Computer or Bookshelf Speakers?

Funky_Junk · 09-18-2006, 10:52 PM

Hi, im looking to buy a new speaker system for my computer. Right now I have it narrowed down to two choices: one a set of computer speakers, the other a set of bookshelf speakers. (Lets assume they both cost the same amount) which would be better for listening to music (classical rock i.e. beatles, rolling stones) with some ocassional video gaming?

Heres the choices:

http://www.jbl.com/home/products/pro...at=NRE&ser=NRE

and

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...CONTENTID=9372

Thanks.

*Im only concerned about sound quality, not loudness. My computer workspace is only about 15x15 feet.*

kidchoked · 09-18-2006, 11:23 PM

Those JBL's look way better in style and performance.

skeeder · 09-18-2006, 11:28 PM

I could try to convince you to get a decent pair of headphones.

but pc speakers will never sound as good. I have a pair of soundland SL-160's that are good speakers quality wise for pc speakers, but my B&W's blow them away. The problem with box speakers you need a reciever.

Funky_Junk · 09-18-2006, 11:34 PM

you need a reciever? I was just going to get an adapter and hook them up to my computer, maybe with an amp.

Burton560 · 09-19-2006, 12:01 AM

I have that Logitech combo, and it kicks serious ass. all my neighbors in my dorm keep complaining about picture frames and bottles falling over because of the nasty bass. I also didnt pay that much for them. Gob bless buy.com, they had it new for $50 after rebate with free shipping last year (I think it was around February) and the rebate went thru no problem! The sub alone weighs almost 30 pounds, so if they charged me shipping it would have been ghastly.

kidchoked · 09-19-2006, 03:17 AM

For a little bit more you could go for the Logitech Z-5500's, a nasty 5.1 system. I don't know if space is an issue here but if you could I would get them.

Funky_Junk · 09-19-2006, 09:03 AM

Yea space is an issue

BlackKoala · 09-19-2006, 09:09 AM

My vote strongly goes to the JBL's paired with a reciever. Yes it will be more expensive, but it will sound ten times better in the end. As for exploring other option, definately look into some headphones. Skeeder is right, headphones are going to sound better, bar none. The logitech 5.1 system is really just pointless, as your music is only in two channels, so it's just playing the same thing over all the channels, and that set of JBL speakers you were asking about will blow them out of the water.

skeeder · 09-19-2006, 10:37 AM

the JBL page wouldn't load for me so I'm not 100% sure what your getting, but all my knowledge of bookshelve speakers tell me reciever unless you do a expensive rotel preamp, amp and mixer...

BlackKoala · 09-19-2006, 10:59 AM

Skeeder, here's the manual. From the looks of it, yes, he is gonig to need a reciever. But a cheap 2 channel one from Amazon will work wonders for him. :).

*awaits arrival of new headphones silently*

skeeder · 09-19-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC_Modda

Skeeder, here's the manual. From the looks of it, yes, he is gonig to need a reciever. But a cheap 2 channel one from Amazon will work wonders for him. :).

*awaits arrival of new headphones silently*

what cans did you get?

nav3 · 09-19-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC_Modda

Skeeder, here's the manual. From the looks of it, yes, he is gonig to need a reciever. But a cheap 2 channel one from Amazon will work wonders for him. :).

*awaits arrival of new headphones silently*

A cheap amp will make the speakers sound cheap.

BlackKoala · 09-19-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nav3

A cheap amp will make the speakers sound cheap.

Yes, but a cheap amp will still sound ten times better than the amp built into the Logitech speakers ;).

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeder

what cans did you get?

For the time being, I bought a set of recabled HD 201's off Head-Fi.

Although I wanna have a set of HD-595's or a decent set of Grado's in the upcoming months :).

Funky_Junk · 09-19-2006, 07:11 PM

FYI, I already have a pair of headphoes im happy with (AKG K18DJ) and I wanted some speakers. So are you guys saying I would be better off getting a reciever instead of an amp? Sorry for being so nooby, but what does a reciever do?

nav3 · 09-19-2006, 07:44 PM

You would have to get a reciever with an amp built in because some of them do not have an amp built in.

BlackKoala · 09-19-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nav3

You would have to get a reciever with an amp built in because some of them do not have an amp built in.

Well, the ones with no amp are really just tuners and decoders :).

BlackKoala · 09-19-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funky_Junk

FYI, I already have a pair of headphoes im happy with (AKG K18DJ) and I wanted some speakers. So are you guys saying I would be better off getting a reciever instead of an amp? Sorry for being so nooby, but what does a reciever do?

A reciever is a glorified amplifier. A reciever usually has an FM tuner, some form of decoding, etc.

For your needs, a reciever with a built it amp is right up your alley :).

Funky_Junk · 09-19-2006, 08:09 PM

how much would one cost used?

Antwan · 09-20-2006, 08:42 PM

Klipsch man, get a set of those and your done

skeeder · 09-20-2006, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC_Modda

For the time being, I bought a set of recabled HD 201's off Head-Fi.

Although I wanna have a set of HD-595's or a decent set of Grado's in the upcoming months :).

nice. my 600's are still kicking...me and Ary are getting external DAC's and I'd recommend it to you as well. The clarity is suppose to be better (I'm waiting for him to get his before I spend money)