What speakers do you suggest?

[LaydeeBug]

Every mac I have ever owned (aside: it's the ONLY thing I've ever owned. LOL) has been notoriously lacking in sound.

I see a lot out there, but don't want to shell out a lot of money if the sound isn't that great. I used to *love* the white "ghost monsters", but the left one stopped working and I've read their updated versions aren't as good.

Right now, I have a scrappy set that I picked up at an office supply store.

[NV Whino]

1. I got these

Theyre great.
http://www.harmankardon.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/SubCategoryList.aspx?CID=computer_speakers_cat

[hamerfan]

2. For $200

these are the best, by far! AudioEngine 2:

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-2

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Are you looking for the best or the best cheap ones?

Not being judgmental.

We have had great success with accessories from Bose. Sparkly uses one of these when she does seminars. The sound from this little thing fills a typical hotel conference room from wall to wall!

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/digital_music_systems/sounddock_systems/music_to_go_package/index.jsp

We have some other Bose products and they're all really great. Not cheap, though. Surely you can find some accessory speakers that you'll like. They now have brick and mortar stores, too. Additionally, some of their products are available at Apple stores.

[Merlot]

6. Agree with you on Bose. I have the desktop speakers and am very happy

They cost under $100, and sound really good. I've never turned the volume up passed the half way mark, they are that strong.

[klook]

4. Are you doing music or audio recording / production?

If so, I'd recommend near-field monitors (speakers with a "flat response," meaning they don't add the kind of coloration (extra bass, etc.) that regular stereo speakers do. I've used a pair of M-Audio Studiophile DX4s for several years and have found them to be excellent for monitoring and mixing. I even like them for normal music listening, but I'm not looking for a powerful sound that will fill a room or window-rattling bass. The frequency response of these things is 70Hz - 20kHz, so forget dramatic bass. But if you want to hear unadulterated, clean sound while you're working with it, these are great. (There are better options available, but none that I know of for <$200 a pair!)

The DX4s are no longer being manufactured, but the Studiophile AV 40 from the same company* is similar, and has the added advantage of a "bass boost" switch in case you want something beefier than the default flat response.

If you do want a more typical music or gaming audio experience, you'll probably want speakers that accentuate the highs and lows. There are many options available, but I'll have to leave it to others to recommend specific brands / models.

* Note: M-Audio is now owned by Avid, the ProTools people.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Swan m-10s ...$100.. great reviews

Swan makes high end speakers but these get great reviews and are hard to find except on-line.

http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=373

[guitar man]

7. It all depends

On what you want to spend. If you're not doing music production and are just wanting listening enjoyment, I recommend the Harmon Kardon sound sticks for an ok cheap set of speakers

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0042F3K9W

If you want something that will literally take your breath away, the B&W MM-1s are really spectacular, but they're pretty pricey


http://store.apple.com/us/product/TX583VC/A