Before You Buy Those Cheap Computer Speakers....
I have invested some decent (but not stupid) money on my home stereo, but I have realized I listen to my crappy computer speakers about 3 times more.
So here is the first step in my upgrade, a pair of powered studio monitor speakers. At under $200 a pair, they are not that much more expensive than higher-end computer speakers. These are built for near-field listening and sound much better than most computer speakers. The one I chose are a tad large, but I have loved them so far, even without a subwoofer. These particular units are cheaper at Amazon by $10 but Sweetwater has better selection and help choosing studio monitors. Just make sure you have the cable situation sorted out -- most studio monitors take a special 3-prong balanced XLR input common in high end and pro audio but not in most consumer audio. But you can easily find a number of converter cables.
If I keep listening at my computer, the next improvement step is an inexpensive DAC (which can correct a lot of mess in computer digital audio).
morganovich:
if you are listening to your computer for things like rhapsody, spotifiy, and pandora, i'd recommend getting a sonos for your main system.
it gives you all those things and will access any music you have on networked drives as well.
it has a great interface and setup is very, very easy.
it can output optical or digital PCM, so you can use any dac you like. (i'm using a theta and love it)
i actually tossed my 16 zone home system and replaced it with sonos. this is expenssive, but if you are doing one zone, it's $399 for a ZP90.
you can use any PC, an ipad, itouch, iphone, or android phone as a remote.
August 24, 2011, 6:02 amSol:
I've been meaning to buy a couple of inexpensive monitor speakers for several years now, I'll definitely keep these in mind!
August 24, 2011, 7:10 amMesa Econoguy:
Musician's Friend is running a sale on studio monitors right now.
Big fan of Mackie stuff, Alesis is decent.
These speakers are pretty good, too (pricey):
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/MM-1/Overview.html
August 24, 2011, 9:47 amfrankania:
I just run a cord from the "headphones" jack on my compu to my regular home stereo which has speakers in other rooms as well. Sounds great. You don't even have to buy a special cord. Just take an old headphone set and cut the cable off and install rca input plugs on the other end..
August 24, 2011, 10:38 am