The JBL Creature II is the younger sibling of the original JBL Creature. It is a 2.1 3 speaker…
The JBL Creature is a 2.1 powered speaker system that is primarily designed for use with computer…
In this article we’ll help you choose the perfect set of speakers for your home entertainment…
In early 2004 Altec brought out these 2.1 channel PC speakers, the Altec Lansing MX5021. Despite…
In this article we’ll help you choose the perfect set of speakers for your home entertainment system or computer.
Here are a few factors to consider when buying your speaker system :
Where will you listen to your music?
If you often move around the hose and garden and would like to continue to listen to your music then it is a good idea to invest in a set of Bose wireless home speakers. These are a particularly good choice for users who are unable or unwilling to install permanently wired units such as Bose in wall lifestyle speakers.
Wireless speakers
Having a set of wireless speakers will allow you a great deal of flexibility. Note that for the true audiophile, wireless speakers do not offer the same reproduction of sound quality as wired speakers as some information is lost when transmitted, received and decoded.
How much space do you have?
It is unfortunately a fact of physics that the larger the speaker, the better the sound quality. Larger diaphragms and resonance chambers allow bass tones to be reproduced more authentically than smaller systems.
This said however, some people find that large floor standing speakers produce too much bass, but this is down to personal preference.
What device will you use your speakers with?
If your passion is home theatre, then it is likely you will be listening to movie sound tracks from blu-ray or DVD. If this is the case then you will need to have a good home cinema receiver which can decode the surround sound signal and distribute it to your satellite speakers.
Music listening
If you however, you simply listen to music and films through your desktop computer, then make sure that you have high quality magnetically shielded speakers to protect your computer.
Accessories
There is no point in having expensive speakers if they are allowed to vibrate. Your speakers should be mounted on proper speaker stands. Atacama stands are a well respected brand. Additionally, aim to spend at least 10% of your speaker budget on good speaker cables.
Sound insulation
Consider buying sound insulating floor spikes and if you have spent a lot of money on your speakers then you may consider a sound meter. This device will help you position your speakers to make sure that you get proper stereo and surround sound.
As with all home cinema equipment, it is worth buying through an independent specialist shop. They will have listening rooms where you can audition equipment and find the perfect speakers that will not only match your budget, but also your personal taste.
|
Yamaha NX-B55 |
Yamaha Speakers | ||
2.0
 2 videos |
£143 to £332
Compare
|
|||
|
Monitor Audio Airstream WS100 |
Monitor Audio Speakers | ||
2.0
 2 reviews – 1 video – 5 photos
Monitor Audio AirStream WS100
T3 —
05-2013
Could Monitor Audio’s Airstream WS100 ‘wireless’ speakers be the answer to the poor sonics in your laptop or desktop computer?Monitor Audio Airstream WS100 reviewLoveAmazing buildLarge stereo… Hide
Monitor Audio AirStream WS100 | Read more
|
£30 to £349
Compare
|
|||
|
Logitech Bluetooth Speakers Z600 |
Logitech Speakers | ||
2.0
 2 reviews – 18 news – 7 videos – 15 photos |
£27 to £149
Compare
|
|||
|
Harman/Kardon SoundSticks II |
Harman/Kardon Speakers | ||
|
2.1
5 reviews – 51 user opinions – 54 news – 2 forums – 13 videos – 21 photos
Harman Kardon SoundSticks II
GadgetGrid —
18/02/2010
Impress your friend with the Harman Kardon SoundSticks speaker system. Harman Kardon’s 40-watt SoundSticks II three-piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for music, MP3’s, movies… Hide
Harman Kardon SoundSticks II | Read more
|
£100
Compare
|
|||
|
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 |
Klipsch Speakers | ||
|
2.1
3 reviews – 59 user opinions – 52 news – 3 videos – 18 photos
Harman Kardon SoundSticks II
TechEnclave —
21/08/2010
I am going to upgrade my ATP 3 speakers. Budget:7 to 10K Purpose:Music+Gaming(Music is the main purpose) Audioengine A2 unavailable. So my choices are: 1)Klipsch promedia 2.1 – Available for 9.2K in… Hide
Harman Kardon SoundSticks II | Read more
|
£97 to £581
Compare
|
|||
|
Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 |
Klipsch Speakers | ||
2.0
 2 reviews – 21 user opinions – 3 news – 1 video – 9 photos
Klipsch launch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speaker set
Tech Digest —
27/11/2009
They look pretty industrial, but if they can deliver on the promises of their impressive specifications, the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speakers could happily sit hidden away under the computer desk. Hide
Klipsch launch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speaker set | Read more
|
£65 to £621
Compare
|
|||
|
Logitech Z906 |
Logitech Speakers | ||
|
5.1
2 reviews – 89 user opinions – 20 news – 8 videos – 22 photos
Buying Logitech Z906 from eBay?
