[Dell Switcher]

Please help a switcher (after 19 yrs with PC's)!!!

Went to local Apple Store to review iMac 17 and hope to buy early next week...one issue was speakers. Able to listen to several in quiet atmosphere and determined that the apple pro speakers plus iSub subwoofer were very good but the SoundSticks were better and louder.

The question is the cost...$60 vs $200...since my home office is about 12x14 and that I have stereo systems with surround sound in the den 2 doors away, do I need the Soundsticks????

My current computer is PC with SB Live sound card and Harmam Kandor speakers/subwoofer with 40W sub and 2 10W speakers (quality not great since they were made to Dell specs). I do play many CD's and download music from Internet.

The apple speakers might suffice but not sure???????????????

Another question, can SoundSticks volume be controlled from keyboard??????????

[AssassyN]

Congrats on the switch!!

The Apple speakers (Pro Speakers, SoundSticks, and others) look very nice, but they honestly don't have the quality needed to really play music & mp3s as they should truly sound.

For a great 2.1 speaker system at a great price, definitely get the Monsoon PlanarMedia 14's. They have the best subwoofer for their class, and the satellites are perfect for music. Take a read HERE

For the lowest price on them, head HERE and search for "planarmedia 14"

Good luck!

[xtal]

I haven't heard the Monsoons myself, but have heard good things about them.

You should do a search in this Peripherals forum for 'speakers' over the past month or so. There have been some really good threads.

[iJeff]

Another 2.1 system that I would recommend strongly is the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system (see here for review http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1477)

[G4ME]

i am a solid Cambridge Soundworks guys, not only do they make great multimedia speakers but they make awsome highend HT stuff to. I have been sold on them and will eventually fill out my 5.1 set up with the more stuff from their Newton line.

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