iMac 24" - External Speakers

Good morning,

Bose are wonderful speakers and I feel you'd be quite happy with them.

Another set to consider would be the JBL Creature II set which I personally have and love! I've transplanted them from a G4 iMac all the way up to my current MacBook Pro and they produce a wonderful and full sound quality.

Hope this helps! 

David

I would advise against the Bose speakers. I listened to them in a store and was unimpressed. I have a friend who has them, and after trialing them at his place, I politely declined to tell him I thought he had totally wasted his money. They are not very detailed, nor very faithful. I found a review that I agree with: http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/index.php/taxid;2136212659;pid;1451;pt;1

I would recommend the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II as a similarly priced (and sexier) alternative. They are much better than the Bose speakers, I am on my second set now. I found a review for them here that is useful: http://www.atpm.com/10.04/soundsticks.shtml

Of course, at that price point, you are never going to get audiophile quality. The best option would be to buy an audio interface and a pair of proper hi-fi speakers. If you want to go that route, we can talk, but that would cost a minimum of around $450 I would say.

Hello, b4beezer,
I first purchased a set of Companion 2 speakers to enhance my new iMac purchase in April. I really liked these little stereo speakers and found them to push the audio quite well. However, I soon realized that this iMac deserved more and went to the Bose store and came home with a set of the Companion 5's. These, of course, are not true surround but I've found they do a marvelous job in a desktop environment and I couldn't be happier about my decision.
They are a bit pricey, but after listening to the options (including the C3's) I felt that I'd regret not spending the extra for the C5's. I personally have always liked Bose... have a Wave CD system also... but not everyone does. I've heard reports of the Harmon's sounding pretty good at significantly less capital outlay, but now that I've "suffered" the purchase, I'd not change a thing. Hope this helps in some way... jjsea55

You might want to check the Swan M10 2.1 Channel Multimedia Speakers out:

http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=373

They're currently selling at Newegg for 89.00 with free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882619002

This is a new system from a well-respected, high end speaker manufacturer. I'm very happy with mine.

I have a Bose Sound Dock for my iPod and these put out very comparable sound at a fraction of the price.

Hi, I'd like to second the recommendation on the JBL Soundsticks II, which I use with my Intel iMac. I listen to classical, vocal, jazz, blues and folk for the most part, along with some rock and pop. I have listened to various Bose products through the years, and own a pair of on-the-ear headphones (non-cancelling) that I like very much. However, I find their speakers' bass too strong and not terribly adjustable for various recordings. I prefer a more 'transparent' sound, and the JBL's provide that. The subwoofer is strong, clear, and presents the bass lines in a fully and as loud as I may want (which isn't full out: I'm not the kid in a dorm anymore ;>) ... )
I bought the ones I using six months ago for around $120 at J&R. I'm sure other retailers are discounting them as well.
Good luck and happy listening!
Bruce

I too have a set of Harmon Kardon sticks w/sub, love them.
Good luck !

Hi b4beezer

Don't forget to check out the [Creative Inspire 2.1|http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=27&produ ct=14096] speaker system line up. The sub base thump's the razed hardwood floors real nice, it drives the wife mad at the other end of the house.

Dennis

Nice system, did you get the [black|http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Acoustic-Energy-Aego-M-System-Black_W0QQitemZ22017 9283781QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3275QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem] or [white|http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Acoustic-Energy-Aego-M-System-White_W0QQitemZ22018 1705699QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3275QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]?