[PStamler]

I know this opens up the gates of Hell, but...

My partner needs a pair of computer speakers to plug into her laptop. Requirements:

1. Portable, powered.
2. Reasonably affordable.
3. Not *too* horrible sounding. I know computer speakers, for the most part, stink; she needs something that doesn't stink as badly as most.

Any recommendations? If it was me, I'd choose a good pair of powered monitors, but that violates criteria 1 and 2. We're not talking an audio professional here, but someone who needs the equivalent of a better-quality boombox.

Peace,
Paul

[William Sommerwerck]

Take a look at these:

http://www.versaudio.com

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...ur-mobile-life

They work wirelessly with Bluetooth, or with a regular 3.5mm-plug cable. I
haven't heard them.

[jason]

On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:25:38 -0800 (PST) "PStamler"
wrote in article

I know this opens up the gates of Hell, but...

My partner needs a pair of computer speakers to plug into her laptop. Requirements:

1. Portable, powered.
2. Reasonably affordable.
3. Not *too* horrible sounding. I know computer speakers, for the most part, stink; she needs something that doesn't stink as badly as most.

Any recommendations? If it was me, I'd choose a good pair of powered monitors, but that violates criteria 1 and 2. We're not talking an audio professional here, but someone who needs the equivalent of a better-quality boombox.

Peace,
Paul

These might do it: Alesis M1 Active 320 USB

They're $100/pr. They sound decent to me though I only
listened in a noisy store environment. They do some other
tricks, too.

see: http://www.swee****er.com/store/detail/M1Act320USB/

[hank alrich]

PStamler wrote:

I know this opens up the gates of Hell, but...

My partner needs a pair of computer speakers to plug into her laptop.
Requirements:

1. Portable, powered. 2. Reasonably affordable. 3. Not *too* horrible
sounding. I know computer speakers, for the most part, stink; she needs
something that doesn't stink as badly as most.

Any recommendations? If it was me, I'd choose a good pair of powered
monitors, but that violates criteria 1 and 2. We're not talking an audio
professional here, but someone who needs the equivalent of a
better-quality boombox.

Peace,
Paul


http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...phileAV30.html

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioAV40.html

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...oBX5D2New.html

--
shut up and play your guitar * http://hankalrich.com/
http://hankandshaidrimusic.com/
http://www.youtube.com/walkinaymusic

[Mike Rivers]

On 12/20/2012 4:25 PM, PStamler wrote:

My partner needs a pair of computer speakers to plug into her laptop. Requirements:
1. Portable, powered.
2. Reasonably affordable.
3. Not *too* horrible sounding.

Paul, Paul, Paul . . . you've been around long enough to
know that neither "reasonable" nor "affordable" are useful
parameters. Are we talking $25, $100, or $300? And how
portable does it have to be?

Are you really looking at speakers that are sold as computer
speakers? Or small, portable powered "monitors" sold to
people who devote a quarter of the dining room table to the
studio?



--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[William Sommerwerck]

These might do it: Alesis M1 Active 320 USB

These might be perfectly good speakers. But...

You're going to have a heck of a time getting 20W RMS [sic -- there's no such
thing as RMS power] out of them, as a USB interface can provide no more than
500mA at 5V. And this 2.5W has to be divided between two speakers!

Granted, most speakers can put out a listenable SPL with 100mW (or less). But
you're not going to be able to play them at high levels. At least the
expensive Vers speakers I mentioned have their own batteries.

[Scott Dorsey]

PStamler wrote:
Any recommendations? If it was me, I'd choose a good pair of powered monitors, but that violates criteria 1 and 2. We're not talking an audio professional here, but someone who needs the equivalent of a better-quality boombox.

Recently, Recording Magazine reviewed a pair of Cerwin-Vega XD3 multimedia
speakers fairly well. I know, this sounds very unlikely, but call Mike
up and ask him.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[sidd]

On Friday, 21 December 2012 02:55:38 UTC+5:30, PStamler wrote:
I know this opens up the gates of Hell, but...



My partner needs a pair of computer speakers to plug into her laptop. Requirements:



1. Portable, powered.

2. Reasonably affordable.

3. Not *too* horrible sounding. I know computer speakers, for the most part, stink; she needs something that doesn't stink as badly as most.



Any recommendations? If it was me, I'd choose a good pair of powered monitors, but that violates criteria 1 and 2. We're not talking an audio professional here, but someone who needs the equivalent of a better-quality boombox.



Peace,

Paul

I'd go with the Jambox by Jabra, that thing sounded wide when i passed by it at a mall, it was attention bragging. It packs quite a interesting stereo at its sweet pot.

[Sean Conolly]

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
These might do it: Alesis M1 Active 320 USB

These might be perfectly good speakers. But...

