Speakers + Sound card for $100 max

If I might offer an option, Get the Superlux HD-668B headphones (not knocking the HFI-580s), you will save a lot of money.

For a sound card, the Asus Xonar DX, currently there is a $20 mail in rebate.

Total, about $115 (after mail-in)

Speakers, how about M-Audio AV 30s.

Total about $205

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSG3002 

I looked into the 668B's and I don't think I'd be as happy with those as I would be with the HFI-580's. Maybe there's some kind of middle-ground pair of headphones between the two that is more comparable to the HFI-580 in terms of quality, but otherwise I'm pretty confident with my choice.

 

As for the Xonar DX and the AV30's, I'm pretty sure the DX doesn't have any headphone amp while the Xonar DG does, and the M-Audio AV30's (which would be out of my price range anyway unless I was able to find a less expensive, comparable headphone to the 580's) don't have a sub as I said I was looking for.

I've been using my new Superlux HD-668B headphones for a week.

To me they match the sound quality of my Beyerdynamic DT-770 250-Ohm headphones. Using my 6922EH tube amp. and Onkyo receiver as sources.

Everyone says the Xonar DX does have an headphone amp. But my Xonar DX powers my DT-770 80-Ohm headphones just fine.

The Xonar DX can even power my DT-770 250-Ohm headphones, not overly loud and with all the volumes turned up max.

So I'm guess the Xonar DX has a headphone amp. but it's not advertised because they sell the Xonar DX for 5.1/7.1 speakers setups.

I'm guessing Asus does not want the DX stealing market share from their more expensive cards (D2, D2X, Essence, Essence ST, etc.)

The DG uses an older audio chip then what the DX has.

But for what your doing, the DG should do a fair job.

For the price range your looking at, no 2.1 speaker setup is going to even a half way decent sub-woofer.

With the M-Audio AV30, at least your getting a speaker with a decent size woofer.
 

Ouch that Cyber Acoustics 2.1 looks exactly the kind of PC speakers i would tell peeps to avoid : poor SQ and at best with that pc speaker sub : low quality/muddy base and prolly soft too hehe

I support the Asus DG idea as that would play reasonably well with cans as well as speakers so perhaps off partsexpress

when u have more $$ (or are a bit of a basshead) look to add a real hifi standard sub woofer  Done right you have the best of both worlds i.e decent mids/highs and tight/high quality bass 

edit : oops if you dun have speaker wire idling at home simply hit these

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=109-040

If u think you need a lot more beef/future surround options in future you could also dip into used AV receivers/stereo amps (Craiglist for example) and one could fish something decent even with $50 hehe

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/2544299995.html

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/htr/htr-5550_black__u/?mode=model

Well even with clean 12-15W into 8ohm per channel via Tripath TA2020, these bookshelf would offer far greater clarity than PC speakers hehe I have set up several now like these and for small rooms, dorms, work area and PC audio they are awesome! An amp is required if you hit any/all passive bookshelf speakers 

For the price you pay for the seperate speakers, amplifier and cable, plus ($10-$20) shipping. you could get the M-Audios.

Well that amp accepts analog in only so 3.5mm/RCA from onboard mobo sound or soundcard to amp then speaker wire from speaker output amp to speakers  Hmm entry level/budget subs have a looks at the Polk/Dayton offerings You could feed high level input via speaker wire from amp to almost all sub 

what about a recommendation for a good 2.1 system now with extremely good heavy bass. I listen to trance and sometimes techno, alot of bass heavy songs. I prefer heavy bass over quality bass. The 2.1 system MUST HAVE a subwoofer bass adjustment control Please recommend if you guys have one in mind. Currently my dollar is on :

- Corsair SP2500

O_o that is about $230 new so best open a thread stating your exact needs so peeps can offer more relevant advise me thinks  For me once u hit $200 i would either go passive + amp or active monitors and a proper hifi sub hehe

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSG3002 

Except wouldn't these speakers be higher quality than the M-Audios anyway? Also the total in the cart (with the additional wiring) is only $61, so... it's still cheaper. Plus I'm getting it with the DG instead of the DX, so I'm not spending as much towards the sound card.

$61 does not include any sales tax or shipping charge, which could be another $10-$25.

You can get the M-Audio AV 30s for $88, no sales tax and free shipping.

you can still get the DG, (it has a $10 mail-in rebate) with the M-Audio, both can be ordered with free shipping and no sales tax, total about $109 (after rebate).