Best cheap PC speakers for monitoring

[redstriper]

Greetings fellow recording enthusiasts,

I want some small PC speakers for monitoring my mixes, so I know what they sound like on small systems.
I have large speakers, but I want something small for near field monitoring, so I can get a better of the stereo field and as an alternative, since a lot of people listen on small speakers, in the car etc.

Is a sub woofer a good idea or not?
I'd prefer not to have one for ergonomic reasons, providing there is a reasonable bass response from the speakers.
I'm considering these:
[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/ref=pe_207271_34401401_pe_pack6txt/?ASIN=B000WQIKJ0"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/ref=pe_207271_34401401_pe_pack6txt/?ASIN=B000WQIKJ0[/url]
But any suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks,
Steve.

[Happy Jack]

Get two solutions for the price of one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Altec-Lansing-M650-Octiv-2-1-iPod-iPhone-Speaker-Dock-Portable-Docking-Station-/390447734570?_trksid=p5197.m1997&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D16%26meid%3D5429704372404077722%26pid%3D100016%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D321037472351%26

[redstriper]

Thanks Jack, that looks a good buy and very ergonomic, have you got one and if so is the audio quality good enough for mixing multi track recordings?
I wonder if the closeness of the right and left speakers will make stereo imaging difficult when panning instruments in a mix.
I have an iPhone but I don't use it for music, so it's not a feature I need, nor is the remote control.

[redstriper]

I'm thinking of going for these:
[url="http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/audio/3423960/jbl-jembe-desktop-speaker-review/?tab=verdictTab#top"]http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/audio/3423960/jbl-jembe-desktop-speaker-review/?tab=verdictTab#top[/url]
Only £30 from Tesco and they get good reviews.

[redstriper]

I've gone off the JBLs after finding out they automatically switch themselves off after a short time without any signal and take a while to fire up again - that would be very annoying when mixing.

My new plan is to go for these:
[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001IZZ2PE/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i4?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0ZPNW8ZJXPJXZ5E8Y7DA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=358549767&pf_rd_i=468294"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001IZZ2PE/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i4?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0ZPNW8ZJXPJXZ5E8Y7DA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=358549767&pf_rd_i=468294[/url]

Has anyone here used them or have any other suggestions?

Anyone?.........

[RockfordStone]

if you are looking in that price range, i would consider spending a bit more and getting something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-Studiophile-Av30-Desktop-Speakers/dp/B0010B0BPW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_computers_6

ive had the AV40's for several years and they are worth every penny to me.

if you wanna use them for mixing, don't be tight

[redstriper]

Thanks Mr. Stone, I just read all the reviews on Amazon and there's a lot of complaints about over heating, which is a worry cos mine will be going on a window ledge.

I already have full size speakers, I want something for near field work to show better detail and stereo imaging and also to give an idea how my mixes would sound on smaller systems..
I have been using headphones, but I'd like something between cans and my large speakers.

[danthevan]

Another vote for the av40.
The problem with them was the old av40's which have now been upgraded. Have a set in the shed and you wouldn't believe the sound on them for the money

[OldG]

I use a set of m-audio studiopro 3's ( the forerunner to the AV's) - far better for mixing than any PC speakers I tried,imho.

I got them off of the forum here a while back for around £40, worth scouting for a used pair of these on the bay. etc.

[charic]

What are your large speakers?

[redstriper]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1360412957' post='1969952']
What are your large speakers?
[/quote]

My large speakers are 1970s Goodmans Goodwoods - not great I know, but I've had them so long and I know what a good mix sounds like on them.
But they are not professional monitors and they are flattering rather than revealing, which is why I need more detailed near field monitors.
Unfortunately, I'm also broke.

I just remembered, I have a pair of small Wharfedale concentric speakers with the tweeters in the middle of the woofer cones - I might try them with an old Eagle amp...

Thanks chaps for the M Audio recommendations, they do look more professional than the Creatives, if I can get the dosh together.

[RockfordStone]

as i say, ive had mine several years and never had any issues with them, if you are looking for good sound, it really is worth just saving a bit longer and doing it properly. theres no point in spening 50/60 quid on something that may not improve on what you have so far