Upgrading from Soundsticks3, looking for the best 2.1 computer speaker

[ryanc522]

Hey all, I've had the Soundsticks 3 for a few years but now I'm thinking about getting new speakers. I have been looking at the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 and the Swan M50w, and I primarily listen to EDM and alternative. My max budget is $300 thank you!

 

[ssddx]

soundsticks are considered one of the better pc speakers out there. honestly not much in the pc speaker market is going to be better.. i would look into the hifi and home theater markets instead.

the promedia 2.1 is built nice and sounds nice however the subwoofer overpowers the satellites so you can only use it (the subwoofer) at minimum output if you want a balanced sound signature. i owned a set for a few days before i returned it (i ultimately bought a 5.1 klipsch setup because i liked the sound but wanted something more balanced and with more output)

what options may work for you?

A) powered 2.1 systems like the swan m10 or m50. a bit more bass output than 2.0 systems but not matching a large size woofer. if you do not need excessive volume or amounts of bass they may work fine if space is a concern.

B) powered 2.0 hifi systems like the the maudio av32/av42, mackie cr3/cr4, micca pb42x or similar. good quality audio and does not take up much space but may lack a little on the low end. you can pair them with a dayton subwoofer to alleviate that if you want bass.

C) larger sized passive bookshelves with a stereo amplifier or stereo receiver. speakers like klipsch kb-15, pioneer bs22 and similar. you often get more bass response out of the bigger woofers on the larger sized bookshelves than you do on the smaller ones. you may not even need a subwoofer although if you want the hardest hitting bass a subwoofer is required.

i'm running a satellite set of klipsch currently and i'm quite happy with them. the horn design really gives detailed and bright treble response (dome tweeters are a bit more mellow generally). i've heard the bookshelves and like them as well though it was not in my budget at the time i set this system up.

edm benefits the most from clean detailed bass and treble responses. it does not necessarily need to be a bass heavy system just clean - amount depends on your preferences. the reason i say this is because edm often has many subtleties in treble, complex bass notes and often vocals.