[JakeJ]

Mornin' Ladies and Gents,

I bought my niece the Vizio 22" LED TV and most of the negative reviews point to poor sound quality.  So I am looking for recommendations for a pair of decent quality powered speakers to go with it.  I'd like to keep it under $200.

I did do a search here and found a four year-old thread and thought it was too dated for current ideas.

Link to the TV:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11543583&whse=BC&Ne=5000135+4000000&eCat=BC|90607|2341&N=4047303%204294897089&Mo=6&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

[bunnyma357]

I've been impressed with the sound quality of the Audioengine powered monitors when I've heard them.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/86565

I haven't personally heard Swans before, but I have read good things about them.

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?p=swan-d1080mkii08&products_id=161

Jim C

[Doublej]

This thread may be useful.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=82454.0

You can also look at low end pro stuff from M-Audio, Alesis etc.

[WGH]

I'd like to keep it under $200.

I haven't heard the Audioengine A2's but a friend just got a pair of A5's and they rock! I recommend trying to stretch your budget, you won't be disappointed. The A5's come in black, white, and bamboo, and are $325 at AudioAdvisor.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AUENA5&variation=BLK

[srb]

Many TVs these days have eliminated true line level audio outputs, and have only digital optical S/PDIF and analog headphone outputs, like your Vizio TV.  (They are assuming that most users will use the digital audio output into an AV receiver.)
 
Because the headphone output is amplified somewhat (as oposed to line level audio outputs), you may find that you need to limit the volume control on the TV so as not to overdrive the external amplified speakers.  Hopefully you can find a level match between the TV's headphone output and the speaker's volume control and still have full volume control range with the TV's remote.
 
Both Audioengine speakers are very nice, but keep in mind that the bass output difference between the A2 and A5 are not subtle due to the A2's 2.75" woofers versus the A5's 5" woofers and corresponding cabinet size (the tweeters are essentially the same).
 
Steve

[poseidonsvoice]

I haven't heard the Audioengine A2's but a friend just got a pair of A5's and they rock! I recommend trying to stretch your budget, you won't be disappointed. The A5's come in black, white, and bamboo, and are $325 at AudioAdvisor.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AUENA5&variation=BLK

Many TVs these days have eliminated true line level audio outputs, and have only digital optical S/PDIF and analog headphone outputs, like your Vizio TV.  (They are assuming that most users will use the digital audio output into an AV receiver.)
 
Because the headphone output is amplified somewhat (as oposed to line level audio outputs), you may find that you need to limit the volume control on the TV so as not to overdrive the external amplified speakers.  Hopefully you can find a level match between the TV's headphone output and the speaker's volume control and still have full volume control range with the TV's remote.
 
Both Audioengine speakers are very nice, but keep in mind that the bass output difference between the A2 and A5 are not subtle due to the A2's 2.75" woofers versus the A5's 5" woofers and corresponding cabinet size (the tweeters are essentially the same).
 
Steve

I third both Steve's and WGH's recommendations of the Audioengine series. It would be on my shortest list for an inexpensive well performing powered speaker.

Anand.

[Bear]

I haven't heard the Audioengine A2's but a friend just got a pair of A5's and they rock! I recommend trying to stretch your budget, you won't be disappointed. The A5's come in black, white, and bamboo, and are $325 at AudioAdvisor.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AUENA5&variation=BLK

279 open box w/free shipping on ebay:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/150522171716?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=174694089969&crlp=1_263602_304662&UA=WXI7&GUID=315ddf9b12b0a0aad524e5e4ff30e71f&itemid=150522171716&ff4=263602_304662

[Russell Dawkins]

At $260 a pair, I'd go with Behringer Truth B2030As in a heart beat:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-TRUTH-B2030A-Active-Monitor-Single?sku=485799
80w/35w bi-amped - not shabby for $129 each, on sale. Each side is bi-amped where the Audio Engine has a passive crossover and a single amp feeding both drivers. The AudioEngine has a 5" woofer, the Behringer has a 6.75".

The Behringer can be auditioned at any good music equipment store but, apart from the negative hype surrounding them they do make good stuff, and their factories in China are not sweat shops.

or how about a B3030A - 61/2" woofer, 2" ribbon tweeter model with 75/35w internal bi-amp for $164 ea?
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-TRUTH-B3030A-Active-Monitor-Single?sku=485800

Here is a thread discussing them - note the comment on page 2 where Tom Hakala finally gets his and loves them, and speaks  of an engineer friend who sold his Genelecs ($$) for Behringers. There is a strong bias evident against Behringers, as there is in many a store. It's hard to say if it's because their pricing makes others look bad or because there are reliability issues:
http://tinyurl.com/388g97g
also you will need an adapter cable - RCA to 1/4", since the input is 1/4"/XLR. Easy at most music stores, or Blue Jeans, if you want to get fancy.