highest end computer speakers vs active monitors

[cut-copy-paste]

So I'm thinking of what kinda speaker setup to get for my computer. It's mostly for listening to a lot of music and some movies/games etc... but I do have a keen interest in video and audio and music editing that I want to pursue at a hobby sort of level, so clarity is quite important.

Right now I've vaguely narrowed it down these axiom computer speakers and the krk rokit (cause they seem good and are locally available). Also was pretty interested in these Swan M200MkIIs (though they seem really tricky to get ahold of) and the Maudio bx5as or one other of their nifty studio monitors.

So just looking for some opinions. I'm worried that the axioms will be lacking in the lower end since they seem to recommend purchasing a $170 sub to go along with them, but that pushes them out of my price range (definitely looking to keep it under 400).

I'm also not really sure if I should be looking more into active monitors, or more into a speaker system a la the axiom for my purposes.. or what the difference really is, practically.

Also if anyone knows any online store with good shipping rates to Canada, that would be groovy also!

Thanks!

 

[feverfive]

Might also wanna take a look at the AudioEngine A5; they are powered. I've had mine for less than a week, and after 40+ hrs of burn-in, I am very happy... I can't believe these speakers are as cheap as they are ($350 USD)....they sound better than many speakers costing much more, IMO.

 

[Operandi]

I think I would rule out the Axioms just on their size (or lack thereof) and low value. Any speaker that small is going to have weak bass so you'll almost need a sub to get decent coverage of the low end. It also looks like the drivers are just surface mounted and not flush with the baffle, considering the price thats not a great indication.

I think the KRK, or the M-Audio (and a lesser extent the Swans) would be a good choice. The KRKs (Rokit 5 I think) were on my short list before I decided to build my own.

If I was going to buy and not build I think I would go for something used on Audiogon in the form of passive monitors and an integrated amp. For $400 you should be able to come up with something pretty nice.

 

[cut-copy-paste]

those audioengines do look pretty sweet.. I can't seem to find them anywhere to order in Canada, though.
good comments about the axioms.. that's what i was worried about. the reviews i've read seem to adore them wholeheartedly.. but the reviews of them included the sub, so i dunno.
used may be a good idea.. a little more confusing for a neophyte like me though...

 

[warpdriver]

Yes the Audioengines are great, probably one of the best choice under $500 for a consumer speaker system. But I couldn't find any place to order them in Canada either.

The other recommendation would be the Blue Sky Exo 2.1, which is a bit more than $400. Blue Sky makes well regarded studio monitors

 

[cut-copy-paste]

ah! all these fecking decisions. I'm not totally jazzed on the idea of a woofer for some reason. I'm not huge into bass anyway, and I kinda want my speakers to be all inclusive

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I've ruled out the axiom computer system as it'd be a bit gimp without the woofer.. they do have some bookshelf speakers that are bigger and allegedly extremely well regarded.
Now if I went the route of some high end bookshelf speakers, what am I looking at in terms of cost for an amplifier/receiver/whatever it's called that gives the bookshelf speakers the power and the audio data... ?

 

[MurdochsTune]

I would go bi-amplified powered monitors all the way...I just bought a pair of Fostex pm0.5's not the most bang but it is for what I payed for it. Depends how big you wanna go Samson makes some sweet powered monitors like the Rubicons and Resolvs. The KRK's are really sweet, depends how much you want to pay.

 

[Operandi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cut-copy-paste /img/forum/go_quote.gif ah! all these fecking decisions. I'm not totally jazzed on the idea of a woofer for some reason. I'm not huge into bass anyway, and I kinda want my speakers to be all inclusive . I've ruled out the axiom computer system as it'd be a bit gimp without the woofer.. they do have some bookshelf speakers that are bigger and allegedly extremely well regarded. Now if I went the route of some high end bookshelf speakers, what am I looking at in terms of cost for an amplifier/receiver/whatever it's called that gives the bookshelf speakers the power and the audio data... ?

Bookshelf speakers certainly adds more options but keep in mind that bookshelf speakers and monitors are not exactly the same thing, some bookshelf's may not sound their best nearfeild on a desk. Someone else had basically the same questions in this thread so you may want to read it over.

If you do go with passive monitors or bookshelfs (vs. active speakers) you'll need an integrated amp to drive them, your sound card or DAC would be your source.

