Goign for my first awesome speakers and amp setup for pc need suggestions

[vincedea]

hello everyone,  I going to do my first awesome speaker and amp setup for my pc.  But I am not sure what I should be getting.  I was thinking of these speakers:
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687
 
Today is the last day but I read these usually go on sale quite often.
 
 
Do you have other suggestions with other speakers, type of amp, and also a sub woofer.  In the end I would like an awesome 2.1 system for computer and or my laptop. 
 
 
I mainly use my computer for music,games, and movies.
 
Budget wise I dont want to go crazy in spending lots of money on this, so I would like to keep the budget at around $200-$400 or so.  The subwoofer can come later but would like to get the speakers, amp, and whatever wires I might need.
 
 
Thank you for your help and pelase let me know your suggestions.  I am pretty excited about this

 

[TrollDragon]

Check this article out...
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57439115-47/build-your-own-desktop-stereo-for-under-$70/
 
 
I have this Corsair system and I would NOT recommend it to anyone.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836852001
 
This though is one fine system here and is what the Corsair should have been...
http://www.edifier.us.com/shop-edifier?CategoryID=25&List=1&catpageindex=2&Level=a&ProductID=30
 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

hello everyone,  I going to do my first awesome speaker and amp setup for my pc.  But I am not sure what I should be getting.  I was thinking of these speakers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687
Today is the last day but I read these usually go on sale quite often.
Do you have other suggestions with other speakers, type of amp, and also a sub woofer.  In the end I would like an awesome 2.1 system for computer and or my laptop. 
I mainly use my computer for music,games, and movies.
Budget wise I don't want to go crazy in spending lots of money on this, so I would like to keep the budget at around $200-$400 or so.  The sub-woofer can come later but would like to get the speakers, amp, and whatever wires I might need.
Thank you for your help and please let me know your suggestions.  I am pretty excited about this

Parts-Express can put together a fairly decent 2.1 for under $200
TrollDragon has a link to a review about the speakers and amplifier.
Here is a link to the sub-woofers.
http://www.parts-express.com/cat/powered-subwoofers/95
 
Here is a link to a USB DAC Hifimediy Sabre ($52), should improve the audio quality.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140847495065?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[vincedea]

Check this article out...
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57439115-47/build-your-own-desktop-stereo-for-under-$70/


I have this Corsair system and I would NOT recommend it to anyone.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836852001

This though is one fine system here and is what the Corsair should have been...
http://www.edifier.us.com/shop-edifier?CategoryID=25&List=1&catpageindex=2&Level=a&ProductID=30

The speaker system is pretty dam expensive. What would be the difference in that and me building my own?

 

[vincedea]

Quote:

hello everyone, I going to do my first awesome speaker and amp setup for my pc. But I am not sure what I should be getting. I was thinking of these speakers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687
Today is the last day but I read these usually go on sale quite often.
Do you have other suggestions with other speakers, type of amp, and also a sub woofer. In the end I would like an awesome 2.1 system for computer and or my laptop.
I mainly use my computer for music,games, and movies.
Budget wise I don't want to go crazy in spending lots of money on this, so I would like to keep the budget at around $200-$400 or so. The sub-woofer can come later but would like to get the speakers, amp, and whatever wires I might need.
Thank you for your help and please let me know your suggestions. I am pretty excited about this

Parts-Express can put together a fairly decent 2.1 for under $200
TrollDragon has a link to a review about the speakers and amplifier.
Here is a link to the sub-woofers.
http://www.parts-express.com/cat/powered-subwoofers/95

Here is a link to a USB DAC Hifimediy Sabre ($52), should improve the audio quality.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140847495065?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

What brand should i look into for my speakers?

For the sub i was thinking the energy s10.3 but its a bit expensive.

 

[concrete]

I have Dayton Audio speakers and they are great and cheap. Look up the reviews on their B652 speakers that cost $45 per pair.

 

[TrollDragon]

Quote:

The speaker system is pretty dam expensive. What would be the difference in that and me building my own?

Not really that expensive for an all in one package...
 
Cheap speakers are just that, cheap speakers... they will only take you so far and only sound so good. The little amp in the review only puts out 20 Watts so it has a good volume for a bedroom sized room at a moderate level or sitting in front of them at your desk.
 
The Audioengine A5+ are considered one of the best starting point speakers for desktop use but now your looking at $400 for a nice pair of 50 Watt desktop's that will fill a room with excellent sound. They are self powered so no amp is required & you can add a sub down the road.
 
Also like PurpleAngel said you'll need a DAC as well depending on your current source, and once you start adding up all the little pieces (Speakers, Sub, Amp, DAC etc...) you'll get to $400 very quickly.
 
IMHO the old adage of you get what you pay for holds true...
 
You have an exciting journey ahead of you and much research is the key to an excellent sounding system.

 

[vincedea]

Quote:

Not really that expensive for an all in one package...
 
Cheap speakers are just that, cheap speakers... they will only take you so far and only sound so good. The little amp in the review only puts out 20 Watts so it has a good volume for a bedroom sized room at a moderate level or sitting in front of them at your desk.
 
The Audioengine A5+ are considered one of the best starting point speakers for desktop use but now your looking at $400 for a nice pair of 50 Watt desktop's that will fill a room with excellent sound. They are self powered so no amp is required & you can add a sub down the road.
 
