Speakers for the computer

[macgregor]

I'm looking to improve my stereo speakers for my editing workstation. I don´t want to spend a fortune but I wanto something with a bit more punch than the current creative T10 that I have. Any suggestions?

[Alex H.]

Do you need accurate, or just palpable? And what budget range are we talking about?

If you aren't doing much (any) audio post work and only need to be able to hear well, then the M-Audio AV30 and AV40 sets are fantastic for the money. They are end-user listening systems, meaning that they aren't anywhere close to accurate for making critical sound decisions. But they're just fine for listening to music while you work, and for hearing well enough to edit.

There are some mid-priced systems that are respectable, though not ideal, if you want something with a sub-woofer. Look at the Yamaha HS50M and HS80M, and the HS10W. Or look at the M-Audio BX5 D2 or BX8 D2, and the SBX10 sub.

However, if you're doing anything involving critical judgment of your audio, then you need something accurate. Genelecs, Mackie HR824mkII, and the like. These are the top end.

Of course, accuracy in monitoring also depends greatly on treatment of the room. An untreated room (no diffusion/absorption treatments) will skew what you hear and not even the best monitors money can buy will compensate for that.

[macgregor]

Thanks Alex,
This is just to listen, my room is not ideal at all for good sound editing.
I was thinking Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II or the AV40s that you mentioned.

[Alex H.]

I use Genelecs with my ProTools suite, but I use the AV40s at home for FCP (and for listening to iTunes, YouTube, Vimeo). I have the AV30s at my office. Both are great for the money.

For anyone else reading this: these are multimedia speakers. They're high-end for computer speakers, but no suitable for "professional" applications beyond simply being able to hear.

[Cassius]

I use the Alesis M1Active USB speakers at home. They're at a great spot between quality and price, at least for me.

[Richard Crowley]

There are NO decent "computer speakers". Nothing made by "Creative" or any of those computer companies is even marginally decent for doing even semi-serious audio work. They have horrible frequency response that will lie to you when you need the truth. Don't even consider anything that calls itself a "computer speaker" or a "multi-media speaker".

The minimum speakers acceptable for even semi-serious audio work are the little home recording monitor speakers. These are NOT sold as "computer speakers".

[vincent thomas]

Genelec monitor audio speakers...

__________________________________________________ ________
Vincent Thomas
Artist for Film / Photograph & Creative Director
http://www.stranger-than-paradise.book.fr/
__________________________________________

I'm looking to improve my stereo speakers for my editing workstation. I don´t want to spend a fortune but I wanto something with a bit more punch than the current creative T10 that I have. Any suggestions?

[Alex H.]

The minimum speakers acceptable for even semi-serious audio work are the little home recording monitor speakers. These are NOT sold as "computer speakers".

The thing about the AV30 and AV40 is that they're labeled as monitors for home recording, but they are not accurate by any means... but they have the best value for anything in their class and are perfectly suitable for listening where critical audio judgment is not a concern. However, we've established that macgregor is not in a treated room and simply needs to hear to edit video. So again, these fit the bill, and much better than anything that would be in the "computer speaker" aisle at Best Buy.

[tyreeford]

Macgregor,

How much do you want to spend?

How much will you spend?

Regards,

Ty Ford

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

I use Genelecs with my ProTools suite, but I use the AV40s at home for FCP (and for listening to iTunes, YouTube, Vimeo). I have the AV30s at my office. Both are great for the money.

For anyone else reading this: these are multimedia speakers. They're high-end for computer speakers, but no suitable for "professional" applications beyond simply being able to hear.

What do you use to drive these speakers... or is it direct from the 'computer'...