Speaker Recommendation Request

Hi,

I am in the market for new speakers but in need of direction. I'll first explain my primary uses.

I have a headset that I use primarily for gaming, but for instance if I'm playing a racing game I usually like surround sound (But I rarely play a racing game). I don't really care what I use for watching movies (headphones usually). But I MAINLY use speakers for music. I wouldn't say I am an audiophile, but I am definitely close to one and see myself moving towards that direction.

What speaker configuration would be in my best interest? Should I forget 5.1 and look right into 2.1, or even two studio monitors and a sub-woofer (I'd purchase the woofer down the line)?

I mostly want clarity for my music, so let me know which configuration I should focus my search on.

Extra Information:
The sound card which it will be hooked into:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271003

The speakers I'm currently using (and want to get rid of):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121126

I would greatly appreciate any suggestion.

Thanks

ALSO: My budget is 200-300, possibly more if I can find things on ebay.

If you've got a small room I'd say the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1.

Yea it'll most likely be your average apartment sized room. But I'd rather look into studio monitors.

Also - does anybody know of a good receiver that I'd be able to pair up with passive monitors so that I could utilize the SPDIF from my sound card?

How about running the analog output from your sound card into something like an AudioSource AMP 100?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by meeps

Also - does anybody know of a good receiver that I'd be able to pair up with passive monitors so that I could utilize the SPDIF from my sound card?

---

Not with that budget

Why not use a powered speaker like the Audio Engine? They sound excellent and in your budget. M-Audio also makes powered monitors but I have not heard them. I have a pair of the smaller AE and they are very good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 02audionoob

How about running the analog output from your sound card into something like an AudioSource AMP 100?

---

This is a good idea. But I feel like if I were to take this route I'd need a less expensive amplifier so that I could get decent speakers to go with it. Is this possible for 200-300?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Why not use a powered speaker like the Audio Engine? They sound excellent and in your budget. M-Audio also makes powered monitors but I have not heard them. I have a pair of the smaller AE and they are very good.

---

I actually have looked into these, sadly the A5 powered speaker is a bit out of my price range (unless I find them on ebay). Which AE do you have? And also do you know of any other good names to look into for powered monitors?

You could try picking up a receiver on the used market. Craigslist usually has some decent gear for low prices. The AMP 100 is around $90, so you would have around $200 left for speakers. Maybe something like this could work:

http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Short.../dp/B004EKHV1I


These powered monitors are in your budget and are nice:

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio.../dp/B0014IEBM0

These should be better than they look:

http://www.amazon.com/Genelec-6010A-.../dp/B001FROSM8

I would consider this amp-

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-383

or this one with a power supply upgrade-

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=310-300

These would be good budget amps for your application.

Is there some cheap amp/receiver that has a spdif in connector (optical or coaxial) in the back? I want to utilize digital out from my sound card. From there I'd only grab 2 passive (or powered) monitors and possibly a woofer down the line depending on if I need more oomph (i'll be in an apartment room so not the most room).

So just your basic minimal function receiver or amp that has coaxial/optical in.

Amazon has this Onkyo TX SR508 for $229 or you may be able to finnd a cheaper Pionneer or Yamaha HTR receiver. Onkyo also makes a TX SR308

I would bet your sound card converts to analog better than a cheap receiver would. I would recommend using the analog input of a receiver with the analog output from your sound card.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 02audionoob

I would bet your sound card converts to analog better than a cheap receiver would. I would recommend using the analog input of a receiver with the analog output from your sound card.

---

Hmm.. well with that piece of knowledge I think I can bump the idea of getting a receiver and look into just powered monitors or amp/passive monitors.

Good to know

And for future suggestions I'm going for 2.0 or 2.1 (Dropped the idea of 5.1 because well.. I want the most clarity I can get from my budget)

Given your price restraints the Dayton T-amp from Parts Express will give you the best bang ( sound ) for your buck. For two channel it will better any AV receiver.

I would choose a stereo receiver over an AV receiver, given that stereo is the intended purpose. The T-amp seems like a fine idea, but it costs slightly more for the same power as compared to the AudioSource AMP100.

You could call or email Audio Engine and see if they have any A5s in B-stock. I think I saved 25% when I bought my A2s. They are certainly well built and fairly good sounding powered speakers for their price.

Good Luck

In terms of sound quality the Dayton Tripath is superior to the Audio Source Amp.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by meeps

Hi,

I am in the market for new speakers but in need of direction. I'll first explain my primary uses.

I have a headset that I use primarily for gaming, but for instance if I'm playing a racing game I usually like surround sound (But I rarely play a racing game). I don't really care what I use for watching movies (headphones usually). But I MAINLY use speakers for music. I wouldn't say I am an audiophile, but I am definitely close to one and see myself moving towards that direction.

What speaker configuration would be in my best interest? Should I forget 5.1 and look right into 2.1, or even two studio monitors and a sub-woofer (I'd purchase the woofer down the line)?

I mostly want clarity for my music, so let me know which configuration I should focus my search on.

Extra Information:
The sound card which it will be hooked into:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271003

The speakers I'm currently using (and want to get rid of):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121126

I would greatly appreciate any suggestion.

Thanks

---

I will be getting my third pair of CA S30's tomorrow. The other two pair I gave a presents and this new pair will be mine. Here is a site that sells them.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CAS30

Has anybody used or heard anything about this ADAM Audio?

I came across these and they peaked my interest, but I want to know if they perform well.

http://www.adam-audio.com/en/multime...-5/description

Actually ignore that last question. I looked into the pricing of their other components and assume that this would (like the others) be out of my price range.

Can somebody suggest a good 2.1 system in the $200-300 ? I've read mixed reviews on the Bose Companion 3's (Heard you pay for the name). But if someone has first-hand experience I am more than willing to consider your perception of them. And any other suggestions for 2.1 systems will be appreciated (Doesn't have to be studio monitors, can be high end computer speakers because it will be hooked up to my computer through my sound card).

Thanks

As bobsticks suggested, there's the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. I do think a traditional system better than the BOSE system can be assembled for the same or less money - but the BOSE is certainly not awful. Are you opposed to the idea of an ordinary stereo integrated amp and a pair of traditional passive speakers?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 02audionoob

As bobsticks suggested, there's the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1. I do think a traditional system better than the BOSE system can be assembled for the same or less money - but the BOSE is certainly not awful. Are you opposed to the idea of an ordinary stereo integrated amp and a pair of traditional passive speakers?

---

I am not opposed in any way. I would actually rather have an amp/passive speaker setup versus something commercial. The only reason I was looking into a commercial setup was because I was getting slightly annoyed with researching something that I am not that knowledgeable in, resulting in confusion surrounding which components are needed and if I'd be able to afford certain setups.

Could you point me in the right direction for a setup that would price out in the $200-300 (Closer to $200) range? I would greatly appreciate this :biggrin5: .

Here's what I think is usually required for a good computer audio system, if you don't go with the powered system like the BOSE system you're considering or the Logitech setup you already have:

1. An adapter that splits from mini to RCA plugs.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/...c8e15e97_m.jpg

2. An amp or receiver with RCA inputs, speaker outputs and a volume control.
http://www.accessories4less.com/inde...m&id=ONKTX8255

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/...a33a5b56_m.jpg

See also the earlier mentions of the AudioSource amp and the Dayton.

3. Speakers, which might or might not include a subwoofer.

http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Short.../dp/B004EKHV1I

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/...edc80650_m.jpg

This is admittedly not as simple as the BOSE system, but you might get better value this way.

Any thoughts on either of these two speakers? I would pair them up with an amp or receiver like 02audionoob described above.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290200
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290202