Also like PurpleAngel said you'll need a DAC as well depending on your current source, and once you start adding up all the little pieces (Speakers, Sub, Amp, DAC etc...) you'll get to $400 very quickly.
 
IMHO the old adage of you get what you pay for holds true...
 
You have an exciting journey ahead of you and much research is the key to an excellent sounding system.

I was thinking about getting the Audioengines A5 but then i decided i wanted to do something of my own type of build with an amp and everything.  i figure it would be fun and can always upgrade on different parts of the setup.
 
As of now I think i only want to get speakers and an amp.  Then the sub later on.  i guess right now I am leaning towards the pioneers that newegg had on sale, but are there better ones to get that would allow me to hold off the sub for a bit?

 

[TrollDragon]

That is cool too, and a lot of fun too boot!
 
Here is a review on the Pioneers http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs41-lr-loudspeaker from 2011 but you have to take all reviews with a grain of salt.
 
I don't do speakers as I live in an apartment (Except for the Corsair that I have to keep turned down...) so others in the know of bookshelf speakers might have better suggestions.
 

 

[classicalguy]

I've been following the Pioneer SP-BS41s since they came out.  I was using a nuforce ikon dac/pre/amp with a pair of Infinity P143 speakers, and it sounded fine, but I was never happy with it.  When the BS41s dropped to $85 delivered on closeout I jumped on them.  I have to say that I'm incredibly impressed with the sound of these speakers.  Especially the three dimensional imaging.  I feel like I'm in the mix with these speakers.  Also, the highs are very smooth - you can listen for hours without fatigue.  I find myself listening to much more orchestral music because they just sound so right.  They are a very significant improvement over my old Infinity speakers.  Really lovely sound.  
 
I have never heard the BS21s, which have a significantly smaller mid/woofer and cabinet.  I've heard they have a similar house sound, but don't go as low.  If you have a multi-channel amp that will blend with a sub, and a sub, the BS21s may be fine.  But if you're going solo with a T-Amp or 2 channel amp, I'd recommend spending the extra for the 41s when they go on sale.  
 
I have them sitting on a desk, and have really been enjoying them.  
 
There are a lot of people around here recommending building your own speakers.  I built speakers when I was younger, but they were no match for the kind of careful design that goes into a professionally designed speaker like this.  There is more involved than sticking drivers in a box.  Unless you really know what you're doing, I would not recommend building your own speakers.  Also, If your looking for unnatural sounding speakers that impress for 15 minutes (overly bright), these are not for you.  These are best for someone that really loves accurate sounding speakers.  Acoustic instruments and voices sound very natural.  Given the compromises inherent in this price range, Pioneer really got things right with this speaker.
 
By the way, I've heard the Daytons, and they are ok for $45.  However, they are not in the same league as the Pioneers.  Maybe it's not a fair comparison because the Pioneers were retailing for $150-200, but they are getting close in price when on sale for $85.  I guess that's technically double the price, but it's a far better speaker in every way.  I suspect the BS21s on sale for $50 are a lot better than the Daytons too, but won't have the lows because of the smaller woofer.  

 

[TrollDragon]

My bad, that link was a review of the 41's not 21's...
The post above by classicalguy should sway you to spend a little more on the better version, if that is the type of sound your looking for in a speaker.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

 

[vincedea]

Ok guys i have made a decision. I think i will go with the B21s since they are a bit smaller and cheaper. I will get a sub later on, so what type of amp should i get and what other equipment will i need to make everythign sound awesome from playing games, music, and movies.  this will be plugged into my computer

 

[TrollDragon]

I'd go with the Topping TP60 amp looks just right for those speakers.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-326

 

[classicalguy]

The Topping looks really nice, but not cheap. This $23 amp would be adequate, if you've got a decent signal.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-300

If you're going to get a sub later, you should probably get a receiver with sub support. I'm a fan of digital amps, but there is no denying the convenience of a receiver or integrated amp with bass management and preamp switching.

I'm looking forward to your review of the smaller pioneers. They are a very good deal when on sale for $50 a pair.

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Ok guys i have made a decision. I think i will go with the B21s since they are a bit smaller and cheaper. I will get a sub later on, so what type of amp should i get and what other equipment will i need to make everything sound awesome from playing games, music, and movies.  This will be plugged into my computer

Computer audio is not designed for a 2.1 speaker/sub-woofer (3-channel) setup, computer audio only comes with 2, 4, 6, 8-channel setting.
Usually the computer is set for 2-channel audio and the external "Computer audio" 2.1 setup separates/creatives the sub-woofer channel out of the 2-channel audio signal.
Usually with a "Computer Audio 2.1" everything is built into the sub-woofer box, it's lower cost just to have one (cheap) amplifier built into the sub-woofer, to power the sub and both speakers.
 
Receivers are designed to separate out a sub-woofer signal from a 2-channel signal.
So if you get a receiver to go with whatever pair of speakers you get, you can then in the future, add just about any sub-woofer you like.
Just have to plug it into the "sub-woofer" out on the back of the receiver.
 
I think you should just keep checking your local Craigslist ADs for a used receiver and 2.1 speaker setup.
Some sellers will sometimes sell off some nice stuff for a low price.