M-Audio: AV40 or BX5a?

Those speakers have amplifiers built into them so there is no need to hook them up to youre receiver unless youre connecting them to the preamp outputs of youre receiver if it has the. The 70 watt RMS is the rating of the amplifier inside the speaker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloosnail11 

Oh, well I'm using a Sansa Clip+ as the source, so will the BX5a still be able to be driven? Also, how would I go about connecting the subwoofer if I didn't use a receiver?

Yes, the sansa will drive them fine. They are bi-amped, so all of the power to drive them comes from the speaker itself. And most subs, have a pass through, which means you can hook up the sub, and the sub will send the signal to the other speakers. 

The thing with studio monitors is that you also need to figure out how to control the volume.  Each speaker will have a volume knob on the back, but that knob is for setting the speaker to a standard reference volume (to match other speakers in the studio) and is not intended to be used for regular listening volume changing duties.  A studio will have a mixer or a monitor control station for changing the volume.

You'll need to find something to use to adjust the volume.  A cheap stereo mixer (as used by DJs), a used pre-amp, a passive volume knob, or something.  I use a Mackie Big Knob which is a $300 monitor control station (a studio oriented version of a pre-amp).

If you aren't familiar with that sort of gear and how to set it up then I would suggest getting something like the AudioEngine A5 which is an all in one setup.  It has an integrated volume knob, a mini-jack input for an mp3 player and a second input on the back for the computer.  All ready to go, even including a few necessary cables.

What kind of receiver are you going to use?

Some receivers allow you to use the receiver as a pre-amp (bypass the power-amp section of the receiver).  If your receiver can do that then the receiver will work to be able to control the volume of the BX5a.  Many receivers though don't allow for that sort of configuration.

The volume knobs on the back of the BX5a are there to set a maximum reference volume.  They don't override the volume control on the Sansa or make the volume control on the Sansa useless.  They just set what maximum volume can be reached.  You can set them at full volume, or half volume, or whatever you want.

I cannot find a picture of the rear of the JVC FS-SD5. Neither can I find any printed info on how it is connected to other gear. It's a music centre.

If you want further help you will need to take a photo of the back plate with your phone and load it up here.

None of the rear output connectors can be both connected to the BX5a and retain volume control on the JVC. Using the BX5a and the logitech subwoofer together also poses difficulties.

So you have to choose from  2 main alternatives.

Buy a monitor controller to sit between the JVC/Sansa and the BX5a. Prices start at around $50 for the SM Pro Audio nano patch, TC Electronic level pilotor the Genelec 9000 AP.

Or better imo. Buy a cheap and cheerful audio interface such as the E-MU 0202 or M-Audio fast Track which cost around $100. Berhinger might do one even cheaper.

This will serve you well into the future and  counts as an investment. If you are really strapped for cash now then save money on the speakers by choosing less expensive models now. Perhaps from the Samson, Fostex or Berhinger ranges.

This way you can connect everything to the audio interface permanently. Computer via USB (or S/PDIF if you are an audiophool), JVC and Sansa via mini jack  > jack plug. Then use the volume control on the interface as the master. You can also connect the subwoofer to one of the multiple outs on the interface.

Hope that helps.