Bookshelf Speakers <= 500$

I can simplify the amp/bookshelf solution in my own mind, but others will see it differently. Here it is:

http://www.jr.com/audio-source/pe/ASO_AMP100_hy_RB/
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RB51...owAll=Y&tp=186


My own opinion is that $100 to $200 is reasonable for an amp in this application.

If you are going t0 get another soundcard, you might as well go with an outboard DAC. Such as this:
http://www.audiophileproducts.com/fubar2

I own one and am very happy with it. The problem with computer sound cards is all the interference you get from the computer power supply etc...
I would see little point in changing your Creative soundcard unless you go with something like this.

Here's another option I've been advised to through into the mix, the mackie MR8: http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=20930

Only 400$ for a pair, I'm curious how they stack up against the m-audio bx8a deluxe. Anyone have any experience with both of these?

I can't make specific recommendations on speakers because my experience is somewhat limited. I'll try to offer some advice that will help narrow things down for you.

The powered monitors will generally give you a bit more bass for the same sized speaker. Because they're designed for people doing audio recording, they will strive to give you a more accurate reproduction than bookshelf speakers. For me that generally equates to higher quality sound but some people find a more accurate system is less "musical" and less enjoyable.

Either the Mackie or M-Audio monitors will be an enormous improvement over the PC speakers you're using. If you want to find people who have heard both, I'd search for internet forms for people doing home recording.

Don't assume that the sound card will be a limiting factor for your system. The way I see it, at least you have a sound card. Wire your system up and see how it sounds. The limiting factor in my PC system at this point is the acoustical noise from the fans and hard disk in the computer.

Greetings all.

I had a similar requirement, budgetwise. Got one pair of Cambridge Soundworks Model Six for 150 clams. I don't know what kind of music you listen to but these do well enough with Bach to Bluegrass to Wagner. They seem quite kind to the voice. Sinatra is crisp, hip and intimate. John Anderson swallows the mike and Jan Peerce singning "Sound the Alarm!" from Handel's "Judas Maccabaeus" got me up off the couch and digging out the Kalashnikov. This is Henry Kloss doing his hi-fi for everyman thing.

You might also want to check out the Hsu monitors. A little bass-shy, but for $300, that will leave you some cash for a better amp. And they're not slouches either:

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

Hey all,

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but I'm in a similar position - looking for some nice (but fairly cheap) bookshelves mostly for use with my pc. I've got a decent sound card and up to now I've mainly been using headphones (AD700), and just using whatever dodgy pc speakers I have lying around when I need speakers. So its time to upgrade! :biggrin5:

I'll mainly be using them for music (of basically all types, I have a huge collection and I listen to everything from classical piano to heavy rock :P) and some movies. I'm not concerned about high volume performance as they'll only be used in a fairly small room and I'll never be turning them up too high. What I am really concerned with is clarity, I really want a nice crisp, distinct sound.

I've been looking around and doing a fair bit of research on whats good over the last few days, but I am by no means any sort of expert so any advice at all would be great.
Unfortunately I'm quite limited by whats available to me, trying to find a decent hifi shop near me has been a bit of challenge, but I've found a few used sets that I could get my hands on. This is basically the shortlist I've come up with from what I've got available to me, I've also added a little note of the basic impression of them that I've got from what I've read, if I'm wrong about any of them please let me know:

- Mission M70: apparently quite good all rounder, smaller size than the others which is a plus as I dont have too much space for them (although I'm happy to go with a larger speaker if its better)

- Mission 771: quite old now, although apparently a classic and still very good

- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 or 9.2: I think this is in a slightly higher price bracket if I'm not mistaken, although probably worth the extra cost

- Wharfedale XR-1000: As I understand these aren't really in the same league as the Diamonds. They seem to be more associated with 'nightclub' style music - i'm guessing that means more 'boomier' bass?

- B&W DM110: I don't know too much about these - although B&W seem to have quite a good reputation.


If you have any information/experience/comparisons regarding the above speakers I would love to hear it, also if anyone has an idea of what sort of price I should expect to pay for the above then that would be great too - I don't want to get ripped off :)
If you have any advice/tips/recommendations on other speakers similar to these or that you think would be appropriate then I'd love to hear that as well, although as I said I am fairly limited by what I can actually get.

Sorry about the epic post length :P Thanks for having a read and I hope you have some interesting thoughts on the matter :)

Tyson.