Suggestions for a Computer Setup? Budget: $300 - $400

Veniogenesis · « **on:** 24 Sep 2005, 02:11 am »

I was wondering if anyone could suggest me a setup for my computer, be it just regular computer speakers or some sort of setup that interfaces with bookshelf speakers.

Although I'm rather experienced with headphones, I'm a complete newbie when it comes to speakers.

I would like to spend around $300 USD, or at most $400, for setup.

Of course, if I don't need to spend that much to get what I want, that's even better.

Type of sound that I like:
Relatively tight if possible, fast, decent extension both low and high, great soundstage and imaging. Extreme bass is not required.

What I want to do:
Enjoy music.
Movies and games are not important.

Music types:
- JPop / JRock
- Trance / Ambiance / Trance+Vocals
- Classical
- Instrumental Rock (Apocalyptica)
- Thematic Choir and Gothic (Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, The Patriot, Batman Begins, etc.)
- Industrial (Rammstein)
- Rock and other stuff: Evanescence, Linkin Park style stuff

All I have so far:
EMU1212m soundcard
Source files: EAC ripped -> Maxed Quality FLAC encoded

Thanks soooooo much everyone!

Cheers,
Venio

Scott F. · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 02:40 am »

Hi Venio,

Welcome to AC.

I'm not sure what the other guys are going to recommend but my favorite is the Monsoon Audio Planar 9's. Unfortunately they aren't made any more. You can watch eBay or aGon and hopefully a set will come up. They shouldn't run you more than about $50-$75.

If you do a search on eBay in the completed items catagory you'll find a set (if you are unfamiliar with them). I've got two sets, one at home and one at the office. I love 'em. They are the best sounding computer speakers I've heard to date.

Good luck.

Veniogenesis · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 02:53 am »

Thanks for the warm welcome and suggestion.

I'll keep my eye out, but I guess I'm more inclined to buy new equipment. Just a personal preference, I think. Pwahaha.

I'm having a feeling that "computer speakers" just aren't going to do the trick. Maybe a pair of bookshelf speakers could do the trick?

I did a quick run through various forums and noticed a few speakers of interest, but frankly, I know almost nothing about speakers... so...

Swan M200
Paradigm Atom or Titan
Axiom M3Ti

Hehe. :p But if I get bookshelf speakers, I'll have to learn what the best way is to connect my computer to them. ... and if I need an amp.

Thanks for the help!
Venio

mgalusha · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 02:53 am »

I have a pair of the Swans M-200 powered speakers. They take a fair bit of real estate and need to be at least 8 inches from the wall but if you have the space they can sound quite good. $179

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/cgi-bin/theaudioinsider/SWM200.html

Mike

Veniogenesis · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 02:56 am »

Quote from: mgalusha

I have a pair of the Swans M-200 powered speakers. They take a fair bit of real estate and need to be at least 8 inches from the wall but if you have the space they can sound quite good. $179

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/cgi-bin/theaudioinsider/SWM200.html

Mike

Oh yes! I was talking to a guy, whom I had bought some stuff from, and he suggested the M200. Quote: "You can't really get better than these in terms of powered speakers... value wise"

Just a question due to my newbie-ness:

Is there a reason why I want to keep them 8 inches away from the wall?

Thanks so much!
Cheers,
Venio

Zero · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 03:18 am »

http://dakmart.com/website/ItemDetail.asp?ItemId=42161&cID=110

Theres your amp - $97

www.monarchyaudio.com - E-mail them and ask for their very basic passive pre amp box - $60

For your tastes, I would recommend the Polk Audio RTi-4. Over the past few years, I have gone through numerous bookshelf speakers and systems for my PC. This system, I believe, sums up as THE best bang for the buck I have come across while also having the benefit of offering some of the best sound for the PC. One thing I learned is that unless you will be running high res .flac lossless files and listen to only the best of recordings on the PC - high resolution equipment has no business being hooked up to a sound-card.

The RTi-4's are compact, very dynamic, sport very real impact, very wide sound-staging and best of all, they do every single type of music justice - be it Dj Tiesto, Chopin, Disturbed, or even Shinwa. Due to porting, you wont have to keep these far from the wall at all..feel free to use them only even an inch from the wall if you must.

Check EBAY for the best used prices. If you wish to buy them new..check out: www.onecall.com / www.crutchfield.com. Both are authorized dealers and give reasonable deals - this should take you back $230.00 this route.

Marbles · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 03:41 am »

As it happens I had the Monsoon system, replaced it with the Swan 200's and now I have gone back to the Monsoons.

Both are very fine powered speakers for a PC. The Swans are pretty big for a desk and that's why I went back to the much smaller Monsoons. The Monssons are a 3 piece system with a pair of planar speakers and a subwoofer.

I could easily recomend either one.

Good luck.

mgalusha · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 03:49 am »

Quote from: Veniogenesis

Just a question due to my newbie-ness:
Is there a reason why I want to keep them 8 inches away from the wall?

They are rear ported and IMO the bass is too boomy if they are too close to a wall.

As Marbles said, they are pretty large and if space is a concern they are not a good choice. I have mine in my office at work. I don't have room for them on my desk at home.

Veniogenesis · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 04:19 am »

Oh, I get it. I did a little measuring and it looks like I have enough room for them.

I guess they're on the inexpensive side of things, so that might be a big plus.

Thump553 · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 12:43 pm »

Check out these threads for more info:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=8445

AVC123 ELT bookshelf speakers for $99, plus some discussion of T-Amps:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=40&threadid=1668378&enterthread=y

For now, I'm sticking with the RSL powered speakers for my work computer. Their sound is good. Physically the satellite size is acceptable for a desk top -something that has made me shy away from the AVC123's or the Swans M200's. I'm holding out for a killer digital integrated amp/receiver before using bookshelf speakers on my home setup, where I have more room and appearance is a non-issue.

Thump553 · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 12:43 pm »

Check out these threads for more info:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=8445

AVC123 ELT bookshelf speakers for $99, plus some discussion of T-Amps:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=40&threadid=1668378&enterthread=y

For now, I'm sticking with the RSL powered speakers for my work computer. Their sound is good. Physically the satellite size is acceptable for a desk top -something that has made me shy away from the AVC123's or the Swans M200's. I'm holding out for a killer digital integrated amp/receiver before using bookshelf speakers on my home setup, where I have more room and appearance is a non-issue.

audioengr · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Sep 2005, 05:13 pm »

Buy an $80 Creative Audigy 2 NX and a Digital cable. Then use your laptop or PC to drive this using USB. Connect the digital coax to a used dAck!. Should be in your price range. Drive it with iTunes or Foobar2000 software.