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[giga]

Energy RC-10 pair for $200: http://www.frys.com/product/7777388?utm_campaign=frys_product

Damn good deal. You're not gonna find a better pair of bookshelfs near that price. I have a pair of cherry ones that I have hooked up to my desktop. Bought another for no reason lol.

 

[Envelope]

Hi audioGAF, this might not be quite the right thread but i'll try anyway...

I'm looking for a 2.1 speakers for my desktop, with a budget of around 70$, what would y'all recommend?

 

[harSon]

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/117...speakers-pair-bonus-30-ecertificate?#comments

M-Audio BX5 D2 Studio Monitors (Pair) for $160 and free shipping

 

[lednerg]

I got a pair of Harman Kardon SoundSticks II for free and they're okay. Wish they didn't require USB, though.

 

[double jump]

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/117...speakers-pair-bonus-30-ecertificate?#comments

M-Audio BX5 D2 Studio Monitors (Pair) for $160 and free shipping

Yeah I just saw this deal and it has low bass and shoddy build quality.

Can anyone recommend a very durable pair with some decent bass for under 200 ?

 

[Jake.]

can someone recommend some desktop speakers for $300 US or under that i can use (primarily) with my macbook air? swan m10s? audioengine a2+? i live in australia so preferably would like to buy them domestically.

also, i'm kind of clueless about this area - my MBA only has a headphone jack and that's it. can i plug in directly to there? i've used some ancient altec lansings with no problem. apparently the a2+ connect via USB which seems a little strange/annoying to me.

 

[sweetvar26]

Barely any activity last year, no wonder I forgot this thread existed.

So much quality information in here.

 

[Jake.]

now i'm leaning towards a5+...

 

[SuicideUZI]

What do you guys think of this combo for a sub $200 setup for PC speakers:

Alesis Monitor1 MKII Channel Studio Monitor (passive) by Alesis http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002A2RTU/?tag=neogaf0e-20

2013 LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C2P61FO/?tag=neogaf0e-20


I currently use this set:
Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System with BasXPort Technology by Creative http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001S14DYO/?tag=neogaf0e-20

And they aren't bad for what they are, but I want something that packs a little more punch preferably without needing a subwoofer.

I'm sure that amp isn't the greatest, but I want to keep it under $200 total and I like how small that one is and how it has bass and treble dials on it. Hopefully it's powerful enough to push those speakers.

 

[SuicideUZI]

well i decided to increase my budget after realizing how big those speakers were and that the $20 Lepai amp probably isnt going to be good enough, and that a DAC plus amp is better.

So here is what I went with:

Topping VX1 DAC/AMP

That was $105 on eBay

Audioengine P4 Passive Speakers

$199 refurbished directly from audioengineusa.com

so I'm spending $305 total, hope it works out well because I am a noob at this stuff

 

[Poker360]

I have some of these: (Bowers & Wilkins MM1)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003R6U6HG/?tag=neogaf0e-20


They're like $500.

Incredible sound imo.

For me it was between these and the audioengine a5+

 

[SuicideUZI]

Well I have to say I am pretty disappointed with my Topping VX1 and Audioengine P4 combo

they don't sound horrible, but not as good as I expected for spending $300. I can't even say they sound better than what I was using before, which was: Creative GigaWorks T40 because I'm getting distortion on songs that I never did before.

I don't know how to explain it but they sound like they are missing something.

I tested a pair of Ultimate Ears Super Fi 5 earphones that I've had for years through my PC headphone jack, the Topping VX1 and my iPhone and while the Topping sounded better than my PC, the iPhone sounds better than both. How is that even possible for an iPhone to sound better than a dedicated amplifier?

I am leaning towards the amp being the problem because I tested this song: Red Lemonade Remix with my earphones on my iPhone and then the Topping VX1 and it sounds perfectly fine from my iPhone but sounds like shit through the Topping VX1, pretty disappointing for a $105 amp that has great reviews on Amazon

For $300 I thought this combo would easily sound better than a $130 pair of PC speakers.

What am I doing wrong?

I wish I would have bought the amp on Amazon instead of eBay cause I doubt I will be able to return it now.

 

[rykomatsu]

How is your PC connected to the amp?
What are you using for audio playback?
What are the volume settings on your pc?

It's possible that depending on if you're using your pc line out, if the volume is maxed out on your pc and audio program, that's causing the distortion.

If using USB, make sure your digital out audio settings on your PC are using the highest quality output settings possible.

 

[SuicideUZI]

How is your PC connected to the amp?
What are you using for audio playback?
What are the volume settings on your pc?

It's possible that depending on if you're using your pc line out, if the volume is maxed out on your pc and audio program, that's causing the distortion.

If using USB, make sure your digital out audio settings on your PC are using the highest quality output settings possible.

