Since my speakers finally died I have bought and set-up 6 or 7 sets (Some highly recommended) but thought they were all terrible. I assumed it was the speakers but then I found an excellent store that was happy to pull them out of the box and let me listen in-store.
One pair was OUTSTANDING for 2.0 speakers. The IT guy cranked U2's "Mission Impossible" (My test tune!) and we were blown away by the fact that it filled the store with great sound. We could also see the bass unit dancing.
They're not high-end by any means (Genius SP-HF500A)but damn, they sounded GOOD! The problem is as soon as I plugged them in at home the sound was muddy and distorted, and I can't achieve the same visual action in the bass.
I'm running an HP Compaq Presario (AMD Sempron Processor 3200+) 1.79 GHz, 960 MB RAM. I beleive my sound drivers are updated so I'm wondering if a sound card problem can have that effect? (I'm not sure if they can deteriorate slowly, or if they just work or don't work.)
These really did sound terrific out-of-the box in the store but are performing nowhere even remotely close to the same way at home.
Any suggestions you guys might have for trouble-shooting would be appreciated.
Thx.
L.E.
Reply 1 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
They are not the best place to audition speakers (or TV's). Plus lots of computer speaker manufacturers go for slick looks over build and sound quality. Theres only so much cheap molded plastic housing and paper cones can do. The best 2.0 set of powered speakers I know of are Audioengine 2's (or 5's). They consistently get good review from audiophile sites around the web.
http://audioengineusa.com/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-9946736-47.html
http://audioengineusa.com/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-9946736-47.html
Reply 2 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
It wasn't a "Big Box" store, although it was large, and we hooked up a number of sets so I had great points of reference.
The speakers were, and are, great for my purposes - I'm not shopping here, what I hoping for is some suggestions as to possible causes for them performing poorly on my Windows XP.
The speakers were, and are, great for my purposes - I'm not shopping here, what I hoping for is some suggestions as to possible causes for them performing poorly on my Windows XP.
Reply 3 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
Period. That's the first problem. Try another brand like the audioengine which has been suggested.
The PC sounds very bare bones too. Could you add a dedicated sound card perhaps instead of the built in one on the mobo? FWIW, reloading codecs won't solve the problem unfortunately. They might however let you hear different types of audio tracks though.
The PC sounds very bare bones too. Could you add a dedicated sound card perhaps instead of the built in one on the mobo? FWIW, reloading codecs won't solve the problem unfortunately. They might however let you hear different types of audio tracks though.
Reply 4 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
I have tried nine other sets this week.
I'd be surprized if you've ever actually heard this particular model. They blew the store staff away with the quality at the price point. At any rate, as I mentioned before, they are perfect for what I need them to do.
My issue is that two weeks ago cheezier speakers than this sounded great but now nothing works well. I am trying to pinpoint where the breakdown might be. The PC is older but I surf, watch movies and shows and listen to music on it, and it handles all that just fine. I will definitely get the techie to check out the sound card situation and cross my fingers!
I did notice that there was a massive difference beween using the windows media utility (Distortion and "fuzzy" output at every volunme level) and Realplayer. The realplayer has zero distortion at any volume level, but the depth of sound is reduced. Interesting.
I'd be surprized if you've ever actually heard this particular model. They blew the store staff away with the quality at the price point. At any rate, as I mentioned before, they are perfect for what I need them to do.
My issue is that two weeks ago cheezier speakers than this sounded great but now nothing works well. I am trying to pinpoint where the breakdown might be. The PC is older but I surf, watch movies and shows and listen to music on it, and it handles all that just fine. I will definitely get the techie to check out the sound card situation and cross my fingers!
I did notice that there was a massive difference beween using the windows media utility (Distortion and "fuzzy" output at every volunme level) and Realplayer. The realplayer has zero distortion at any volume level, but the depth of sound is reduced. Interesting.
Reply 5 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
I will give you that much. (For the record, I heard them, but didn't like them.)
Alas, if you shopped around a little more, you would find that the audioengine (and others) sound much, much better. Don't always equate 'loud' with 'must be good since it's loud'. [If so, Bose would be the preferred choice for audiophiles
.]
Also Try VLC media player- just to give your system a spin away from the built in WMP. FWIW, there are very few types of audio files VLC cannot play.
Alas, if you shopped around a little more, you would find that the audioengine (and others) sound much, much better. Don't always equate 'loud' with 'must be good since it's loud'. [If so, Bose would be the preferred choice for audiophiles
.]Also Try VLC media player- just to give your system a spin away from the built in WMP. FWIW, there are very few types of audio files VLC cannot play.
Reply 6 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
I don't think they're around anymore, but if they were available I'm pretty sure they'd be $300 or so...Way out of my price range. I tried speakers up to $100...The Genius were $30.00 
That was a GREAT tip about the VLC media player. I've been running song tests between the three players and VLC sounds best by far...Now I'm not even sure if I need to go for the sound card upgrade...Couldn't hurt I guess.
It's a mystery to me why no Googling brought up the simple fix of trying a different media player. My cheezy speakers and I thank you very much!
That was a GREAT tip about the VLC media player. I've been running song tests between the three players and VLC sounds best by far...Now I'm not even sure if I need to go for the sound card upgrade...Couldn't hurt I guess.
It's a mystery to me why no Googling brought up the simple fix of trying a different media player. My cheezy speakers and I thank you very much!
Reply 7 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
Follow the link I posted above. The Audioengine 2's are 199 dollars a pair and they will blow away just about any other computer speaker in my opinion (and the opinion of lots of audiophile sites).
Reply 8 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
We would connect to some other audio source. I looked for what desktop that could be and didn't find a good match. BUT if the machine is working hard, audio distortions can occur.
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6122_102-510824.html may not sound like it applies at first but we did turn the corner and get the machine up to speed.
Bob
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6122_102-510824.html may not sound like it applies at first but we did turn the corner and get the machine up to speed.
Bob
Reply 9 : Speakers - Excellent in store, TERRIBLE on my PC
Interesting suggestion, but since music sounded great on this PC two weeks ago (Before the one speaker died) I don't think I'm comfortable jimmying a fix. I've uninstalled and re-loaded the audio codecs and I'm out of ideas. I guess I'll get the sound card swapped out and see if that helps.
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