[BenAdamson]

Hi, I'm looking for the best 2.0 speakers on the market on a small budget. This budget includes amplification, so it looks like I might have to use active speakers. I listen to genres that require excellent mids and highs- alt rock and electronic music, however I really enjoy a decent punchy bass to go with my more energetic tastes in music (electro swing etc.). I will be using my laptop with foobar2k playing FLAC files. I am also looking to include some sort of DAC in the budget, as my laptop's audio would not do the speakers justice at all.
 
How would you recommend I spend my money - which products should I be looking at?
 
Thanks,
Ben

 

[liby195]

i think audioengine's A2 might just fit your budget...
i heard good things about it for its price range. But i also heard a few complaints about it being a little "muddy".
 
i'm actually here on this forum to ask and learn about this stuff, so that's about the best i can answer. lol
 
if you have a bigger budget later, u could also look into external soundcards to help your laptop create sound worthy of your new speakers hehe.
 

 

[trog]

Go combo of used + new?
 
NAD 304 Stero Amp 50 quid used
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/nad-304-integrated-amplifier/91916458
 
Diamond 9.1s 100 quid new
http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-2442-wharfedale-diamond-91-speakers-pair.aspx
 
prolly a nice USB/external DAC in the mix 

 
 

 

[BenAdamson]

Yeah, that looks like a good combo. Any other opinions? I am definitely looking to buy second-hand if it will mean better value.

 

[JRG1990]

Your get something better used, there are some decent cheap amps you can have new though, http://www.amazon.co.uk/RENKFORCE-Renkforce-mini-HiFi-amplifier-E-SA9/dp/B002EWNQOE/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1322327721&sr=8-15 , http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-TOPAZ-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B0043UO4CS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322327861&sr=8-4 ,
 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-STRDH100-Receiver-2-Channel/dp/B002CU0N2G/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1322327880&sr=8-11 , http://www.amazon.co.uk/TA2020-T-Amp-Stereo-Amplifier-Silver/dp/B005JYR5PU/ref=sr_1_112?ie=UTF8&qid=1322327993&sr=8-112 .
 
check out cash converters or cash generator they normally have a good selection of used amps, if you find something you like it's always worth trying to find the tech specs or manual and compare each 1 and buy the 1 with the best specs and features you need.
 
For speakers http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-ANSBP200PB-Speakers-Black/dp/B004MYFDIO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1322328262&sr=8-3 , http://www.amazon.co.uk/WHARFEDALE-DIAMOND-SPEAKERS-BLACK-PAIR/dp/B002WJAQY2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322328301&sr=8-4 , http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roth-Audio-ROL2-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B002EA6LRU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1322328315&sr=8-10 , http://www.amazon.co.uk/ACOUSTICS-2010-SPEAKERS-PAIR-GRAPHITE/dp/B0032AYGGO/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1322328332&sr=8-11 , http://www.amazon.co.uk/GALE-GOLD-MONITOR-Speakers-Pair/dp/B0049MTRJ0/ref=sr_1_65?ie=UTF8&qid=1322328413&sr=8-65

 

[BenAdamson]

If I use active speakers, would I be able to use something like a Fiio E10 as a DAC, or would it be better to use a separate amp&DAC combo connected to passive speakers?

 

[BenAdamson]

Currently looking at the Q Acoustics 2010 or the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 - Which is better? Also, I don't really want to spend a ton on the amplifier, what is a decent cheap amplifier that will drive these speakers? I want to spend £100 on speakers and £50 on the amp.

 

[cuass]

Quote:

If I use active speakers, would I be able to use something like a Fiio E10 as a DAC, or would it be better to use a separate amp&DAC combo connected to passive speakers?

Yes. You can use the line out of the E10 to connect your speakers.
 

 

[JRG1990]

This is a decent amp http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-TOPAZ-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B0043UO4CS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322327861&sr=8-4&tag=vig-21 ,it's a bit over £50 but unless you buy used you won't get anything better for that price.