Great speakers for under $150 . . .?

Question

Level 3

668 points

Great speakers for under $150 . . .?

I'm sure many have posted about this topic but I need an extra nudge to sway me. As of now I am thinking about purchasing the JBL's Creature Speakers II for $99 in white to match. Are the newer version of these speakers worth the extra $50 plus desk space is an issue also.

--Thanks

Posted on Jul 9, 2005 4:03 PM

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Answer 1

iJay

Level 4

1,980 points

Jul 9, 2005 4:13 PM in response to Simply Dave

Is there a new version of JBL Creature II?
I used to have a set of them but sold it right after I heard the sound from SoundSticks II...

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Answer 2

Jul 9, 2005 4:59 PM in response to Simply Dave

Hi,

I wouldn't recommend the Creature II speakers. I've tried both the Creatures and SoundSticks with my iMac and there's no comparison. IMO get the SoundSticks. They sound great and look really cool too.
My Creatures have been eBayed.

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Answer 3

gizzer

Level 1

80 points

Jul 9, 2005 7:33 PM in response to Simply Dave

Funny, I have the Orig JBL Creatures (not ver II) and they are attached to my PC...sound great. I am still thinking of adding externals to my Imac but currently use the internals. Seems the rev B macs are a little louder and sweeter sounding than Rev A IMHO. Of course, for any "serious" listening, these is almost no base response so a woofer setup would be needed. Currently I just use Itunes for background sound while I am working on the computer(s)

Sound is so subjective..I really liked the looks of the soundsticks, but not the sound...maybe my old ears? Still may get a set for the coolness factor although I am still considering the Creature II.
jeff

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Answer 4

Simply Dave Author

Level 3

668 points

Jul 9, 2005 10:50 PM in response to Simply Dave

Oh, what I meant when I said a "newer version of these speakers" I meant the JBL Encounter's.

The klipsch you mention has more than double the wattage capacity--does it equate to a better sounding system.

I'll only be using them for my iMac i.e. playing games, rocking to iTunes or watching a DVD.

Funny thing about the creatures is either people LOVE them or they say DON'T BUY THEM.

I've heard them before outdoors at a busy quad area of my campus and these little things KICKED! I can imagine what they will do in an enclosed space.

Also, not a big fan of the soundsticks, yeah they look awesome but it doesn't sound roomy and rich--but that's just my ears. Very subjective.

I like the fact that either the creatures or the encounters will match my iMac--but I would put my $ towards good sound quality over looks.

--Thanks guys! . . . I'm still deciding.

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Answer 5

Jul 10, 2005 2:38 AM in response to Simply Dave

I recommend Creative (aka Creative Labs) - they make unbelievably good speakers. Bose does too, but I personally prefer Creative.

I think Creative's iTrigue L3450 (in white, or L3500 in black/grey) sell for about $100. On the website ( http://creative.com/products/welcome.asp?category=4) the L3450 and L3500 are under the 2.1 System category. I wouldn't recommend anything less powerful than the L3450, though, as there is a significant drop-off in quality below L3350. Anything L3450 or above is pure gold.

John

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Answer 6

Jul 10, 2005 10:00 AM in response to Simply Dave

Dave, I got a set of Logitech Z-2300 speakers and I love them. I listen to a broad range of music from Debussy and orchestral classical to Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis to Metallica and these speakers stand up to the challenge nicely. I got them for about $100 at New Egg.

As far as Bose goes, you can do better - for less money. Bose are overrated IMO.

Klipsch are very nice speakers indeed, but can be a little pricey. They are highly recommended, but might be a little out of your price range. I have a set of old KG4's for my home system and love them, but not sure I would get Klipsch for my computer.

It is about the sound - not the look - so skip the Creatures and SoundSticks. Their sound just does not measure up to the Z-2300's or Klipsch.

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Answer 7

Georgy

Level 2

165 points

Jul 10, 2005 10:41 AM in response to Simply Dave

The Altec Lansing MX-5021 and Creative Megaworks 2.1 are very good THX rated speakers

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Answer 8

Tallan

Level 4

3,095 points

Jul 10, 2005 11:01 AM in response to Simply Dave

As others have said it's very subjective, and also a lot depends on what you're going to listen to. For games where you want gut-punching "thump" Klipsch and the larger Logitech systems are a natural choice. Personally I prefer accuracy and a "live" soundstage, and it's there the JBLs excel. The best sound I've heard for the least money is Altec-Lansings VS2121 2.1 set available at Staples for $49; next is the JBL Creature 2s (which you can find online for about $69), and up from there the JBL Encounters give you a tighter lower bass but I question if they are truly twice as good as the Creature 2s for twice the $$$.

The JBLs look great with the iMac, BTW.

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Answer 9

Robodisko

Level 3

731 points

Jul 11, 2005 8:55 AM in response to Tallan

the technology inside the sounsticks is actually quite dated now, they havent changed since the originals were released, when the g3 imac was out. Yes they are now slighty more powerful, but thats due to them now employing a stereo 3.5 jack for input (so they are pc compatible and ipod compatible) instead of the usb connection used before, which was actually better. The circuitry is actually the same.

They are now showing theyre age compared to other setups like some from altec lansing. Again for me the jbl creatures, they have quite small tweeters and so arent as good when cranked up loud.

I would highly recommend a digital setup for superior sound quality, even if its a seperates amp, connected via digital out with hifi speakers

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Answer 10

Simply Dave Author

Level 3

668 points

Jul 12, 2005 7:17 PM in response to Simply Dave

Okay I think I need to go into a store and test these speakers out. Too bad not many electronic stores have an area where you could test the speakers in an controlled environment. The Logitech Z-2300 has caught my eye--The stats on that system is amazing for the price!

Thanks!
--Dave

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Answer 11

Jul 12, 2005 8:40 PM in response to Simply Dave

I purchased the SoundSticks II from my local Costco for about $130 for my RevB iMac G5 20". Great sound and they look cool too.

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Answer 12

Simply Dave Author

Level 3

668 points

Jul 23, 2005 11:44 AM in response to Simply Dave

Did a little research and found the altec lansing VS2121 for only 27 bucks online. What a deal and these speakers are wall mountable! Only thing that is extremely annoying is on my speakers that I currently have are altec lansing there 14 bucks speakers and they drive me crazy when music is not playing--I hear radio frequencies, or I'll hear buzzing. Guess that's what I get for getting these 14 buck speakers---my question is do these VS2121 have these side effects?

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Answer 13

Tallan

Level 4

3,095 points

Jul 23, 2005 11:57 AM in response to Simply Dave

Not that I've seen (heard) - but I use mine in a RV usually in pretty sparsely populated campgrounds. The cables are quite sturdy with what looks like plenty of shielding, not the usual extremely flimsey stuff. I can't believe the price you've found - the sound for dollar is going to knock your socks off!

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Answer 14

Jul 23, 2005 2:49 PM in response to Simply Dave

The VS2121s are great speakers for the price. While I agree that the 2121s are probably the best speakers that you could get for $27, but your original question was for the best speakers under $150, not for the best cheap speakers. They 2121s are not the best speakers for under $150.

You will get better sound with the others that have been mentioned, but whether it is at a cost that you are willing to pay is up to you.

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Answer 15

Jul 24, 2005 8:18 AM in response to Simply Dave

I got the I-Trigue L3450's (Creative Labs), which are great, and look good too. They match the iMac perfectly.

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