Update :  received the sports armband from ebay a few days back - enjoying the M7 while jogging too wee Link if someone is curious...

Well with all the talk of the HTC One M9 i thought this would be prime time to dip into the used market to nab previous flagships on the (dirt) cheap so i got a HTC One M7  Very clean sound out from the headphone jack (the headphone amp section exceeds my expectations) and am using it as my...

Coming to a 4th year and my old Lepai LP2020A+ still runs cool and cheerfully 24/7  I expected it to die and buy a new one like 2 years ago but it still lives! 

Just fished out the M7 on the cheap used at a local online forum and all i can say is WOW! I connected it to a Fiio E7 and actually to my ears the HTC One M7 on it's own sounded better! Think i am settled for a smartphone/dap combo and i know i would be using this 24/7 on the train/tube but am...

That would be the BS-21/41 

  Ya sure why not - let us know how these pair up and if u liked em 

You'd want subwoofers with high level (speaker wire) inputs/outputs but the good news is a huge number of them has this and you run the bookies as sats off the speaker wire outputs on the active sub  

Hmm i was once in your shoes and yes older model AVRs just with optical/coax (no HDMI) allow DD/DTS 5.1 and on gumtree you can find real basement bargains ^^

You'd need speaker wire and a 3.5mm to RCA (red/white) audio cable. Well given the price u got it for i doubt you can do better unless there are some awesome deals still floating around?

Looking at the specs of those JBLs @ 89dB, i'd say the Lepai LP2020+ is a good match ^^ I have a PC audio set up with some Polks and they do excellent together ^^

With Black Friday looming prices could get even better but in your shoes     Pioneer BS41s http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117406   Huge thread on these @ AVS http://www.avsforum.com/t/1278774/pioneers-speaker-genius-hits-low-price-point   Topping TP22...

If u want to do a 2.0 in a living room for a multi purpose audio set up i.e movies, music, tv, etc i'd have them having some decent low end w/o a dedicated sub? In my case i went with floor standers and it worked out fantastic 

For $700 i would just go with a decent 2.1 given small room 

I actually own those cans and i can tell you even with a now outdated Fiio E7, the cans sing far better with the E7 than onboard mobo audio!

Quote:   +1 good advice 

Oh which Topping amp did you get i.e TA2020/2021 or TK2050? I've listened to TK2050 Toppings mated with Brit/US bookies and find these offering great value for money!

Heard the Diamonds 9.1 and liked it but nah w/o a sub you won't be rattling the windows or rumbling the floors

I actually have a Lepai TA2020 based amp with 89dB bookies for a PC audio set up and yes sometimes i turn it up and listen from a chair/bed and from 9-10 feet away they are fine

Quote:   Hmm if fry's is an option $139 nets ya a Denon AVR 1312 http://www.frys.com/product/6599413?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Quote:   Meh i paid $30 USD for the Lepai with a seperate 12V 5A PSU and thought even if it was a lemon and died 6-12 mths later it's cheap and i'd just get another one? 2 years later it's still going strong under heavy 24/77 use However i agree with cel : that Nuforce is overpriced and...

Actually for a dedicated HTPC one should not be fiddling around with an addon soundcard IMO - just pass HDMI to a HDMI AVR and it's all good ^^

Your bro is spot on and as a guide peeps have now found out that for nearfield/PC AUdio just the cheap/compact Lepai TA2020 based amps do just fine - i should know as one of my set ups involve the Lepai TA2020, 89dB Polks and a Fiio E7 DAC ^^ The E10 is a slight step up so you may want to have a...

Hmm what is your max budget? If u want nice low end i would go with bookies and an active sub say 8-10"? Also consder used classic/vintage receivers - many have driven demanding cans with these and some have awesome headphone out sections ^^

With such a tight budget, Soundbars may be compact but both for 2 channel or surround they wouldn't be an ideal solution IMO w.r.t SQ/$$.  For a start perhaps look into Craiglist for a cheap optical/coax AVR and a pair of bookshelf speakers and an active sub perhaps?

Well do u have demanding cans, etc? That would determine if u need a headphone amp section for best results but i would look at Hifimediy Sabre and Fiio E10 for a start?