Help choosing speakers or amp

[Fretus]

I am looking to improve my sound quality a little and need some advice on my options. I have about $200 to spend and am looking for a 2.0 system were I can add a sub later or a 2.1 setup right away. Currently have a set of sony bookshelf speakers that are going unused and a HT Omega Striker sound card that will hopefully provide me with the outputs I need. After reading for several days I have learned a lot, but think I am more confused about what to do then when I started. lol

Should I look at buying an amp to power my speakers or get a set of powered speakers? The bookshelfs will find a home either way. Can I also get some suggestions on what to buy? I have a better idea on the powered speakers, but am completely lost if I decide to use my current speakers. I think I would just need an amp, but this is the part that started to confuse me.

 

[AlexP]

If you decide to use your current speakers, you would only need an amp, nothing else.
What are these Sony bookshelf speakers? Which model? Depending on that, it might be better to get a $200 amp. If they're crap tho, you'll be better off with a $200 set of powered speakers. Unless you wanna DIY I guess

 

[Fretus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexP /img/forum/go_quote.gif What are these Sony bookshelf speakers? Which model?

Model: Sony SS-H551
I really do not know that much about the speakers, they were given to me about a year ago and havent been used in a while.

 

[AlexP]

Hm, not much info on these, 15 cm woofers / 5 cm tweeters, and it seems they're part of some Sony mini-hifi systems. Can't be sure, but I think you can get much, much better powered speakers in the $200 range.

What are the dimensions of the room you will be listening in? Will your speakers be near-field (for example, on your desk next to your PC screen)?
And, where do you live? USA, Europe, Aus?

 

[Fretus]

I live in the USA and it will be near field. They will be on my desk on both sides of my monitor and should sit about shoulder level with my current setup. The overall room size is about 12' x 15'.

 

[sandchak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretus /img/forum/go_quote.gif I live in the USA and it will be near field. They will be on my desk on both sides of my monitor and should sit about shoulder level with my current setup. The overall room size is about 12' x 15'.

Get rid of the Sony speakers, get hold of a pair of Audioengine A2 powered speakers, new should cost you USD200 shipped - enjoy the little beasts and later on you can think about adding a sub..

For more on A2s - here is a review :

Stereophile: Audioengine 2 powered loudspeaker

 

[AlexP]

Agreed! Haven't heard the Audioengines as I live in Europe, but from your description, powered monitors are the way to go, and the A2s seem nice for the price. (Again, unless you plan to DIY).

 

[Fretus]

The A2's seem to be highly regarded based on what I have read, but I am currious how they compare to the Swan D1080MKII or Swan M200MkII. I have seen both recommended a lot also. If the D1080MKII are comparable, doubtful considering the much lower price, the possibility of adding in a sub now might be in my budget. From elsewhere I had heard the Dayton SUB-80 8" HT for the price was pretty good.

 

[sandchak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretus /img/forum/go_quote.gif The A2's seem to be highly regarded based on what I have read, but I am currious how they compare to the Swan D1080MKII or Swan M200MkII. I have seen both recommended a lot also. If the D1080MKII are comparable, doubtful considering the much lower price, the possibility of adding in a sub now might be in my budget. From elsewhere I had heard the Dayton SUB-80 8" HT for the price was pretty good.

Well I have both the Audioengine A2 and the Swan M200MKII and also had the the original Swans M200, which had issues with the left speaker dying out after a while.
This issue has been rectified in the MKII model and also it has been beefed up with a higher wattage amp.
My personal choice between the two is MKII, the difference between the two being :

1) The A2s are far smaller in size and can easily placed on the desk, unlike the MKII which are monsters for a multimedia speakers, I mean they are as close you can get to a proper bookshelf speakers, so you have to keep the dimensions of the speaker in mind before you buy one.

2) The MKII delivers the lower frequencies far more than the A2s, that is purely due to the size of the midbass woofer which is twice the size of the ones in A2s.

3) As far as signature of the sound, the A2s are forward sounding, while the MKIIs are more laid back, so it depends on your taste.

Finally, BOTH are great speakers in their own rights. Although I think MKII might slightly overshoot your budget with shipping..

Hope this helps.

PS, if you are looking at these two speakers, I think both these are far better than the D1080MKII..

There is one more speaker that you might want to look at, I heard this at my friends place and I can say it just blows both the MKII and A2s - I mean there is no comparison, its extremely musical .. you dont need to think about a sub for sometime, although this will surely overshoot your budget, considering that you would also need an amp to drive them, can start with a decent T-amp to begin.. but just in case you can get hold of a good used pair, it would be a mighty upgrade !

Heres the link for Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE :

CBM-170 SE High Performance Bookshelf Loudspeaker

 

[xxbaker]

Also check out maudio bx5a deluxe. You can get them for less than $200 (for example Amazon.com: M-Audio BX5a 5" BiAmplified Studio Monitor Speakers: Musical Instruments). I haven't listened to the A2 speakers, but I have heard these and they're are quite good.

 

[sandchak]

Yes, the m-audios are another good speaker I auditioned, I guess with your budget it would be a toss between the M-Audios and the Swans.. you wouldn't go wrong with either..