If you want great speakers for your cab....

[QuarterJunkie]

You cannot miss with these. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836150038

Just wanted to share my experience--

Positives:

They have an excellent wired remote with very long cables to control volume and sub.
The remote has a headphone jack for private playing.
The Satellites are 40 Watts (RMS) and the Sub is 100 Watts (RMS).
They are mind blowing loud


Negatives:

The Subwoofer is unshielded so you will probably need to locate it outside the cabinet. This was not an issue in my case, but it may be in yours.

The bass is very "BOOMY" but can be Eq'd down .

The satellites can be a bit tricky to mount as they have a curved face. I suppose you could route a niche for them, but I anchored them down using plumbers tape and filled voids with weather stripping which worked out very well.


Conclusion:

Do not underestimate how important speakers are in your build especially if you want Jukebox capabilities. The wired remote is another must have for a cab. Yeah, I've seen hacked speaker amps, but this baby is no muss, no fuss... I was originally going small with my speaker selection and I am so glad I didn't. These speakers  absolutely rock and everyone has been blown away by them so far. Very impressive.

[Stub]

Being as this is also going to be my multi-media and music library I went overboard.

I have a pair of KRK Rocket 8 inch Studio monitors. I am going to mount them on the sides of the cab with professional equipment from On Stage Stands. With internal bi-amps they weigh in at 30 lbs each. But this is the best sound you will ever get from an 8" 2 way unit. Mind blowing.

http://www.maketunes.com/articles/krk-rokit-rp-8-studio-monitor-review
http://www.kellyindustries.com/speakers/krk_rokit_rp8.html
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/KRK-RP8-Rokit-Powered-8-Reference-Studio-Monitor?sku=602314

Only dislike is the yellow Kevlar cones. I am thinking about covering the face but I paid for the incredibly accurate sound these produce. Even speaker cloth will make these slightly less perfect.

[javeryh]

I got a 2.1 set of CompUSA speakers with a wired remote for $10 on sale and they sound great... well good enough for the beeps and blips in the games I play... I'm not using my cab as a jukebox or anything...

[BORIStheBLADE]

I got a 2.1 set of CompUSA speakers with a wired remote for $10 on sale and they sound great... well good enough for the beeps and blips in the games I play... I'm not using my cab as a jukebox or anything...

I was going to say the same thing. Instead I spent about $20.00 I got the nice set for my desktop.

[mrserv0n]

At that price you might as well roll with the logitech x-230s which are better company then CA and there only $50.00

[jhabers]

i just ordered these for my cab I am building, seems like a great price and good reviews
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014&Tpk=s-220

[QuarterJunkie]

At that price you might as well roll with the logitech x-230s which are better company then CA and there only $50.00

I had a set of Logitech's on my home pc and was never really impressed with the power output. Compare the RMS wattage between the CA'a and Logitech---

Logitech X-230

Satellites - 6W          Subwoofer- 20W

Cyber Acoustics 3780

Satellites - 40W        Subwoofer- 100W


More bang for the buck with the CA's

[Jdurg]

I've gone through quite a few speakers in my lifetime and the only thing I can say is that numbers on paper mean diddly-squat.  I never buy speakers without listening to them first.  In many cases, manufacturers will amp up their numbers to make their speakers seem better, but when you listen to them in person, they fall far short.  (Now I'm not saying these speakers are bad.  I'm just saying that using any type of number to try and define which one is 'better' is just not really valid).   

[Zobeid]

Used Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system from eBay.  Problem solved.

I actually have a Klipsch GMX A-2.1 system on my computer here, and I love it.  It's good for music, great for games.  By adjusting the subwoofer output I can generally get the sound I want.  (I love the sound of coin drop in Defender and Stargate.)

The only reason I didn't get a GMX system for my cabinet is because of the funny-shaped satellite speakers.  They would be tricky to install, though I'm sure I could have figured out a way.  Probably the easiest way would have been to make them like hanging pods under the marquee.  That would look pretty funky. . .    Maybe a little too funky, because I had wanted this to look more like an authentic arcade machine.

