would you suggest a 2.0 speaker set?

[Matt3o]

I'm looking for a 2.0 speaker set to place on my desktop. I don't have a lot of space so ideally the speakers shouldn't be too big and possibly not too ugly What would be your suggestions?

thanks geekhackers!

[BoxWithADot]

I have some logitech z313 speakers (they're 2.1, they have a subwoofer) and they work fine for me. They're relatively small, and the subwoofer isn't terribly large either, it just sits below my desk. They're also pretty cheap ($50 I think). I'm sure the audiophiles of geekhack will have better suggestions, but for watching movies and listening to music while I code/study they're perfectly adequate haha.

[csm725]

Do you have space for something like the M-Audio AV40?

[Matt3o]

I have some logitech z313 speakers (they're 2.1, they have a subwoofer)

yeah, I might consider a 2.1... just have to find a place for the sub.

Do you have space for something like the M-Audio AV40?

unfortunately not.

I was looking at the Bose Companion, but they say they are overpriced for the quality

[csm725]

They are VERY overpriced.
Can we have a pic of your setup to see what kind of speakers would fit?
Thanks.

[Matt3o]

oh gosh, desktop is a mess right now

basically I don't have room for speakers that are too wide, but I could place anything tall and narrow (such as Creative GigaWorks T40 or T20 http://us.store.creative.com/Creative-GigaWorks-T40-Series-II-Speakers/M/B001S14DYO.htm ). The alternative would be to find a nice 2.1 set and put the subwoofer somewhere under the desktop, I had a couple of them but they tend to be bass-monsters but overall sound quality is not that good especially at low volume. I'm just looking for a clean/nice sound, I don't need high volume and ultra-bass.

thanks for your help

[csm725]

The Corsair SP2200/SP2500 are good. May be overpriced in Europe though.

[Matt3o]

Do you have space for something like the M-Audio AV40?

I double checked the speakers size, they are not actually that big, they seemed bigger on photo. I can probably fit them and they are reasonably priced. Thanks!

[PointyFox]

USB speakers...They must have a DAC/amplifier built-in.  I wouldn't imagine they sound too good.

[csm725]

The AV40s aren't USB...?
They are self powered, but they still need a DAC (which would optimally be a sound card).
Their amp is more than adequate.

[phetto]

I had D'feldt audio engine 5, best pc speakers I've owned, before that I had the Harman Kardon Soundsticks II, both are very good speakers and in different price ranges.
The ones I first mentioned is obviously better, one of the best speakers you can buy. - If you dont buy regular speakers and dac. But the HK plays well too.

Go to a local store and listen! :-D

Today I own a basic speaker kit, 2.1 $50-ish, since I use HDMI to my hometheatre speakers, which works better for me.

[Quarzac]

If you're looking for cost-effective, I had a pair of Logitech R10s that I got for $15 that actually sounded surprisingly good.

[Matt3o]

It's surprising that there aren't actually "medium level" pc speakers. I mean you can get a logitech set for $15 or audioengine for $300... where's the middle ground?

[ekw808]

Audio Engine 2 for 200, or klipsch 2.1s for around 100

[phetto]

Eh, I just figured that you needed a high-end solution for the maximum Eros Ramazzotti-experience

[Matt3o]

that's definitely not the music I like...

[phetto]

Joking mate. But seriously, there isnt much in between those price ranges, you should probably aim for something like Creative Gigaworks t20 or t40.

[thegunner100]

You can try to find a used logitech z2300. The sub is huge, but the satellites are pretty small.

[AKIMbO]

Check out the Swan M10 computer speakers. 

[Matt3o]

lovely!

[mars-bar-man]

Creative T20/T40's? I've got the T20's and they're brilliant! Can't see myself getting any others really, I'm not a massive audiophile so they do just fine.

[JaccoW]

I have the T40's and they sound quite good. Sure, they do not pump out as much bass as the €300,- Onkyo 5.1 receiver + speaker combo set I have back home, but It is still enough, especially after you burn them in after a few hours of use.
I have now been using them for 2 weeks, listening music for around 3-6 hours a day and I noticed the sound has gotten a lot fuller and the bass has gotten stronger. I even had to turn them back down a little bit.

One reason for me to get the T40's over the T20's is the stands. While the T40's are higher, the screw-on stand makes them very stable. I have to push the top 10cm to the side to go over it's center of gravity. Otherwise it will just bounce back to it's original position. The only way to knock them over is to flip the table.

At first I thought I would use them without the grills, but I kind of like the understated look standing right next to my 13inch laptop.
I am studying abroad, so my current appartment has only a 1x1m desk. Maybe I can make some pictures later this week, but I will have to upload them later.

[jpm804]

Check out the Swan M10 computer speakers. 

^^^ I have them and love them much better than a 5.1 setup... They dont take up much space and they also look & sound great.

[tjcaustin]

Pricey, but awesome - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_091XSBOOK/Focal-XS-Book-Music-System.html?tp=252
Good, too - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_807LESMS/Audyssey-Lower-East-Side-Media-Speakers.html?tp=252#customer-reviews-tab

I'm using the XS Books myself right now and am a huge fan.  Of course, I like focal's line up in general...

I also have a pair of MAudio AV40s that I always forget I own for some reason.  They're ok, good for the price but the range is a little dicey and they like to crackle on the high end.  I'd still sell them to you if you'd like for $100 plus shipping, though. But it'd be international, soooo yeah.

[Matt3o]

^^^ I have them and love them much better than a 5.1 setup... They dont take up much space and they also look & sound great.

I've read a couple of reviews, they say sound is good but one of the front speakers hisses. can you confirm? that scares me a little

Good, too - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_807LESMS/Audyssey-Lower-East-Side-Media-Speakers.html?tp=252#customer-reviews-tab

these are awesome! I believe I might have found the right ones!

I'd still sell them to you if you'd like for $100 plus shipping, though. But it'd be international, soooo yeah.

thanks, but as you said international shipping sucks. I can find the AV40 for €130, so not really expensive.

[jpm804]

^^^ I have them and love them much better than a 5.1 setup... They dont take up much space and they also look & sound great.

I've read a couple of reviews, they say sound is good but one of the front speakers hisses. can you confirm? that scares me a little

I've had them for about 3-4 years now and never heard any hissing... not sure how much they go for now but I got mine for $90 which I thought was a good deal.

[Matt3o]

great deal I'd say! I can find them for €120

[suprsmo]

Audio Engine 2 for 200, or klipsch 2.1s for around 100

^^ Bought a pair of these to replace my aging and subpar logi 5.1 system..

Absolutely love them

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_602&products_id=12299

Also got the stands that these guys sell as well.. and they made a decent difference.. even just to lift the sound to your ears..

[DarkShot]

Audio Engine 2 for 200, or klipsch 2.1s for around 100

^^ Bought a pair of these to replace my aging and subpar logi 5.1 system..

Absolutely love them

I can also attest to Audioengine speakers. I've got the A5s which are the A2's larger sibling. They sound great and the fact that the amplifier is built in was why I wanted them.

If you really want 2.1 set than the Swan M10s are also supposed to be fantastic for computer speakers.

If you can honestly put the money towards them, do so. It'll definitly be worth it in the end especially if you spend hours at your desk and don't use headphones.