Archive for the 'audio' Category
If you are an ordinary user, the best computer speakers for you might just be the ones your computer came with. Most laptops come with computer speakers that have a pretty high level of fidelity. What they don’t have, however, is much bass. If you are only using your speakers for casually putting music on in the background, a little bit of gaming, or voice over IP, what you have is probably just about perfect. If you want a little bit more body, you can add a woofer to fill out the sound a little bit, but there’s no need to spend a lot of money on a sophisticated audio setup.
As the owner of an electronics store specializing in audio equipment, I get asked all the time what the best computer speakers are. People are often surprised at my reply. I succeed in my business by trying to give honest answers and not automatically directing people to the most high-tech and sophisticated audio there is. As an honest salesman, I have to say there is no simple answer.
Of course, if you are a serious music listener, the way to find the best computer speakers Is to look them up in consumer reports. You can spend as much as you want on high quality audio components, and you are generally rewarded for the money you invest. Nonetheless, even if it is supposed to be the best computer speaker out there, don’t buy it without listening to it first. Some speakers, for example, have too warm a sound for some users. Others feel a little bit tinny. Different audio speakers are geared towards different listeners, so there really is no one best choice. The best computer speakers, like the best music, is a matter of opinion.
Then again, different people have different tastes. In gamer magazines, the best multimedia computer speakers reviews consistently go to speakers with a lot of bass. It seems that gamers really like low-end power – no doubt to stimulate the sonic jar of explosions hitting nearby, or the growl of monsters in some underground dungeon. If you find big bass to be thrilling, by all means go out to your local audio store and invest in some bass. Don’t make the mistake that most people do, however, of assuming that more powerful speakers are necessarily better. Having too much bass without enough mid and high range can actually distort the sound of music.
A good sound system does not have to be a large one, though it will depend on what you need it for. If you are planning something small, something smaller will work. When you have a wide area to cover, or you have a complicated set up in mind, you may need to have a bigger sound system. You can usually find these for rent, and that is what is recommended unless you think this is something that you will be using for a long time to come. These are expensive, and it won’t be worth the investment if you are only going to use it a few times.
When you play live music or have a live audience, you want to have the best sound system that you can afford. Even more importantly, you have to know how to run one, or know someone who does. You can have the best music or the best presentation in the world, but it is going to be a bad time for all if your system is not good, and it is not run properly. Though these can be complicated, they are becoming easier to own and run for those who may not have years of experience running them.
In the case of getting a sound system when you know nothing about them, you may want to find local people who rent out their equipment. The difference between them and the stores you may call is that these private systems usually come with someone who knows what they are doing, and they can take care of all of the work for you. They can set up the sound system, run it, and then tear down when your event is done. You may have to pay more this way, but if you have no idea what you are doing, it could be the best money you ever spent. Not sure where to start? Look around online for those in your community that do this. There are probably more people than you realized.
When looking to buy or rent a good sound system, you do have to know a little about them. You can go to any local music store to see if they have such a service. Some will and some won’t, but you won’t know until you ask. You can even call them to see who rents equipment. If they don’t, you may ask if they can recommend someone who can. If they do rent a sound system out, tell them what your needs are, and they can tell you what you should get and how much it might cost you.