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Computer Audio - powered speakers or amp/passive speakers

post #1 of 16
2/8/11 at 10:47am
Thread Starter 

Noob here.

 

I work at home and am looking to upgrade from my old harman/kardon pc speakers. Not terrible, but you know.  I have limited desk space, hence no A5s or larger bookshelf types. 90% music/10% all the rest. Portability is helpful for summer patio music. Bass is not a huge deal. 320 mp3s mostly and MOG streaming. I like a more modern look. B&W MM-1 is a dream speaker, but too expensive.  Total budget $250.00. I tend to listen to headphones once in a while, not a decision point. I've read through lots of forums and am considering one of two options:

 

I.powered speakers/budget dacs.

1. AudioEngine  A2s. Easy, but not perfect. $200.00 No $ for DAC.

2. M-audio 30s - $100, so room for budget DAC? NuForce Icon uDac-2 $129.00

3. M-audio 40s - $149.00 - -

4. H/K Soundsticks. Look cool. Decent reviews. Cheaper. Sound better than what I have, but is it worth it?

5. Klispch - 2.1 wireless. Supposed to sound ok. Wireless, so can play in other rooms from PC. $200.00

 

II. Cheap amp/bookshelf speakers w/ amp

 

1.  Dayton T-amp ($40) with whatever bookshelf speaker is the best deal - Paradigm Atom , NHT SuperZero 2.0, PSB, I'm sure I'm missing something.

 

I'm leaning towards the easy route with the A2s and get a dac if needed later, but have never heard them. A friend has the M-audio 30s and they sound better than I have know, but the bass sounded a little be exagerated.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Groovy.

 

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post #2 of 16
2/8/11 at 11:31am

The audio engine boost the bass to composate for having small drivers, if you didn't like the m-audio's extra bass then you won't like these at all, same with the soundsticks they have screechy satilite drivers with a boomy sub, you will probley be better off with dayton amp and something like the jbl control 1.

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post #3 of 16
2/8/11 at 11:41am
Thread Starter 

Thanks. I haven't heard of the jbl control 1s. I can probably check those out around town (Denver). I've also heard good things about Swans and the new Prioneer SP speakers.

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post #4 of 16
2/8/11 at 12:01pm

Yes the swans are recommend, but they might be too big for your desk if you think the a5's are too big.

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post #5 of 16
2/8/11 at 1:31pm
Thread Starter 

Based on your comments, I think I should allow for a bigger speaker, such as the A5. The A5 is little out of my price range. I'm interested in the new Swans H series (H4 or 5), but have not seen pricing. The  Swan M50W looks promising, but haven't seen any reviews. The Swan D1010 also looks cool.

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post #6 of 16
2/8/11 at 3:36pm

I'm very happy with my A5s.  I have them on a shelf behind my desk about 2.5 feet above the desk surface.  Less clutter on my desk and I'm getting better sound because the reflected wave from the desk top is reduced in intensity and cancellation/addition with the direct wave occurs at a higher frequency.

 

A similar placement might allow you to use larger speakers.

 

Bill

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post #7 of 16
2/8/11 at 3:44pm

I'd try some of these:

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/index.php?loudspeakers=swan-active-desktop-sound&cPath=21_24

 

My review here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=19882376#post19882376

 

Brian

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post #8 of 16
2/8/11 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 

Bill and Brian.

 

Thanks.

 

Ok, it's the A5s or Swan D1080MkII 08s. I like the fact that I can charge my ipod with the A5 while it is playing, but I'm not sure if an extra $125 is worth it.

 

I may wait to see the reviews for the Swan M50W  and H5s.

 

I see that Brian has a DAC with the Swans. Bill, how about with the A5?

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post #9 of 16
2/8/11 at 9:37pm

A5's all the way...Cheers

 

 

 

A5.jpg

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post #10 of 16
2/9/11 at 4:00am

not the M50W's but the M20W's...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=8382b20a00d054b50284e99d9f0054b2&p=19530618#post19530618

 

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=8382b20a00d054b50284e99d9f0054b2&p=17787734#post17787734

 

Good luck! I'm sure that you will be happy with either choice!

 

Brian

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post #11 of 16
2/9/11 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 

The Swan M50W appears to fit the bill.

 

 http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?p=swan-m50w&products_id=167 

 

I'd like to see comparisons between it and the M20W.

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post #12 of 16
2/10/11 at 1:10pm
Thread Starter 

Glow.

 

I bumped into this site last night, while looking for a "budget" tube amp for my desktop. The speakers and sub are very cool looking.

 

http://www.glow-audio.com/voiceone.html 

 

I'm a sucker for aesthetics. I'm a little suspect that the listed specs are so thin. Has anyone heard of this speaker?

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post #13 of 16
2/10/11 at 1:13pm

Heatfan12, your A5s appear to be really close to the wall. Everything I've read says that since they are rear-ported, they should be minimum 6" from the wall to let it breathe. Try moving your speakers out a bit and see if it makes any difference

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post #14 of 16
2/10/11 at 3:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazerboy2000 View Post

Heatfan12, your A5s appear to be really close to the wall. Everything I've read says that since they are rear-ported, they should be minimum 6" from the wall to let it breathe. Try moving your speakers out a bit and see if it makes any difference

Thanks Lazerboy....They are 7" from the wall, they look closer in the pic at that angle.....beerchug.gif

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post #15 of 16
2/20/11 at 4:59am

Herfnderf,

 

I have the A2's and am very happy with them.  I think you will find the A5's a bit overwhelming in size - especially

if you want to move them when going on vacation.

 

For about $99 you should be able to find an adequate USB DAC.

 

If you are listening to mainly MP3 source material, I'm not sure how much more quality sound

you will get from more expensive spewakers and DAC's.  I use the old model

Devilsound USB DAC.

 

Barrydmd

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