[The Ancient One]

I've got a new QS G4 coming this week. What kind of speakers do you other QS owners use and how do you like them?

[max4ever]

Well, I guess it depends on what you'll be using them for and what you'll be demanding of them. In other words, are you a gamer, do you love music, or do you just want good alert sound? Are you going to be keeping the volume fairly low or do you want to keep your whole neighborhood shaking?

I bought harman/kardon's Soundsticks, which were $189 where I bought them, and include the following:

a subwoofer (99.9% identical, both technically and physically, to the iSub--perhaps even the same)

two soundsticks--each containing four one-inch transducers. I use them for music, unreal tournament, and DVDs (go cinema display!). I rarely get the sound pumping extra loud, except in a DVD. In my humble and non-expert opinion, they sound very good, though I wish the sub was a bit more powerful. You really can't expect the quality of a big specialized sound system, of course.

I must admit though, much of the reason why I bought this system was it's attractiveness. It is much better than any other systems i've seen visually. In my dormroom, when someone walks in a turns to my computer, the first thing they notice is my cinema display (holy ****! that's the biggest monitor I've ever seen!). Then they look on the floor beside it and say "Is that a subwoofer? That's awesome!" The blue LED inside is especially cool in the dark.

One final note concerns setup. The system is as easy as possible to setup--no software or drivers, just a few steps: plug in sub to powerpack, plug in powerpack to outlet, hook up satellites to sub, and plug sub into USB port. E-wala.

Hope this helps. Please, anyone correct any of my mistakes or offer opinions of their own.
www.harmanmultimedia.com

[DMK]

Definetely the Harman/Kardon Soundsticks!!! I have just set them up since my QS has shipped, looking at them reminds me why I first noticed them and listening to them reminds me why I bought them on the spot
you will not regret buying these speakers, I also have a full-size stereo in my room but the sound from these speakers are more than adequate for my computer multimedia setup.
if you can, listen to them in person, especially beside the Pro-speakers.

[Cipher13]

I don't like USB audio - it causes enough problems as it is, and you can't go and hook it up to a discmans line out or anything.

The SoundSticks are overpriced IMO.
www.bostonacoustics.com

I have the Boston Acoustics BA635's - absolutely amazing sound, for a great price. Get two sets of them for less than one set of SoundSticks, and they sound better even with one set.

If you wanna get a real nice system, the BA4800 is awesome...

[VRL]

And don't overlook Yamaha speakers. I love mine (YST-MS55D).

[The Ancient One]

"I don't like USB audio - it causes enough problems as it is, and you can't go and hook it up to a discmans line out or anything."

OK cipher13, what's wrong with USB audio? I'm looking at the Monsoon iM-700s and I understand they can't just be plugged in to a Quicksilver but have to use USB.

[Mark N]

Outpost did have the soundsticks for $159.

[bil207]

Originally posted by The Ancient One:
<STRONG>"I don't like USB audio - it causes enough problems as it is, and you can't go and hook it up to a discmans line out or anything."

OK cipher13, what's wrong with USB audio? I'm looking at the Monsoon iM-700s and I understand they can't just be plugged in to a Quicksilver but have to use USB.</STRONG>

The Monsoon im-700s can use either the headphone jack or be connected to a USB port. http://www.monsoonaudio.com/index_mmedia.htm

[The Ancient One]

Thanks, bil207

"The Monsoon im-700s can use either the headphone jack or be connected to a USB port."

What about the Soundstix? Where can they connect?

[aaanorton]

Go for the Monsoons. I've listened to all concerned systems and none match sound quality.
Check out this review.
I don't use the USB adaptor, but there was a thread on MacNN where people were raving about the quality and ease of use of this solution. Nobody had any problems at all.
I think Monsoon just released (or will be soon) a new version of the M700's.
Cliff

Just checked. The new speakers are the
MM702's.
Cliff

[ 08-20-2001: Message edited by: aaanorton ]

[The Ancient One]

I think Monsoon just released (or will be soon) a new version of the M700's.
Cliff

Just checked. The new speakers are the
MM702's.
Cliff

Thanks Cliff, but I don't see where the 702s support USB.

The problem with USB Audio is that it takes too much processor power to process. Apple is having a difficult time right now with it's audio as it should have started using Sound Cards a long time ago. Let's hope they do it soon because eventually, you'll be able to have Digital Surround sound 5.1 Audio via Firewire or Digital connectors. this is a much better means as it takes virtually no processor power. Sound Sticks and USB audio will fail when you are dealing with Processor Intensive tasks. FireWire and PCI audio (onboard sound) Will not fail. Apple really Needs to do something about it's sound. This is the one area PC's are absolutely KILLING the macintosh.