Sort of a MAc/iPod question - Speakers

baxtersbestpal · Dec 13th, 2004, 11:47 PM

My wife has been pointing out to me the need to get the Large speakers out of the family room so I have been looking at Bookshelf speakers.

Haven't looked at stereo stuff in a long time - getting confused and annoyed by prices.

So - I'm in the basement yesterday and have my iPod plugged in to the Pro speakers with an iFire device - worked like a charm - great sound - filled the room all day long.

So I got thinking - is there any reason I cannot use something like the Creature II's as bookshelf speakers hooked up to the stereo? I mean I should be able to just hook up to the speaker terminals, stuff the sub-woofer behind a couch or something and use the satellites on the bookshelves?

Any thoughts on whether this doable? If not why not??

Thanks.

Neil Yates · Dec 14th, 2004, 01:11 AM

Hmm, speakers such as 'computer multimedia' ones, have a different impedance (Ohms) than Stereo/HiFi bookshelf ones. Also, they're rated at 2 to 20w a pop, whereas your amp may pump 100 to 400w RMS - you could easily fry one or both of them with any volume beyond a few percent or notches on the amplifier/receiver dial.

Wiring also plays a big role and the copper or steel gauge used in the Computer speakers may be far too thin. However, that said, i've personally taken speakers from Logitech's Z-560 which have Banana-plugs and used them for my home-theatre rear-channel (surround-R/L) with the rear configured as 'Small speakers' and at less overall volume, with wiring upgraded from the flimsy 14-guage stuff to 6-gauge solid copper-core Monster cable, and it worked fine.

What you may want to do is instead replace the use of the Receiver/Amplifier and get something like Logitech's Z-680 or their new high-end, which provides inputs for both an ipod and DVD-video player for home theatre, as well as an InfraRed remote control for device and volume settings.

N.

Gerbill · Dec 14th, 2004, 01:42 AM

Strangely enough, you can improvise quite an acceptable small stereo by plugging a docked iPod into ordinary powered computer speakers. Fidelity is good in proportion to the quality of the speakers - it sounds pretty decent even on sub-$100 units. If you plug the dock into the iPod's power adapter, it's quite a practical solution. I use my iPod this way in preference to listening to iTunes on my eMac because - no fan noise!

Cheers :-> Bill

sinjin · Dec 14th, 2004, 09:28 AM

I was in a very similar position and decided to go with the Tivoli Model Two (and Subwoofer).

In this very affordable package you get
- true hi-fi sound, true stereo reproduction
- arguably the best FM tuner in the industry
- great expandability: line out for recording, line in for the iPod or other, mix in to use them as computer speakers (I move them from living room to computer all the time) and a dedicated subwoofer output
- very small and portable
- more than enough sound to fill a med size room
- real solid wood enclosure
- an awesome retro design by one of the biggest legends in audio: Henry Kloss.

They sound great. They don't sound "huge" like a big stereo, but they could fool some. Reviews: Epinions.com.

BTW, I like your sig. So true.

baxtersbestpal · Dec 14th, 2004, 08:06 PM

Thanks for the input.

Here's what I think I will do.

I bought my wife a miniiPod for Christmas - so I think maybe after christmas I'll just buy the Bose Sounddock and she use that with her iPod and I'm thinking everyone will be happy.

The Sounddock will cost less tahn a set of Bose bookshelf speakers - so I'll be happy.

sinjin · Dec 14th, 2004, 09:15 PM

Or get her the ultimate iPod speaker system: The Concertino ... only 3200 euro!

ArtistSeries · Dec 14th, 2004, 09:27 PM

I'm a little perplexed by this need for high-end sound from the iPod. Maybe someone can explain it to me.

Basically any compressed music format sounds like garbage on a decent sound sytem so why obsess over this or that speaker? It's not CD sound quality - not even close.

sinjin, the Tivoli is an awesome Radio - I use it in the kitchen and it really does pull in more radio stations.
The concetino is a curious creature, I do like the tube sound but seems like an odd mix. Not really audiophile; on button looks more like a computer startup button, retro look not quite right...

daBoss · Dec 14th, 2004, 09:57 PM

What you need for a bookshelf system.
iPod
Dock
AC adapter
Speakers - I like the Altec Lansing FX6021 Speakers with wireless remote about $350.00. Satellite speakers can be easily wall-mounted.

Plug the AC adapter into an outlet and plug the dock into AC adapter. This charges your iPod conveniently. Connect the speakers to the iPod dock after you've buried the sub woofer in a convenient location and hung the satellite speakers. Pop iPod into dock. Sit down with your wireless remote and enjoy.

http://www.ehmac.ca/ubb/ultimatebb.p...c;f=1;t=009697

sinjin · Dec 14th, 2004, 10:18 PM

I'm a little perplexed by this need for high-end sound from the iPod. Maybe someone can explain it to me.

Funny you should say that. When I first got my Tivoli I hooked up my 2g iPod and played with it for the evening. I was somewhat unimpressed. It was good, better than any others I had heard, but not quite right. Compared to my Apple Pro speakers, the Tivoli was a HUGE improvement, just not the angel song I was hoping for. The next day I dug my CD player out, hooked it up and was blown away by how much better they sounded. I still use the Tivoli with the iPod, happily, but when it matters I use the original CD. But I'm not an audiophile either.

I had the same thought about the Concertino. The design is pretty cool, stark, post WWII German sensibility, vacuum tubes, glass, pretty neat and then ... a cheap CPU push-button power switch! What were they thinking?!

Glad you like your Tivoli. The radio was the main selling feature for me as well. I also bought the subwoofer, but find it mostly unnecessary. It adds some nice, subtle low end, good for listening to CDs in my large living room, but I don't use it when I move the Tivoli to my office.