Good 2.1 sound system for music? - Hardware & Software

Hey lads, I want to upgrade my current microlab 2.1 sound system (2 speakers, subwoofer and a separate panel 'tower' for inputs, outputs, volume and such) to something better. I listen to a lot of music with my speakers and play games with my headphones, so these speakers would be exclusively for music. I also plan to use them outdoors for parties and similar, so I'd need a good quality subwoofer in the set. My budget is 250 euro. I'd need a system that would work flawlessly with phone or computer connections as well. And I'd need the subwoofer to not be very tall so that I could fit it under my computer desk. I've had a few systems in mind, what do you guys think? [URL="http://www.skytech.lt/s530d-edifier-s530d-145w-rms-digital-wired-controller-with-inch-lcd-display-wire-p-73484.html"]EDIFIER S530D 2.1[/URL] [URL="http://www.skytech.lt/980000403-logitech-z623-black-200w-rms-p-50886.html#tabsnav-0"]Logitech Z623[/URL] EDIT: I've done a little digging and found out that the Z623 has a really good subwoofer, but the audio quality isn't as good as the S530D's. I guess the choice is pretty obvious, then?

I have Edifier HCS2330 connected to my TV and computer and it's pretty good. If you are looking for a good price/performance ratio then Edifier is definitely going to be one of the best choices in low/middle end.

Best you can do is buy a seperate amp and 2 book case speakers. (With optional SW on the side/later). These sets usually last for deccenia and are good for everything from movies to music to games. A lot of secondhand shops have cheap speakers and amplifiers in stock. You can get a really good set for 50€ if you are lucky. However if you must have a single 2.1 set. Try finding a klipsch promedia 2.1.

I have the Z623. The subwoofer is really good but the rest of the sound is still amazing. Vocals in tracks with a lot of bass are still really clear and don't get overpowered by the bass or the other instruments. I full on recommend the Z623.

[QUOTE=taipan;48579959] Try finding a klipsch promedia 2.1.[/QUOTE] I've been trying for a few days now and there's just nothing in my country at all for these things. I'd have to order one and have it shipped. I'm not gonna do that, which sucks, I've read that they're really good.

Corsair sp2500 obviously. Reviews show it is more accurate than the BOSE Companion 2.1 while costing 50€ less. Also the subwoofer is amazing.

I've had Logitech Z-2300 for years, very happy with them, good bass and all. Only thing I guess could be a negative is the sheer size of the subwoofer, it's pretty huge for a 2.1 setup. But I got it under the desk and sometimes I rest my feet on it so I guess I got a foot stand in it, too. I dunno if you can buy them anymore though, like I said, I've had them a few years so they might have been surpassed by other Logitech sound systems.

[QUOTE=maxolina;48580889]Corsair sp2500 obviously. Reviews show it is more accurate than the BOSE Companion 2.1 while costing 50€ less. Also the subwoofer is amazing.[/QUOTE] Subwoofer is a turn down for me. [editline]31st August 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=taipan;48579959]Best you can do is buy a seperate amp and 2 book case speakers. (With optional SW on the side/later).[/QUOTE] I wish I could do that. All the extremely good variants for under $200 bookshelf speakers are nowhere to be found in my country, what a goddamn disappointment.

[QUOTE=Gvazdas;48580955]Subwoofer is a turn down for me.[/QUOTE] Didn't you say you need a good quality subwoofer because outdoor parties and stuff? I said it's amazing, not overpowering. You can fine tune the subwoofer amount with the desk controller.

[QUOTE=maxolina;48581004]Didn't you say you need a good quality subwoofer because outdoor parties and stuff? I said it's amazing, not overpowering. You can fine tune the subwoofer amount with the desk controller.[/QUOTE] I'm fairly certain I could use the subwoofer as a support for my table. Isn't it incredibly large? EDIT: Wow, I misjudged. Looks like a viable option. Isn't this a sound system for gaming, though? Nevermind, looks like it has excellent music playback as well. I might actually just buy this. EDIT: All sold out in my country as well. Wow.

[QUOTE=Gvazdas;48581139]I'm fairly certain I could use the subwoofer as a support for my table. [/QUOTE] If the sub is any good, your drinks will be on the floor 24/7.

Expand your budget a bit and get 2 of these and cut the sub for now. [url]http://www.amazon.com/KRK-RP5G2-Powered-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B001A6G6CY[/url] You'll be much more satisfied with high quality studio monitors over anything else. These are also amazing prices for these monitors, as they have amazing sound quality. [editline]31st August 2015[/editline] [url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EO7UNXO/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile[/url] Two pack is 305 USD. It's on sale 200 off. Great deal, I recommend getting it

Amazon will have trouble and probably time issues shipping the stuff to Lithuania, right? Here's a store I can access easily. Are any of the monitors [URL="http://i.imgur.com/Hv3YMS8.png"]here[/URL] any good? Ignore the bits that aren't actually monitors, the search function on the website is not very functional.

The Mackie cr4 is a good price. I'm not familiar with their sound though but You'll always get better sound from these monitors over regular brand name speakers. Look for reviews and see what people say about the sound. If you're not too picky though you'll get great overall sound regardless.

