computer speakers

[ayceejay]

The sound that comes out of my iMac when listening to music or watching a movie is a bit sub par. I realise that the source is not going to give me the hi-fi sound of a valve amplifier but how can I improve on it, with external speakers?

 

[accountantpete]

You can get proper hi-fi sound out in two ways I believe.

1) Spdif out to a DAC then analogue out to amplifier and stereo speakers. (You may have a TOSLINK optical out instead of spdif so you need a DAC with optical in)

2)HDMI out to receiver and then whatever surround sound you want.

 

[ufkacbln]

You are correct that the sound is limited by the electronic format

One of the best buys I made was a Bose Soundlink

Not "HiFi" but certainly a big improvement on the inbuilt speakers

I also have the Bose Soundlink mini for travelling

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I got a pair of these from ebay, not exactly cutting edge but about a thousand times better than the built in speakers and to my ears a very acceptable sound -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microlab-...306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item48728cb112

 

[ufkacbln]

I got a pair of these from ebay, not exactly cutting edge but about a thousand times better than the built in speakers and to my ears a very acceptable sound -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microlab-...306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item48728cb112

Which in itself is a point...

The individual's hearing will often be more of a limit than the technology

Having seen.a lot of rock bands as a youngster I know that my hearing is comporomised

 

[ufkacbln]

Another oldie with a misspent youth?

 

[AndyRM]

I have a set of Harman Kardon Soundsticks and they are IMO great sounding for a simple plug and play set up.

 

[fossyant]

The creative labs stuff is good

 

[fossyant]

And logitech.

Try and get at least a 2.1 system (2 speakers and a sub)

 

[raleighnut]

I bought a new Denon CD player that has a USB input on the front. It uses the DAC of the player to decode the signal from anything with an USB. (and it charges Maz's Ipad when it's plugged in)

 

[AndyRM]

[QUOTE 3776246, member: 259"]We had soundsticks and I really liked them - the bass was very good. But they failed within warranty and we had all sorts of nonsense trying to get them repaired or exchanged. In the end, the credit card company got them to cough up for a refund, but it was a lot of hassle and I'd be kind of nervous about getting anything from them again as a result.

By coincidence we got a HK infinity hifi system in the car and it sounds bloody good.[/QUOTE]

Ah that's a pity. Mine survived all kinds of abuse and multiple moves around student dosses. They only died when one of my idiot cats got involved...

 

[Cuchilo]

You wont regret these ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harman-Kard...868498&sr=8-2&keywords=harman+kardon+speakers

 

[mybike]

You wont regret these ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harman-Kard...868498&sr=8-2&keywords=harman+kardon+speakers

At that price I'd hope not.