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I would avoid the Bose Companion 2 and go with the Companion 3 instead. The Companion 3 is closer in sound to the Klipsch ProMedia, it also has two satellite and a sub. I have both, I ended up using the Klipsch as my primary computer speaker because I thought the Klipsch sounded smoother and mellower than the Bose.
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Bought my Promedia 2.1 as a refurb set. As for the eBay question, one of my speakers blew and needed replacing; I think the wiring harness also broke or something...it's been a couple years now since that happened. Still, a decent if not good desktop set. I've seen others here rave about the Audioengines mentioned above.
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the audioengine stuff is very nice for the money.
blue sky
mediadesk 2.1s are nice (more $)
blue sky has a new 2.1
eXo2 that has received good reviews. I hope they show at AES next week and I might get a listen.
monoprices new little
speakers have received some good reviews.
others to explore
here.
they can be had from reasonable to in$ane.
I've not heard the JBL small desktop stuff, but prefer their pro nearfields to many others.
I have nothing to say about Bose or Klipsch, based on previous experience, but many others differ.
Many speakers are way to bright for me, which is why I steer towards JBL.
I have an old set of RSL desktops (no longer made) that are my "bright" reference.
“Art is how we decorate space.
Music is how we decorate time.”
Jean-Michel Basquiat
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i have the jbl creature IIs set up with my mac pro and use them with my final cut pro set-up and have been very satisfied with the sound quality.
my only nit-picking complaint is the volume is controlled with a plus/+ or minus/- button on one of the speakers.
it works fine...
...BUT it does not show any volume levels. (where is that one through ten volume knob?)
i need a visual volume level so i can set/zero audio levels when i mix films after using fcp.
i have to set the volume by ear and though functional, always has me worrying.
not to hijack the thread, but of the several above recommended systems, which has a visual representation of volume?
thanks in advance to those who care to share.
ymmv
be well.
rob
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robfilms wrote:
i have to set the volume by ear and though functional, always has me worrying.
I use a SPL app on my dumbphone to approximate, though I'm always pretty close to 85 by ear.
“Art is how we decorate space.
Music is how we decorate time.”
Jean-Michel Basquiat
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I've got the Audioengine A2s and A5+s, no subs.
They are really nice sounding speakers, especially for the money. I've been surprised at how well they've been reviews in some high-end magazines.
The A5s play easily fill a room with great sound, but they are physically big, like traditional bookshelf speakers.
The A2s are much smaller but no Lilliputians. A little on the larger side when compared to computer speakers. These are more of a nearfield speaker, unless you don't listen too loud.
Both speakers are built with MDF, not plastic and have some real heft. My A5+s are the bamboo finish. That's solid bamboo, no veneer. Absolutely lovely to look at.
I also have the Creatures and Creatures II. These *are* computer speakers but sound fairly nice. They aren't room filling but will still rock quite well. I like the touch volume control's geek-tech. Besides sounding nice, they have an absolutely minuscule footprint.
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I have the Swans 10. They are not as loud as my Klipsch ProMedia 4.1s, but they sound much better, especially vocals and horns.