I have $250 to spend on 2.0 computer speakers. Help me spend it.

[musicmind]

I dont know if the size is sufficiently small for you, but the Behringer MS20 or MS40 is in that budget.

[Damian]

Does anyone know how the Audioengine 2 compares to the new Mackie monitors, HR5?

I know they retail at $150 and the OP is looking around $250, but I'd just heard interesting things about them; And Audioengine 2 at $200... If the HR5 weren't good I guess people would just spend the extra $50 for the Audioengines.

Then again one was designed for mixing and the other as a desktop speaker...

[jinp6301]

M-Audio BX5A?

The thing with the Audioengine 2s is that they have such a small woofer, I doubt that it'll have enough bass for rock :P

I'm trying to save up for a pair of Yamaha HS50Ms since I liked them the most (not counting the HS80M) when I went to audition monitors at guitar center

oh and what I would do is use your headphone amp as a preamp so you dont have to reach around to get to the volume control all the time

[Hookem]

Originally Posted by Damian

Does anyone know how the Audioengine 2 compares to the new Mackie monitors, HR5?

I know they retail at $150 and the OP is looking around $250, but I'd just heard interesting things about them; And Audioengine 2 at $200... If the HR5 weren't good I guess people would just spend the extra $50 for the Audioengines.

Then again one was designed for mixing and the other as a desktop speaker...

Not much is known about them other than a few what I call pre-views...Not real reviews...They are just basically telling us what the feature set and specs are.

It will probably be a couple of week's before we have a review where they are actually tested.

MSRP is 199.00 dollars per speaker...Looks like 149.00 from musican's friend...So that is 300.00 dollars for a pair.

They do compare favorably spec wise compared to the Audioengine 5's that are priced at 349.00 shipping included from Audioengine.

The Mackie has a higer powered amplifier, better adjustablity and connectivity...Mackie makes good stuff...And since they are "studio monitors" they should be very accurate...Which usually can translate into excellent sound quality.

Audioengine 5's have been around and are known performer's...Second to none customer service...I must admit the Audioengine 2's sound quality caught me off guard...Never thought they would sound so much better to me than my other speakers.

Operandi is giving you some good advice...If you can wait 300 for a pair of the Mackies MR5's are 50 bucks over your budget...350 for the Audioengine 5's is 100 bucks over.

Spec wise pre-ordering might be a good idea...The MR5's should fly off the shelves...They should be right there with the Audioengine 5's.

Sounds like a smoking deal to me and only 50 duckies over your budget.

[tim0chen]

How do you guys think Audioengine A5s sound compared to a good headphone setup?

I'm quite new to this whole audophile world and my ears aren't very sharp/distinguishing (yes I know I registered 4 years ago lol), but one thing I do know is that my A5s sound AMAZING. My only other audio setup is my UM-2/Predator combination, and I think the A5s sound far, far better than this setup (can't pinpoint why).

How much would I stand to gain over the A5 sound if I were to spend good money for a solid headphone setup? Your opinions would be key to whether or not I decide to shell out $1000-2000 for a good headphone setup .

[markl]

M-Audio BX5A?

I actually bought these last night. They are closing them out as there is a new replacement model for them, so I got a deal I couldn't refuse. Still no volume knob in the front, but that seems to be the way these things are designed as you move up the ladder price-wise.

[jinp6301]

How do you like them? I'm still deciding whether I should just buy those and stop saving for the Yamahas.

[Mushroom_2]

If your interested in the Audioengine A2's just beware that they have changed the design recently. They do not look like the pictures on the web site.
The black ones are now a very dull black and have a large "audioengine" graphic all along the bottom of each speaker. Ruins the look of them as far as I am concerned. They still sound good though.

[Hookem]

Originally Posted by Mushroom_2

If your interested in the Audioengine A2's just beware that they have changed the design recently. They do not look like the pictures on the web site.
The black ones are now a very dull black and have a large "audioengine" graphic all along the bottom of each speaker. Ruins the look of them as far as I am concerned. They still sound good though.

I personally like the finish on them...I was afraid they were going to have a "piano" finish like the white ones...Great for matching Apple stuff...But not really my cup of tea.

And yeah they do sound good...Really good for 200 bones for sure.

[JMcMasterJ]

Originally Posted by Mushroom_2

If your interested in the Audioengine A2's just beware that they have changed the design recently. They do not look like the pictures on the web site.
The black ones are now a very dull black and have a large "audioengine" graphic all along the bottom of each speaker. Ruins the look of them as far as I am concerned. They still sound good though.

Really? That's crap. I just ordered a black pair last night. I like the piano black finish. Do you have a pic of the new design?