[Macworld]

Post your comments for Speakers buying guide here

[cdweller0]

Great article, covering just about everything. I'm looking for some new speakers on Black Friday (2.0, audio jack). My main concern is the ON indicator light, however. I prefer to work in low light, so an intense indicator light is a bannable offense. Secondary concern is price, but budget isn't incredibly small (<$100). Tertiary concern is sound quality; I don't blast audio very often at all. If anyone cares to recommend something, thank you very much! If not, I'll be getting the Altec Lansing BXR1220, I think.

[spinoza2]

The challenge with finding the right speakers--and this article presents this very well--is that they've become so specialized, with their covering most any situation. For example, I several weeks ago I purchased the Jawbone Jambox for travel. It's an amazing little speaker that projects sound well beyond its diminutive size. Right about this time Bose came out with its new portable Bluetooth speaker. People immediately began comparing it with the Jambox, claiming, understandably, that the Bose speaker was "better". But this comparison is unfair because the Jambox is a fourth the size of the Bose speaker, making it useful in a much different way than the Bose portable. They're both portable, but because it is so much smaller the Jambox--for me at least--makes a much more practical travel speaker.

The key is finding the right speaker to suit your specific needs.

[Technosphere]

My original Soundsticks are still going strong after (at least) seven years duty. They have matured nicely, sounding better and smoother as the years roll by. The sound, especially the astonishing bass, fills my 15 x 10 ft studio very nicely.

They are not powerful enough for much bigger spaces though. I have a tried a B&W Zeppelin but, fine as it is, I can't cope without the spacious sound stage provided by separates. I'm planning to try a pair of MM1s, though their design is dull compared with the Sticks and the Zep.

[flybynight]

I think AirPlay is just awesome. I was going to add another Airport Express and a set of powered speakers to my kitchen, but then Philips just came out with a $200 AirPlay speaker, available at the Apple Store. Super easy setup, and I have an outlet on top of my cabinets for Christmas lights, so I just stash it up there and it fills the room with background music rather nicely.

[LarryRossp24j]

You missed the mobile Bose Bluetooth speaker. It is the better sounding speaker out of the entire list of portable speakers.

[Bach]

Why are ALL Bose products missing from your list? Seems blatant and short sited, especially considering the inclusion of BW.

[AngadNagra]

You gave the Aego M a five-star rating some time ago Why is it not on your list of recommended 2.1 speakers?

[tee1up]

I picked up a pair of Audio Engine 2 speakers and love them.
One bonus is the foam packing can be cut into stands for the speakers so they don't bounce off your desk. (Yeah, they have a serious amount of base if you want it).

[rthuringer]

Bach, on 22 November 2011 - 06:29 AM, said:

Why are ALL Bose products missing from your list? Seems blatant and short sited, especially considering the inclusion of BW.

I agree, I have the Bose Sound Dock portable and ths sound is awesome. I use it everywhere an anyone that hears it can't belive the rich sound and deep base is comming from such a small speaker/dock system. I am now looking at the new Bluetooth model. So why the omission of a worthy product from this review?????

[Dan Frakes]

LarryRossp24j, on 22 November 2011 - 06:20 AM, said:

You missed the mobile Bose Bluetooth speaker. It is the better sounding speaker out of the entire list of portable speakers.

We haven't yet tested that system. As the article noted, the lists aren't exhaustive—they just include systems we think provide good sound and/or functionality for the price. (Have you actually directly compared the $300 to $350 Bose Bluetooth system with the Philips Fidelio DS8550 and the Creative ZiiSound D5?)

Bach, on 22 November 2011 - 06:29 AM, said:

Why are ALL Bose products missing from your list? Seems blatant and short sited, especially considering the inclusion of BW.

I've tested a number of Bose speaker systems (some of which I've also reviewed). While all were solid systems, none were standouts for their price. For example, I think the Boston Acoustics Duo-i Plus is a better system for $250 than the SoundDock II. If you've purchased a Bose system and are happy with it, that's great.

AngadNagra, on 22 November 2011 - 07:23 AM, said:

You gave the Aego M a five-star rating some time ago Why is it not on your list of recommended 2.1 speakers?

The Aego M remains one of my favorite 2.1 computer-speaker systems but, alas, it's no longer officially available in the U.S.

[mmat]

My experience is that the "right" speaker depends on the music you listen to. I have had SoundSticks as my general speakers for ages. I listen to all kinds of things and thought they were great. Then, finally, I bought some B&W MM-1s. Listening to Bach (for example) on these is a completely different experience (whereas I find it hard to detect much of a difference when listening to jazz or pop). The MM-1s are expensive (which is why I held off), but if you sit in front of your computer and listen to classical music, they will change your experience in a way that makes the £300 seem paltry.

[sensel]

The built in speakers on my 27 inch iMac (first gen) are simply amazing. No need to upgrade on that model. But, if you do want better sound on ANY computer, the cheapest way to get the best sound for sure is simply hook up a new (or even an old) stereo receiver or amp with a pair of regular speakers like small book shelf speakers.
A basic but decent stereo receiver, like a Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc., runs anywhere from $190 to $500. Excellent speakers can be had for under $150 now.
But an early 1990s JVC receiver I inherited from my father with a pair of unused $25 small bookshelf speakers (originally used on a porch, so they are also waterproof, not that that matters…) delivers sound on a Mac far better than any overpriced and excessively bass driven Bose garbage.
Cheap is sometimes better.

[macnews]

I just bought for my work a Sonos sound system and now am considering one for home after testing it. I've played with it just for a short while but have to say I am very impressed. A bit more than what this article is talking about - mainly just speakers for your computer. If you are like I am at home, wanting good speakers for your home but then also some way to get music from your mac to other areas of your home I would suggest the Sonos system. It is very simple to setup and not only can I play my iTunes library but I can also play music from Pandora, TuneIn radio and my computer. Might not be for everyone but have to mention it if you are looking to expand.