What are some powerful computer sound systems with easy setup?

Question

For the longest time I've had the old Logitech Z313 2.1 sound system for my computer. After so many years of use and moving around, I'm looking for a more portable and more powerful system.

The Z313's wiring is aggravating. The 3.5mm from the computer goes into a controller, then to the sub, then to the speakers. Also, the sub doesn't have a control to turn bass down independently from the speakers.

So what I'm looking for is a sound system with these features:

• no more than $150
• 2.1 layout
• subwoofer with: independent control, 20+ Watts, ~6 inch external driver
• 2+ inch speaker driver
• flat-bottomed subwoofer would be better than one with feet
• easy setup, not too many cords (very important)

An inline or onboard volume control is actually something I don't want since I can control volume with my keyboard and directly in Windows, but if a good system has it, I won't mind.

Answer 1

If you are willing to wait, you could get the Logitech Z333 Multimedia Speakers. As this hasn't been released yet, I can only go off of the spec sheet and online reviews, but this looks like it would fit your needs.

This is a 2.1 speaker system that costs $80 USD. The subwoofer is flat-bottomed, has its own independent controller, and has a 5 inch, front facing driver. The sub is rated at 23 Watts while the two satellites are rated at 8 Watts each. While the website doesn't say exactly how big the drivers are for the satellites, the width of the satellites is about 4.25 inches, so I would expect the drivers are in the range of 2.5 - 3.5 inches in diameter. There are four 5 foot cables for this system (plus input cables): one for the power (wall to sub), one for each satellite (sub to satellite), and one volume controller (controller to sub).

This system has both a 3.5 mm auxiliary input and stereo RCA inputs.

With about half of your budget left, you add a Bluetooth Audio Adapter for $40 that allows you to stream music from any Bluetooth enabled audio device. With both of these items, you are still below your $150 budget (excluding shipping).

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UPDATE

This appears to have been released. If ordered from Logitech's website, you will get free standard shipping (4-7 business days) on this as the total cost is over $49.

Answer 2

I recently had the same problem and in the end went for the Soundsticks III from Harman Kardon. They look and sound beautiful. Sub is on feet though, but gives a really tight sound.

I got mine for €100 (around $120).

It has the following features:

• Price around €99 (at least here in holland)
• 2.1 layout
• Subwoofer with: independent control, 20+ Watts, 6 inch external driver
• Subwoofer in on feet.
• Four, 1" full-range transducers per channel powered by a 10-watt amplifier for room-filling sound
• Touch volume and mute controls
• Angle-adjustable satellites
• Easy setup, one chord from every speaker to the subwoofer, a mini-jack input for connecting your device and a power input connected to the subwoofer.