You're going to have a heck of a time getting 20W RMS [sic -- there's no
such thing as RMS power] out of them, as a USB interface can provide no
more than 500mA at 5V. And this 2.5W has to be divided between two
speakers!

Granted, most speakers can put out a listenable SPL with 100mW (or less).
But you're not going to be able to play them at high levels. At least the
expensive Vers speakers I mentioned have their own batteries.

I'm sure they have a power adapter. Don't be suprised if it's not mentioned
anywhere, I bought some tiny HP speakers for the spouse thinking that they
were USB powered, after reading every word online and on the box. They had a
wall wart in the box.

Sean

[jason]

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:41:17 -0500 "Sean Conolly" sjconolly_98
@yaaho.com wrote in article

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
These might do it: Alesis M1 Active 320 USB

These might be perfectly good speakers. But...

You're going to have a heck of a time getting 20W RMS [sic -- there's no
such thing as RMS power] out of them, as a USB interface can provide no
more than 500mA at 5V. And this 2.5W has to be divided between two
speakers!

Granted, most speakers can put out a listenable SPL with 100mW (or less).
But you're not going to be able to play them at high levels. At least the
expensive Vers speakers I mentioned have their own batteries.

I'm sure they have a power adapter. Don't be suprised if it's not mentioned
anywhere, I bought some tiny HP speakers for the spouse thinking that they
were USB powered, after reading every word online and on the box. They had a
wall wart in the box.

Sean

There is power beyond the 2.4w from USB (I agree - not enough!). The
picture of the back shows a socket for external power. I assume it's a
wall wart.

Jason

[William Sommerwerck]

"Sean Conolly" wrote in message ...

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...

These might do it: Alesis M1 Active 320 USB

These might be perfectly good speakers. But...
You're going to have a heck of a time getting 20W RMS [sic -- there's no
such thing as RMS power] out of them, as a USB interface can provide no
more than 500mA at 5V. And this 2.5W has to be divided between two
speakers!
Granted, most speakers can put out a listenable SPL with 100mW (or less).
But you're not going to be able to play them at high levels. At least the
expensive Vers speakers I mentioned have their own batteries.

I'm sure they have a power adapter. Don't be suprised if it's not mentioned
anywhere, I bought some tiny HP speakers for the spouse thinking that they
were USB powered, after reading every word online and on the box. They had
a wall wart in the box.

That's not surprising.

I looked at the Swee****er page, and it says ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about AC
operation. So I called and asked one of the technical experts. It turns out
the thing is AC powered. One of the photos shows the power jack on the back.

[William Sommerwerck]

There is power beyond the 2.4w from USB (I agree - not enough!). The
picture of the back shows a socket for external power. I assume it's a
wall wart.

Actually, it's an AC connector.

[Tobiah]

Parenthetically, I got these for Christmas:

http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iHM79BC/

I've been seeing this 'pop up' design from many different
manufacturers. I am guessing that they all use the same
driver and dress them up with their own box.

Anyway, for super compact speakers, I was startled by
the bass output and general fidelity. Probably not
what OP wants. I just thought I'd mention them.

Toby

On 12/20/2012 01:25 PM, PStamler wrote:
I know this opens up the gates of Hell, but...

My partner needs a pair of computer speakers to plug into her laptop. Requirements:

1. Portable, powered.
2. Reasonably affordable.
3. Not *too* horrible sounding. I know computer speakers, for the most part, stink; she needs something that doesn't stink as badly as most.

Any recommendations? If it was me, I'd choose a good pair of powered monitors, but that violates criteria 1 and 2. We're not talking an audio professional here, but someone who needs the equivalent of a better-quality boombox.

Peace,
Paul

[gregz]

Tobiah wrote:
Parenthetically, I got these for Christmas:

http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iHM79BC/

I've been seeing this 'pop up' design from many different
manufacturers. I am guessing that they all use the same
driver and dress them up with their own box.

Anyway, for super compact speakers, I was startled by
the bass output and general fidelity. Probably not
what OP wants. I just thought I'd mention them.

Toby

I got one for Xmas. One. Mono.have not tried it yet. Nephew said it was
cool.

Greg

[PStamler]

On Wednesday, January 2, 2013 7:53:23 PM UTC-6, G wrote:
Tobiah wrote:

Parenthetically, I got these for Christmas:



http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iHM79BC/



I've been seeing this 'pop up' design from many different

manufacturers. I am guessing that they all use the same

driver and dress them up with their own box.



Anyway, for super compact speakers, I was startled by

the bass output and general fidelity. Probably not

what OP wants. I just thought I'd mention them.



Toby



I got one for Xmas. One. Mono.have not tried it yet. Nephew said it was

cool.

What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?

