Gigaworks T3 vs. Audioengine A5

[Cellulose]

I originally was set on a T3, at 230 canadian dollars or so. I felt at this price, particularly in Canada it was worthwile over a more expensive receiver/bookshelf combo.

However then I saw the Audioengine A5, which would cost around 350 canadian dollars. The impression from reviews is that it should sound quite a bit better then the Gigaworks T3 - albiet at more then 120 dollars more, and I was hoping not to spend over 300 dollars if possible.

I couldn't find much in the search engine on either - anyone have any experiences with one or both of these speakers?

It would be used for a wide range of applications (primarily music and some games) on a computer with a X-fi sound card.

Much appreciated.

 

[slackerinabox]

I originally was set on a T3, at 230 canadian dollars or so. I felt at this price, particularly in Canada it was worthwile over a more expensive receiver/bookshelf combo.

However then I saw the Audioengine A5, which would cost around 350 canadian dollars. The impression from reviews is that it should sound quite a bit better then the Gigaworks T3 - albiet at more then 120 dollars more, and I was hoping not to spend over 300 dollars if possible.

I couldn't find much in the search engine on either - anyone have any experiences with one or both of these speakers?

It would be used for a wide range of applications (primarily music and some games) on a computer with a X-fi sound card.

Much appreciated.

Well, I'm in a similar boat - trying to figure out if a monitor without a separate sub will really cut it. But why not check out these monitors as well:

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio...0283312&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-MS40...0283312&sr=8-5

 

[Cellulose]

Thanks. Looking at the av-30 - I found it shipped for $100 plus tax. The MS40 would be around $180 plus tax. Not nearly as cheap as in the U.S but would definately save some money over my top 2 options.

 

[slackerinabox]

Thanks. Looking at the av-30 - I found it shipped for $100 plus tax. The MS40 would be around $180 plus tax. Not nearly as cheap as in the U.S but would definately save some money over my top 2 options.

Note that the av30 has some negative amazon reviews about one channel being louder than the other on some units, so I'm not endorsing it, but m-audio has a wide range of 2.0 monitor speakers.

What are you going to be using the speakers for? Gaming? Music production (prosumer), music listening, mixed use?

If music production then, yep, I'd totally get a monitor speaker (2.0).

Since I'm going to use it for mixed use (listening to music, editing video, watching streaming video), I'm still on the fence between a 2.0 monitor or one of swans 2.1 set ups. I've put off the purchase for months now!

A compromise might be a good amp + bookshelves. I have no room for a receiver but this guy's really small:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-380

 

[Cellulose]

The speakers are going to be used for a lot of music listening (including songs with quite a bit of bass) and some PC gaming, with the odd movie now and again.

My bass requirements are sort of why I looked at the T3 to begin with, and then the Audioengine as apparently, despite being 2.0, they don't suffer from a lack of bass.

 

[slackerinabox]

The speakers are going to be used for a lot of music listening (including songs with quite a bit of bass) and some PC gaming, with the odd movie now and again.

My bass requirements are sort of why I looked at the T3 to begin with, and then the Audioengine as apparently, despite being 2.0, they don't suffer from a lack of bass.

Someone please chime in if I'm wrong, but I believe 2.0 monitors are more balanced/neutral than 2.1 systems, in general. To me that means that, while there will be bass, you're not going to get the shake your chair/rattle your teeth explosions you may want in consumer speakers. That's why I'm conflicted - for video editing I'd like the most neutral sound possible, but I like my electronic music with a bit of a bump. I think I may settle for a 2.1 set plus some headphones for critical listening.

Check out these swans: http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?products_id=89
(the swan m12 is also well regarded)

As far as the T3s go. I've owned cambridge/creative speakers and I tend to like them more than their over rated logitech peers, BUT the T3s only have one driver per speaker. It's a very common design, but i really miss the good ol days of separate tweeters, woofers, and sub woofers. Some speakers overcome this using wacky good engineering, most have sparkling highs and boomy bass but mediocre/absent mids.