Really Confused about PC Speakers

Audioengines A2s are another great cheap and good option for powered speakers

Or, if you want to get an amp and passives, the n22 and ap4 are also a great choice and still very affordable, they are the ones on the table in the Headfi tv vids

The edifier r1900 or r2000 , are better than the av40's and a2's and costs less. Or you could get an amp for your old bookshelfs like 1 of the t-amps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chones 

Hi All,

 

So the Head-Fi community has helped me pick out a variety of cans and IEMs for portable use but now I'm looking for some computer speakers.  

 

Anyway, I'm a grad student on a budget so obviously my choices are limited.  I have a pair of Swan M10s in the den want something different for my upstairs setup.  I'm looking at the M Audio AV 40s for $150 which is right at the amount I want to spend (not much I know!). I cannot decide whether I can get the best bang for my buck simply by purchasing amped computer speakers or getting a receiver and bookshelf's.  Is there another way to drive a decent pair of bookshelf's -> PC/Mac other than a receiver?  I'm asking because I think I have a pair in storage somewhere but don't have anything to drive em. 

 

Thanks guys!

If you have a pair of bookshelf speakers in storage, get a decent stereo receiver like this Onkyo which is in your price range, http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8255B-TX-8255-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B001AMSPQI/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316275593&sr=1-2. You can always upgrade the speakers later. 
 

I have been in your shoes and down the powered low cost route having owned Swans as well.  Trust me, good bookshelf speakers with a good amp will sound better than most $300+ pairs of powered monitors that you will find.

If you are sitting at the desk and do not need really loud volume, try a good t-amp.  These little digital amps sound fantastic and will beat up most of today's lower cost receivers.  On the high end is Virtue Audio and on the lower end is Trends both make fine amps.  Don't let the lower power figures scare you off, you will not need much power sitting a few feet away and they sound great.  I would stay away from some of the really low cost amps unless you find some good reviews.  I have owned both of the brands above and they outperformed my Onkyo and Sony receivers.

The biggest mistake most folks make is placing the bookshelf speakers on the desk, BAD.  Get them up about 6 inches off the desk with some sort of stable stand with tweeters near ear height and you will be amazed at how good they can sound.  And most bookshelf speakers come with 5-6 inch woofer to start and the laws of physics don't lie they actually have bass as compared to the little 3-4 inch woofers of some small, girly powered speakers :)

Find those old bookshelf speakers and enjoy!