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brassguy
2006-11-05, 21:41
Hey I'm a college student living in a dorm room.
I've decided I need to get good speakers to hook up to my MBP and maybe to my TV when I'm using that. i want speakers mostly for my music, also for watching movies on my computer.

Is there a 5.1 or surround sound card or whatever already in my MBP? Will sound come out of all 5 speakers if i get surround sound system?

The highest I'm willing to spend is approx $100. If it is just a little bit more than that, that would be ok too.

Suggestions are very welcomed. These are some which I have been looking at.
Which is more cost-effective, better sounding in general, works best with the MBP, etc.

JBL Creature II approx - 2 speakers and a subwoofer $65 (the diff colors cost diff amounts) http://www.amazon.com/Creature-Powered-3-Piece-Multimedia-Speaker/dp/B0006U6GH0/sr=8-2/qid=1162780280/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-0253423-2877638?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

Or Logitech X-530 5.1 5-PieceSystem with Subwoofer Speaker $47ish http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002WPSCG/ref=pd_cp_e_title/002-0253423-2877638

or Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System $65 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SQ2NO/ref=pd_cp_e_title/002-0253423-2877638

Why such a difference in prices? Which will sound better in my dorm room? Will i get the surround sound/5.1 effect when hooked up to my computer?

Koodari
2006-11-05, 22:03
Don't even consider surround when you are going with $100. Concentrate on finding two active speakers that sound good.

I am researching various solutions for myself right now and one that stands out for bang-for-buck music listening is Acoustic Energy Aego M. It's a 2.1 system whose predecessor was close to getting the "best budget component" award in 2001 from stereophile.com. It cost $600 at the time. The lowest price I have seen for the new version is 150e shipped. No idea about US prices, but usually your prices are a bit lower so $150 is plausible.

Windowsrookie
2006-11-05, 22:45
Spending under $100 on a 5.1 setup would be worthless anyways.

I'd go for the Klipsch ProMedia 2.0's.

brassguy
2006-11-05, 23:58
why would spending under $100 for a 5.1 set-up be worthless? Amazon has several 5.1 surround sound set-ups for under $100. And most of them all have very good reviews.

If a 5.1 system for under $100 is no good I guess I'll go for the JBLs?

FilmProf
2006-11-06, 01:59
These
http://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-VS4121-Computer-Speaker/dp/B0000C20XD/sr=8-1/qid=1162796283/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7154779-2214537?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

do a nice job in my 12 X 14 office. Great bass response. It bothers others in the house, even on low.

intlplby
2006-11-06, 02:10
Best Buy apparently sells some really decent two-way speakers for like $50... i forget the model... i read about them on either www.stevehoffman.tv or www.head-fi.org


here's the thread:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=184546

Yonzie
2006-11-06, 02:53
I had the original JBL Creatures and, seriously, they suck. They sounded fantastic in the store though...

The MBP only has stereo output in the analog jack, so in order to get more than stereo, the speakers must support an optical digital input or you must get an external sound card.

If at all possible, get real stereo speakers. The crap sold for computer use just pales in comparison.

Sketch
2006-11-06, 16:11
Buy Logitech Z-3i (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-3-Piece-Speaker-System-Silver/dp/B0002GRU1Y/sr=11-1/qid=1162847333/ref=sr_11_1/102-5906545-3295333) or Logitech Z-2300 (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-THX-Certified-200-Watt-Speaker-System/dp/B0002SQ2P2/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b/102-5906545-3295333). Awesome speakers

Fahrenheit
2006-11-06, 16:25
I have the Creative T3000's- Brilliant Sound, vibrant bass, good price, money left over. :)

FFL
2006-11-06, 16:34
I'd go for the Klipsch ProMedia 2.0's.

Absolutely.

By FAR the best sound you can get out of a pair of inexpensive self-amplified speakers. I have a friend who uses them for his screen porch TV/DVD theater room and they are still going strong 2+ years later.

World Leader Pretend
2006-11-06, 20:18
If you really want good 5.1 self-powered speakers for a dorm, save up for the Logitech z5500 system. I have this and I really can't see a better choice for a noisy dorm. It goes much louder than anything I've heard for $250, but you can actually listen to it a high volumes without too much strain. The sub is huge, and it has lots of connection inputs.

Although it is more money than you wanted to spend. ;) Seriously though, if you want good hi-fi sound you'll have to invest in a pre-amp and some real speakers, self-powered speakers always seem to disappoint.

Ichiban_jay
2006-11-06, 20:53
boo, you guys just keep making me buy stuff... I just bought a set of Klipsch ProMedia GMX A-2.1 to replace my Logitech Z-3i. Perhaps these speakers will sound as good as my brother's Altec Lansing FX-6021's but probably not.

After listening to my brother's speakers, they really make my logitech z-3i's sound mushy in the clarity department... :(