Computer speakers

Hi,

I use Microlab SOLO-2 for ages, very happy about the price and... they just play ok. For that price especially. About 100 euro, maybe slightly more. I don't see that model currently on their website, though we have it in local shops here in Russia. Not sure that brand available in your country. You may want to check such cheap speakers brands like Sven, Edifier or maybe even Logitech though the later take more for the brand logo. I'm playing Casio PX-150 + Pianoteq with Microlab SOLO-2 and they are ok for me, though they suffer reproducing Fortissimo for my taste. I like the huge dynamic range settings in Pianoteq, so I set the speakers volume to maximum, the soundcard volume to absolutely maximum and Pianoteq internal slider at about -10 - -6 dB which give me a more or less "real" feel.

Playing software piano is somewhat different from being a sound engineer or a techno producer. If even the keyboard built-in speakers are quite able to suit their purpose then a $100 computer speakers could be considered as a very noticeable upgrade. Although, obviously, good speakers are a good speakers and the better you can get the more lucky you are.

True. But assuming the typical run-of-the-mill digital piano speakers to be 'good' is already a stretch. Apart from that, a software instrument like Pianoteq is not optimised for a specific speaker setup, and the lower you aim in speakers, the more tweaking you will have to do to even get a usable result.

That said, it should be possible to use Pianoteq with just about any speaker setup, even ultra-cheap PC speakers. You will have to play with the equaliser quite a bit, and you will probably have to compress the dynamics range a lot, and the result will leave a lot to be desired. But it should 'work', of course. But in my experience, skimping on something as crucial as speakers just doesn't pay.

I was also looking at bookshelf speakers initially (also with a small budget). But for $100 your options are limited, unless you buy used.

So I just went with the Logitech z623 (2.1 Computer speakers) for a low price of $109 on Amazon. They work, they're loud, plus I won't need to buy all the accessories for passive speakers.

One thing that bothers me is that there's a slight buzzing when I play too loud (about 4/7 of the maximum volume knob). But I guess I'm not even supposed to play that loud anyway.

You've probably looked at them, but just in case: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-980-0004...6077860608

Regarding the JBL + Sony amp setup, iIt's a simple equation actually: big woofers (15") do need big amps. More importantly, they need amps with a big damping factor, in order to control the woofer's excursion. It's as simple as that. Otherwise you'lll get a distorted low range and a "muddy" sound. I don't know what model of JBL you have but most of them are known to be very sensitive to this damping factor.

Well, the only advice I can give you is: Go into the stores and check out everything around 100$.

Bose Companion 20 are my favourite 2.0 speakers for their size. But they're around 249$. Maybe you'll be fine with the Companion 2 which are around 100$.

Keep in mind that cheap stuff is often bought twice !

EDIT: Also check out entry level studio monitors. I add that because you'll find them in music stores and rather not in stores where you find Bose stuff and other computer speakers.

I would suggest buying from a store that has a good return policy as you are going to need to try them on your own system, not just listen to them at the store.