what are the best desktop speakers
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M$14 Answers
Sennheiser HD580/600 - An audiophile standard, they will walk all over probably anything you've ever heard. They're not cheap, and open, but circumaural, comfortable, and my 7 year old HD600s will not be going away any time soon. Sennheiser's other options range from good to crap, so don't assume "Sennheiser" means "awesome".
Beyerdynamic DT250-80 - Somewhat cheaper, closed so they block a bit of sound, they aren't as accurate, but offer a nice balance of comfort, price, and sound.
Beyerdynamic DT-880 - Probably some of the best closed headphones money can buy. Spending more gets you ridiculously minimal gains.
AKG is another company that makes great headphones, the k701 is a nice model.
In the world of crappy Logitech and Klipsch desktop computer speakers, your options tend to be relegated to little plastic boxes with little drivers in them. They can sound ok for light use by non-demanding people, but pale in comparison to some of the better options out there, which will tend to be more like bookshelf speakers.
Here's a nice compact set of computer speakers:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/audiobytecomputerspeakers.html
Here's a nice pair of speakers, which when paired with sub will produce very accurate sound through pretty much the full audio range:
http://nhthifi.com/current/products/pchifi/m00.html
It's also $900.
The previously linked Studiophile AV-40s linked by someone else are a very good option at a lower price. If you must have something cheap, as opposed to best, then they would be a good way to go. M-Audio has other options with prices that climb upwards, and one favorite of mine is Tannoy:
http://www.tannoy-speakers.com/s.php?product=17
You'll need a sound card with an SPDIF digital output for those, but they're damn fine speakers. As for their build, each weighs 18lbs or so, and they're pretty compact for 6.5" speakers.
If you really want the best, though, you could always run a digital output from your PC to an amplifier and then to these. (Yes, this is a joke)
http://www.higherfi.com/spkrlist/vonschweikert_vr11.jpg
You asked for the best, not for cheapie Best Buy stuff, but the bottom line is that once you get to this level, there are a bunch of very good options.
Avoid Bose. Their stuff isn't terrible, but it's very expensive for what it is. Amongst cheapie computer speaker brands, generally Klipsches are a bit better than the Logitech options, which tend to have worse enclosures, and in most of their sets that I've seen, you can't even turn the sub low enough for decent sound. If you want something that goes loud and thumps a bit, they're fine, though.
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M$They are on the expensive side (they start at $99 but jump to $249 and $399) but they sound amazing. If you have a Bose store nearby they are always on display and have a pretty cool demo you can test out.
The pair with the sub-woofer and the round remote (Companion 3) are cool and what I would buy if I had $250 to spend on computer speakers.
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M$
http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Computer%20Speakers:4168-Brand=Genius
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M$
M-Audio M Audio Studiophile AV40 Portable Desktop Speaker Pair
www.cnet.com, www.nextag.com
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M$
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M$
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M$
Loud enough for a 10x15 foot room with ample bass.
Logitech X-230
If your like your eardrums to hurt afterwards get these
Logitech Z5300
If you want hearing loss and are a bass enthusiast get these.
Logitech Z5500
I own all three of these speakers.
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M$http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/editorial/cebit2007-5/razer_mako_1.jpg
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M$
They are also expandable and MAC & Linux compatible.
http://www.palluxo.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/razer-mako-21-thx-speaker-system.jpg
@ willp1203
While I agree teff was everything you mentioned in your feedback, I was saddened that you had chosen teff as the best answer.
In the future just because someone has a long contextual response doesn't always mean they have the very BEST answer and as a matter of fact i believe either me or ginerc's response might have been better choices for a buy.
I'm not trying to be disengenous to your choice just a little dumb struck as to what your decision is going to be for a purchase. :o/
I studied your reply and learned a lot about these Razer Mako speakers. The stand apart because of the THX certification. These were new to me. Thank you much for bringing this to my attention.
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M$possibly my favorite desktop speakers ever, the m-audio studiophile av-40's have 1/4in TRS and RCA stereo inputs as well as a front panel 1/8th in aux in and headphone out. They also sound amazing, very accurate bass and clear highs. They are an investment, but I guarantee they will sound better and last longer than any of your average logitech, creative etc brand computer speakers.
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M$
Check them out at http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MA7A/
and at http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=747&ParentId=105
Roland Music
Sweetwater Sound
5 years of satisfaction
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
www.harmankardon.com
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M$I also have the Logitech z2300, which is 2.1. Again, the bass is great but not as good as the z5500s. These are good speakers too, that I bought for about 100 dollars less than the 5500s.
My favorite multimedia speakers of them all are the Logitech Cinema. They are 2.1. They have a really nice bass that is actually proportional to the music, the clarity is also better the z5500 and z2300s. I love these speakers. It came with a remote (really useful) and they look the best by far. I'm not a logitech fanboy, but they make excellent sounding speakers.
In short, z5500s for the big boom.
Cinemas for clarity.
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M$
Thank you for your valuable time and thoughtful reply. After much consideration, I may try the M-Audio product(s).