Computer speakers?

Look at Tapco as a lower cost alternative for pro-style near field monitors. You can get them real cheap at B&H photo video and they sell some good stands there too. The only reason I haven't ordered them is that I almost always use headphones anyway and I buy too much stuff I hardly use as it is.

audioengine 2 will be fine for near field and a basic high end computer system.

As for the Audioengine 2 - I really don't like speakers that put the amplifiers for both the left and the right speakers in the same speaker.

There's no question that Blue Sky has the best designed speakers - the main speakers are acoustic suspension and use ring radiator tweeters - if you are willing to pay the $$$$.

Ok, I may get flamed for this one, but here goes. I have the "original" Cambridge Soundworks "Soundworks" 2.1 system designed by Henry Kloss. I purchased mine about ten years ago, (prior to the Creative buyout) and I have to tell you, they sound great for near-field listening. I don't know if the quality has gone downhill lately or not, so I cannot comment on the newer systems from Creative.

This system avoids the "one note bass" sound if you spend the same care with experimenting with placement of the bass module as you would your main system's sub. When you set the bass level correctly with your SPL meter, this little system is capable of very good sound. I think Kloss's design has stood the test of time and I would not hesitate to buy this system again if my original set ever dies. Let the flaming begin! :) jz

I just bought the Mackie MR8 and am very happy with them (they are much cheaper than the HR824). I decided on a nice 2.0 system rather than a mediocre 2.1 system (the Tapco line). I live in an apartment (don't want to own a house) and I am not keen on having my neighbors enjoy my subwoofer along with me.