looking for a speaker setup

[Anthony Lo]

 

 

Share your notes, I have a friend looking for monitors too so if the F5 is a lot better I'd tell him not to order the LSR305 just yet and see if he can audition both.

 

 

 

Yes.

 

 

 

Wait....by "three monitors" you mean you have three displays running off your graphics card/s? They don't factor into the equation - for starters if you used HDMI instead of DVI or display port don't graphics cards have a lower resolution or refresh rate limits on HDMI? And even if you did the only thing you can hook them up to if you're sending sound out through HDMI is an A/V receiver with HDMI1.3 and up for inputs, and most of them can't feed a line signal let alone a preamp signal to powered speakers.

 

You're supposed to hook up the monitors' amplifier inputs to the soundcard's audio output, or the audio output on the motherboard. If you use a separate DAC-HPamp with preamp output, or an audio interface, you hook these up via USB (refer to the diagram above with a Scarlett interface) or SPDIF, and then analog cables from there to the monitors.

 
 
FYI, JBL LSR305 has hiss sound...

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/3p0tr4/lets_figure_out_jbl_lsr305_hissing/

I think it may happen in all Active speakers. Also please see the review from Cnet

http://www.cnet.com/news/jbl-lsr305-resetting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/

"One small fault was a very small amount of hiss/noise coming from the LSR305s, but once music was playing you won't notice the noise. Many other self-powered speakers have noise issues. The LSR305's noise is less noticeable than most."


 

 

[danielhowk]

   
 
FYI, JBL LSR305 has hiss sound...

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/3p0tr4/lets_figure_out_jbl_lsr305_hissing/

I think it may happen in all Active speakers. Also please see the review from Cnet

http://www.cnet.com/news/jbl-lsr305-resetting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/

"One small fault was a very small amount of hiss/noise coming from the LSR305s, but once music was playing you won't notice the noise. Many other self-powered speakers have noise issues. The LSR305's noise is less noticeable than most."


 

Yeah i know what you mean my Swan hivi H5, connecting to my TV have some serious hissing sounds. i thought was just the connection T.T but i guess not

 

[genclaymore]

Sounds like they gotten a bad LSR 305 as mine doesn't have that hiss/noise issue and I used them in a very quiet room. If mine was making any noise's I would have heard it even if it  subtle. Even the junky Numark N-Wave 360's i had didn't have noise issues. So i think they much had gotten a bad pair, I have mine ran thru XLR.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
FYI, JBL LSR305 has hiss sound...

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/3p0tr4/lets_figure_out_jbl_lsr305_hissing/

I think it may happen in all Active speakers. Also please see the review from Cnet

http://www.cnet.com/news/jbl-lsr305-resetting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/

"One small fault was a very small amount of hiss/noise coming from the LSR305s, but once music was playing you won't notice the noise. Many other self-powered speakers have noise issues. The LSR305's noise is less noticeable than most."

 
I'm going to guess it's probably because he used a SE output to feed the balanced input on the LSR305. My Swans D1080MkII08 had no hiss at sane listening levels, and it's not as good technically as the LSR305. 
 
Still this means either an affordable interface needs to be used instead of just a passive attenuator.

 

[danielhowk]

  Sounds like they gotten a bad LSR 305 as mine doesn't have that hiss/noise issue and I used them in a very quiet room. If mine was making any noise's I would have heard it even if it  subtle. Even the junky Numark N-Wave 360's i had didn't have noise issues. So i think they much had gotten a bad pair, I have mine ran thru XLR.

 
 

   
I'm going to guess it's probably because he used a SE output to feed the balanced input on the LSR305. My Swans D1080MkII08 had no hiss at sane listening levels, and it's not as good technically as the LSR305. 
 
Still this means either an affordable interface needs to be used instead of just a passive attenuator.