TechEnclave —
02/12/2011
I have been looking to buy a decent set of 5.1 speakers to compliment with my Sony 40" EX72. Guess it is time I bought one. I have zeroed in on Logitech z906. SMC International had it but now it is… Hide
Buying Logitech Z906 from eBay? | Read more
|
£282
Compare
|
|||
|
Genius SW-HF 5.1 5000 |
Genius Speakers | ||
|
5.1
1 review – 4 user opinions – 1 news – 2 videos – 5 photos
Genius SW-HF5.1 5000
PCPRO —
01-2007
Take advantage of your sound card’s capabilities with a 5.1 speaker set for the best sound in movies and games Hide
Genius SW-HF5.1 5000 | Read more
|
£166 to £1,299
Compare
|
|||
|
Logitech Z-10 |
Logitech Speakers | ||
|
2.0
2 reviews – 59 user opinions – 3 news – 3 videos – 20 photos
Logitech Z-10 Speakers
High Quality Speakers —
22/01/2010
The speakers had evolved a lot in the last decades, and today you can find all sort of models, in different sizes, shapes, and sound qualities. There are different combinations of speakers, some… Hide
Logitech Z-10 Speakers | Read more
|
£80
Compare
|
|||
|
JBL Creature |
JBL Speakers | ||
|
2.1
1 review – 80 user opinions – 68 news – 9 videos – 24 photos
JBL CREATURE: Strengths & Weaknesses
Shaun Garrod —
03/06/2011
The JBL Creature is a 2.1 powered speaker system that is primarily designed for use with computer systems. It comprises of two satellite speakers which are ideally meant to be placed at either either… Hide
JBL CREATURE: Strengths & Weaknesses | Read more
|
£45 to £220
Compare
|
|||
|
Logitech Z-2300 |
Logitech Speakers | ||
|
2.1
2 reviews – 41 user opinions – 31 news – 22 videos – 18 photos
Anatomy of Norge 1000 GOLD Stereo Integrated Amplifier
TechEnclave —
20/08/2011
_*Norge 1000 GOLD Stereo Integrated Amplifier (Technical Review)*_ It has been a long time since I wrote a review. The last one was the review of my beloved Logitech Z-2300 which still remains with… Hide
Anatomy of Norge 1000 GOLD Stereo Integrated Amplifier | Read more
|
£15 to £20
Compare
|
|||
|
Logitech Z323 |
Logitech Speakers | ||
|
2.1
1 review – 94 user opinions – 13 news – 8 videos – 32 photos
Cheap, but lacking in performance: the Logitech Z323 speakers
Home Entertainment News —
03/09/2010
The Logitech Z323 is a modern looking 2.1 channel speaker system, but lacks audio quality and is prone to noise distortion. Hide
Cheap, but lacking in performance: the Logitech Z323 speakers | Read more
|
£80
Compare
|
|||
|
Logitech Z-5450 |
Logitech Speakers | ||
|
5.1
4 reviews – 6 user opinions – 2 news – 6 videos – 7 photos
Logitech Z-5450 Wireless Speakers review
Trusted Reviews —
07-2006
Logitech Z-5450 Wireless Speakers Peripheral review: Thanks to wireless rear speakers Logitech’s Z-5450s make installing surround sound in the home easier than ever. Hide
Logitech Z-5450 Wireless Speakers review | Read more
|
£149
Compare
|
|||
|
Logitech Z-5500 Digital |
Logitech Speakers | ||
|
5.1
4 reviews – 57 user opinions – 27 news – 58 videos – 12 photos
Review: Logitech Z – 5500 Digital 5.1 Speaker System
M Audio Blog —
26/08/2008
