Desktop Speakers

[yester64]

Hi, i was looking into buying the Bose Companion 2 Series II speakers but i would like to see if anyone owns them. Since its Bose it should be good.
I just need some good speakers that i can hook up to the computer. So not really cheap that it sound crap but also not too expensive.
Anyway, i tried the demo in the store and it sounded good. But then again maybe there are other choices out there. Right now i use my clockradio for sound. Its a Boston Acoustics (mono). Still not a bad sound but well... mono.

[AKIMbO]

Audioengine A2...just got a pair in white and love them.

[Photekq]

Whenever people ask for desktop speakers I will always, always recommend they buy some vintage bookshelf speakers and a vintage amp. The 80s is probably the best period since the stuff, if looked after properly, will still last a long time and the prices are still good.

You can pick up 80s gear that sold for $500-1000 for around $100, and since speaker/amp technology hasn't changed much you aren't missing out on anything. 80s $500 gear is just as good as today's $500 gear.

Check ebay or thrift stores - look for speakers and amps that you like the look of and then research them a little. See what other people have bought/sold them for and see what people think of them.

[yester64]

Hey, thanks for the tips... i like both. I will see whats available around me and the Audioengine looks nice too. Quite professional actually.
It does give me ideas. Glad that i asked.

[thegunner100]

Audioengine A2...just got a pair in white and love them.

I second that. The A2s blow the bose companion 2 series II out of the water. It's hard to beat the A2s when it comes to budget speakers. They also somewhat scale if you have a preamp or DAC to go with it.

[ekw808]

+3 I highly recommend A2s for budget speakers, they sound great and are pretty small for what they can produce.

[esoomenona]

How small are they actually? Does someone have a picture next to something for reference? An iPod Classic, if you do. I was reading they're small, and wondered how portable they might be.

[noisyturtle]

Yeah the A2's are great, also look into the NHT SuperZero 2.0. Very excellent speakers for $99. If desktop space is at a premium on your setup I would highly recommend the Soundscience Rockus 3d, I've been using them for almost 2 years and they compare to many other more expensive larger speakers. That and the sub is a total monster for it's size, I have to keep it turned all the way down or it shakes my entire buildings floor.

[Zustiur]

I can also recommend the A2 speakers.

[Hak Foo]

Whenever people ask for desktop speakers I will always, always recommend they buy some vintage bookshelf speakers and a vintage amp. The 80s is probably the best period since the stuff, if looked after properly, will still last a long time and the prices are still good.

Agreed.

In my case, I have a mid-90s Pioneer reciever; paid $16 almost a decade ago, and some new (but $50) Polk  bookshelf speakers I was gifted that are wall-mounted.  There's plenty of sound, none of the clumsy "computer speaker" compromises, like a volume controller mounted on a satellite you can't reach.

[Photekq]

Whenever people ask for desktop speakers I will always, always recommend they buy some vintage bookshelf speakers and a vintage amp. The 80s is probably the best period since the stuff, if looked after properly, will still last a long time and the prices are still good.

Agreed.

In my case, I have a mid-90s Pioneer reciever; paid $16 almost a decade ago, and some new (but $50) Polk  bookshelf speakers I was gifted that are wall-mounted.  There's plenty of sound, none of the clumsy "computer speaker" compromises, like a volume controller mounted on a satellite you can't reach.

Exactly. That's why I always recommend vintage over A2s.

[yester64]

Well that is true, but space limits me since i can not place a big or bigger speaker anywhere. It is, however, the cheaper option depending whats available.

One of the next things i will get, is a soundbar for my tv. I used to have (long time ago) a surround sound system with Onkyo receiver and speakers. Today i just go for simple solution.

[Amarok]

I have the Bose Companion 2 Series and I really like them. I'm not exactly an audiophile, and I know a lot of them hate Bose. But I got them on sale for $75 bucks and I'm really happy with them.

[Tarzan]

I used to have some vintage KEF speakers, used them as desktop units.  Amazingly balanced sound, very neutral, not the uber-bass heavy sound too many modern desk speakers have. 

Got them at a vintage audio store in Portland, I think they were $100 for the pair.

[swagpiratex]

I have Infinity Primus 153's connected to a Sony Receiver. They be bumpin'.