My JBL LSr305 still havent reach to the shop, no demo unit at the moment shipment got delay . 
@ProtegeManiac this is my motherboard output https://www.google.com/search?q=z170+asus+hero&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAkQ_AUoA2oVChMIr7-RiYznyAIVAyOUCh31iwQM&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=z170+asus+hero+audio&imgrc=fPdls5GVYPLpIM%3A
So i want B6 Elac (pair) + Amplifier + motherboard. are those enough ?
from what i read previously B6 Elac (pair) connect to the amplifier . And using Optical audio output connecting from Amp Optical audio to motherboard Optical audio right ? like https://www.google.com/search?q=Digital+audio+output&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMI-r_w3oznyAIVxpyUCh3Msgh-&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=optical+audio+output&imgrc=hvW6W59TcdnTJM%3A
B6 to amp, amp to motherboard using both Optical audio ? 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Originally Posted by danielhowk /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

 

My JBL LSr305 still havent reach to the shop, no demo unit at the moment shipment got delay . 

@ProtegeManiac this is my motherboard output https://www.google.com/search?q=z170+asus+hero&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAkQ_AUoA2oVChMIr7-RiYznyAIVAyOUCh31iwQM&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=z170+asus+hero+audio&imgrc=fPdls5GVYPLpIM%3A

So i want B6 Elac (pair) + Amplifier + motherboard. are those enough ?

from what i read previously B6 Elac (pair) connect to the amplifier . And using Optical audio output connecting from Amp Optical audio to motherboard Optical audio right ? like https://www.google.com/search?q=Digital+audio+output&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMI-r_w3oznyAIVxpyUCh3Msgh-&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=optical+audio+output&imgrc=hvW6W59TcdnTJM%3A

B6 to amp, amp to motherboard using both Optical audio ? 

 

You can't just use optical into an amplifier. Optical is SPDIF - Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format. Digital. That means the output from there is in 1101000010100000011010101010110000100101000101. You need a DAC to decode that.

 

When people suggest using the optical or coax output from a motherboard to a headphone amplifier, that's because many headphones are essentially like receivers - meaning, they have a DAC and an amplifier in the same box, and then have a preamplifier output to feed and control powered speakers. These are used with powered speakers like the JBL LSR305, Adam F5, Swans D200, etc - look again at the diagram I provided. Speakers with amplifiers built in can take a preamplifier output from an interface or a DAC-HPamp. The Elacs are not powered speakers, they are passive - that's why in the diagram I provided the NAD amplifier driving them is using RCA analogue inputs from a cropped photo of a NAD CDP's RCA analogue output.

 

That said there are amps that can take digital inputs, called receivers traditionally as they also take in a lot of different inputs, or you can use direct digital amplifiers. Or any speaker amp with a USB DAC built into the chassis.

 

Example of a stereo receiver for powering speakers (link below), note the 2x optical and 2x coaxial inputs. 

http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-8050&class=Receiver&source=prodClass

 

Example of a direct digital speaker amplifier (link below) - note the relative lack of inputs and outputs due to the design eliminating many analogue sections as on a traditional design.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/amplifier-reviews/nuforce-dda-100-review/

 

Examples of speaker amps with USB DACs (link below).

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nuforce7/icon.html

http://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp30-class-t-digital-mini-amplifier-with-usb-dac-15-wpc--310-312

 

Example of a DAC-HPamp-Preamp: 

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm

http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/conductor/

 

Example of an audio interface, ie, DAC+ADC, with preamp:

http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2

 

 

You can see which of these products can drive the Elac or feed the LSR305 just by looking at which outputs on any of them look like the inputs on the speakers.

 

[Anthony Lo]

   
 
My JBL LSr305 still havent reach to the shop, no demo unit at the moment shipment got delay . 
@ProtegeManiac this is my motherboard output https://www.google.com/search?q=z170+asus+hero&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAkQ_AUoA2oVChMIr7-RiYznyAIVAyOUCh31iwQM&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=z170+asus+hero+audio&imgrc=fPdls5GVYPLpIM%3A
So i want B6 Elac (pair) + Amplifier + motherboard. are those enough ?
from what i read previously B6 Elac (pair) connect to the amplifier . And using Optical audio output connecting from Amp Optical audio to motherboard Optical audio right ? like https://www.google.com/search?q=Digital+audio+output&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMI-r_w3oznyAIVxpyUCh3Msgh-&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=optical+audio+output&imgrc=hvW6W59TcdnTJM%3A
B6 to amp, amp to motherboard using both Optical audio ? 

