[Macworld]

Post your comments for Focal XS Book provides great sound at moderate price here

[Shon]

Wow! I have ALWAYS been EXTREMELY pleased with my Logitech 2.1 Speakers (looks like the latest version is: Logitech Speaker System Z623). I've actually owned two sets of them over the last few years, as a friend was so impressed, they wanted to buy mine. So, I sold them mine, and I went out and bought the latest versions.

They have absolutely INCREDIBLE sound, 200 Watts(!), THX Certified, and will absolutely blow you away! I'm truly shocked these speakers don't get more press as THE speaker system to compare to!

I know this review is for a 2.0 system, but, if it's tethered to your computer, then having a sub on the floor isn't that big of a deal, and the gains FAR outweigh the cons.

Oh! Did I mention they only cost $129 (looks like they're on sale right now)? I think when I bought my model, they were on sale for $99. Again, I think these speakers are simply the best value/sounding speakers out there! Can not recommend them high enough!

[zarmanto]

Funny: my iMac's built-in speakers work great for a medium-sized room too! So I would have to agree with Shon... I don't know too many people who would heedlessly toss that much cash at a simple pair of box speakers for the computer, when there are so many much less expensive (but still very decent) options available to anyone who bothers to do thirty seconds of research. In fact, if you're planning to spend upwards of $400, then I would opine that you should really consider whether or not you're in the market for a mid-range surround sound head unit with matched speakers.

[KBCraig]

Since when is $399 a "moderate" price for computer speakers?

I know Christopher Breen has used a Mac or two in his day, but I'm surprised he doesn't know that adjusting the volume doesn't have to mean twisting a knob on the speaker. The Mac has its own handy-dandy volume control, accessible via the Apple Remote while kicked back watching full screen movies.

[TheFLP]

We've been trained for years to equate quality with 2.1 systems when it comes to "computer speakers." So when you come at us with a 2.0 set and a price tag of $400, it would be helpful to explain what makes them different from a $150 set of 2.1 speakers.

Either that, or convince us that "good" and "$150" don't belong together in the same sentence.

This post has been edited by TheFLP: 06 December 2011 - 12:39 PM

[Chris Breen]

Macworld, on 06 December 2011 - 10:31 AM, said:

Post your comments for Focal XS Book provides great sound at moderate price here

In reply to the many "How can you suggest paying so much for Speaker X when Speaker Y costs Z% less?" remarks, why pay $60 for a Cabernet when you can buy a bottle of red for 2-bucks at Trader Joes? Or a Windows notebook for $300. Or... you get the point.

Listen to the speakers and then we'll talk.

[Chris Breen]

KBCraig, on 06 December 2011 - 12:33 PM, said:

I know Christopher Breen has used a Mac or two in his day, but I'm surprised he doesn't know that adjusting the volume doesn't have to mean twisting a knob on the speaker. The Mac has its own handy-dandy volume control, accessible via the Apple Remote while kicked back watching full screen movies.

I'm sorry, I assumed most people would understand that if a powered speaker's volume is set to zero, no amount of adjustment on the Mac will increase that volume. The speaker's volume knob is for adjusting the speakers' overall volume. You can then control incremental volume within that limit using the Mac.

[JimB]

Chris Breen, on 06 December 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Macworld, on 06 December 2011 - 10:31 AM, said:

Post your comments for Focal XS Book provides great sound at moderate price here

In reply to the many "How can you suggest paying so much for Speaker X when Speaker Y costs Z% less?" remarks, why pay $60 for a Cabernet when you can buy a bottle of red for 2-bucks at Trader Joes? Or a Windows notebook for $300. Or... you get the point.

Listen to the speakers and then we'll talk.

I think some people just have not had the joy of really listening to really fine speakers. One trick I try when listening to speakers is to listen to a superb recording of a woman singing. If I close my eyes and can place her in the room... those are speakers investigating further for other qualities.

My problem with all these speakers is finding a place to listen to them. An Apple Store's roar is not too conducive.

[Chris Breen]

JimB, on 06 December 2011 - 01:43 PM, said:

I think some people just have not had the joy of really listening to really fine speakers. One trick I try when listening to speakers is to listen to a superb recording of a woman singing. If I close my eyes and can place her in the room... those are speakers investigating further for other qualities.

My problem with all these speakers is finding a place to listen to them. An Apple Store's roar is not too conducive.

I agree on both counts.

It's tough to find a place to audition speakers. My best suggestion is to find a store or manufacturer (online or otherwise) that has a generous return policy (no restocking fee) and order ones that you're really interested in. If you don't like them, send 'em back.

[mattwardfh]

zarmanto, on 06 December 2011 - 11:45 AM, said:

Funny: my iMac's built-in speakers work great for a medium-sized room too! So I would have to agree with Shon... I don't know too many people who would heedlessly toss that much cash at a simple pair of box speakers for the computer, when there are so many much less expensive (but still very decent) options available to anyone who bothers to do thirty seconds of research. In fact, if you're planning to spend upwards of $400, then I would opine that you should really consider whether or not you're in the market for a mid-range surround sound head unit with matched speakers.

