Consumer grade speaker suggestions

[Phil O]

If you ask me about studio monitors, I've got lots of opinions, but when it comes to consumer grade desktop speakers I'm in the dark. A composer friend of mine has just purchased a Mac Mini and has asked me to suggest some desktop speakers for his office. He has no audio interface, so they must be powered speakers that can use the audio jack on the Mini. Also, we're talking tight budget (i.e., no high end stuff). He's not using this set-up for music creation, he just needs to be able to listen to demos, internet stuff, maybe watch a news clip, etc. Suggestions?

Phil

[mikehalloran]

There's no reason he can't have both. The big compromise is bass response and volume. However, you need to start with a number. $200, $300, $400? There are good choices at each level.

[Phil O]

Tight means tight. I'm thinking something in the $100 range. He just blew a wad of cash on the Mini, keyboard, mouse, etc. (I should have mentioned that in the original post. Sorry.)

I was looking at these, but I know nothing about them. They look good on paper.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/z ... swodk1UC4Q

[mikehalloran]

I have an earlier version of those Logitech speakers in a box in my garage. Good for gaming and watching movies, I suppose—they will sound impressive and you won't hear the huge amount of distortion in the sub unless you solo it. If you really want to know what's going on to any degree, I can't say I recommend them.

I kept the sub for a long time till my budget allowed me to get something better. Since it is the active component, I paired it with a pair of passive KrKs for a long time. Then the day came when I realized that my Prius/JBL system had better sound for my mixes.

Here are Sweetwater's offerings, priced low–high. Some are priced singly; others in pairs.
http://www.sweetwater.com/c405--Active_ ... s/low2high

Perhaps someone will be able to comment on the lower priced offerings.

[Phil O]

Thanks for the feedback, Mike. Your time is always appreciated!
I suspect I can't expect much in that price range, but that's what I'm working with. This guy wears two hearing aids anyway, so I don't think he'll be too critical, but based on your comments I'll look a little further than the Logitechs. Perhaps I can convince him to spend a little more.
Phil

[mikehalloran]

This guy wears two hearing aids anyway,

His hearing is compromised... Oh my.

Maybe the Logitech wouldn't be such a bad place to start.

[stubbsonic]

The Mackie CR 3" speakers look promising. The reviews are good for that kind of product. One worrying comment was about them shutting off due to hot weather.

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-CR-CR3-Re ... B00KVEIY4E

A used sub-woofer could be tied in at a later date. I got a nice one at a garage sale for $20 that sounds fine.

[mikehalloran]

The Mackie CR 3" speakers look promising. The reviews are good for that kind of product. One worrying comment was about them shutting off due to hot weather.

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-CR-CR3-Re ... B00KVEIY4E

A used sub-woofer could be tied in at a later date. I got a nice one at a garage sale for $20 that sounds fine.

On paper, those Mackies look very good. They even come with iso pads and cabling.

I would hope they got the hot weather issue fixed or that it would be covered under warranty.

[stubbsonic]

It was only in one review, perhaps an unusually hot studio and pushing them very hard (?)

[Phil O]

Thanks Jon. They look like they might fit the bill, but there are some bad reviews. Hmmm.

Phil

[stubbsonic]

The Logitech speakers also have some bad reviews. Looking at the percentages and the number of reviews, the Mackies don't seem too risky. Then again, perhaps the logitech's are fairly low risk as well.

[Phil O]

I see your point. The good news is, it's not my money. Perhaps I'll recommend both.

[mikehalloran]

It was only in one review, perhaps an unusually hot studio and pushing them very hard (?)

Nah... playing PlayStation cranked up to 11 for hours on end, perhaps?

[BKK-OZ]

Can I ask what you ended up with in the end?

I'm in the market for some cheap-but-good powered desktop speakers.

[Phil O]

Can I ask what you ended up with in the end?

I haven't spoken to him yet about it. He's recovering from a medical procedure at a rehab facility and I'll give him some space until he gets back home. I'm still thinking that for his situation, the Logitechs may be fine. His hearing is so bad that volume may be more important than sound quality. You should hear how loud he has the TV blasting in his house!

Phil