[VanillaSound]

I need computer speakers, my laptop speakers won't do. I mostly listen to rap, rock, jazz, occasional classical, etc. I also plan to use it for gaming, movies, etc. I want there to be a noticeable bass but not overpowering.
 
The most popular speakers I see around head-fi are either AudioEngine A5 or Maudio BX5A or some sort of Swans. Can someone PLEASE help me to find good speakers for under $300? At MOST $400. If someone already answered this than please link me to the OP. (By that, I mean a good review and comparisons of the speakers and not some other person who needs the help).
 
HELP ME WITH MY PROBLEM HEAD-FI THANKS IN ADVANCE.
 
EDIT: I have nowhere to go listen to these on my own.

 

[Radio_head]

A pair of A5's would run 315 with their perpetual coupon code.  Best thing about it is their 30 day audition.  If it under/overwhelms you, just send it back.
 
Searching tricks, do a search on the forum for something like "best computer speakers," or search google for comparisons on specific brands you are searching, ie "swan vs audioengine."
 
also depends on the size of your room and how audible you want them to be to the rest of your house.

 

[trog]

Up to $400 you could really land decent bookshelf speakers, DTA-100A T-Amp or beefy stereo amp and a proper 8-10" sub 

Dipping into the used market you could prolly land a 5.1 surround sound processor/receiver if expanding to 5.1 later down the road is on the cards Where u at - shops that sell hifi/audio stuff would allow peeps to audition whatever that catches their fancy really so dun be shy 

 

[loopfreak]

That is something that should not be missed, If I was in the US would jump on for sure.
What is your source, Integrated or....?
Quote:

A pair of A5's would run 315 with their perpetual coupon code. Best thing about it is their 30 day audition

 

[loopfreak]

Double post

 

[Destroysall]

 I recommend this setup.  It's really the best and some, if not most, bookshelves are better than branded speakers/monitors (Audioengine, M-Audio).  Personally, for laptop usage, I would say go with trog's recommended setup and maybe get some Polk Audio speakers off of Newegg for a decent price and pair that with the Dayton 8"/10" sub from Parts-Express.  That would be a pretty decent setup. 
 
 
Quote:

Up to $400 you could really land decent bookshelf speakers, DTA-100A T-Amp or beefy stereo amp and a proper 8-10" sub 

Dipping into the used market you could prolly land a 5.1 surround sound processor/receiver if expanding to 5.1 later down the road is on the cards Where u at - shops that sell hifi/audio stuff would allow peeps to audition whatever that catches their fancy really so dun be shy 

However, if a branded setup is a must, I would suggest the A2s instead of the A5s. They are cheaper, portable (good for laptop), and they sound great. You can always add a sub to match the price of the A5 and have way better bass than the A5 would have.
 
 

 

[JRG1990]

Yea id recommend the passive set-up aswell, but if you do want actives for a 2.1 consider the edifier s530 which is basically 2 small bookshelfs and a sub and dac all in 1 , or for a 2.0 the prodipe pro 5's way better than the audio engines and also cost half as much, the audio engines are overpriced and the a2's sound horrible, also recently there have been a few threads on head-fi with people having problems with there audio engine speakers so the bulid quality is also questionable and not up to it's price tag.

 

[batphink]

Harmon Kardon is selling refurbished Soundsticks III for $118.30 .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harman-Kardon-2-1-Channel-SOUND-STICKS-3AM-Sound-System-/150667873497?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2314814cd9#ht_3160wt_754
 

 

[VanillaSound]

Where can I buy the edifier s530 or the prodipe pro 5?
 
I don't want to trog's setup because that seems way too complicated for me. I'm just a noob and want some decent speakers to start out with ^^.

 

[Destroysall]

Well, there is also the AV40s.  Not too sure how they would compare in much to Audioengine, but they are studio monitors and they sound great.  Not a bad price too, and they have a built in bass-boost feature.