I am connecting the amp to my PC via USB, and using iTunes to play the songs. I have tried adjusting the volume on both the PC and within iTunes and it didn't seem to make much, if any difference on the audio quality

 

[burnside13]

Paradigm make speakers that will blow your head back.

If you are on a budget my old logitecg z5500 were powerful, loud and clear. Perfect for computer. 5.1 if that's what you're after

 

[SuicideUZI]

I'm thinking I'm just going to try to return this Topping amp and get the Audioengine N22 amp instead

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

What am I doing wrong?

Sell your current kit and move to active speakers.

amp+passives are only good for pros who need tons of connections or tweakos.

 

[SuicideUZI]

Sell your current kit and move to active speakers.

amp+passives are only good for pros who need tons of connections or tweakos.

you are probably right, I think I will try the N22 amp since they say it was designed for these speakers, and if I'm not satisfied with that then I will probably just sell everything and get some active speakers. Maybe the audioengine A5+ even though they are a little bigger than I prefer, the P4 are pretty much the perfect size

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

you are probably right, I think I will try the N22 amp since they say it was designed for these speakers, and if I'm not satisfied with that then I will probably just sell everything and get some active speakers. Maybe the audioengine A5+ even though they are a little bigger than I prefer, the P4 are pretty much the perfect size

Active speakers have amps designed for them by default.

You won't get more quality with an amp+passive setup, that's just a myth.

 

[Oveja Negra]

Yesterday I received my new Genelec M030 speakers and holy crap, they sound absolutely amazing. Seriously I'm blown away, pristine as hell and the most powerful yet tightest bass that I've ever heard.

I have them connected to my PC; the output signal is provided by this little fantastic guy...

I'm not kidding, since yesterday I've been listening to my favs albums and it's like porn+Christmas time. Every damn album has new sounds that I wasn't aware of.

I can't recommend them enough. If you have the money, go and get them.

 

[SuicideUZI]

I might try that dragonfly, I like how portable it is. You could easily use it at home and take it with you if you need to travel with your laptop

 

[Sobriquet]

Yeah I just saw this deal and it has low bass and shoddy build quality.

Can anyone recommend a very durable pair with some decent bass for under 200 ?

They're studio monitors, they're not going to have a ton of bass.

Having said that, the BX5s have a lot of bass for monitors. The build quality is fine. I had mine for about 9 years before I sold them.

 

[Oveja Negra]

I might try that dragonfly, I like how portable it is. You could easily use it at home and take it with you if you need to travel with your laptop

Yeah, that's a big plus.

I have to add the sound improvement over your soundcard is totally noticeable (for the better, of course).

When it appeared, I remember some reviewers were very impressed cause Audioquest managed to create a relative inexpensive device that provides a performance in the same league than USD1000 DACs.

 

[DSN2K]

I have £70-£130 bracket...find me something nice that is 2.1 and has optical so I can use it with my PS4 and PC.

I don't believe I have any other option regarding audio out because my TV has no output.

 

[BPoole]

I currently have the Onkyo S3400 Receiver + 5.1 plugged into a Creative Soundblaster Z via the SPDIF port. I am considering going with a 2.0 or 2.1 setup to replace my Onkyo speakers in the $150 range.

Questions/Concerns:
Would I be better off leaving the receiver, and just plugging the new speakers it? I have read that mixing up speaker brands and receiver can mess up sound calibrations but don't know how much truth there is to it.

I also don't know if I should leave the current subwoofer and just get a 2.0 setup or just scrap all the speakers and go with a 2.1.

I want speakers that have a noticeable bass, but not overbearing where it drowns out the sound other sounds.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Dead]

I might try that dragonfly, I like how portable it is. You could easily use it at home and take it with you if you need to travel with your laptop

I own the dragonfly (1.2v), the improvement is immediately noticeable. Well worth the price.

 

[No Love]

I own the dragonfly (1.2v), the improvement is immediately noticeable. Well worth the price.

I too have the Dragonfly. Got it from Best Buy for $100. Insane difference if you're using high-end headphones + studio monitors like I am.

 

[kevm3]

LSA statement speakers are utterly amazing. Too bad they are relatively unknown. I'm extremely picky with sound, and I have no desire to change speakers. Only thing I want is to maybe get a preamp or I might experiment with a different DAC down the amp, although the one I have is fantastic (Kora Hermes).

 

[Monooboe]

Been looking around trying to find good speaker to have to my computer, but damn so many of them are so ugly. The Swans seem nice but impossible to find here in Europe.

 

[LaneDS]

Bought a Dragonfly after reading the respones here and am quite happy with the results. Noticed a difference with my Sennheiser HD 595s, but am not sure I'm noticing a difference with my Bose Companion 3 (these, for reference: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00011CNWG/?tag=neogaf0e-20 ) PC speakers I've had for... 8 years?