 
The combo should be 
"B6 Elac (pair) + DAC(such as Modi 2 Uber) + Amplifier + motherboard"

 

[radmanhs]

After some waiting and thinking, I decided in going to splurge with some nice speakers. I decided on one of these 2 speakers. Either the airmotiv 6s's, or the kanto yumi's. Both seem very popular, but I'm not sure which one I like more.

 

[cuiter23]

From what I've heard around, the ELAC B5s with a cheap stereo amplifier. Forget the sub.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

After some waiting and thinking, I decided in going to splurge with some nice speakers. I decided on one of these 2 speakers. Either the airmotiv 6s's, or the kanto yumi's. Both seem very popular, but I'm not sure which one I like more.

 

The Kanto is more like the D200 - one speaker serves as the "Master" speaker, with all the amps in it plus a volume control in front. It has optical inputs - it's basically a very convenient to set-up speaker. Unlike the Swans though they only use two channels of amplification, whereas the Swans use four. The D200 is still stereo 2ch but it uses separate amplifier channels for the tweeters and midwoofers, kind of like studio monitors, plus it has gain controls for both.

 

The Airmotiv is a studio monitor like the LSR305. If you can splurge on whatever device has a proper preamp as well I'd choose this for two reasons. Primarily, because it uses a ribbon tweeter, which tends to have a smoother response curve especially at higher frequencies. Second, it has controls for the gain on the high and low pass, so if at your listening position the treble is a bit bright, just lower the gain on the tweeter channels on both speakers.

 

[danielhowk]

 

 

You can't just use optical into an amplifier. Optical is SPDIF - Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format. Digital. That means the output from there is in 1101000010100000011010101010110000100101000101. You need a DAC to decode that.

 

When people suggest using the optical or coax output from a motherboard to a headphone amplifier, that's because many headphones are essentially like receivers - meaning, they have a DAC and an amplifier in the same box, and then have a preamplifier output to feed and control powered speakers. These are used with powered speakers like the JBL LSR305, Adam F5, Swans D200, etc - look again at the diagram I provided. Speakers with amplifiers built in can take a preamplifier output from an interface or a DAC-HPamp. The Elacs are not powered speakers, they are passive - that's why in the diagram I provided the NAD amplifier driving them is using RCA analogue inputs from a cropped photo of a NAD CDP's RCA analogue output.

 

That said there are amps that can take digital inputs, called receivers traditionally as they also take in a lot of different inputs, or you can use direct digital amplifiers. Or any speaker amp with a USB DAC built into the chassis.

 

Example of a stereo receiver for powering speakers (link below), note the 2x optical and 2x coaxial inputs. 

http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-8050&class=Receiver&source=prodClass

 

Example of a direct digital speaker amplifier (link below) - note the relative lack of inputs and outputs due to the design eliminating many analogue sections as on a traditional design.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/amplifier-reviews/nuforce-dda-100-review/

 

Examples of speaker amps with USB DACs (link below).

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nuforce7/icon.html

http://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp30-class-t-digital-mini-amplifier-with-usb-dac-15-wpc--310-312

 

Example of a DAC-HPamp-Preamp: 

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm

http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/conductor/

 

Example of an audio interface, ie, DAC+ADC, with preamp:

http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2

 

 

You can see which of these products can drive the Elac or feed the LSR305 just by looking at which outputs on any of them look like the inputs on the speakers.

 
 

   
The combo should be 
"B6 Elac (pair) + DAC(such as Modi 2 Uber) + Amplifier + motherboard"

 
 

After some waiting and thinking, I decided in going to splurge with some nice speakers. I decided on one of these 2 speakers. Either the airmotiv 6s's, or the kanto yumi's. Both seem very popular, but I'm not sure which one I like more.

 
 

  From what I've heard around, the ELAC B5s with a cheap stereo amplifier. Forget the sub.

Wait a Amp is not a Receiver right. and a Receiver is better than an Amp in my scenario. Elac B6(pair) + Amp/Receiver(Which is better) + Z170 Hero Motherboard.
Marantz SR-6009 for example is a Receiver right ? i mean is written but im making sure that im on the right track.
http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=avreceivers&ProductId=SR6009
Receiver is always almost more expensive than an amp ? in nearly equal of its range.