Awesome, thanks for the help. I can definitely go above 200 EUR if needed, this party is gonna be extremely important to me since I'll have a shot at picking up a chick, I figured my sub-par audio setup right now wouldn't help much since everyone's gonna expect some good music. Besides, I listen to a lot of music so having a good setup would do my ears a favor. I checked the reviews about the monitor. It's not exactly the best studio monitor, but it's got really good quality sound for the price tag, so it sounds good to me. The selection isn't exactly the best where I live anyway, so I'm happy with whatever I can get that sounds nice. So let's say I'll purchase the two monitors. Would I be able to integrate it into my current 2.1 system by just replacing the speakers or would I have to look into amplifiers, cables and etc.? My current 2.1 system amplifier is a microlab FC530. I was hoping to get a separate good subwoofer as well, then I noticed they start at roughly 300 euro. Damn.

The CR4 should come with a built in amplifier. [editline]31st August 2015[/editline] Here's a review for you [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UkO9e1e2EI[/media] Good luck with the girl!

That definitely looks good, I'm very interested in this now, I'd definitely pick those monitors up. Would I be able to use the subwoofer from my current 2.1 setup without any issues? I can see that the amplifier for the CR4 does not have a connection for a SW, so would I able to just plug in these two monitors into an amplifier without issues?

Probably. It might be an uneven sound but it should work. A subwoofer may not even be necessary depending on how well the 4 inch subs handle it.

Dont buy monitors if you want to throw a party. Almost all cheaper ones are for near field listening meaning they only sound good if they are on the desk you are sitting in front off. They also sound boring and usually flat, which is exactly the point if you are mastering a track. But not the point if you are listening to music or throwing a party.

[QUOTE=taipan;48583989]They also sound boring and usually flat, which is exactly the point if you are mastering a track. But not the point if you are listening to music or throwing a party.[/QUOTE] This isn't true at all. The music will only sound "flat" if it's unmastered or if whoever mixed it just did a shit job. A fully mastered track will sound amazing on regardless of what you're using and the CR4 will sound rich and fantastic. I have genelecs in my studio and they are quite bright. But I prefer listening to things on them because they still sound so much better than anything else I have. Yeah they're [URL="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=967473&gclid=CKXl0MOh1McCFVOQHwod6IUGcg&is=REG&A=details&Q="]$3000 [/URL]a pop but that doesn't mean it doesn't have flaws. You just have to know what you're buying. They would be fine for an indoor party, however I didn't realize if was for an outdoor one. Honestly for outdoors it'd be best to get some cheap piece of shit in case someone spills beer on it or it rains unexpectedly.

[QUOTE=redBadger;48584079] They would be fine for an indoor party, however I didn't realize if was for an outdoor one. Honestly for outdoors it'd be best to get some cheap piece of shit in case someone spills beer on it or it rains unexpectedly.[/QUOTE] I don't party with morons :v: Wouldn't it be more likely for speakers to get destroyed indoors anyway?

[QUOTE=Gvazdas;48584130]I don't party with morons :v: Wouldn't it be more likely for speakers to get destroyed indoors anyway?[/QUOTE] I'd say it is equal. Taipan is right though they won't sound as good outdoors for parties but for everything else your audio quality will be A+ for the price.

At this point I'm pretty sure it's worth the sacrifice to just go for the monitors and see if it's possible to use a receiver to master the subwoofer+double monitor setup since I don't want to buy 'blasty' speakers because of one party, I'd be using these after for a long while. Doesn't the integrated amplifier for the monitors ruin things, though? I think I've come to a middle ground here: I'd take the Z623 and use it for the outdoor party and also for the attractive subwoofer considering the price, grab the studio monitors for personal at-home usage and also indoor parties. Would I be able to just replace the Z623 system's speakers with the studio monitors without issues? I know that the Z623 has the amplifier integrated into the subwoofer, while the amplifier for the studio monitors is integrated into one of the monitors.

Monitor speakers already have an amplifier in them. You usually cannot attach them to another amplifiers speaker outputs, that would defeat the purpose of the flat amplifier inside. They usually need a line out or xlr. You can mount then to a line out/or troughput on an amplifier tough. If your amp has a line out you can mount them and the sub to your amp normally and hope they line up latency wise. If not some subs have a phase shift knob on the back to fix this. Another way is using the front and back line out ports of a PC. You can mount the subwoofer + amp to a line out of your pc playing the same music as the other line out where the monitors are attached. Any latency problems might be fixed with software then. But whether that is possible really depends on your audio Neither are a really easy option. And his together with the fact that monitors are usually made to be listened at at a desk, really make them questionable as party speakers.

A serviceable preamp or receiver can be found for dirt cheap though.

Yeah it makes sense. What I'm asking for is kind of stupid since there's really no good 'outdoor 2.1 set' that would also fit on my desk at the same time. Might just end up renting a good audio setup for the party and just buy the Z623s for indoor parties. Thanks for the help lads, you saved me from making a grave mistake and bringing the Z623 setup to the party.