DA>  BG> What is wrong with using REAL speakers on your computer
DA> rather than
DA>  BG> these compromised versions of something that is supposed
DA> to color match
DA>  BG> your monitor and not cause it to scramble because the
DA> speaker is near
DA>  BG> to it (read little magnetism in the magnets, so the
DA> efficiency really
DA>  BG> is bad).
DA>  I'll tell you what's wrong with using "real" speakers.. it is
DA> not always practical to hook up the computer to a stereo which may be at
DA> the other side of the room.  And not everybody has the space to put an
DA> amp and speakers on their computer desk.  I'm willing to bet that you
DA> haven't even heard the Altec Lansing computer speakers.. and already
DA> you are   putting them down?
IMO, the A/L's, as most of the other computer speaker "systems" are very 
limited, even with the extra bass modules. I've put them beside mediocre 
speaker systems and the response is unbelievably limited per the dime and 
what the companies claim. I guess it's marketing, just because it says 
"computer" folks fall into the trap of getting the stuff and think the 
systems have to be high-tech just because "computer" is on the box.  I've 
heard the JBL as well and wasn't impressed with its series either.  The 
speakers can't handle the input and start distorting before even reaching 
mid-range level, especially with the bass module connected.  The system I saw 
had to be set with less response on the bass just to keep the distortion to a 
barely tolerable level (for me and the studio engineer utilizing the computer 
at the time).
What I've done with my home computer?  Since I live in an apartment, and 
can't really bump up the volume like I would real-lllly love to do, I have 
set up the computer speakers (some powered generics I picked up just to 
access the sound card) in conjunction with my stereo, having both inputs to 
and outputs from the stereo. That way, when I *can* enjoy my stereo speakers 
while I utilize the sound card, I don't have to worry about hooking 
everything up, or tripping on wires for a temporary *fix*... I also can, on 
those late nights that I often listen to music on the stereo can still do so 
without bothering even my fiance snoozing on the sofa directly across from 
the computer and all the speakers just because the stereo speakers can be 
turned down via the volume level on the stereo and the computer speakers can 
be left on (with their own volume level). I thought he was *crazy* when he 
talked about making them both be usable all the time, and the only problem 
we've incurred has been when we've been listening to the stereo and decide to 
go into a program on the computer which utilizes the sound card in other 
ways, like game sounds. Then it just means turning one volume control or the 
other down.
Nancy
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