Cambridge Audio, and Rotel make some pretty nice mid-level amps that don't cost fortune, you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding a Canadian source. A T-amp from Trends or Firestone Audio would also be a good choice as long as the speakers are fairly efficient (88dBA or more). Again used on Ebay or Audiogon wouldn't be a bad idea.

Also keep in mind that going with a sub will not only allow you to get away with smaller speakers on your desk but will also net you better sound quality because it frees up the mains from trying to produce low bass frequencies.

 

[cut-copy-paste]

thanks a lot for that other thread... very useful. I think active monitors are the way to go probably.. i'm just apprehensive of how they tend to have the power buttons on the back.. seems a bit annoying... oh well i guess i just get them their own power bar. Also, I'm looking for my music and etc to sound good, not to make sure I can find all the flaws in it.. so will getting monitors to listen to mp3s etc just make me annoyed?
I'd probably jump on the audioengine speakers as they seem quite sweet but I don't see anywhere to get them in my area. I emailed a store in my town that has them listed as out of stock, and they haven't got back to me in like 5 days, so.. they basically lost a customer

 

[feverfive]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cut-copy-paste /img/forum/go_quote.gif thanks a lot for that other thread... very useful. I think active monitors are the way to go probably.. i'm just apprehensive of how they tend to have the power buttons on the back.. seems a bit annoying... oh well i guess i just get them their own power bar. Also, I'm looking for my music and etc to sound good, not to make sure I can find all the flaws in it.. so will getting monitors to listen to mp3s etc just make me annoyed? I'd probably jump on the audioengine speakers as they seem quite sweet but I don't see anywhere to get them in my area. I emailed a store in my town that has them listed as out of stock, and they haven't got back to me in like 5 days, so.. they basically lost a customer

Yeah, customer service these days...eek!! I emailed Blue Jeans Cable twice over a four day span about a cable build; never a response from them... Anyways, are you in the U.S.? If so, I'd order them directly from AudioEngine...I did, and the transaction went off w/out a hitch.

 

[cut-copy-paste]

nah i'm stuck up here in Canada.. not very much up though.. 60 miles from the US which surrounds me on 3 sides lol, but it's still so tricky to get that stuff up here.

 

[analogbox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by feverfive /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, customer service these days...eek!! I emailed Blue Jeans Cable twice over a four day span about a cable build; never a response from them... Anyways, are you in the U.S.? If so, I'd order them directly from AudioEngine...I did, and the transaction went off w/out a hitch.

I always wondered how these perform in the bass department since they don't have any subwoofers. Care to comment?

 

[frankR]

I use M-Audio BX5a bi-amp'ed monitors. They are an excelent value at $250.

 

[Operandi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cut-copy-paste /img/forum/go_quote.gif thanks a lot for that other thread... very useful. I think active monitors are the way to go probably.. i'm just apprehensive of how they tend to have the power buttons on the back.. seems a bit annoying... oh well i guess i just get them their own power bar. Also, I'm looking for my music and etc to sound good, not to make sure I can find all the flaws in it.. so will getting monitors to listen to mp3s etc just make me annoyed? I'd probably jump on the audioengine speakers as they seem quite sweet but I don't see anywhere to get them in my area. I emailed a store in my town that has them listed as out of stock, and they haven't got back to me in like 5 days, so.. they basically lost a customer

Entry level monitors might sound a bit dry or boring compared to mid-fi consumer speakers. Monitors are designed to have a flat response foremost. The one thing they can't do is color the sound one way or the other.

The Audioengine basically look like a consumer version of active monitors, same concept probably just not as neutral as a studio monitor. They look like nice speakers but for the price I don't think they are worth it (though I haven't heard them) $500 would get you some pretty nice studio monitors, the same goes for bookshelfs.

Aside from active monitors I was really considering going with the KEF iQ1s. I've heard the uni-q drivers before and was really impressed, coaxial (tweeter sits in the center of the woofer) deigns also make a lot of sense for near-field designs. Paired with a nice amp like this Pioneer and you'd have a pretty killer setup.

 

[cut-copy-paste]

i guess i can use EQ on my computer to colour the sound if I need. I'm just wondering if for general listening monitors are the best way to go.. based on availability i'm almost set on the krk 5s right now...