Photekq's rec is legit, however, you have to keep in mind that these speakers are like 20-30 years old. I tried salvaging the speakers my dad were going to throw away, but they had the ugliest braapppp's when bass got a little low.

[IPT]

btw BJ's sells the companion 2s for $70.00 just fyi
they're adequate, not the best, not the loudest, but ok.

not $100.00 ok, maybe $50ish? lol

I use Creative T40 II, but thats because i got them for $50.00 and i have space constraints on my desk.

[realex]

if you wanna go 2.1 i can recommend the edifier c2x in the lower price segment. they sound really impressive considering they are only around 100$.

[yester64]

btw BJ's sells the companion 2s for $70.00 just fyi
they're adequate, not the best, not the loudest, but ok.

not $100.00 ok, maybe $50ish? lol

I use Creative T40 II, but thats because i got them for $50.00 and i have space constraints on my desk.

Seems like you need to be member. But i scratched the Bose already off anyway. Still, thanks for the price. Not bad really pricewise.

[yester64]

if you wanna go 2.1 i can recommend the edifier c2x in the lower price segment. they sound really impressive considering they are only around 100$.

Seems to be not really available here in the US. Checked on amazon.

[yester64]

Ok, since i can not have currently a receiver (my space is tight) i opted for the Audioengine A2 speakers. Got to say, not bad. I think that these speakers will benefit from a sub-woofer since they are not that bass centric.
The good for me is, that i got them discounted so did not pay the complete price.

I wish i had room to actually have a receiver. But that would be really difficult currently. Tight space. Once i move to a different place i will get me anyway a receiver with some good speakers.

Like to thank everyone for giving me tips and input.

[Photekq]

Photekq's rec is legit, however, you have to keep in mind that these speakers are like 20-30 years old. I tried salvaging the speakers my dad were going to throw away, but they had the ugliest braapppp's when bass got a little low.

There is a little luck involved when buying vintage stuff. I made a blind buy over ebay without ever seeing the speakers in person. Luckily mine work perfectly and were really well looked after.

Glad to hear you got what you were looking for OP.

[thegunner100]

Ok, since i can not have currently a receiver (my space is tight) i opted for the Audioengine A2 speakers. Got to say, not bad. I think that these speakers will benefit from a sub-woofer since they are not that bass centric.
The good for me is, that i got them discounted so did not pay the complete price.

I wish i had room to actually have a receiver. But that would be really difficult currently. Tight space. Once i move to a different place i will get me anyway a receiver with some good speakers.

Like to thank everyone for giving me tips and input.

Try to raise the A2s off of your desk using a stand or something. At the very least, raise the front so that the tweeters are aimed towards your ears. That should make a difference in how it sounds. Audioengine sells stands but they're kinda expensive, so i'd recommend making your own. And how much did you get yours for? I got my pair from the first massdrop groupbuy for $144 shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-DS1-Desktop-Stand-Pair/dp/B002ATK2OS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367074763&sr=8-1&keywords=audioengine+stand

[yester64]

Ok, since i can not have currently a receiver (my space is tight) i opted for the Audioengine A2 speakers. Got to say, not bad. I think that these speakers will benefit from a sub-woofer since they are not that bass centric.
The good for me is, that i got them discounted so did not pay the complete price.

I wish i had room to actually have a receiver. But that would be really difficult currently. Tight space. Once i move to a different place i will get me anyway a receiver with some good speakers.

Like to thank everyone for giving me tips and input.

Try to raise the A2s off of your desk using a stand or something. At the very least, raise the front so that the tweeters are aimed towards your ears. That should make a difference in how it sounds. Audioengine sells stands but they're kinda expensive, so i'd recommend making your own. And how much did you get yours for? I got my pair from the first massdrop groupbuy for $144 shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-DS1-Desktop-Stand-Pair/dp/B002ATK2OS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367074763&sr=8-1&keywords=audioengine+stand

I payed $137 with giftcards which i get on a regular basis So pricewise it worked for me. Yes, to lift them up is what you need to do it think. They are pretty good and have a nice sound.
Still i may get me a subwoofer later on just to get a nice bass as well. I still like my boston accoustic radio. Does have a lot of boom but they don't sell computer speakers so i would end up to have to buy a receiver as well which makes it again more huge in regards of space.