Peace,
Paul

[Ron Capik[_3_]]

On 1/3/2013 3:31 AM, PStamler wrote:
On Wednesday, January 2, 2013 7:53:23 PM UTC-6, G wrote:
Tobiah wrote:

Parenthetically, I got these for Christmas:



http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iHM79BC/



I've been seeing this 'pop up' design from many different

manufacturers. I am guessing that they all use the same

driver and dress them up with their own box.



Anyway, for super compact speakers, I was startled by

the bass output and general fidelity. Probably not

what OP wants. I just thought I'd mention them.



Toby



I got one for Xmas. One. Mono.have not tried it yet. Nephew said it was

cool.

What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?

Peace,
Paul

Bass that sucks?
[ducking and running.... ]
==
Later...
Ron capik
--

[Here In Oregon]

"PStamler" wrote in message news:

What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?


There is no bass.

[hank alrich]

PStamler wrote:

What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?

Multitasking device also able to be used for house cleaning.

HTH

--
shut up and play your guitar * http://hankalrich.com/
http://hankandshaidrimusic.com/
http://www.youtube.com/walkinaymusic

[Mike Rivers]

On 1/3/2013 7:13 PM, hank alrich wrote:
wrote:
What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?

Perhaps a bad translation of a suction cup on the base to
keep it from sliding off the table.

--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[Jonathan[_5_]]

On Thursday, December 20, 2012 4:25:38 PM UTC-5, PStamler wrote:
I know this opens up the gates of Hell, but...



My partner needs a pair of computer speakers to plug into her laptop. Requirements:



1. Portable, powered.

2. Reasonably affordable.

3. Not *too* horrible sounding. I know computer speakers, for the most part, stink; she needs something that doesn't stink as badly as most.



Any recommendations? If it was me, I'd choose a good pair of powered monitors, but that violates criteria 1 and 2. We're not talking an audio professional here, but someone who needs the equivalent of a better-quality boombox.



Peace,

Paul

Paul,

If your partner is a typical casual music listener, then asking that question here is like asking a room full of PhDs in English for a book recommendation. You're going to get a lot of Plato and Shakespeare, but not a lot of stuff that most people are going to enjoy for beach reading.
You probably won't like this advice, but if you want to get her something she's really going to enjoy listening to (and she's willing to spend 250 bucks), I would check out the Bose Companion 20. From my experience, that is the sound that's vastly preferred by most folks who are not sound professionals. I know the jokes too ("BOSE...no highs no lows," etc.), and I certainly wouldn't rely on them as a monitoring reference, but I can pretty much guarantee that's the sound she's going to like.

Jonathan

[Marc Wielage[_2_]]

On Sun, 6 Jan 2013 05:38:30 -0800, Jonathan wrote
(in article ):

You probably won't like this advice, but if you want to get her something
she's really going to enjoy listening to (and she's willing to spend 250
bucks), I would check out the Bose Companion 20. From my experience, that is
the sound that's vastly preferred by most folks who are not sound
professionals.
------------------------------snip------------------------------

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I found the sound of the original Bose
Powered Computer Speakers to be "not horrible." (Not great, but OK for
$150.) The newer ones were much too mid-rangey for me.

A couple of years later, I found a major high-end pro audio manufacturer
using the exact same speakers for their demos at an AES Show! The company
president agreed with me that the Bose computer speakers were surprisingly OK
for what they were.

--MFW

[William Sommerwerck]

If I recall correctly, the OP wanted speakers that could be used with a
notebook computer. The Bose Companion 20 requires an external power supply,
which I assume would not be workable for this user.

About 12 years ago I bought Monsoon MM-1000 flat-panel speakers (which used
Thigpen drivers). They're still working, and sound terrific. The PC Magazine
said they could legitimately be called audiophile speakers, and I agree. The
cost around $300, and I know without even listening they would vastly
outperform the Bose. Of course, they can't be used with a notebook computer,
either. (Not on the road, anyway.)

Audio Engine speakers should be a good choice -- but, again, they have to be
plugged in.

[Scott Dorsey]

PStamler wrote:

I got one for Xmas. One. Mono.have not tried it yet. Nephew said it was

cool.

What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?

It's a patented technology from Hong-Kong!
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 2/26/2013 10:16 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
wrote:

What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?

It's a patented technology from Hong-Kong!

The woofer cone moves in one direction only - outward - so the bass
doesn't get clogged up inside the cabinet. Every few days, though, you
have to move the cabinet back to its original position since it tends to
"walk."




--
For a good time, call http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

[Neil Gould]

Mike Rivers wrote:
On 2/26/2013 10:16 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
wrote:

What in heaven's name is "vacuum bass design"?

It's a patented technology from Hong-Kong!

The woofer cone moves in one direction only - outward - so the bass
doesn't get clogged up inside the cabinet. Every few days, though, you
have to move the cabinet back to its original position since it tends
to "walk."

Not a problem for circular-tube cabinets, but phase sync can be tricky...
;-)

--
best regards,

Neil