Need help picking speakers for desktop :)

[aelitis]

I am looking for speakers for my desktop. I have been just using my headphones (ATH50x and sennheiser598) for everything. I have soundblaster z for my sound card. Would like something ~500$s, but willing to spend more for quality. Mostly for listening to music (pop, hip hop, classical) for when I'm tired of wearing headphones. Thx!
Complete noob so please excuse some dumb question.

 

[jrflanne]

I had a pair of Audioengine 5+'s. Really liked them. They are a little large but not exceedingly so. 

 

[aelitis]

More questions
1. Klipsch R15PM (over priced?) and need subwoofer (recommendations?). Mostly on my list because of simplicity. I don't have a receiver or anything else. Of course, Bluetooth is always a plus.
2. ELAC Debut B6. Need receiver (recommendations? Completely clueless) and subwoofer. Another question, do I need an external DAC with soundblaster z?
The same can probably be said for the others B&W 685 S2, Emotiva airmotiv 6s, audioengine 5, etc.

 

[jrflanne]

You do not need an external DAC, but I used a Schiit stack with mine. No sub. None required. 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Need receiver (recommendations? Completely clueless) and subwoofer. Another question, do I need an external DAC with soundblaster z?

 

You will only need a receiver if you will use passive speakers, so the receiver's amplifier section will drive them. Another reason is that specifically for HT receivers and newer stereo receivers, they have a dedicated subwoofer output.

 

Now, you have a SoundBlaster Z, and you need the speakers on your desk. Nearly all but a handful of passive speakers out there are not designed for nearfield use. Many do well otherwise, but you have a few considerations here:

 

1. The SoundBlaster Z has a DSP, DAC, and 5.1 line output. The receiver has a DSP, DAC, 5.1 amplifier (and maybe preamp output), a host of inputs and other outputs including video pass through. 

 

2. The SoundBlaster Z is already in your computer and paid for. You still have to buy a receiver and it will occupy a gigantic chunk of space on your desk.

 

3. A receiver has a rotary volume control, but the SBZ doesn't. 

 

Basically, you don't really need a receiver as the SBZ has all the important features except for the amplifier, in which case, given you will use them nearfield it is more advisable that you get powered speakers if not outright studio monitors instead. At that point you can keep using the SBZ which also has a dedicated subwoofer output, and then later if you use headphones that need better amplification, just get a DAC-HPamp that has a preamp output and then run a splitter from there to the monitors and subwoofer. You'll just need to fine tune the gain to work properly as such.

 

[cel4145]

2. ELAC Debut B6. Need receiver (recommendations? Completely clueless) and subwoofer. Another question, do I need an external DAC with soundblaster z?
The same can probably be said for the others B&W 685 S2, Emotiva airmotiv 6s, audioengine 5, etc.

The ELACs measure to have pretty good bass response down to 50hz. So sort of depends on what you listen to as to whether or not you need a sub. I just picked up a used pair of Ascend Sierra 1s recently, and they sound amazing: http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html.

The Soundblaster Z will sound very good for connecting up speakers/speaker amp. I would invest in speakers instead where you will get more bang for your buck.