Help with suggesting new speaker setup? :)
Oct 20, 2011 at 7:48 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 7
ILikePeeps

ILikePeeps

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Alright, I've been using Logitech X-530's for... years? and I would like to upgrade. However, it's not for just one simple thing, but a variety.
 
I'm a musician and I like to play along with songs (bass and electric guitar) that play through the speakers. I'm also a gamer, (WoW, Counter-Strike: Source, CoD, Battlefield, Etc.), and I also listen to metal music (Death metal, Deathcore, etc. bands like Scar Symmetry, Devourment, In Flames, Death, etc.).
 
What would be a good recommendation for --->2.1<--- speakers? I'm not real savvy when it comes to speakers and audio in general. I would like 3.5mm, not USB, and my sound card is an X-Fi Titanium type.
 
So, basically, what are good 2.1 desktop speakers that are:
-Clear
-Good for listening to music (emphasis on metal)
-Gaming
 
 
My X-530's might be rated for a total of 70 watts, I'd rather have more than that, haha.
 
Might the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's fit the bill?
 
No more than ~$300-ish (rather spend less, but would like quality! :)). Thank you!
 
Oct 20, 2011 at 8:23 PM Post #2 of 7
I've read stuff about amps, drivers, etc, and stuff can be confusing to me.
 
Is it basically buying speakers and connecting to ..something.. and then connecting to the PC?
 
Feel free to suggest custom kind of set ups; but some explanation would probably help a good deal, Heh. Thanks :D
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 1:01 AM Post #3 of 7
There's two ways you can go for cheap-ish nice speakers: self-powered speakers or passive speakers. Self-powered speakers have amplifiers built into the cabinet so they require no external amp; you hook them up to your sound card's line out and it's ready to go. Speakers typically use RCA cables or just plain speaker wire and clamps, it's really not that difficult to set up. Passive speakers require either an amplifier or receiver, which is simply an extra device which would go in between your sound card and the speaker. Instead of sound card -> speakers, you go sound card -> amp/receiver -> speakers. A receiver system is much more flexible but slightly more difficult to set up. Beyond that, you can even get an external DAC or digital-to-analog converter. These would plug into your USB ports and replace your sound card entirely for sound output. An external DAC will probably have better sound quality than your X-Fi, but it's another cost to consider.
 
My feeling from reading here is that passive+amp/receiver is the way to go rather than active. Building a system will give you more flexibility and opens the road for upgrades in the future without starting from scratch - you can buy a mid-tier receiver with nice speakers now and simply upgrade the receiver when you get the itch. I don't really know enough to give specific recommendations, but I'm sure some more experienced members will be here to help out shortly.
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 1:18 AM Post #4 of 7


Quote:
noobsauceage said:
There's two ways you can go for cheap-ish nice speakers: self-powered speakers or passive speakers. Self-powered speakers have amplifiers built into the cabinet so they require no external amp; you hook them up to your sound card's line out and it's ready to go. Speakers typically use RCA cables or just plain speaker wire and clamps, it's really not that difficult to set up. Passive speakers require either an amplifier or receiver, which is simply an extra device which would go in between your sound card and the speaker. Instead of sound card -> speakers, you go sound card -> amp/receiver -> speakers. A receiver system is much more flexible but slightly more difficult to set up. Beyond that, you can even get an external DAC or digital-to-analog converter. These would plug into your USB ports and replace your sound card entirely for sound output. An external DAC will probably have better sound quality than your X-Fi, but it's another cost to consider.
 
My feeling from reading here is that passive+amp/receiver is the way to go rather than active. Building a system will give you more flexibility and opens the road for upgrades in the future without starting from scratch - you can buy a mid-tier receiver with nice speakers now and simply upgrade the receiver when you get the itch. I don't really know enough to give specific recommendations, but I'm sure some more experienced members will be here to help out shortly.
Click to expand...

Excellent reply, thank you! Quite informative. I have M-Audio AV-30's and a E-MU 0204; but I'm not sure if I would replace my soundcard or not. Would like a sub also, as opposed to just 2.0.
 
So active speakers are things such as my current Logitech's, correct?
 
The Corsair SP2500's are interesting, but I'm not sure how they'd sound for metal music.
 
Also as a note, I care more for sound quality regarding music and gaming. Sound quality for movies/shows might not be as much of a priority to me.
 
I'm not a basshead; but would prefer a sub. Thanks for taking a look at the thread.
 
I use my AV-30's for my electric drum set, and they don't seem to get really loud.
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 4:31 AM Post #5 of 7
I fixed up a pair of active 2.0s Edifier 1900TII and thought they edged the AV40s and depending on where u at that would be a step up from the AV30 - the junior 1600T i see are well loved in the UK
tongue_smile.gif
For $300 consider amp + bookshelf and 8-10" sub new or in the used audio hardware market?
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 7:35 PM Post #6 of 7
Hi, thanks for the reply, I'm not using my AV-30's as desktop speakers currently, and I probably won't end up using them in that way (except maybe involving music recording).
 
The Klipsch or Corsair are probably step-ups from my X-530's, heh.
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 8:20 PM Post #7 of 7
You can get used Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 off eBay for under $100.
I paid $90 for the used Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 ordered off eBay yesterday.
 
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