My theoretical 2.1 set-up. Just wondering if everything was compatible

Your need a dac for the macbook to get a proper lineout signal, the macbook has optical out so you this is the best option http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B0053VKP8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316288085&sr=8-1, and cable http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-27016-Velocity-Toslink/dp/B0002JFN1A/ref=pd_cp_e_2 .

For your ipod your need a line-out cable http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L3-Line-Cable-iPhone/dp/B003UCESP8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1316288397&sr=8-2  and this http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-40424-Stereo-Y-Cable/dp/B001B8QUS6/ref=sr_1_23?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316288618&sr=1-23 , to plug it in to the subs input.

Your also need a stereo rca to rca cable to connect the sub outputs to the amps inputs , the monoprice cables are good quality cables http://www.amazon.com/PREMIUM-3-5mm-Stereo-22AWG-Cable/dp/B002K8A75I/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316289903&sr=1-3 , you might need a longer/shorter length depending on the distance of the sub from the receiver, your also need speaker cables for the speakers.

The outlaw m8 is a down firing sub i've never heard it but generally i don't like down firing subs they interact with the room too much and can sound muddy and boomy for clean tight bass you want a sub that isn't affected by room acoustics too much, I have a samson sub which is basically a rebranded dayton 100 for the uk market it's loud and quite powerful and goes down to 30hz which is good considering how little they cost, also the dayton has rca in and out and a knob to set the high/low pass filters making it very easy to set-up and intergrate well with any speakers you pair it with i'm not sure if the outlaw has this fuctionality, the dayton is also much larger and can move much more air with it's bigger driver meaning it can play lower louder, the outlaw is only 8" so it won't go as low as the dayton.

I actually own the behringer b2031p's myself, there amazing speakers for the money, the highs are amazingly clear, very detailed and very opening sounding nothing is rolled off or veiled here, the midrange is very detailed and clear and accurate ,a little resessed in the 2khz area , the lows are clean ,tight and quite punchy, the first thing I noticed with these speakers is how accurate and detailed everything sounds the drums sound very close to real drums the notes are very accuate with these speakers, there frequerence responce is pretty flat they lack a little bit in the mid-high range probley a limitation of the large woofer a 8" woofer can't move though the air quick enough to be accurate at high frequences like 2khz, the advantage of the large woofer is these speaker are quite punchy, these speaker easily sound better than speakers 10times there price and are a complete steal at £150 or $250. These speakers are 4ohms and like a bit of power so you need an amp thats up to the job, I use mine with a samson servo 300 amp they pair really well with this amp. I'm not sure have they sound compaired to the Cambridge Audio s30 but the Cambridge Audio s30 would have to be something really special to beat them in there own price point.

Your Mac does have USB out, which accords with most newer DACs. Have you considered this?

davisoly

Or buy an Airport Express and stream the music to it's toslink-out port (same as a MacBook's). It's very handy if you don't want to be cabled to the stereo while listening.

I bought an REL Q201E subwoofer off eBay for ~$300. It allows you to set a crossover point as well as volume, and it doesn't need an output from the receiver. It's paired with mini-monitors from Reference 3A and sounds fantastic. Very clean, but lots of punch when needed. I hunted on eBay and Audiogon a long time to find that deal (set up an RSS feed on eBay) but it was worthwhile if your budget allows.

I've found Airport Express units for around $50 on eBay, which may help a bit. There are lots of newer DACs with USB, but there are lots and lots of slightly older DACs that have optical/coax only. An AE could open up options lost by Apple not including toslink in the MBAir. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkreampuff 

Another member suggested this setup over the one I was thinking, so I was wondering what you thoughts on them were and eventually what cables I need for each.

 

Set Up 1:

Amp: Sherwood RX-4109

Speakers: Cambridge Audio s30

Sub: Outlaw m8

 

Set Up 2:

Amp: Harmon Kardon HK 3490

Speakers: Behinger B2031p

 

Thank You 

Set up 2 all the way, though I would still keep in mind a sub at least for future upgrades. The HK has a digital input, so no need to worry about a DAC