Recommend new computer speakers

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Recommend new computer speakers

timmmay

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#257198 20-Sep-2019 08:36

I currently have AudioEngine 2 speakers. They're maybe 10 years old, similar to the current A2+ model, but with less features.

I'd like to replace them, mostly because one speaker is significantly louder than the other, especially when the volume is low. I can balance it when I play from my computer, usually, but my phone can't, and I play from my phone fairly often as it's easier - can't stream from my work laptop.

Features required:

Fairly compact - max probably 20cm high
No sub (don't really want to take up the space)
Plugs into standard headphone socket - I don't need USB / RCA / anything else, but doesn't matter if it has them
Black, decent looking
Prefer front volume control - A2's have them on the back which is really annoying.
Should sit on my wooden desk, not wall hung
Budget probably around $200

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#2322677 22-Sep-2019 14:51

I have some Edifier R1280s. Mine dont have bluetooth but latest ones do. Cost me about 130. Sound great. I have a echo dot and chromecast audio connected so I can cast music to them from wherever. Great value for money.

timmmay

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#2322743 22-Sep-2019 16:51

Thanks @prob, nice option :) I had some Edifier speakers a while back, a 5.1 system that was great but too large, so I sold it. Looks like Edifier have a really good range of speakers, I'll look at the range and read up on some reviews. 1280RT is $150 from PBTech, but they have other I'll look at too.

prob

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#2322766 22-Sep-2019 17:13

The non bluetooth ones are 119 from the warehouse.

timmmay

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#2322825 22-Sep-2019 18:34

Nice, thanks. The R1700 are on special as well, they'd match my desk. I'll read some reviews. Surprised The Warehouse has a brand that's actually fairly reputable.

mm1352000

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#2322842 22-Sep-2019 18:57

I'm a part time audio engineer. Honestly, my general experience with computer speakers hasn't been great. I'd respectfully suggest:

Consider increasing your budget a little. Computer speakers are often kept when computers are upgraded, and so investing a little bit more for long term satisfaction is something I'd encourage you to think about.
Consider looking wider than computer speaker products. You can get similar products in the "bookshelf" and "studio monitor" product categories, and it may be easier to get access to listen-before-purchase in those markets.

For example, if you look at the studio monitor market, you can get these for $200:

https://www.rockshop.co.nz/shop/recording/studio-monitors/m-audio-av32-studiophile-compact-desktop-speaker-system.html

I haven't got them myself so can't recommend... but the point is that with the Rockshop being a nationwide brand, you stand a good chance of being able to listen before buying, and obviously Rockshop will have a range of more expensive products should you decide to spend a little more.

I'll be interested to know what you settle on.

timmmay

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#2322846 22-Sep-2019 19:01

Studio monitors usually are for accuracy, I just want music to sound pretty good out of a fairly small set of speakers. Doesn't have to be audiophile, source is my phone most of the time and Spotify / Amazon Music, I have very nice headphones if I want music to sound great. Good advice though thanks mm.

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timmmay

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#2322885 22-Sep-2019 20:15

@prob I've read up on those Edifier 1280s, they're meant to be better than the AudioEngine speakers even though they're cheaper, maybe because they're larger. I'll go see if the local warehouse has any out on display. I might go for the "DB" version that has Bluetooth, much more convenient for playing music from my phone than plugging them in. Bluetooth has always sounded worse than plugging speakers in to me, but maybe that's because I have only tried the car and some cheap bluetooth headphones.

Sideface

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#2322921 22-Sep-2019 21:02

timmmay:

I currently have AudioEngine 2 speakers. They're maybe 10 years old, similar to the current A2+ model, but with less features.

[disclosure - I am a high end hi-fi geek]

I am the proud owner of three pairs of Audioengine speakers, and I love them all:

A2 (no DAC) for one PC - works perfectly after 10 years

A2+ (with DAC) for another PC

A5+ for my TV

... and a ludicrously expensive living-room system costing more than a new car, that I rarely listen to.

Audioengine make excellent near-field speakers. 🙂

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timmmay

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#2322947 22-Sep-2019 21:06

Sideface:

I am the proud owner of three pairs of Audioengine speakers, and I love them all:

A2 (no DAC) for one PC - works perfectly after 10 years

A2+ (with DAC) for another PC

A5 for my TV

... and a ludicrously expensive living-room system costing more than a new car, that I rarely listen to.

Audioengine make excellent near-field speakers. 🙂

I like the AudioEngine speakers ok, but one speaker now being about 40% louder than the other is really annoying, and the back volume control is mental. Just for the computer it's ok, but listening from a phone when I'm using a work laptop it's a pain.

I wonder if anything could be done to fix them. I have no idea what the problem is.

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#2322948 22-Sep-2019 21:14

timmmay:

I like the AudioEngine speakers ok, but one speaker now being about 40% louder than the other is really annoying, and the back volume control is mental. Just for the computer it's ok, but listening from a phone when I'm using a work laptop it's a pain.

I wonder if anything could be done to fix them. I have no idea what the problem is.

You use A2s with a phone? Maybe the phone is the problem. Are they balanced when you use them with a PC?

I don't mind the volume control at the back.

The Audioengine A5+ has volume controls at the front, but costs almost $700 (worth it!).

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timmmay

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#2322951 22-Sep-2019 21:19

Sideface:

You use A2s with a phone? Maybe the phone is the problem. Are they balanced when you use them with a PC?

I don't mind the volume control at the back.

The Audioengine A5+ has volume controls at the front, but costs almost $700 (worth it!).

It's not the phone - the speakers aren't balanced with any source. With the computer I can adjust the balance in Windows control panel so they don't sound too bad, but I have to change the balance as the volume changes as otherwise they become unbalanced.

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jonathan18

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#2324035 24-Sep-2019 15:06

On another thread I've ended up asking a question that relates to content covered here - I'm looking for advice on and suggestions for a pair of active speakers suitable for (and capable of suitably filling) a moderately-sized bedroom.

There are some useful posts here, and I wondered if anyone who's read this thread, including @mm1352000 and @Sideface, may have specific advice to offer in response to my questions here:

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=257258&page_no=2#2324033

Thanks!

JaseNZ

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#2324080 24-Sep-2019 17:16

I tried something a little different that worked out really well for me. When I upgraded our TV I took the 2.1 channel LG sound bar we had and used that as my new desktop speaker, Really decent sound has bluetooth in if I need it even has remote control lol. Fits in perfect at back of desk behind everything.

Just thought it was worth a mention.

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#2324147 24-Sep-2019 18:22

The Audioengine A2+ or A5+ will fill a bedroom with good quality sound - at a price.

Audioengine A2+BT Wireless Speakers - Satin Black $450

Audioengine A5+ Bluetooth Speakers - Black $880

The A5+ is significantly bigger - almost 4 times the volume of the A2+ - and sounds better - as it should, at almost twice the price.

I would suggest the A2+.

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timmmay

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#2324164 24-Sep-2019 18:59

JaseNZ:

I tried something a little different that worked out really well for me. When I upgraded our TV I took the 2.1 channel LG sound bar we had and used that as my new desktop speaker, Really decent sound has bluetooth in if I need it even has remote control lol. Fits in perfect at back of desk behind everything.

Thanks for the offer, but I couldn't take your sound bar ;)

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