 

[cuiter23]

   
 
 
 
 
 
Wait a Amp is not a Receiver right. and a Receiver is better than an Amp in my scenario. Elac B6(pair) + Amp/Receiver(Which is better) + Z170 Hero Motherboard.
Marantz SR-6009 for example is a Receiver right ? i mean is written but im making sure that im on the right track.
http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=avreceivers&ProductId=SR6009
Receiver is always almost more expensive than an amp ? in nearly equal of its range.

 
A receiver is an amp. A receiver usually has multiple amplified channels (7.1, 7.2 etc) while a stereo amplifier is strictly a 2 channel amplifier. In most cases, a 2 channel amplifier will be superior to any receiver as companies are able to allocate the highest grade components on only 2 channels rather than just throw a bunch of cheap components on multiple channels. This is even seen on Yamaha's "high-end" Aventage receiver line where a lot of the parts used are quite cheap and far from audiophile grade. Most 2 channels use AB class amps while a large portion of receivers use cheap class D amplifiers. Receivers are normally cheaper than high-end 2 channel amps.
 
I can go on forever about other improvements of 2 channel > a HT receiver. For 2 channels, you should buy a dual mono over a stereo. But for your purposes and budget, a stereo amplifier will be fine.
 
Lastly, if you want to skip the DAC and Pre-Amp altogether, just buy an integrated amplifier. An integrated amplifier means the phono stage (pre-amp) is already built-in and in most instances there will be a built-in DAC as well.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielhowk /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

Wait a Amp is not a Receiver right. and a Receiver is better than an Amp in my scenario. 

 

A receiver technically speaking is an amplifier with a lot of inputs and outputs, including digital. Basically it "receives" a lot of inputs. More commonly nowadays when people say "receiver" they mean home theater receivers, with 5 channels or more in their amplification circuit. 

 

Stereo receiver: http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-8050-43158.html

HT receiver: http://www.eu.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-nr545-123751.html

 

 

When we say amp it more likely means an integrated amplifier (has its own preamp built-in, but usually with limited 

 

Simple integrated amplifier: http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/D-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Amplifier

Traditional integrated amplifier: http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/C-356BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier

Direct Digital amplifier:  http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/536-nuforce-dda-100-direct-digital-integrated-amplifier

Power amplifier:  http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/M22-Stereo-Power-Amplifier

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielhowk /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

Elac B6(pair) + Amp/Receiver(Which is better) + Z170 Hero Motherboard.

 

It depends on more on which particular stereo amp or stereo receiver than in general. At best, in some cases you can get better value out of using an amplifier in terms of how much less you pay for certain integrated amps, but there are other features that you might find important if at least down the road. Network receivers for example can access HDDs through your home network, and then can be controlled by a smartphone app much like browsing the content on the smartphone itself.

 

That said some HT receivers can be had for around $300 on Amazon, and the main benefit to those - as well as the stereo receivers - is that they have subwoofer outputs. The question is what you can get where you are.

 

Another particular factor in terms of your application is how far will your seat be from the speakers. If you're going to sit near them anyway, like have them on the desk, then you might as well use nearfield speakers, like the Adam and JBL.

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielhowk /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

Marantz SR-6009 for example is a Receiver right ? i mean is written but im making sure that im on the right track.

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=avreceivers&ProductId=SR6009

Receiver is always almost more expensive than an amp ? in nearly equal of its range.

 

That's an HT receiver. Do you need all the channels in it? Are you setting up a surround system?

 

My main issue with some HT receivers is that some brands will quote a screaming "150watts x 6," and then you read the fine print that says "150watts, 8ohms, 1khz, one channel driven." Which means even with two channels driving speakers it can be a lot lower than that. Not that you actually need all 150watts, it's just that it isn't the best 150watts. If you aren't setting up a surround system the only benefit of a receiver is the subwoofer output.

 

[danielhowk]

 

 

A receiver technically speaking is an amplifier with a lot of inputs and outputs, including digital. Basically it "receives" a lot of inputs. More commonly nowadays when people say "receiver" they mean home theater receivers, with 5 channels or more in their amplification circuit. 

