Speakers for my Dad's Computer. (100-250USD) X-MAS

[raptorxrx]

Well it's Christmas time...

And I'm getting my Dad new computer speakers. I would like to pay less than 250$. Obviously I'm getting buying soon. He currently has a HP Desktop, with the 6 different plugin spots (I'm no audio term guy). What would you recommend? Do I need a sound card for better performance? Or do I use all of the money for the speakers. Tell me what to do!
He is a person that believes Bose are basically "the best": I know many people disagree with that, but my Dad likes speakers that sound pretty good out of box. Would there be a better company to buy from? My Dad doesn't use speakers all the time so the lower the price the better. (100 to 150 is preferable)
Where these speakers are going is his messy office. It would be best if these were 2 channel speakers or 2.1. 5.1 or 7.1 would be way to much for the desk these will go on.

Oh and if these really should have gone in this section
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum-6.html
(the home audio section) will a moderator please move it?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[nikorr]

U could try this : ) All that and within your budget.
Bose® Companion® 2 Multimedia Speaker System $89.99 -- I use those and love them.

Plus ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Xonar DG Sound Card -- great deal

Plus KOSS SB45 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Multi-Media Stereophone

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836166006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826263010

 

[hang-the-9]

I'm friends with an audio engineer, who told me that Bose are not even close to the best sounding speakers. They have good sound stage, but the quality or music reproduction, they stink. I agree.

Look at M-Audio M-30 or M-40 speakers, they are 2.0, and are amazing for the size. Best in class. A bit large compared to most but you won't find a better set of speakers at that price. I own a pair and the only system I listed to that is better are the Logitech THX 4.1 and 5.1 sets.

 

[raptorxrx]

I'm friends with an audio engineer, who told me that Bose are not even close to the best sounding speakers. They have good sound stage, but the quality or music reproduction, they stink. I agree.

Look at M-Audio M-30 or M-40 speakers, they are 2.0, and are amazing for the size. Best in class. A bit large compared to most but you won't find a better set of speakers at that price. I own a pair and the only system I listed to that is better are the Logitech THX 4.1 and 5.1 sets.

I know that Bose aren't the best. I guess he has always had good luck with them... But anyways I can't find M30's or 40's. I did see AV30/40 models though. Is that what you were talking about?

Would you recommend a sound card? I'm doubting it in this price range but have to check. Thanks!

U could try this : ) All that and within your budget.
Bose® Companion® 2 Multimedia Speaker System $89.99 -- I use those and love them.

Plus ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Xonar DG Sound Card -- great deal

Plus KOSS SB45 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Multi-Media Stereophone

Thanks for your help. Those speakers look fine, but it sounds like the M-Audio is going to be a better deal. Do I need the sound card? I have that exact one in my computer, and it's fine, I just want to know if it's going to improve sound quality in this price range.

My motherboard didn't have 5.1 audio, so when I got new speakers I popped that in there.

Oh and I don't need the Stereophone's as my Dad's work requires voice programs, so he does have some good headphone/microphone headsets.

Thanks!

 

[hang-the-9]

Yes, they are AV40, sorry about that. Speakers will make a much bigger difference than a sound card. I'd just get the speakers. I run my set through the built-in sound card on an older laptop and they sound great as is. http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-speakers/m-audio-studiophile-av/4505-7869_7-32906358.html This is the AV30, I'm guessing the sound is very close to the AV40s that I have. This is the AV40 review http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-speakers/m-audio-studiophile-av/4505-7869_7-32381162.html?tag=mncol, I'd recommend those if you don't care about the bit of extra cost.

Keep in mind that these are bigger than a typical PC speaker, will take up a lot more desk space than a 2.1 setup with a sub you can put on the floor. I don't even know what a comparable 2.1 system would be to those though to recommend.

 

[raptorxrx]

Yes, they are AV40, sorry about that. Speakers will make a much bigger difference than a sound card. I'd just get the speakers. I run my set through the built-in sound card on an older laptop and they sound great as is. http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-speakers/m-audio-studiophile-av/4505-7869_7-32906358.html This is the AV30, I'm guessing the sound is very close to the AV40s that I have. This is the AV40 review http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-speakers/m-audio-studiophile-av/4505-7869_7-32381162.html?tag=mncol, I'd recommend those if you don't care about the bit of extra cost.

Keep in mind that these are bigger than a typical PC speaker, will take up a lot more desk space than a 2.1 setup with a sub you can put on the floor. I don't even know what a comparable 2.1 system would be to those though to recommend.

Thank you so much. I'm going to go with the AV40's. They look like a great deal with high quality parts. Unless in the next couple of days says anything else, these are what i'll get. I'm sure my Dad will find ways around larger speakers...

~Raptor

 

[hang-the-9]

Thank you so much. I'm going to go with the AV40's. They look like a great deal with high quality parts. Unless in the next couple of days says anything else, these are what i'll get. I'm sure my Dad will find ways around larger speakers...

~Raptor

You're welcome, let us know how he likes them!

 

[raptorxrx]

Best answer selected by raptorxrx.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

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