Cambridge Audio Soundworks or Klipsche Pro Media 2.1's?

[Salvador]

Hi,

I'm looking for some nice pc speakers for under $150. I've thought about the Cambridge Soundworks Microworks speakers, but I've also heard great things about the Klipsche Pro Media's.

The Klipsche Pro Media's are around $150 at BB and the CSR Microworks are on special for around $120 from Blizzard entertainment (regularly $150 at Hifi.com)

I only need two channel + sub and I mostly listen to music and I'm not much of a gamer. Anybody have experience with both systems? BTW.. I'm looking at the CSR Microworks and not the PC Works or Soundworks speakers.

Any thoughts?

TIA,

Sal

 

[MasterHoss]

OK...several posts haev been made about this...

Basically, don't use any Cambridge product. The 2.1s are nice--expensive for what you're getting though. I would consider the BA4800s...for your price range, you can get these nice speakers and have a 4.1 solution instead of 2.1.

 

[BChico]

Why do you say not to buy any cambridge products? I have the dtt2500 and i think they sound pretty damn good...

 

[Salvador]

<< OK...several posts haev been made about this... >>


Sorry. I did a search and didn't find any threads making a direct comparison.


<< Basically, don't use any Cambridge product. The 2.1s are nice--expensive for what you're getting though. I would consider the BA4800s...for your price range, you can get these nice speakers and have a 4.1 solution instead of 2.1. >>


Why do you suggest against a CSR product? I have the inexpensive little PC Works and they sound great for what they are. Much better than the Altec Lansing speakers that my friend has that were twice the money.

What are the BA4800's? Klipsche? I don't want more than 2 channel. I don't have room, nor do I want to run speaker cable for 4 sats. I'm looking for high performance 2.1 (2 sats plus sub).

Thanks again.. If anyone can give me more information than don't buy CSR products, I welcome your input. Also.. Feel free to suggest your favorite pc speakers for under $150.

Sal

 

[Villareal]

I don't know about Cambridge, but I just purchased the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 yesterday and I am loving every minute of listening to it. For a 2 channel solution they just have no equal. As the saying goes, you get whay you pay for.

 

[Villareal]

The BA4800 are from Boston Acoustics.

 

[BuckMaster]

I have the Fourpoint Cambridge Soundworks and love them! Yes they are old but the preformance you just cant beat them playing games or watching movies the the price! Espically with a good sound card like the Soundblaster live! I have mine mounted in the 4 corners of my ceiling in my PC room and the sub under my desk. Im sure there is much much better and I do plain on upgrading in the future. Only because Im starting to watch more DVD's. You should beable to get them for under $100.00 now days.

 

[Salvador]

Villareal Where did you get your Klipsche's?

BuckMaster I agree. I like the FPS2000's. I have a friend that has a set and they sound really nice. He did a lot of research on it about a year or so ago and ended up with these after returning a set of Midiland that were about the same price range ($100-$150). The Midiland's had some sort of problem with buzzing in the amplifier.

The Monsoon speakers look really interesting. I've never heard them though.

Thanks again.

Sal

 

[Villareal]

Got them from Bestbuy. They were $179 though .Worth every penny.Extremely powerful and If you like music like I do , it reigns supreme in my book. But as usual you should always audition, because sound preferences is a very subjective issue. I have also listened to The BA4800 from Boston Acoustics. They sound very good and are within what you're willing to spend. This set is a 4.1 system however.

 

[Stosh]

I had the Cambridge FPS2000, and thought very highly of it. I've had em bout 2 years. Then the subwoofer started making a bad hum, and I noticed a lot of distortion playing UT. I went out and bought the Klipsh Promedia 4.1. It seems to be a much higher quality product. Also, the Satellites and Subwoofer have a much higher wattage compared to the Cambridge set.

FPS2000, Sub 25watts /Satellite 7watts
Klipsh, Sub 160wats / Satellite 60watts.

 

[Caiwyn]

Salvador, the Klipsch beat the Microworks quite handily, especially considering the fact that the Klipsch Pro Media speakers are THX certified, and the Microworks are not.

That said, I'm a big fan of Cambridge Soundworks, and in fact own the DTT2500 speakers, but the main selling point for me was the fact that:

1.) they're manufactured by Creative, who make the SoundBlaster Live!, which is the sound card I use - this may or may not mean anything, but I have weird hangups and a silly penchant for brand-name loyalty.

2.) More importantly, they're designed to accept a digital connection from the SoundBlaster Live sound cards, which results in a cleaner signal. I happen to be anal retentive enough to think this is worth it, but most people would probably disagree with me. Plus, if you don't have a SoundBlaster Live! or one of its variants, this is irrelevant anyway.

I would recommend checking out Cambridge Soundworks's &quot;Soundworks Digital&quot; speakers, a 2.1 system that has a digital SPDIF input. If, however, you're sticking to your guns and only going for either Klipsch or Microworks, go for Klipsch. Neither the Klipsch nor the Microworks speakers have the digital connection, and the Klipsch are easily higher quality in the end.