Decent Desktop speakers

[ROK]

After getting an Xstar DP2710 I find myself watching much more netflix/movies/tv on my pc than before (revamping my setup and my bed happens to be directly behind my desk). I've been using my UE mini boom bluetooth speaker for awhile to watch from my pc but the signal keeps dropping and it just isn't loud enough from across the room. I've got ~$150 Canadian that I'm willing to drop on a set of nice speakers and any other equipment that I'll need to put the setup together. I'd like to be able to listen to some music and maybe play some games using the speakers, but I'm going to be using these primarily for TV/Movies. One concern is the fact that my 3.5mm Jack coming out of my mobo is occupied by my keyboard's 3.5mm extender, and I need to use it because I can't hook up my front panel audio to my motherboard. I don't really care about the brand of the speakers, so long as they have decent reviews, aren't too large and aren't an eyesore. I can't accommodate much more than a 2.1 setup of desktop speakers, either.

[MayflowerElectronics]

Check out the Alesis M1 320 and 520. I have the 520 at the shop and they sound okay. They also have a USB input so you won't need anything analog.

[ROK]

Check out the Alesis M1 320 and 520. I have the 520 at the shop and they sound okay. They also have a USB input so you won't need anything analog.

Really liking the look of the 320s, especially the price. Any reason to go 2.0 rather than 2.1? I have some room under and beside my desk for a subwoofer and wouldn't mind some nice bass for watching movies with explosions.

[MayflowerElectronics]

There's a bass boost option on the back if you want that.

 

2.1 kits are generally terrible. If you want a subwoofer, you can get whatever is on sale for about $100. It will be boomy and loud, but if that's what you want more power to you.

[ROK]

There's a bass boost option on the back if you want that.

 

2.1 kits are generally terrible. If you want a subwoofer, you can get whatever is on sale for about $100. It will be boomy and loud, but if that's what you want more power to you.

Definitely more intrested in sound quality than big booms in movies. Probably will order the 320s in the next week if all goes well. Gonna try and see if any local stores have them so I can hear before I buy.

[xyza]

If you can find the Microlabs solo7c that might be a good option for you

 

[ROK]

Those microlabs don't seem to exist in Canada.

The Alesis are pretty hard to find (I'd have to wait until June/July when I go away), so I'm now looking towards the M-Audio AV-30 ($100), M-Audio AV-40 ($150) and the Behringer MS40 ($175).

[MayflowerElectronics]

I'm pretty sure all of them require analog input.

[ROK]

I'm pretty sure all of them require analog input.

It looks like the Behringer's MS40 and MS20 will accept digital input in the form of Coaxial or Optical (which I have on my motherboard).

Are these a decent set of speakers for the price ($175)? They're a bit more expensive but I can pick them up locally, so I save about $30-40 on shipping.

[MayflowerElectronics]

The MS40 looks decent. I've never heard them before but they have a near 5 inch woofer so you should be good.

[ROK]

I figure I'll give an update as I've solved my issue.

 

I went and bought a pair of Behringer MS40s and brought them home but was disappointed with the sound and they were way too large for my desk, so I ended out waiting a bit until I found a decent sale on a Harman/Kardon Soundsticks III speaker set. These sound pretty great (I'm only watching netflix on them) and (most importantly) fit on my desk.

I ended out buying an Audioengine D1 DAC as well because unplugging and replugging my speakers every time I wanted to use headphones was a serious hassle. I also picked up a pair of Audioengine A5+ for serious listening, they are way too large for my desk so they ended out being put on a bookshelf but I appreciate them way more than my soundsticks.

 

Overall, I ended out spending a bit more than I had wanted, but I finally sorted out my audio setup.