Decent speakers for a laptop?

[BradGuitar]

I'm a right noob when it comes to this stuff, so please be nice

I'm tired of listening to things through my laptop and I'm after some speakers to hook up to it to make things sound a bit better. I'm after something that will allow a fair bit of low end through but sounds good and won't distort when the volume is cranked a bit.

I've seen the JBL Jembe speakers, does anyone have any experience with these or recommend any others?

I'm not after top of the range or anything, just something that gives a better sound than the laptop.

Cheers

[monquixote]

Just to complicate things I would see if you can buy something that connects by USB as the soundcards in most laptops are bloody shocking.

If you can't be arsed with that then we have some compact M-Audio speakers at work which sound nice and were fairly cheap.

[BradGuitar]

Just to complicate things I would see if you can buy something that connects by USB as the soundcards in most laptops are bloody shocking.

If you can't be arsed with that then we have some compact M-Audio speakers at work which sound nice and were fairly cheap.

Thanks for the reply man. So connection by USB is better than into the headphone input? Just to be clear, it's a Macbook (the old white version), dunno if the sound card is any good on these?

What M-Audio ones do you mean?

Thanks again

[monquixote]

Thanks for the reply man. So connection by USB is better than into the headphone input? Just to be clear, it's a Macbook (the old white version), dunno if the sound card is any good on these?

What M-Audio ones do you mean?

Thanks again

Actually the soundcards on Macs are usually fairly good so it's less of an issue.

I think the M-Audios were the AV30s though they might be the AV40s. I'm not at work so I can't check.

[BradGuitar]

Actually the soundcards on Macs are usually fairly good so it's less of an issue.

I think the M-Audios were the AV30s though they might be the AV40s. I'm not at work so I can't check.

No probs dude, it's cool. I'll do some research and check them out

Also seen Harman Kardon SoundSticks III getting a lot of good reviews. Ugh, I've opened a right can of worms!

[ecc83]

Re the mac soundcard?
I have read that they are not that clever but then they probably vary as do the ones on PCs?

Most PC OBS is crap but I have an HP i3 W7/64 laptop that is remarkable good. Even linked up to my Tannoy 5as it is quiet and clean.

However, once you go for speakers with lots of potential welly, you REALLY need an analogue volume control in that system. I would therefore look out for a second hand AI, something of the stamp of a Fast track pro or Tascam US122/144.

Mac OBS might be fair but almost any usb AI is likely to be better..If ONLY to get away from fekkin' awful 1/8" jacks!!

Dave.

[Rocker]

I'm a right noob when it comes to this stuff, so please be nice

I'm tired of listening to things through my laptop and I'm after some speakers to hook up to it to make things sound a bit better. I'm after something that will allow a fair bit of low end through but sounds good and won't distort when the volume is cranked a bit.
Cheers

The experience of listening to music stored on your laptop and/or iPad will be considerably enhanced if you get yourself a FOCAL XS 2.1 active system. It improves the sound of videos too. Neat and tidy, IMHO, it has the looks of an Apple product and the sound quality of a Focal. You will never regret this purchase.

[monquixote]

Re the mac soundcard?
I have read that they are not that clever but then they probably vary as do the ones on PCs?

They aren't super awesome, but at least they are usable, unlike most PCs which are just staggeringly terrible.
When I was working in radio Thinkpads were the only laptops on the market that had line ins that you could record on without horrific noise problems.

[BradGuitar]

However, once you go for speakers with lots of potential welly, you REALLY need an analogue volume control in that system. I would therefore look out for a second hand AI, something of the stamp of a Fast track pro or Tascam US122/144.

Mac OBS might be fair but almost any usb AI is likely to be better..If ONLY to get away from fekkin' awful 1/8" jacks!!

Dave.

Ah I have a Tascam US122 soundcard! Would you recommend speakers > soundcard > Laptop?

The experience of listening to music stored on your laptop and/or iPad will be considerably enhanced if you get yourself a FOCAL XS 2.1 active system. It improves the sound of videos too. Neat and tidy, IMHO, it has the looks of an Apple product and the sound quality of a Focal. You will never regret this purchase.

Thanks for the suggestion, I think they're are out of my price range though

Thanks for all the help so far chaps!

[ecc83]

"
Ah I have a Tascam US122 soundcard! Would you recommend speakers > soundcard > Laptop?"
Abso bloomingloootly! I have used the 122/144s on a variety of PC and had no troubles at all. Don't have a mac but I have never read of any issues?

Dave.