Not sure if anyone here has experience with those speakers, but I'm interested in replacing them with something better (but likely not $600+ better).

 

[rykomatsu]

Been looking around trying to find good speaker to have to my computer, but damn so many of them are so ugly. The Swans seem nice but impossible to find here in Europe.

Try searching for HiVi - should be easier to pinpoint a dealer than using just Swan or Swans.

 

[Monooboe]

So I got the Swans M100MKII, I am loving them so far, only thing I was slightly disappointed with was the bass, which I don't know what I expected since they are quite small.XD

Also, damn I had forgotten how much a computer sounds. I put in a bunch of "quiet" fans but still.

 

[Lazaro]

Do certain PC OS's affect the quality of the output?

From what I understand the Windows 7 resampler is pretty bad and old compared to Windows 8/8.1 and Linux. Is this true?

As long as the sound is outputted through ASIO or WASAPI it shouldn't matter right?

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

I finally upgrade my speakers from some cheap Logitechs. Decided on the Audioengine A5+ because it was $300 plus shipping from Massdrop.

I spent the longest time trying to find a decent USB DAC, but forgot I ran out of USB slots. So I went with the Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card, but trying to install the Uni (good) drivers was a fucking nightmare, so I said screw it and just installed the default ones. I'll probably try to install it again, but I need to play with my new toys first. Can't wait!

 

[hydragonwarrior]

Now bumping this - any good quality 2.1 speakers out there? Price range I'm looking at 100 or so dollars but perhaps more if I might be missing out at something that's 150.

Mainly interested in good base for my music. Thanks!

 

[super-famicom]

Now bumping this - any good quality 2.1 speakers out there? Price range I'm looking at 100 or so dollars but perhaps more if I might be missing out at something that's 150.

Mainly interested in good base for my music. Thanks!

Swan M10

edit- warning: the bass may not be as bass-y as you would like

double edit- trying to find what you're looking for, but there's not much in the $100-$150 price range, maybe Logitech Z623? I wouldn't really call Logitech an audiophile brand, though.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

Swan M10

edit- warning: the bass may not be as bass-y as you would like

double edit- trying to find what you're looking for, but there's not much in the $100-$150 price range, maybe Logitech Z623? I wouldn't really call Logitech an audiophile brand, though.

Woah quick resposne - thanks! What price range is needed for a nice bass in a 2.1 system? Just curious what you've seen/experienced as I'm going into this like a deer in headlights

 

[super-famicom]

Woah quick resposne - thanks! What price range is needed for a nice bass in a 2.1 system? Just curious what you've seen/experienced as I'm going into this like a deer in headlights

If you want a nice 2.1 system, I'd say you'd have to raise your budget to maybe $200-$250, probably more. The Swan M50W is an affordable choice at $198. It has more powerful bass than the M10 I linked earlier (although the M10's bass is pretty tight). I found a review of them here

Also, where are you planning to use the speakers? With your TV or PC? The size of the room and speaker positioning also needs to be taken into account (more for mid/high end stuff, I think).

I'm not much of a speaker expert (I mainly use headphones), but I am aware of some of the popular speaker brands: Swan, Audioengine, M-Audio. A lot of posters and myself use 2.0 speakers. A good pair of 2.0 speakers will sound a lot better than a $100 2.1 system. You can always get a pair of 2.0 speakers that have a subwoofer input, and buy a sub later on. I used to have the M-Audio AV40s, and I thought those had a decent amount of bass for their price, although I am not a bass head at all.

 

[Reckoner]

Right now I'm torn between the LSR 305 and the LSR 308, both JBL studio monitors. Would the extra money of the 308 be worth it for a bedroom? I want it mostly as PC speakers and to record and listen to some music.

 

[Battlesmurf]

If you want a nice 2.1 system, I'd say you'd have to raise your budget to maybe $200-$250, probably more. The Swan M50W is an affordable choice at $198. It has more powerful bass than the M10 I linked earlier (although the M10's bass is pretty tight). I found a review of them here

Also, where are you planning to use the speakers? With your TV or PC? The size of the room and speaker positioning also needs to be taken into account (more for mid/high end stuff, I think).

I'm not much of a speaker expert (I mainly use headphones), but I am aware of some of the popular speaker brands: Swan, Audioengine, M-Audio. A lot of posters and myself use 2.0 speakers. A good pair of 2.0 speakers will sound a lot better than a $100 2.1 system. You can always get a pair of 2.0 speakers that have a subwoofer input, and buy a sub later on. I used to have the M-Audio AV40s, and I thought those had a decent amount of bass for their price, although I am not a bass head at all.

I have to second the Swans. I have had two pairs- wonderful speakers. I changed offices and my new desk isn't quite as big so I've had to box my most recent pair. The downside is that I want to sell them for a good price (complete, like new), but they are meaty and heavy, I don't feel like shipping them. Amazing quality through and through though.

