Audiophile Speaker Setup for Computer

[techniqu]

I have a pair of A5's, and while they do deliver "good enough" bass for those on a budget, i find the bass lacking when it comes to the bottom end. when you start to hit those lower frequencies that are tight/quick I find the A5's bass begins to "rubber out" if you will and sound slightly similar to what you'd expect a rubber ball hitting a wall to sound like. I can live with it if I had to because the other aspects of the speakers sound amazing, but I am exploring sub options. I'm also pretty much using my computer as a cheap but pretty effective home theater setup so I want some rumble as well

[Hookem]

If there is a Guitar Center in your area I would seriously recommend going and listening to the Mackie MR5's.

I am a AudioEngine fan boy if there ever was one...I love the sound quality of their speakers...I have had the A2's and now the A5's...Their customer service is easily the best I have ever experienced with any online vendor...Throw in the 30 day test drive and they are really hard to beat.

But for about the same money...Acutally a little bit less expensive...The Mackie's are something I would no doubt about it check out before buying the A5's.

You can pretty much bank on the A5's sounding good...I have only seen one thread where the guy was not totally impressed with the sound quality of the A5's.

I just hate buyer's remorse and think you really owe it to yourself to go and listen to the MR5's if possible.

There should be some real reviews on them coming out very soon.

Even the "preview reviews" I have seen seem to put a very favorable opinion of the MR5's.

My 2 cents.

[TheAnomaly]

i "auditioned" the MR5s and the Yamaha 5" competing monitor. the Yamaha may have been slightly better for this purpose, and the sales guy said the Yamaha has a slightly more "hifi" sound to it. it's more expensive though, and you would need a sub i think.

[srserl]

You can't go wrong with PSB; they have always had good performance/value. I use PSB minis (roughly equivalent to the current B1) for my television. I used to have them in my office, but thieves stole my power amp, so I moved my office system into the living room. I think you could get by with the B15 just fine and save about $100 towards the rest of your equipment.

Scott

[Ham Sandwich]

The M-Audio BX8a and BX5a monitor speakers are on sale ATM. M-Audio came out with new "deluxe" versions of those speakers so the old versions are being heavily discounted. Not sure how much longer they'll be available.

I just set up a desktop system for myself with the BX8a monitors. Finally I have good speakers at the computer to compliment the headphone listening. I don't have a sub and don't really want a sub (the downstairs neighbors are happy about that).

The BX8a monitors are a bit big for desktop use, but I have a big desk. They're also rear ported and need to be moved away from the rear wall. So I had to move my desk out from the wall. If your desk is up against a wall you'll want to make sure that the speakers you choose are happy about being close to a wall. Front ported speakers may end up working better than rear ported if you're up against a wall.

My setup is a Mackie Big Knob for volume control and input selection. The Mackie Big Knob also makes it easy to switch between the speakers and a headphone amp. Plug in the soundcard/DAC of your choice. Plug in powered monitors of your choice. Plug in a headphone amp or two of your choice. Makes for a good desktop nearfield listening system IMHO.

[[S]uds]

Okay, I've decided on which speakers and amp to get(well, almost. Narrowed it down to 2). Here is what the setup will look like:

Computer -> Amp/DAC -> PSB Image B25/Monitor Audio BR2 -> X-Sub/Boston XB6

Now I have to decide on an Amp/DAC. I only have about $300 MAX to spend on an Amp and DAC(Combined or separate, doesn't matter). I currently have 2 in mind; the NuForce Icon and the KingRex T20U. Unfortunately, those are the only 2 in the price range that I could find. Space isn't a big concern, and the amp doesn't have to be able to drive the speakers to insane levels. The majority of my listening will be near field and low/medium volume.

Any opinions are welcome.

[kilgoretrout]

KRK ROKIT 5 speakers will be better for you I think. Better quality for the same price.

[Operandi]

Originally Posted by [S]uds

Okay, I've decided on which speakers and amp to get(well, almost. Narrowed it down to 2). Here is what the setup will look like:

Computer -> Amp/DAC -> PSB Image B25/Monitor Audio BR2 -> X-Sub/Boston XB6

In situation like this more might be less, 6.5" woofers are a bit too big in my opinion given you 1m nearfield application. something smaller like the similar PSB B15 will likely image better and since you are using a sub you won't be missing anything in the low end.

[[S]uds]

Originally Posted by Operandi

In situation like this more might be less, 6.5" woofers are a bit too big in my opinion given you 1m nearfield application. something smaller like the similar PSB B15 will likely image better and since you are using a sub you won't be missing anything in the low end.

It may provide better imaging, but what about the other aspects of the sound? The B25 should be superior to the B15 in more ways than just the lower end, should it not? Such as increased sound stage and whatnot.

[Sceptre]

Hi there.

I wanted a similar near field desktop system that would not own the table.

There were some old Bose Accoustimass 3 and 5's around. The 5's were too bright for near listening but the 3s worked well. I paired them to an '80's Cyrus One amp and then put an Apogee Duet on their front side.

Amazing sound for about $800 or so.

I know we all hate the Bose headphones but I have to give them credit for the Accostimass speakers. They work for me.

Regards

Sceptre