[chummer]

I'm looking for any knowledge on computer speakers. They're for listening to music at a reasonably high volume. I don't think I want a 3 or more piece set due to where they're going (no space), just a good quality pair. I was looking at some Creative giga works 16watt jobbies £89.99 PC world website. Any advice on makes, models, wattage, websites would be most appreciated.
cheers

[Bubba]

I use normal hifi kit - works fine and probably better quality.

[GCW]

 

Or headphones.

[chummer]

Am I being a complete numpty? (Very likely) Can you attach these to a P.C? You don't need a head phone jack or do you get some sort of adapter?

[GCW]

You can use optical output, whichever audio outputs your soundcard has, or just use the 3.5mm headphone jack with a 3.5 to phono lead.  Also depends what inputs your hi fi has.

[GCW]

Oh, and if you use a variable amplitude output (ie headphone socket) be careful not to clip your amp input.

[Bubba]

Probably worth getting a decentish soundcard which has stereo outputs rather than the little jack thingy but as GCW says an adapter (Y-adapter) to convert to stereo phono leads. Few pence from Tandy type stores.

[Jim]

get a decent 3.5mm jack to phono lead and a hifi amp and speakers

[Johnny Brown]

This is something I've been thinking about a while as I do most listening at the pc nowadays. Was planning on trying to track down a midi receiver and some decent speakers.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

If you haven't already got a hi-fi and want to avoid Creative/Logitech 9.1 systems taking over you desk and floor, consider a pair of active studio monitors from audio specialists such a M-Audio or Edirol. They will take up a little more desk space than standard PC speakers but for about the price you are looking at will give you great sound and allow you to plug in anything like an iPod etc directly.

These look nice for less than £100
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV40.html
http://www.jigsaw24.com/default.aspx?&IP=10WG-MONPSC-STUMONPL-MONACFC-MAUDCC&ITEM=JIGSG190ALA

get good reviews too...http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=3514&pagtype=allchandate&pn=1


Lots more here
http://www.jigsaw24.com/Default.aspx?T=FC&V=-&vbc=&vc=&P=10WG-MONPSC-STUMONPL-MONACFC

[Adam Lincoln]

I use a pair of harman kardon soundstick 2's and they sound really really good. Comes with a decent bass'y sub too.

[Jim]

yeah, active speakers are the way forward if you don't want another box full of wires taking over your house

[chummer]

They look ideal Obi Wan! Good price too. Now I am a total chummer when it comes to computers so excuse my next question; do these simply plug into the headphone jack or to the coloured plug sockets on the back of the tower/hard drive?

[chummer]

'These' meaning these:
http://www.jigsaw24.com/default.aspx?&IP=10WG-MONPSC-STUMONPL-MONACFC-MAUDCC&ITEM=JIGSG190ALA

[Jim]

plug it into the coloured audio outputs on the back of the tower, usually the green one via a 3.5mm stereo jack

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Ask Jim says, usually the green one, the headphone socket also works but it's neater to connect to the back on the computer. If the speakers don't come with one you'll need one of these leads
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/165465
Available for pence but worth getting a better quality one if your aiming for best sound possible.

[chummer]

Cheers Obi and Jim, that's that sorted.