 

[kiteki]

 
Nice avatar

 

[alv4426]

Here I literally just plugged in Stereo receiver in amazon and picked cheapest stuff that look like they would work good for you
$99
http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX-4109-Stereo-Receiver-Black/dp/B000MBUSD6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1317289128&sr=8-4
 
and bookshelf speakers $40
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B1000-8-Inch-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B000OG88KY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317289198&sr=1-1
 
and sub $70
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SA-W2500-Performance-Line-Subwoofer/dp/B000OL3QTW/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317289445&sr=1-2
 
CABLES
3.5mm to RCA $2.50
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317289537&sr=1-1
 
Sub LFE cable if you dont have one already $6
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-PureAV-AV20500-25-25-Foot-Subwoofer/dp/B0001XGQTA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317289572&sr=1-1
 
Grand total around $220 and this stuff is all free shipping. If you wanted to get better stuff, I would say get bookshelf speakers in the $100 range or a receiver in the $150 range, but the stuff above should be good enough.

 

[JRG1990]

Quote:

Where can I buy the edifier s530 or the prodipe pro 5?
 
I don't want to trog's setup because that seems way too complicated for me. I'm just a noob and want some decent speakers to start out with ^^.

amazon,ebay , google product search , local music shop.
 
The set-up trog suggestedis easy to put together it's just a case of connecting up a few wires.
 

 

[Destroysall]

 
Quote:

 
Nice avatar

Who, me??  If so, thank you! 
 
 
Anyways, here is another, and relatively a real cheap, setup if you'd like this route, it really is simple, not hard at all.
 
 
Lepai Tripath TA2020 Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-300&FTR=
 
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652&FTR=dayton%20b652
 
Dayton Audio SUB-80 8" 80 Watt Powered Subwoofer
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-631
 
Belkin PureAv Blue Series Speaker Wires
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=109-040
 
 
 
This will be a pretty balanced and decent setup.  Have a cable going from your computer to the amp, then the bookshelves to the amp.  For the subwoofer, just use the RCA line out and plug that in the RCA line in on the amp, and wala!!  This is a great setup for a start and will sound better than almost any computer speaker setup.  You can also add these for better isolation:
 
Auralex Subwoofer Isolation Riser
http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-Subwoofer-Isolation-15x15x2-inch-Charcoal/dp/B001140OZ0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1317367067&sr=8-4
 
Auralex MOPAD Monitor Isolation Pads
http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-MOPAD-Monitor-Isolation-Charcoal/dp/B0002D0B4K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317367067&sr=8-2

 

[chones]

 
Who, me??  If so, thank you! 
 
 
Anyways, here is another, and relatively a real cheap, setup if you'd like this route, it really is simple, not hard at all.
 
 
Lepai Tripath TA2020 Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-300&FTR=
 
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652&FTR=dayton%20b652
 
Dayton Audio SUB-80 8" 80 Watt Powered Subwoofer
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-631
 
Belkin PureAv Blue Series Speaker Wires
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=109-040
 
 
 
This will be a pretty balanced and decent setup.  Have a cable going from your computer to the amp, then the bookshelves to the amp.  For the subwoofer, just use the RCA line out and plug that in the RCA line in on the amp, and wala!!  This is a great setup for a start and will sound better than almost any computer speaker setup.  You can also add these for better isolation:
 
Auralex Subwoofer Isolation Riser
http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-Subwoofer-Isolation-15x15x2-inch-Charcoal/dp/B001140OZ0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1317367067&sr=8-4
 
Auralex MOPAD Monitor Isolation Pads
http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-MOPAD-Monitor-Isolation-Charcoal/dp/B0002D0B4K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317367067&sr=8-2

I just purchased the above setup (minus the sub) and can say that it's a definite improvement over my previous amped speakers (Swan M-10s). I am not an audiophile and could not begin to offer an in-depth analysis but, to my ears, this setup sounds fantastic and was extremely inexpensive.

I did, however, have a question (sorry to hijack thread). Do you think I would benefit from some sort of external USB DAC or soundcard (currently have onboard)?