[QuarterJunkie]

I've gone through quite a few speakers in my lifetime and the only thing I can say is that numbers on paper mean diddly-squat.  I never buy speakers without listening to them first.  In many cases, manufacturers will amp up their numbers to make their speakers seem better, but when you listen to them in person, they fall far short.  (Now I'm not saying these speakers are bad.  I'm just saying that using any type of number to try and define which one is 'better' is just not really valid).   

I completely agree with you that seeing is believing and the "proof is in the pudding" so to speak but my opinion (you know what they say about those   ) is that the CA speakers really do live up to their specs. I'm not saying that these CA speakers are the best speakers in the world, I'm just saying that for the $$ they are well worth it for the quality and features (again, just my opinion) and I doubt you would be disappointed if you put them in your project if you're looking to spend under $100 on speakers.

Oh, and I know that manufacturers tend to inflate their specs for wattage, but I believe that the RMS wattage values they list need to be accurate whereas the number they inflate tend to be the peak values which really have no standardized measurement. So as long as you only pay attention to the RMS values and ignore the peak values you can at least get a general comparison for power output.

Zobeid, I wish my budget would have allowed me to install some Klisch speakers, but they were too expensive and had no remote. 

[Stub]

I've gone through quite a few speakers in my lifetime and the only thing I can say is that numbers on paper mean diddly-squat.  I never buy speakers without listening to them first.  In many cases, manufacturers will amp up their numbers to make their speakers seem better, but when you listen to them in person, they fall far short.  (Now I'm not saying these speakers are bad.  I'm just saying that using any type of number to try and define which one is 'better' is just not really valid).   

Absolutely. My most important metric is the frequency response curve. But I still would take the manufactures with a large grain of salt. Most smaller computer systems do not get rated by 3rd party sites throughly, but if you are going to mount some standard non enclosed 6" units below the marquee most will have detailed testing done on car audio sites.

Mounting computer speakers is a large problem. I am not going for a retro look and had planed to have some small bose satellites mounted on either side of the marquee. I think the look would be attractive. Anyone else ever do this?

I ended up with the rockets, and thats overkill but I'm happy.

[Zobeid]

Zobeid, I wish my budget would have allowed me to install some Klisch speakers, but they were too expensive and had no remote. 

I paid $76 plus $29.45 shipping.  And they do, in fact, have a wired remote.  (This is one of the reasons why they were recommended in Saint's book.)

[QuarterJunkie]

Zobeid, I wish my budget would have allowed me to install some Klisch speakers, but they were too expensive and had no remote. 

I paid $76 plus $29.45 shipping.  And they do, in fact, have a wired remote.  (This is one of the reasons why they were recommended in Saint's book.)

Ok. yes, at just over $100 these would be a good buy. Up to this point all of the ProMedia 2.1 speakers I saw had the controls on the right speaker and were listing at about $140 (which made me lose interest), but I do see some on Ebay now with the remote going for $80 or so plus shipping...There must be more than one model of the Promedia 2.1's then? One with remote and one without?

[lanman31337]

I did the logitech x-230 and cut off the satellites and went with something just like this - but I cut most of the plastic and turned them into a plate.  I mounted them inside where the marquee hole is, and they sound great.

[Ummon]

I can't see these huge systems people put in their cabs. My stock computer speakers and sub get loud enough in a decent sized room that people would have to yell. (And why would you want to?) Certainly loud enough if the girls wanna dance. Or maybe it's for those of you sitting back with the hookah?

The CA system looks nice enough. Knowing that decent size drivers and enclosures mean better mids, that's what I look for.

[Zobeid]

Up to this point all of the ProMedia 2.1 speakers I saw had the controls on the right speaker and were listing at about $140 (which made me lose interest), but I do see some on Ebay now with the remote going for $80 or so plus shipping...There must be more than one model of the Promedia 2.1's then? One with remote and one without?

The control module is usually mounted on the bottom of the right speaker, but you can remove it and put it somewhere else.  It's not part of the speaker.

[Xiaou2]

 I want to repeat the point about the  'Numbers game'.

