im trying to decide which would be a better pick.

Logitech http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/z-2300...ain;contentBody

Bose http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/bose-c...7-30806360.html

Logitech. You'd have to pay me to take any Bose system.

+1 for logitech. They really are behind their products, and when it does break they give you 50% off of a replacement system (after warranty, of course).

At that price...buy a stereo receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers.

These are the bookshelves I've got: http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-DV62si-B...5489&sr=8-1

I paid much more for them a while ago. They're a little bass heavy at high (read HIGH) volumes, but very crisp. Surprising bass (down to 43 Hz apparently) for a bookshelf with a 6.5 inch mid / woofer. A several years back (when they were $200 a pair), consumer reports gave them a best buy rating (although...expect very subjective ratings for their sound testing). I think they're quite good for the money.

I ran these for a couple of years with a JVC stereo receiver that I got for about $130 refurbished. There are some options in the $100 range for receivers (like this sherwood). Not particularly "audiophile" by any means...but still far superior to anything that would be integrated into a speaker or subwoofer (at this price range).

I own a pair of Bose headphones (they sound decent...however, they're cheaply built. Wires are junk and the leather like ear pads wore through and collapsed after about 2 years). I probably wouldn't buy them again (although, I'm probably going to put new ear pads on and solder decent wires on - and then let my GF use 'em).

I also own a pair of their companion 2 system...for $100, it's not bad (you can do worse). Like many (if not all of Bose speakers), they sound "good", which is misleading to an untrained ear...they do not have flat response by any means, and become exceedingly "boomy" at higher volumes. Bose really seems to be in the business for the money...and not for the music or audio. Most, if not all of the drivers are cheap paper. Plastic injection molded cabinets. Just blah, really. My mother is inheriting this system from me, because she can't tell the difference. No harm done...

MDF bookshelves are going to be much better for music than just about any of the similarly priced multichannel plastic injection molded systems that are marketed to the computer enthusiasts. The stereo imaging and crisp upper range is good for gaming as I've experienced in the 6 or so years I've used bookshelf speakers in this manor.

Just my opinion...if you want to hear for yourself, you can probably find the "in a box" systems at your local computer store / best buy / etc etc. You can't really do that with bookshelves in this price range (once you get into serious audiophile territory...you can audition speakers and amplifiers).

Totally agree... even relatively cheap powered bookshelf speakers sound better than "computer speakers"

Another option is a pair of entry-level studio monitors.

I have both of the above, as well as a stereo amp / sub / bookshelf speakers, in the same room, for different purposes... all sound much much better than computer/multimedia speakers

If it was between the two, I'd choose the Z-2300... I've heard them and they're ok, haven't heard the Bose set, but everything I've heard from Bose has been mediocre at best

My sentiments exactly. Bose is good for bass.. and not much else. The Logitechs would do alright, but I'd also throw my hat into the ring for bookshelf speakers. In addition to the ones Crazy_Nate linked, you could also check out the Sony SS-B1000 speakers. One of my buddies uses those and they sound really great for the price, they are a little cheaper than the BICs but if you're going to spend the money, either of them would work out fine. Just depends on how much you want to spend.. and since you are thinking of dropping 200+ on Bose, I think the money would be better spent on either the Sonys or BICs imo.

AGREED

A decent amp and a cheap set of bookshelf speakers will destroy just about any "computer speakers".

If you buy used you can get a killer setup for around $250.

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. Ill look into the setups you suggested and let you know what i end up getting. Thanx again, definitely got what i needed!

Ditto on teh bookshelf speakers and Reciever... I <3 my 5.1 Receiver and it smokes the logitech easy. I happened to luck out on my awesome speaker setup... and the system total cost my $75 in the end but all in all its probably worth over $500...

Mother of god book shelf speakers are ridonkulous in size. i don't think my dual monitors will give them breathing room if i went that route. i'd need a bigger desk.

You can always buy stands for them or even mount them to your wall. Doesn't cost too much for either one and it'd be tailored to your exact needs that way.

Heh that is why they are called bookshelf. xD You should see mine... They wouldn't fit on any desk no matter how large. Well I suppose you could but it would look like the most awkward thing you would ever see in your life.

Put a pair of Silver iris speakers next to your monitor. You won't be dissapointed.
If you have to go for one of the sets you suggested i vote for the Logitech's.

I'll pass.

I bought a pair of new Eltax bookshelf speakers for £15 and a secondhand NAD amp for £5 that'll wipe the floor with the logitechs
Don't be afraid too look for used parts, as you might find a bargain!

