I found audio nirvana....


Being an audiophile is no longer sensible for me.

There was a time long ago…when former audiophiles (like almost everyone else in the world) could enjoy music on a pair of computer speakers. Audiophiles today would say that most people who listen to music on a less than ideal audio system could be served much better by a high-end system, however the average person would beg to differ….

I’ve found what I think is the best pair of computer speakers for simply enjoying the music. I have done some research on human attention span – we can only pay attention to 4-5 things at once. Sacrificing our attention at the alter of a high-end audio system and obsessing about how wonderful it sounds; along with over-analyzing the sound quality of sum of all parts is quite exhausting. 

Enter the Logitech Z130. They look nice, clear midrange, somewhat recessed bass, slightly forward treble. And no real imaging or soundstage to speak of! They are so small!  All you get is clarity in the midrange and treble, with a hint of bass like a side order of veggies. Speech, like vocals and instrumentals are intelligible enough to discern lyrics; except for those that are somewhat hidden in a track; and require a more resolving system. The Z130 give the impression that they are small speakers; except for when the volume is turned up a little more. Then they sound kind of like tiny bookshelf speakers.

I just bought these after our IT guy brought them to my office (for a Microsoft Teams call). I also tested with music on my phone and found myself singing along as the music plays! No longer do I criticize how the music sounds on the system. I am not listening to audio equipment anymore. I’m simply hearing my music and enjoying it. I am now doing what 95% plus of the population does with music…they consume it as a form of entertainment. They don’t care how close they get to the authentic performance; because they realize that such a task is taxing on the wallet, brain, and our overall sanity. Perhaps “perfection” in audio does not exist.

Crazy as this might sound – try the following experiment: 

Convert your CD quality files to 320 kbps .mp3s using a high quality .mp3 convertor. If not, you can play audio files from a DAP, a smartphone, your computer etc. anything with a 3.5mm port. 

Cue up your music after setting up the speakers. They should be close to ear level.

Play just 3 of your favorite songs. I’m almost certain that you will sing along or feel good after a listening session.

Don’t believe me?! Try it. 

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest. — Henry David Thoreau. 

jackhifiguy

@jackhifiguy 

I've had 2 pairs of Logitech PC speakers (both with Dell branding and a sub) and both sounded fabulous.

"...and found myself singing along as the music plays! No longer do I criticize how the music sounds on the system. I am not listening to audio equipment anymore. I’m simply hearing my music and enjoying it. I am now doing what 95% plus of the population does with music…they consume it as a form of entertainment."

 

You've raised an important point here.

On my desktop system, playing mostly 320kbps MP3 files, I have rarely been troubled with any thoughts of criticism for the sound.

When I switch to my main system I'm immediately aware of sound quality issues.

Every single time.

Sometimes I can bask in the increased dynamics, bandwidth, imagery and separation but other times I'm finding it difficult to escape the blatantly obvious fact that some recordings are not very good.

These issues don't happen with the desktop system because it is far less ambitious and far less revealing.

The Logitech system doesn't pretend to sound life-like but everything upwards from 128kbps MP3 on it sounds good.

Perhaps the real problem with high performance systems is that they're just too revealing for the majority of recordings out there?

A bit like studying some of the old classic paintings with a magnifying glass?

@cd318

 

Perhaps the real problem with high performance systems is that they’re just too revealing for the majority of recordings out there?

A bit like studying some of the old classic paintings with a magnifying glass?

It’s true. Goes to show that you’ve got a revealing main system that can highlight flaws in recordings. I’m glad to report that these computer speakers I bought won’t usually make a meal of things if a recording is less than perfect. Very easy to listen to without any listening fatigue.

I use media human to convert CD and .FLAC quality files to 320 kbps mp3s.

It’s also true that 320 kbps mp3s sound better than 128 kbps mp3s. Even on the Logitec speakers. However, you have to listen a bit more carefully to appreciate/hear the difference....

Don't let the naysayers bring you down, @jackhifiguy. if you're happy with your simple system, that is all that counts. For you.

I think a big factor to living a happy life is keeping many elements as simple as possible. That has worked well for me, although I don't apply that principle to audio.