 About 10yrs ago, I decided to get a new pair of Headphones.   I looked at two
different models.   They had Identical specs.   However, the much more expensive
Sennheiser headphones had a detachable cord.   Thats usually what breaks on
most ... and is not very easy to replace.    So, as much as it pained my wallet... I went
with them instead.

 What I did not expect... was how absolutely incredible they would sound!   Ive owned
tons of HP,  and even some that were up to $70...  and None of them sounded
anywhere near as good as the $120  Sennheiser's.    When I had them attached to my
stereo while watching a DVD... It sounded like my surround speakers were on full blast!
I quickly whipped off the phones and went to turn off my surround speakers.. only to
find out that they were not on!   The sound is so clear, crisp, detailed, and 3dimentional.


 About PC speakers...

 Generally,  I dont care for them as they are not able to handle enough power without
distortions.  Especially Heavy Bass.    Many tend to use a very small  tweater/midrange  in
the sattelites,  and rely on the sub for the bass.    However...  its much better to find
speakers that have larger woofers with separate tweeters.    As a subwoofer is not
the same response as a woofer.  The subwoofers extra low frequencies will often
muddy the typical bass sounds that are trying to be combined with it.
Also, when you do not have good base with the sattellites,  you will definitely hear it.
The sub would have to be pretty close to the sat's to solve this annoyance.  And even then,
its still not going to be that good.

 Amazingly enough, a PC place I used to work for had these "Boka" speakers that had
3" (?) diameter woofers in them (as well as nice tweeters).  The Woofers were Awesome
sounding.  Lots of bass with almost no distortion at very high power levels.  I was shocked,
as they sounded better than big name speakers that cost 4times as much!


 About Midrange:
   
 Someone said they prefer good midranges.   Actually, IMOP,  the most important speakers
you can have are the Best Tweeters possible.   Some tweeters are just not very good and
dont carry well.   However, the best tweeters will be crisp, clear, and make a somewhat
3d sound-field.   Some Tweeters have a high response  range... but are too tinny and static
sounding.

 Midrange is a very powerful range... as it takes very little power to make them blare loudly,
and the sounds can be very annoying as well as very damaging to your ears.   This is why
Sirens and alarm systems use this range.    I often have to turn the Mid frequencies down
(EQ), to avoid over-dramatic mids and drowning out of the bass/highs.    Many manufactures
dont match these well..  but some high end speakers do... and or have actual electronic
adjustment knobs on the mids and highs.

 Generally, Ive found that Good woofers/Tweeters  tend to fill in the Mid range just fine.
Ive actually removed midrange speakers because of this.  They just were not needed.

 Some peoples ears are different too.   So, what I may like, may sound bad to you.  It may
because your ears are not as sensitive to certain ranges,  or have had previous damages.

 
 PC Sound Quality

 No matter how good your speakers are...  they may sound like Crap if they are being fed
a lousy signal.    Many people use  "onboard"  sound that comes build into their motherboards...
and this is almost 99% Crap!   There are often cracks, pops, static... but even if not.. .there is loss
of details and clarity.    I was absolutely horrified when I heard my friends pcs sound signal
(thru my hi-def headphones). Even with his software EQ, the sound was pathetic.   

 I cant stress highly enough... to get a High Quality sound card, and disable the onboard crap.
A Soundblaster Live card (or modern SB card) will be more than enough.   Even used SB live
will do.   You will be amazed at the difference superior circuitry makes.

 And finally, because all speakers will react very differently... its best you perfect the range
using a good EQ.   Soundblaster cards have good  Bass/Treble adjustments.  However, even
then, I like to use Winamps EQ and tweak individual frequencies.   Such adjustments can
turn an otherwise average sounding speaker... to something that sounds like it should have
cost a mint.  For retro-games... that may be overkill... but, for MP3/CDs, it can really be great.

 
 AMPS


 Well, I generally push my music thru a nice but old  Pioneer surround system.   The
quality is very good.  I think most amps are decent..  but, Choosing a very cheap
amp could possibly result in loss of details and clarity.  Just a warning.