A $400 pair of powered speakers from a highly regarded hi-fi company like Focal will arguably give you better sound than five undersized mediocre speakers in a $400 home theater-in-a-box. Especially if you primarily listen to music and non-surround sound material, you'll get more money's worth out of two higher quality speakers (see Steve Guttenberg's thoughts on prioritizing stereo versus surround).

As far as 2.0 versus a 2.1 system... Many "2.1" computer systems (though not the Logitech system mentioned above) don't really have a "subwoofer", they have a "bass module"—a single woofer that is shared between the two speakers, often in the 4"–6" range. The two 4" drivers in the Focal system here will have a comparable radiating area to a single 6" woofer. Even if the sub or bass module is in the 8" range (as with the Logitech model above), it's still likely to be of lower quality than the two smaller woofers in a 2.0 system. So a 2.1 system is not inherently better than a 2.0 system.

There are lots of great "powered monitor"-style active bookshelf speakers around the $400 range, including (I'm guessing though I haven't heard them) these Focals, the Audioengine A5, and NHT's SuperPower. They may not go quite as deep as a 2.1 system but they'll likely have much better mid-range and high frequencies.

Specs usually don't tell the whole story, which is why it's good to consider the reputation of the manufacturer and reviews. And (as Chris points out), auditioning the speakers in person is always the best way to determine which pair better suits your needs and preferences.

[mattwardfh]

KBCraig, on 06 December 2011 - 12:33 PM, said:

I know Christopher Breen has used a Mac or two in his day, but I'm surprised he doesn't know that adjusting the volume doesn't have to mean twisting a knob on the speaker. The Mac has its own handy-dandy volume control, accessible via the Apple Remote while kicked back watching full screen movies.

In terms of sound quality, it's generally best to have your Mac output sound at line level (which is generally its top volume), and then use the speaker's volume control exclusively. Especially if your source (as in the case of a Mac) uses digital volume control to reduce volume.

Of course, that's not always convenient, especially if your speakers (or amp/receiver) don't have a remote control.

[zarmanto]

mattwardfh, on 17 December 2011 - 10:46 PM, said:

... have your Mac output sound at line level (which is generally its top volume)...

While in general I agree with the advice you're offering, (with respect to using line-level between components) I would quibble with the parenthetical description in your comment. From personal experience with multiple devices over the years, I can tell you with certainty that line-level output does not equate to the maximum volume of a given device at all. There are actually several important differences between the two types of signals... but in simplest terms, a line level output is a signal specifically engineered to deliver the maximum quality sound from a given device, and to minimize the impact of electrical interference along the cable between the source and the receiver. In fact, if you connect a (non-line-level) headphone output to a component which is expecting a line-level input and then turn the headphone output volume up to maximum, you're very likely to find distortion in the signal. Thus, component-to-component connections should almost always use a line-level signal, whereas component to output-device (ergo, an unpowered speaker) should almost never use line-level.

[mattwardfh]

zarmanto, on 19 December 2011 - 10:06 AM, said:

While in general I agree with the advice you're offering, (with respect to using line-level between components) I would quibble with the parenthetical description in your comment. From personal experience with multiple devices over the years, I can tell you with certainty that line-level output does not equate to the maximum volume of a given device at all. There are actually several important differences between the two types of signals... but in simplest terms, a line level output is a signal specifically engineered to deliver the maximum quality sound from a given device, and to minimize the impact of electrical interference along the cable between the source and the receiver. In fact, if you connect a (non-line-level) headphone output to a component which is expecting a line-level input and then turn the headphone output volume up to maximum, you're very likely to find distortion in the signal. Thus, component-to-component connections should almost always use a line-level signal, whereas component to output-device (ergo, an unpowered speaker) should almost never use line-level.

Of course you're right that maximum output doesn't necessarily equal line-level, and in my defense, I did say "generally". But with respect to the headphone jack, there's a very good chance you're right. I was (incorrectly with respect to the Focal XS) thinking of digital signals, but of in this case the system volume controls the output of the buit-in headphone jack for these speakers. Since the Mac doesn't have a true line out, the headphone jak has to act as a makeshift one.

Now I'm contemplating hooking a multimeter up to my Mac's headphone jack and seeing at what volume it outputs something resembling line level. Although given that my actual, physical experience with electrical matters is near zero, I'm kind of afraid I'd screw something up.

Perhaps we can agree that the approximate line-level headphone setting is probably toward the higher end of the Mac's volume slider, and that one should set the Mac's output volume somewhere in that vicinity and then stick to making volume adjustment's using the Focal XS's volume knob?

This post has been edited by mattwardfh: 24 December 2011 - 03:46 PM