<p>Okay a break from all the which laptop/OS should I get threads. Which speaker system is best for a dorm room? At home my D had a system with a subwoofer on the floor, a brick transformer powersource, a snarling snakefest of wires from each speaker to the subwoofer then to the desktop controller and cord to the miniplug into the headphone jack. </p>
<p>The dBs output of that system could be heard down the hall and her room was much bigger than the dorm room she will share. </p>
<p>Anyone tried anything else? I saw reviews for th Altec Lansing XT1 with no subwoofer and a USB hook up, so no power brick, no headphone hook up no welter of wires. Very cool, minimal uncluttered look. And portable too. Sound is supposed to be pretty good. Anyone listened to one?</p>
<p>I've got a Altec Lansing set-up, though not the one you're describing. Mine has a mini-sub with two speakers that plugs into the headphone jack. Minimal wiring and great sound quality. I'd definitely recommend any Altec Lansing product.</p>
<p>If your computer has a soundcard, dont spend the extra money on USB speakers (and those speakers probobly do have a powerbrick but thats not a huge issue).</p>
<p>The best computer speakers you can buy with money (rather than using a hifi reciever and real speakers like I do in my house) are the klpisch promedia ultra 5.1's but those are too much for most laptops (which lack a 5.1 output) and if you arent too serious about it, the extra 3 speakers get in the way.</p>
<p>I would higly recommend the little brother of that system, the klipsch promedia ultra 2.1</p>
<p>They are amazing speakers and dont take up your entire room.</p>
<p>Well, I'm not sure what a soundcard has to do with it, any laptop will have a soundcard, or more likely an integrated chip on the motherboard which does the same thing.</p>
<p>Klipsch does make wonderful speakers (I have a set on my stereo). If I were going to buy regular speakers, those are the ones I'd get (even though the 2.1s are godawful ugly, looking like a section of wall from one of those Sigourney Weaver Alien films). However, I really do want to stay away from those annoying transformer power plugs and a connection through a phonoplug into the headphone jack, which may be used for cordless headphones.</p>
<p>At home and with a desktop, where all those wires can be hidden and the need for extra outlets to accommodate the ungainly plugs and wires for the laptop, speakers, printer, a network cable, ipod, cell phone charger etc etc can be dealt more easily. But in a dorm room situation ~ and for my D who has enough problem putting her clothes in a closet ~ the wires and extension cords for a laptop and paraphenalia is a hassle. It's much more likely I think that the laptop will be disconnected and taken to the library when there's less plugging and unplugging to be done (I hope!). For that, the simplicity of the USB speaker system is a big plus - just one connection into the rear of the laptop. </p>
<p>I'm going to check out the XT1s today at Micro Center, they're the same price ($99) as the Klipsch.</p>
<p>You must have looked at the wrong speakers. The Promedia GMX line looks futuristic and stuff but they speakers are not as good. I was referring to the Promedia Ultra line which sounds much better but costs a little bit more (you wont get hte 2.1 for $99).</p>
<p>Also, the power is all handled inside of the subwoofer box on the klipsch speakers so no worries.</p>
<p>I did see both at Micro Center but bought the Altec Lansing XT1s, which (I am releived to say) my daughter was quite pleased with when she saw and heard them tonight. Both are reviewed here:</p>
<p>JBL creature speakers, with small speakers and a smallish subwoofer sound awesome in small spaces...theyre on apple.com for $99 and they plug into the headphone jack on the computer...Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks 2 are the ones I'm hoping to get...they're really cool looking and sound great, $169 on the same site, though I bet if you looked into it you'd find a better deal.</p>
<p>ive got so many extra sets of speakers from old computers. no point buying the perfect set, i think. im saving my money for more important things. (you could always turn the volume down if its too loud).</p>
<p>Yea its for a dorm its a set of logitech x-530 's look em up on google. They are pretty compact and give a hell of a lot of sound. Much more sound then a bulky stereo system. And easily moveable. they will also function as surround sound for my tv.</p>
<p>And yes, they come with cloth covers over the drivers.</p>
<p>As to mhc48, sure there are 6 speakers total but the subwoofer is hte only one of size. The other ones are so small that you can put them anywhere without taking up much space.</p>
<p>otto, it's not the space for the 6 speakers, it's the wires snaking around all over the place!</p>
<p>The XT1s are perfect for my daughter who wouldn't set up or need a system like that. For more intense (but considerate) listening I'm giving her my old but excellent Wireless headset. With the XT1 plugged in via USB, she can plug the base of the wireless into the laptop speaker jack and then crank up the volume as high as she wants, while still being able to dance wirelessly around the dorm room, into the bathroom or for that matter down the hallway.</p>
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The best computer speakers you can buy with money (rather than using a hifi reciever and real speakers like I do in my house) are the klpisch promedia ultra 5.1's but those are too much for most laptops (which lack a 5.1 output) and if you arent too serious about it, the extra 3 speakers get in the way.
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<p>Yeah, I have the Promedia Ultra 5.1s, and can vouch for them (listening to them right now). They are incredible, especially with an audigy 2 zs. Actually, they even beat some far more expensive home theater setups. The lows (dual 8" subs - and an expansion slot for adding up to 16 more subwoofers!) and highs (nice klipsch tweeter horn design) on these are some of the best that I've heard. I recommend using them with foobar 2000 and an audigy to upsample songs to 24-bit. You WILL hear details in songs of any quality that you have never heard before. These are the first computer speakers that I've heard that don't require extensive equalizer tweaking (none, actually, except for the calibration software that is needed to account for speaker distance). I just thought someone came into the room to say something to me, but it was the rear speaker (no kidding). Games and DVDs are AMAZING on these speakers;sound clarity, explosions and surround effects are all superb. Probably all that could improve the sound is maybe monster cable speaker wires, and the unreleased creative x-fi sound card, but I'm happy with it as it is, it's that good. These things can go really floor shaking loud, without distortion, and yet can play crystal clear at low volumes. I would recommend them to anyone, including laptop users, but you are going to need a nice sound card to go with them.</p>