 

[QuantumZebra]

Pretty much anything by:

Easily the best sound company at the best price.

 

[Reckoner]

Right now I'm torn between the LSR 305 and the LSR 308, both JBL studio monitors. Would the extra money of the 308 be worth it for a bedroom? I want it mostly as PC speakers and to record and listen to some music.

Or if you guys have any recommendations around the pricepoint of the LSRs 308 would be much appreciated.

 

[BrettHeazy]

Or if you guys have any recommendations around the pricepoint of the LSRs 308 would be much appreciated.

Yamaha HS5.

I've had the Yamaha HS80s for a few years now and they're incredible, It wasn't until a friend got the HS5 where I realised I shoulda got them instead,
I never really turn my HS80's up past a quater of it's full potential as it's just too loud.
The HS5's are fantastic, great clarity and 70W of goodness.

good deal for a pair and stands here

 

[Reckoner]

Yamaha HS5.

I've had the Yamaha HS80s for a few years now and they're incredible, It wasn't until a friend got the HS5 where I realised I shoulda got them instead,
I never really turn my HS80's up past a quater of it's full potential as it's just too loud.
The HS5's are fantastic, great clarity and 70W of goodness.

good deal for a pair and stands here

I still haven't decided. I hear really good things about the JBLs. I'm also thinking on going 8" for the bass, as I also listen to some bass heavy music. I really liked what I heard of the Samsons Resolv A8, but they were discontinued already.

Suggestions on what are the best bang for the buck?

 

[JoeyJungle]

So I need to replace my desktop speakers. Right now I have the Kinyo SW-4315, found them in my old apartment's dumpster and love them, but the left speaker will sometimes drop channels unless the chord connecting them is stretched just so and the volume knob is adjusted just right (probably why they were thrown out). I've read through a bunch of the recommendations in this thread, but I was wondering what some of the good review sites for speakers are? My price range is $300-500, and I really don't want to go in blind.

 

[nitewulf]

problem is, for the less than $1000 stuff, there aren't that much professional reviews available, more like audio forum owner reviews and stuff, which could be very helpful.
check this:
http://www.whathifi.com/products/hi-fi/desktop-speakers?sortby=lowest_price_f_asc

also suggest the above genelecs, see if you can find a pair around $500 used somewhere, or up your budget a bit.

 

[JoeyJungle]

problem is, for the less than $1000 stuff, there aren't that much professional reviews available, more like audio forum owner reviews and stuff, which could be very helpful.
check this:
http://www.whathifi.com/products/hi-fi/desktop-speakers?sortby=lowest_price_f_asc

also suggest the above genelecs, see if you can find a pair around $500 used somewhere, or up your budget a bit.

Thanks, I'm really just trying to do a bit more research before paying for anything. I found a few websites (Whathifi.com and cnet) both recommend the audioengine a5+, then checked on reddit's audiphile sub and the first post I saw was someone saying that audioengine isn't good for the quality. I'd like look around a few good review sites because forums often have contradicting info/reviews, a lot of it wrong.

 

[20cent]

That doesn't work for games though, does it? I had to use analog and I lost my LFE channel when I did so (which means no subwoofer).

It does work for anything coming out from the PC. (I remember having issues with some DTS mkv once though, not sure if it was a codec issue or an incompatibility with my built-in amp speakers)

I use these for info, Roland MA-7A

 

[BPoole]

I currently have the Onkyo S3400 Receiver + 5.1 plugged into a Creative Soundblaster Z via the SPDIF port. I am considering going with a 2.0 or 2.1 setup to replace my Onkyo speakers in the $150 range.

Questions/Concerns:
Would I be better off leaving the receiver, and just plugging the new speakers it? I have read that mixing up speaker brands and receiver can mess up sound calibrations but don't know how much truth there is to it.

I also don't know if I should leave the current subwoofer and just get a 2.0 setup or just scrap all the speakers and go with a 2.1.

I want speakers that have a noticeable bass, but not overbearing where it drowns out the sound of other levels.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

You should buy some Kanto Yumi bookshelf speakers with a Polk Audio Sub

 

[nitewulf]

Thanks, I'm really just trying to do a bit more research before paying for anything. I found a few websites (Whathifi.com and cnet) both recommend the audioengine a5+, then checked on reddit's audiphile sub and the first post I saw was someone saying that audioengine isn't good for the quality. I'd like look around a few good review sites because forums often have contradicting info/reviews, a lot of it wrong.

check audiokarma forum review as well, i wouldn't trust non-audiophile forums/sites such as reddit/cnet (too mainstream)...but always take forum reviews with a grain of salt. what-hifi is actually pretty well versed in hifi gear, i trust them.