First off.. Hello again Some of you may recognise me form a few years back now. I use to frequent these forums a few years ago now but rarely make any appearences anymore.. My dads just purchased a lovely little laptop, and now he wants some really "bassy/good speakers" which are reasonably aesthetically pleasing to hook up to in for the dining room.. I gave him a set of pretty poor creative 5.1 speakers that I brought second hand for about £25 and he thinks the quality on them is very poor.. He's show me these: http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-entertainment/personal-audio/computer-speakers/companion3/pricing.jsp He's got a £200 budget! Can anyone help? My only concern is that surley if it's just a jack link up and he's only got a rather rubbish onboard soundcard won't the sound quality be a bit rubbish anyway? (I know nothing about sound set ups,audio or anything related) Cheers!
There are many sets of speakers these days that can bypass the audio out socket and therefore bypass the poor quality onboard soundcard too. Either through USB or Bluetooth. In that same Bose range the Companion 5 speaker system offers USB support but the best prices for those come in around £250+. Logitech offer several USB speaker setups including the 2.0 Z-5 and the 2.1 Virtual Surround Z-Cinema. Sony offer a bluetooth speaker setup that certainly has style and the laptop could be completely wireless from the speakers - it's the SRS-BT100
Onboard sound card, and especially the ones in laptop, is just plane crap. My recommendation are: - This external USB sound card: http://aphnetworks.com/reviews/asus_xonar_u1/5 or http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=17988 (although better, be prepared for heavy drivers) with - Logitech Z-4 2.1 speakers system If more Base is needed, then look at the Logitech Z-2300 Alternatively, you can get these (on USB, so no sound card needed) http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/3712&cl=ca,en Of course before deciding anything, make sure you read reviews of everything mentioned, a downside which is ok for me, might be critical for you/dad. So check reviews out.
Thanks for the replies so far guys I'm not sure which route to tell him to go down now The Asus Xonar U1 looked pretty sleek... edit: and I've sent him a link the to the Bose USB ones