MTR89: 6 channel direct (3 stereo-mini connectors) for 3 stereo analog mini audio sources, like CD and DVD players, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, or 2 channel PC sound cards (some devices may require… Hide
Review: Logitech Z – 5500 Digital 5.1 Speaker System | Read more
|
£349
Compare
|
|||
|
M-Audio StudioPro 3 |
M-Audio Speakers | ||
|
2.0
11 user opinions – 1 news – 2 videos – 6 photos
The Game ft. Chris Brown Usher P Diddy – Better On The Other Side [Official MJ Tribute Song]
I-pOk ♪ —
09/01/2011
REST IN PEACE -MICHEAL JACKSON AUGUST 29, 1958 JUNE 25, 2009 Addition Tags: Hardware: Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini M-Audio StudioPro 3 Monitors M-Audio Axiom 49 Midi Keyboard Korg PadKontrol Midi… Hide
The Game ft. Chris Brown Usher P Diddy – Better On The Other Side [Official MJ Tribute Song] | Read more
|
£53 to £335
Compare
|
|||
|
Parrot BOOMBOX |
Parrot Speakers | ||
|
2.1
1 review – 1 feedback – 1 news – 1 video – 6 photos
Parrot Boombox review
Trusted Reviews —
03-2007
Parrot Boombox Peripheral review: Parrot brings Bluetooth to its Boombox. Does it boom or bust? Andy finds out. Hide
Parrot Boombox review | Read more
|
£3 to £65
Compare
|
|||
|
Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II |
Creative Speakers | ||
|
2.0
1 review – 38 user opinions – 7 news – 1 video – 11 photos
Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II review
CNET.co.uk —
30/01/2009
The GigaWorks T20 Series II PC speaker set is a simple stereo set-up for everyday audio functions. They’re not cheap and we think the cables are too short, but the curvaceous design is very… Hide
Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II review | Read more
|
£87 to £312
Compare
|
|||
|
Bose Companion 2 |
Bose Speakers | ||
|
2.0
2 reviews – 145 user opinions – 37 news – 23 videos – 54 photos
Bumped into Victoria Hislop the other day (as one does!)
Tonbridge blog —
15/12/2010
Oh did I nearly forget to mention that I bumped into Victoria Hislop out doing her Christmas shopping in Tunbridge Wells with husband Ian last Sunday, just like any other regular couple? It must have… Hide
Bumped into Victoria Hislop the other day (as one does!) | Read more
|
£69 to £149
Compare
|
|||
|
Creative GigaWorks T20 |
Creative Speakers | ||
|
2.0
2 reviews – 103 user opinions – 17 news – 1 video – 20 photos
What type of sound card will i need for these speakers?
M Audio Blog —
25/09/2008
: IM not even sure if my son needs one but he plans on buying these. Newegg.com – Creative GigaWorks T20 28 W 2.0 Speaker – Speakers Will he need a sound card if so please post a good priced one that… Hide
What type of sound card will i need for these speakers? | Read more
|
£70
Compare
|
|||
|
Creative I-Trigue 3300 |
Creative Speakers | ||
|
2.1
1 review – 14 user opinions – 1 news – 3 videos – 4 photos
[CheapStingyBargains] Creative I-Trigue 3300 2.1 PC Multimedia …
M Audio Blog —
05/05/2008
Shaun: … free shipping The Creative I-Trigue 3300 2.1 PC Multimedia Speaker System features two premium speakers each with three Titanium drivers to deliver better sonic accuracy and clarity than… Hide
[CheapStingyBargains] Creative I-Trigue 3300 2.1 PC Multimedia … | Read more
|
£756 to £5,360
Compare
|
|||