's one seller in the marketplace, selling brand new at 5k only.

I also got the more expensive Bose Computer Music Monitor - the smaller speaker (first picture) ... they sound a lot better, but for the price I would recommend the Bose Companion 5 (2.1 with simulated surround) ... only reason I bought is portability.

[barrister]

I notice that with multimedia 2.0 speakers, the ones with shallow cabinets sound bad. 

But whenever the enclosure is deep, the speakers usually sound good, even with single full-range drivers.

[odyopayl]

Sir,

We have the same set of speakers ... both are highly recommended ...I can say that it is difficult to find a better sounding speaker than the Companion 2, a little bit pricey nga lang especially if both locally (more than 7k sa mga local stores - got mine in the US, $99 lang at the time na less than PhP 40 to $1 ang conversion) - if interested, there's one seller in the marketplace, selling brand new at 5k only.

I also got the more expensive Bose Computer Music Monitor - the smaller speaker (first picture) ... they sound a lot better, but for the price I would recommend the Bose Companion 5 (2.1 with simulated surround) ... only reason I bought is portability.

Raptor thanks. I got mine in U.S. too. The good thing about Fry's or Best Buy you can test all the multi media speakers before you decide to buy.

[raptor]

I notice that with multimedia 2.0 speakers, the ones with shallow cabinets sound bad. 

But whenever the enclosure is deep, the speakers usually sound good, even with single full-range drivers.

Sir,

Try to audition the Bose Companion series speakers ... they have demo setups on Bose shops, Ansons, and some Abenson shops ... I assure you that the sound quality is really impressive - a lot different from other high-end models of Klipsch, Altec, Creative, JBL, and Logitech.

A lot of audiophiles in the forum do not like Bose, but in terms of computer speakers, the Companion series really stands-out ... the Companion 2 (2.0 speakers) would definitely impress you ...price is at par with other high-end models from other brands

[barrister]

Thanks for the recommendation.  I'll give them a listen at the malls.  I hope they're not too expensive.

The speaker I really like is the Edifier.  Better than Altec, Logitech and Creative.  But Edifier is hard to find; not much support for the Philipppine market. 

[barrister]

My latest:  CREATIVE Inspire T10



P2,100 from Greenhills V-Mall.  For the price, the Inspire T10 sounds good and has a solid look and feel.

My Creative Gigaworks sounds much better, but it costs almost twice as much as this model.

[raptor]

Sir,

Just in case your next project is a 2.1 multi-media speaker, here's a link to a shootout of the main contenders in this area - http://www.hardwarezone.com.ph/articles/view.php?cid=9&id=2814

It's a good read