 

Stereo receiver: http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-8050-43158.html

HT receiver: http://www.eu.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-nr545-123751.html

 

 

When we say amp it more likely means an integrated amplifier (has its own preamp built-in, but usually with limited 

 

Simple integrated amplifier: http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/D-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Amplifier

Traditional integrated amplifier: http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/C-356BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier

Direct Digital amplifier:  http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/536-nuforce-dda-100-direct-digital-integrated-amplifier

Power amplifier:  http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/M22-Stereo-Power-Amplifier

 

 

 

 

It depends on more on which particular stereo amp or stereo receiver than in general. At best, in some cases you can get better value out of using an amplifier in terms of how much less you pay for certain integrated amps, but there are other features that you might find important if at least down the road. Network receivers for example can access HDDs through your home network, and then can be controlled by a smartphone app much like browsing the content on the smartphone itself.

 

That said some HT receivers can be had for around $300 on Amazon, and the main benefit to those - as well as the stereo receivers - is that they have subwoofer outputs. The question is what you can get where you are.

 

Another particular factor in terms of your application is how far will your seat be from the speakers. If you're going to sit near them anyway, like have them on the desk, then you might as well use nearfield speakers, like the Adam and JBL.

 

 

 

That's an HT receiver. Do you need all the channels in it? Are you setting up a surround system?

 

My main issue with some HT receivers is that some brands will quote a screaming "150watts x 6," and then you read the fine print that says "150watts, 8ohms, 1khz, one channel driven." Which means even with two channels driving speakers it can be a lot lower than that. Not that you actually need all 150watts, it's just that it isn't the best 150watts. If you aren't setting up a surround system the only benefit of a receiver is the subwoofer output.

 
 

   
A receiver is an amp. A receiver usually has multiple amplified channels (7.1, 7.2 etc) while a stereo amplifier is strictly a 2 channel amplifier. In most cases, a 2 channel amplifier will be superior to any receiver as companies are able to allocate the highest grade components on only 2 channels rather than just throw a bunch of cheap components on multiple channels. This is even seen on Yamaha's "high-end" Aventage receiver line where a lot of the parts used are quite cheap and far from audiophile grade. Most 2 channels use AB class amps while a large portion of receivers use cheap class D amplifiers. Receivers are normally cheaper than high-end 2 channel amps.
 
I can go on forever about other improvements of 2 channel > a HT receiver. For 2 channels, you should buy a dual mono over a stereo. But for your purposes and budget, a stereo amplifier will be fine.
 
Lastly, if you want to skip the DAC and Pre-Amp altogether, just buy an integrated amplifier. An integrated amplifier means the phono stage (pre-amp) is already built-in and in most instances there will be a built-in DAC as well.

Hi, sorry for the late reply, my comp spoiled few weeks ago, and have to buy a new comp, took me ages learning how to build up a PC. in the meantime i went around testing speakers
for me Adam's F5. the tweeter sounded really good. it feels like a concert around me. near field experience sitting maybe 3ft away? when i was testing Adam F5, they set up a Dvd system to play music from there. i even tried it with directly connecting it to their laptop and playing high quality sound from there. i just love the mid to high. especially vocal. might be lacking some bass ( songs like Trance)
i tried JBL LSR 305 too. this time is connected to an Amp they said cost about $350. yes JBL LSR 305 did have more bass. but felt just a slight increase. still wasnt really enough for trance (hardwell). i sat about 3ft away. same distance. it just couldnt compare to a actual 2.1 (m50w swan) my m50w swan always feels enough bass. 
i want to buy a Elac B6 (pair for 2.0 system. near field) for desktop usage. which amp/ receiver would you recommend? from what ive read it seems elac b6 will be better, in terms of bass.
but my oh my. did the Adam Ribbon tweeter sound great. is like orgasm to the ear. but with pros and cons on what type of music i listen to. i might need to get the elacb6. so please recommend a good setup for it since it needs an amp/receiver to go with it.
again sorry for the late reply. pc died 

 

[bigx5murf]

I've had a set of klipsch promedia 4.1 (been using them as 2.1 mostly after rear channel novelty wore off), since 2002. They lasted me from highschool, throughout college dorm life, till now, the foam surrounds on my sub finally deteriorated a few months ago. For the money, I'm guessing they're going to be really difficult to beat unless you hunt down used deals. Their signature is pretty much overwhelming bass though. A good DAC will tighten up their bass significantly though, so highly recommend budgeting for one with them.