Best small computer speakers?

I am looking for a small pair of active computer speakers (2.0 - no sub woofer) to sit on my kitchen counter. I will plug an Apple Airport Express into it and listen to music wirelessly with iTunes from my laptop.

I am considering buying a pair of the Audioengine A2 (kinda pricey), the Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers (still a bit much...), or maybe the Bose Companion 2 (not a big fan of Bose).

It is rare to find a store with these types of speakers plugged in so you can audition them. I bought the Logitech x140 and they don't sound very good at all (but I didn't expect much for $30!) so I will be returning them. I listened to the Bose in a Target store and was underwhelmed.

So what speakers do you guys own or have had experience with recently?

Thanks.

Until I upgraded to my Blue Sky setup, I was a very happy AudioEngine A2 user. They sound a lot better than they should. They are worth the money IMHO (they have clearance sales and dump seconds on eBay from time to time). I paid $135 shipped direct from them for a set that was blemished, and I couldn't find the blemish once they arrived.

Feynman said:

Until I upgraded to my Blue Sky setup, I was a very happy AudioEngine A2 user. They sound a lot better than they should. They are worth the money IMHO (they have clearance sales and dump seconds on eBay from time to time). I paid $135 shipped direct from them for a set that was blemished, and I couldn't find the blemish once they arrived.

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+1

Feynman says it best.

I have the Bose 1 set that I bought at Sams club for $68. They sound really good for such small speakers. They are presently being used as speakers for my digital drum set for just fun playing. Sam's has the Compainion 2 version now for the same price and you can listen to them there. They are a great sounding set of small speakers. I know some speakers sound better but for the Sam's price not much can compare. imo.

Thanks for the replies. I was really leaning toward the A2s and it is really helpful to hear from you guys that own these speakers. Audioengine has a "refurbished" section in their online store. I just ordered a pair of black A2s for $159.

I got the $90 bose companion 2 for the wife for christmas. Set of with a wall 6" behind them, they were WAY to thick / dull. Very depressed at this point.(the bass port thingy overwhelmed the treble) moved out into free space they sound quite good. Especilally good for acoustic/vocal/new age. There are NO adjustments. but, i think they sound very elegant for such a small fry setup. Nice quality vibe. We use em all the time with the pandora/ipad deal.

Congratulations on going with the AudioEngine A2, a self-powered desktop system that performs way beyond its price. However, since you asked, the BEST is the new Mini-Maggies from Magnepan for $1495. It includes two desktop-sized quasi-ribbon panels plus an under-the-desk woofer like you've never seen (looks like a stylish end table).

I've heard these and they are truly the best--a desktop system with breathtaking performance.

while flying from Korea back home to Nashville, I came across the Jawbone Jambox. It is tiny, and sounds damned impressive. Runs on bluetooth, and I'm thinking of getting it for my simpler computer sound needs.