Consumer grade speaker suggestions
Moderator: James Steele
Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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
Phil
DP 11.23, 2020 M1 Mac Mini [9,1] (16 Gig RAM), Mac Pro 3GHz 8 core [6,1] (16 Gig RAM), OS 14.3.1/11.6.2, Lynx Aurora (n) 8tb, MOTU 8pre-es, MOTU M6, MOTU 828, Apogee Rosetta 800, UAD-2 Satellite, a truckload of outboard gear and plug-ins, and a partridge in a pear tree.
- mikehalloran
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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
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
DP 11.23, 2020 M1 Mac Mini [9,1] (16 Gig RAM), Mac Pro 3GHz 8 core [6,1] (16 Gig RAM), OS 14.3.1/11.6.2, Lynx Aurora (n) 8tb, MOTU 8pre-es, MOTU M6, MOTU 828, Apogee Rosetta 800, UAD-2 Satellite, a truckload of outboard gear and plug-ins, and a partridge in a pear tree.
- mikehalloran
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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.
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.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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
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
DP 11.23, 2020 M1 Mac Mini [9,1] (16 Gig RAM), Mac Pro 3GHz 8 core [6,1] (16 Gig RAM), OS 14.3.1/11.6.2, Lynx Aurora (n) 8tb, MOTU 8pre-es, MOTU M6, MOTU 828, Apogee Rosetta 800, UAD-2 Satellite, a truckload of outboard gear and plug-ins, and a partridge in a pear tree.
- mikehalloran
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
His hearing is compromised... Oh my.This guy wears two hearing aids anyway,
Maybe the Logitech wouldn't be such a bad place to start.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
- stubbsonic
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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.
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.
M1 MBP; OS 12, FF800, DP 11.3, Kontakt 7, Reaktor 6, PC3K7, K2661S, iPad6, Godin XTSA, Two Ibanez 5 string basses (1 fretted, 1 fretless), FM3, SY-1000, etc.
http://www.jonstubbsmusic.com
http://www.jonstubbsmusic.com
- mikehalloran
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
On paper, those Mackies look very good. They even come with iso pads and cabling.stubbsonic wrote: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.
I would hope they got the hot weather issue fixed or that it would be covered under warranty.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
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IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
- stubbsonic
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
It was only in one review, perhaps an unusually hot studio and pushing them very hard (?)
M1 MBP; OS 12, FF800, DP 11.3, Kontakt 7, Reaktor 6, PC3K7, K2661S, iPad6, Godin XTSA, Two Ibanez 5 string basses (1 fretted, 1 fretless), FM3, SY-1000, etc.
http://www.jonstubbsmusic.com
http://www.jonstubbsmusic.com
Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
Thanks Jon. They look like they might fit the bill, but there are some bad reviews. Hmmm.
Phil
Phil
DP 11.23, 2020 M1 Mac Mini [9,1] (16 Gig RAM), Mac Pro 3GHz 8 core [6,1] (16 Gig RAM), OS 14.3.1/11.6.2, Lynx Aurora (n) 8tb, MOTU 8pre-es, MOTU M6, MOTU 828, Apogee Rosetta 800, UAD-2 Satellite, a truckload of outboard gear and plug-ins, and a partridge in a pear tree.
- stubbsonic
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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.
M1 MBP; OS 12, FF800, DP 11.3, Kontakt 7, Reaktor 6, PC3K7, K2661S, iPad6, Godin XTSA, Two Ibanez 5 string basses (1 fretted, 1 fretless), FM3, SY-1000, etc.
http://www.jonstubbsmusic.com
http://www.jonstubbsmusic.com
Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
I see your point. The good news is, it's not my money. Perhaps I'll recommend both.
DP 11.23, 2020 M1 Mac Mini [9,1] (16 Gig RAM), Mac Pro 3GHz 8 core [6,1] (16 Gig RAM), OS 14.3.1/11.6.2, Lynx Aurora (n) 8tb, MOTU 8pre-es, MOTU M6, MOTU 828, Apogee Rosetta 800, UAD-2 Satellite, a truckload of outboard gear and plug-ins, and a partridge in a pear tree.
- mikehalloran
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
Nah... playing PlayStation cranked up to 11 for hours on end, perhaps?stubbsonic wrote:It was only in one review, perhaps an unusually hot studio and pushing them very hard (?)
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
- BKK-OZ
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Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
Can I ask what you ended up with in the end?
I'm in the market for some cheap-but-good powered desktop speakers.
I'm in the market for some cheap-but-good powered desktop speakers.
Cheers,
BK
…string theory says that all subatomic particles of the universe are nothing but musical notes. A, B-flat, C-sharp, correspond to electrons, neutrinos, quarks, and what have you. Therefore, physics is nothing but the laws of harmony of these strings. Chemistry is nothing but the melodies we can play on these strings. The universe is a symphony of strings and the mind of God… it is cosmic music resonating through 11 dimensional hyperspace.
- M Kaku
BK
…string theory says that all subatomic particles of the universe are nothing but musical notes. A, B-flat, C-sharp, correspond to electrons, neutrinos, quarks, and what have you. Therefore, physics is nothing but the laws of harmony of these strings. Chemistry is nothing but the melodies we can play on these strings. The universe is a symphony of strings and the mind of God… it is cosmic music resonating through 11 dimensional hyperspace.
- M Kaku
Re: Consumer grade speaker suggestions
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!BKK-OZ wrote:Can I ask what you ended up with in the end?
Phil
DP 11.23, 2020 M1 Mac Mini [9,1] (16 Gig RAM), Mac Pro 3GHz 8 core [6,1] (16 Gig RAM), OS 14.3.1/11.6.2, Lynx Aurora (n) 8tb, MOTU 8pre-es, MOTU M6, MOTU 828, Apogee Rosetta 800, UAD-2 Satellite, a truckload of outboard gear and plug-ins, and a partridge in a pear tree.