+1

Maybe even go for some vintage stuff and you'll get some good deals too, you won't be getting 5.1 this and dolby thx eax certified 7.1 gigatechnology that but if you play your cards right you can get a wicked system for fairly cheap.

or even free if you know where to look, people throw away old gear all the time.

I'm running my audio through a Technics SA-103 driving a pair of Sony ssM33s and a pair of KLH C180bs for outdoor use.
All of it was free.

I have dual monitors on a medium size desk, with bookshelf speakers on cast iron speaker stands, with spikes and spike shoes

The powered speakers on the left desk have been wall mounted up behind the decks, and replaced with near-field studio monitors

The bookshelf speakers are 12 years old right around now, still my main system

I have the Logitech's and they're pretty good. they are THX certified and i have to admit the little 8" sub hits pretty hard. I am actually pretty impressed with the Bose speakers. my friend bought the Companion 5 ones and they sound amazing BUT they are expensive so Its really up to you. I took my Logitech's to work and they're on my toolbox for music while im workin and i use an older KLH receiver and 2 jbl bookshelf's and they're loud as crap. its really up to you and how much space you have to work with.....

I'd stick with the Bookshelf speakers and Receiver TBH... Though if that doesn't interest you the logitech makes a good second best but nothing beats these:





Almost 20 years old and in perfect condition. Used to be my fathers and he took good care of them.

Nice setup!

Reminds me of my old setup from waaay back in 2004 or so:


The amp was a hand-me-down from my dad. He built it in the late 80s, it's a Hafler DH220, slightly modified. I use it to drive my home theater subwoofer now.

Same with the Technics SA-GX350 was also my dads but I use that to drive the home theater subwoofer also. xD

+1 for dedicated speakers and an amplifier. If they don't fit at present, try and find a solution that will allow them to fit. Wall brackets, shelving, whatever - it'll be a country mile better than a 'PC Speaker' set. I used to have Yamaha A-YST 2.1 speakers that cost £150/$300 ... 10 years ago. At the time, they were shockingly good; today they are still better than most 2.1 sets, but were discontinued a LONG time ago now.

Anyhow, since using speakers and amp, I've never once looked back. I run Wharfedale Diamond 8.3 floor-standing speakers with Kevlar cones (£350/$600 retail, £60/$90 second hand) and an ancient Yamaha amp that I nabbed for £30 on eBay ... it was literally new out of the box when I got it. (plus a few other bits ... 40" A686, Blu Ray player, WDTV, 1TB drive, Wii Xbox etc!)

You simply won't regret it. I promise you.

Wow you guys have been more than helpful with all this info i appreciate it. But majority rules and i decided ill go with the bookshelves everyone has been suggesting.

I was thinking of these as the bookshelves speakers:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RB51B/Klip...-51.html?tp=186 or http://www.brandnamez.com/p-2344-yamaha-ns-333.aspx

For the reciever:
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-RC160-7-2-C...654&sr=8-15

Subwoofer
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-P...8829&sr=1-2

Speaker stand are universal?

Reciever looks great. The Klipsch will be a better choice then the yamaha but if you weren't willing to spend $389 i would say go with the yamaha. The Klipsh has a better frequency response so you'll get better low freq sounds.

Not the best photo's(room is to wide).
Partsexpress is your friend.

Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

I love those older CVs, unique look and they slam pretty good...

Oh yes partexpress saved my *** and got me a better driver for my subwoofer box when the woofer blew during normal operation... I believe it was stress from all the years the original driver went with the other voice coil working and it finally separated one of them and well a DVC sub with one sounds like ****.... So yeah got a really nice one for a decent price off there. You can build a pretty decent HomeTheater system off there cheap too.

Might be a bit late for a reply but this is my setup.



I have to athena book shelf speakers that look like studio monitors and sound amazing. Picked up for free. The receiver is a denon 889 which i love the denon receivers and are a very good brand. and a 10" sub to go with it and it is far better then the 5.1 x540 logitech setup i had before. Amazing sound. I would definately recommend going with the bookshelf setup.

I don't know if you can see it but i built an addition on to my desk for the left speaker. Just a bookshelf bracket and a chunk of mdf painted black can barely see it and the speaker looks like it is just floating there.

i prefer www.monoprice.com

They are great for cables and parts and things of that nature but for speaker building I whole heartily recommend partsexpress.

Ok ill see the prices they have for the build i came up with.