Best computer 2.1 speaker system for mixing audio?

Blue Sky makes cheap usable 2.1 systems.
I prefer my Genelec 1037's, though

I love my Blue Sky Media Desk 2.1 system. Easy on the ears clean & not exhausting on the ears 🙂

Bose is really a lot of marketing hype. Before I got into music production I was into Hi-Fi home theater systems. While Bose makes a killing saying its sound "envelopes" you, in these "miraculously" tiny speakers, it's completely untrue. The drivers were pretty bad, and their $2000 systems would be on par with $300 systems by other brands.

When you're setting up a system, especially for mixing audio, you don't want "reflections" off walls. Professional studios spend thousands of dollars on construction and sound reinforcement to get rid of them. Ideally, you'd want a clear, precise, distinct sound, and reflections muddy up all of that up.

As for recommendations, the Blue Sky Media desk is nice. I demoed it before deciding on going with my Dynaudios, which were only a few hundred $ more.

Also, do you really need the subwoofer?

There are 2.0 systems out there that go really low. If you're used to small cones, like those commonly found on computer speakers (2-3") then that's where the subwoofer comes into play, but on 2.0 audio monitors, small drivers are at least 6", and 8" drivers are the same size as sufwoofer cones on computer systems. I mix on my Dynaudio BM5A's and I find it covers all but the very low subbasses very well.

Anyway, what is your primary use for these?

If you're looking to semi-seriously mix audio, then go with audio monitors. There are cheap options out there (KRK, M-Audio, Blue Sky, Behringer) that handle mixing and are 2.0 (usually cheaper than 2.1). I've personally found to prefer a good 2.0 setup over a 2.1 system.

If you're looking for something mainly to enjoy music and play games, then go with something like a Klipsch system. Probably cheaper overall and Klipsch makes fine systems.

I love my Blue Sky Media Desk 2.1 system. Easy on the ears clean & not exhausting on the ears 🙂

Wayne; are you still using these and if so are you still happy with them? I'm looking at these or the Genelec 8030A's.

John

I have a friend with the Blue Sky 2.1 and they sound very nice. Easy on the ears is correct!!

For the amount you'd spend on a decent 2.1 desktop system, why not get some entry level near-field monitors and do your production work the justice it deserves?

For about the same price as a 2.1 system like you're talking about, you can get a decent set of active KRKs or something similar.

Monitor the sound as true as you possibly can. Artificial boosts and cuts from a 2.1 desktop system like you are talking about are only going to hurt your work.

what do you need the speakers for? are they to compliment studio monitors you already have? if not, it's pretty much a bad idea in every way to choose any brand of home or multimedia speakers over an affordable pair designed for audio production.

if budget is the only reason why you're thinking this way, then there are plenty of other options before you need to be scared off by the price of genelecs..

KRK make a series of smaller powered monitors that are pretty good for the money. the smallest pair are not even $AU200 more than what I paid for my AKG headphones..

this market is so competitive nowadays there's no reason why you should settle for speakers that are made to look nice in a room and enhance the sound to provide an exciting listening experience for home users, and to sell themselves in a domestic hifi showroom. you should buy the right tools for the job, otherwise you may as well have bought a sewing machine to run logic on as well.

If you have the chance to check these out:
http://www.emes.de/pageseng/products/ekobalt/ekobalt.htm
I bought a pair for on location recording and am very happy with them.
Maybe it's the best you can get in that price range.

Actually I was looking at a few reviews of the Genelecs and someone was compairing them to the Blue Sky Media's, that's the only reason I'm asking, more out of curiosity than anything. I must admit that I haven't given the KRK's much more than a passing look but maybe I'll try to get a listen. I'm a bit of a Dynaudio fan but the compact size of the Genelecs appeals.

They're for nearfield and I'd rather not go too big.

I took my Yamaha NS10's out and shot them so I'm currently monitor-less.

I'd rather pick the setup without a subwoofer if I want it for mixing in stereo.
Some nice near/mid fields with good low freq response. With subwoofer more problems have to be solved (not only room treatment-hemholtz resonators and other bass/mid traps depending on the size of the room but finding a proper placement for a subwoofer might be not easy as well - again, it depends on available space... and I suggest you to read Bob Katz's briliant explanation why two subwoofers are better than one 🙂
Forget "hi-fi" (they are mostly very "lo-fi" in fact) systems as main speakers for mixing, as you probably want your mixes to translate well on other systems (than they are mixed on) as well - and mixing on those "computer" or "home cinema" systems might be quite dangerous...

repeated note to all desktop audio fans:

computer speakers and/or small two way bookshelves are not good enough to mix with.
use them at your own artistic risk.
good monitors must produce a spl of 85db from ~40-20,000 cycles per second to be even adequate.
if you've never heard your projects thru studio monitors, or have never worked in pro performance audio you will be working at a handicap with these speaker types.
the human body loves to get a little physical impact from low end audio.
these types of speakers do not supply this at all. they do not move enought air over the full frequency spectrum.

my advice to everyone wanting decent monitoring is to save your money up and buy matched pair monitors with at least a 10" bass driver and an average spl of over 90db.

here's the DL friends - if you want to mix sound, then don't use computer speakers. . . at least not solely. It is good to have a set of consumer grade, sh** speakers lying around the control room, so that you can hear how you mix will sound on what the general public unfortunately listens to most of their music on. a pair of computer speakers, a pair of bookshelf speakers (which, after checking frequencies, compression, EQ and all that good stuff, is what I do most of my actual mixing on) and of course, your studio monitors. I would NOT buy computer speakers as your first investment for mixing audio

2 and 3 inch cones NEED a subwoofer because they are garbage. . . they can't put out decent sound worth anything. Most of the sound comes from the subwoofer. If you can't get studio monitors (and don't go cheap, cuz you'll regret it) then at least get some consumer bookshelves or something. . . something with a 4.5 - 8 inch woofer. . . just NOT computer speakers as your first choice for mixing ANYTHING.

Bought some Dynaudio BM5A's in the end. Lovely! 🙂