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Sub-$1000 Computer Speaker Setup

post #1 of 41
8/8/09 at 4:00pm
Thread Starter 
After venturing onto head-fi for headphones and coming out with a pair of HD650s and an LD MKIII to drive them, I find myself longing for a good speaker system from time to time, to fill in for the impact and soundstage that headphones lack.

What I'm looking for is a speaker setup that will be run off my PC, from a little research I've done this means either passive speakers and a receiver/power amp or active speakers.

A point to note: I don't have a DAC at the moment, but that's not to be considered in the $1000 budget, I will get one down the road though.

Now, just because the budget extends to $1000, doesn't necessarily mean I HAVE to spend that much, if the best value sub-$1000 is a pair of A5s, then by all means, I'll buy those and save the rest. (On that note, I found a pair of used A5s for $290 CAD).

I'm guessing bookshelf speakers are better for computer setups? There seems to be a lot more positioning nuances with floorstanders, from what I've read.

If need be, I can provide a layout and dimensions of the room I'll be putting them in.

Thanks in advance for the help guys!
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post #2 of 41
8/8/09 at 5:26pm
A5s are a good pickup. You can also look at the NHT M-00s, priced at 400 USD a pair (listenup.com). That would leave you with enough to spend on a DAC and in my opinion you don't have to spend more than your speakers worth to get a good DAC, but that's my opinion, people with Havanas, Benchmarks, etc. might disagree.
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post #3 of 41
8/8/09 at 5:30pm
Don't rule out passive Hi-Fi speakers and amplifiers. As a rule though, small room = standmount/bookshelf, larger room = floorstanders.
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post #4 of 41
8/8/09 at 7:50pm
$1000 is a decent budget and you have a lot of options in this situation. Keep in mind that even small bookshelves are pretty big. I think A5's a probably a good starting point with limited investment. They also have decent resale value. Also, your money can go a lot farther on the used market. Check out Audiogon for a ton of deals.

What are your musical preferences?
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post #5 of 41
8/8/09 at 10:49pm
My setup sounds like a huge pair of headphones. In a near field setup, the HSU MKIIs are stellar in terms of getting it all out there but in a very small bubble. Weird to explain until you experience it. Anyway, speakers $350, sub $250, receiver or amp $200-400 and you are smoking. The little 10" TSC sub I have is a killer btw.
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post #6 of 41
8/9/09 at 3:34am
Thread Starter 
@ roker: I'll probably be grabbing a Pico DAC or similarly priced.

@ iriverdude: I'm probably going to go for bookshelf, any suggestions for the passive route?

@ recca: Classic rock (AC/DC, Queen, etc.) and metal (btbam, Meshuggah, etc.)

@ spacemanspliff: I'll check that stuff out, I don't know if I want to pick up a sub though, I was hoping the speakers would do enough justice to the low end, I don't plan on playing much in terms of movies on this system.
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post #7 of 41
8/9/09 at 4:06am
I have a pair of Klipsch RB-61 and I love them. They sound good, look badass and they're front ported too, which is quite handy for a PC setup. I have them connected to a Harman Kardon KK 3490 Stereo receiver. They go pretty low for bookshelves speakers, but I got a sub anyway to get that extra low end as I listen to a lot of electronic music. That TSC 250 sub is looking pretty nice.

Both the speakers and the amp are currently available at Future Shop but at insane prices. I got the receiver for ~350$ and the speakers for around 350-450$. Maybe if you buy both they could give you a nice discount ... They are definitely selling them way above cost right now so I'm sure they could cut you a decent deal.
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post #8 of 41
8/9/09 at 5:04am
I've been looking into getting the Axiom M2's myself, and Axiom's bookshelf line seems to be well praised.
It has a 30-day risk-free trial with free return shipping so you really can't go wrong.
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post #9 of 41
8/9/09 at 12:59pm
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post #10 of 41
8/9/09 at 2:32pm
I would suggest NHT Classic Three, any Usher Audio, any Dali, Outlaw Bookshelf, Energy RC-10, Polk Audio Monitor 5Jr, or any Ascend Acoustics (preferably not the classics though).

I know there's more but I can't think of any right now.

Then add a decent power amp of 50-150WPC @ 8 ohms like... Adcom GFA-535 or 545 (any model), Rotel RB850 through RB981, or Acurus A100.
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post #11 of 41
8/9/09 at 9:23pm
Thread Starter 
I'm leaning heavily towards a pair of Energy RC-10s after reading some reviews, price point seems good too. Not sure what receiver to power it with yet, I'll be looking into that next.
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post #12 of 41
8/9/09 at 11:10pm
Naw.

Listen here youngster. If you want a good sub $500 speaker with bass, the Ascends or Av123 X-series like the X-SLS will be the best bang for the buck you can get period.

My HSU and sub setup is crazy but complicated and only good for one sweet spot.
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post #13 of 41
8/9/09 at 11:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shirukii View Post
I'm leaning heavily towards a pair of Energy RC-10s after reading some reviews, price point seems good too. Not sure what receiver to power it with yet, I'll be looking into that next.
Have you found a place that still sells them in Canada? FS used to carry them, but they cleared them out a few months ago.
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post #14 of 41
8/10/09 at 12:23am
Thread Starter 
I've found someone selling a pair of RC-10s, brand new, for $350 CAD.

@ spacemanspliff: Is there any particular reason I shouldn't get the RC-10s >:? HT stores are pretty limited here in Canada, there aren't really any places I can go to audition the stuff I'll be buying, it's pretty much going to be a blind purchase. (Worked for my HD650s =D).

The X-SLS from av123 looks nice and the price is right, but being floorstanders, placement might be a problem, and I think floorstanders might be a little overkill for my relatively small bedroom.
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post #15 of 41
8/10/09 at 1:02am
350$ is a great price for the RC-10. They have great reviews too. Had they been cheaper at the time and front ported, I would have seriously considered them instead of the Klipsch. I do love the Klipsch though so no regrets.

Do you plan on getting a sub with them? Not sure how their 5.5" woofers handle bass..
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