Looking to build 2.1 PC Setup

Since u in the USA fish out a low cost used stereo/power amp off Craiglist and even a 8-10" sub? Polk M10s are $74 on Amazon

I just upgraded to the Asus Xonar Essence STX, now I can't really hook up my Z-5300 anymore.

I'm going to get the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, a $150 set that now sells used for $80.

Nice small (two-way) speakers with built in tweeters and a sub-woofer.

I have an extra Onkyo 606 receiver and I could buy some decent bookshelf speakers.

But that stuff will take up too much space around my computer desk.

So I say just go for the Klipsch.

$200 is a tough budget for an amp plus speakers.  You could go with compact bookshelf set up like the Onkyo CS 445 CD receiver system; it runs around $200 on amazon.  You get an amp, cd player, a tuner, an ipod dock, and 2 bookshelf speakers.  The amp has a sub out for adding a sub later.  I think you can get a much better system if you are willing to spend $250.  You could get Pioneer SP BS41 LR speakers which have been getting great reviews for $150 and pick up a manufacturer's refurbished Onkyo TX-8255 stereo receiver from accessories4less for $100.  That's a good stereo receiver (it's 4 ohm stable) for the money.  You'll have a heck of a nice system and you can add the sub later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHANGiism 
Before going ProMedia route, I wanted to see what's available for me to go custom route. Is Dayton B652, Polk M30 or even Sony SS-B3000 good choice? I probably will get the cheapest T-Amp that supports subwoofer.. and will probably go with Dayton 8" sub or something. If you guys have any other alternative suggestions, please let me know.

I've heard good things about Velodyna sub-woofers.

Polk Audio Monitor 40s are currently on sale at Newegg.
 

$200 budget total, for speakers, amp, and connectors? If that's the case, have you thought of going with some powered near-field monitors? Check out these. Some have a sub pre-out. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHANGiism 

Before going ProMedia route, I wanted to see what's available for me to go custom route. Is Dayton B652, Polk M30 or even Sony SS-B3000 good choice? I probably will get the cheapest T-Amp that supports subwoofer.. and will probably go with Dayton 8" sub or something. If you guys have any other alternative suggestions, please let me know.

The custom route is the best way, way way better than the pro medias the sony ss b3000 has large drivers so a cheap t-amp might not drive them properly your need a more beefy amp with them, the dayton sub has a rca pass thru so there is no need for a amp with a sub out.
 

How near-field are you talking? I have Polk RTi4s on the corners of my desk, roughly 3' away from each ear and I think they sound great. The price on those M40s are hard to pass up...

If you go the Polk route, I've found Polk and Denon have good synergy. 

My PC Audio set up is a TA2020 amp and a pair of out of production Polk M3s and from say 3 feet away 24/7 music/flac, etc they can go louder than i need but with low power amps u need somewhat efficient speakers and @ 89dB those Polks fit the bill If u will stick to 2.0/2.1 stereo/power/T amps are all u need else for surround down the road look to hit AVRs/Surround Sound Receivers (no HDMI, etc)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHANGiism 

 

Can you suggest an amp that goes with a lot of these speakers like Sony, Polk, Dayton, etc.? Since I am new to all the audio talk, I am not sure what I should be looking for when comparing driver size and amp power. What should I be looking for in speaker/amp specs primarily? Polk M40 sounds like a good deal but at the same time it is too huge for near-field audio setup.

Something like this http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-APA150-Power-Amplifier/dp/B000VKXLBO/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1319193239&sr=8-11 or this http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-DTA-100a-Class-T-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B004JK8BDK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1319193239&sr=8-4 , i'm not sure the little 20watt t-amps will have the power to push 8" drivers though the air.
I myself have 1 of these http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Servo-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B000QCJR4W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319193427&sr=8-1 , to power my behringers with there 8" drivers, I spend more on an amp so I would only have to buy once that samson amp should drive any speakers well.

I need to say it again... Have you considered active monitors? Built-in amplification, intended for near-field use, easy to add a sub immediately or in the future. Just a thought.