[Rknrolls]

Newbie here - I have been trying to Google like crazy and search endlessly on headfi forums etc. but I am now just confused even more! I'd really appreciate if someone could just help me out here..... So what I'm looking for is basically a decent set of speakers (my first pair!) with good bass response. I am not going to create music etc. hence do not need monitors with a flat response etc. (forgive my lack of terminology here). What I have learnt is that I must get a DAC e.g. Audioengine D1 OR the Schiit Modi 2 perhaps. Apart from that I know I want active speakers i.e. def do not want a separate amp due to space restrictions and also I really dont have the time to research into amps and getting the best setup with passive speakers! All I am after is really a set of speakers with a decent sub e.g.  2.1 setup. I am not looking to mix or make music hence dont need "monitors" as such. 
 
So far - 
 
* Audioengine A5+ look good but given how old they are I am thinking I should get something newer? Perhaps I should just get these for starters?
* Kef x300a - good reviews etc. but I realised you cannot connect  subwoofer without a mod on these! I definitely need the extra bass
* B&W MM-1 - again I think these are a bit old now
* Kef eggs - dont really like the shape of these .....I think you can connect a sub to this though
* M-audio - should I get the carbons or the AV series?
* JBL 305s - do these have a good bass response? many have said these are better than the a5+
 
My budget is around £600 max. hence I am not going for the usual "logitech" option and be done with it.
 
Would someone mind helping out with their thoughts? 
 
Cheers

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Newbie here - I have been trying to Google like crazy and search endlessly on headfi forums etc. but I am now just confused even more! I'd really appreciate if someone could just help me out here..... So what I'm looking for is basically a decent set of speakers (my first pair!) with good bass response. I am not going to create music etc. hence do not need monitors with a flat response etc. (forgive my lack of terminology here). What I have learnt is that I must get a DAC e.g. Audioengine D1 OR the Schiit Modi 2 perhaps. Apart from that I know I want active speakers i.e. def do not want a separate amp due to space restrictions and also I really dont have the time to research into amps and getting the best setup with passive speakers! All I am after is really a set of speakers with a decent sub e.g.  2.1 setup. I am not looking to mix or make music hence dont need "monitors" as such. 
* Audioengine A5+ look good but given how old they are I am thinking I should get something newer? Perhaps I should just get these for starters?
* Kef x300a - good reviews etc. but I realised you cannot connect  subwoofer without a mod on these! I definitely need the extra bass
* B&W MM-1 - again I think these are a bit old now
* Kef eggs - dont really like the shape of these .....I think you can connect a sub to this though
* M-audio - should I get the carbons or the AV series?
* JBL 305s - do these have a good bass response? many have said these are better than the a5+
My budget is around £600 max. hence I am not going for the usual "logitech" option and be done with it.

 
For your budget, you should be able to get the JBL LSR305 studio monitors and LSR310s sub-woofer.
Maybe you can find them used for a good price (used one that already come with cables).
Otherwise with new stuff, you have to spend extra for the cables.
 
The website AVforum is based in the UK, asking there might help you find the best deals.

 

[buke9]

Thanks Verlin! Do the JBL LSR305 have a good bass response for like movies + music etc.? Also, I am hoping using a DAC for the first time will have a "blew me away" effect on me!

p.s. is this the right forum to ask speaker questions or is this more for IEMs / headphones?

You are not going to get a blow me away sound from a Dac . It probably will sound better than onboard dacs but not always the case. There is nothing wrong with Schiit products either. They are priced well and solidly built. I have a Yggdrasil myself and I'm pretty sure sounds better than a odac .

 

[Rknrolls]

Thank you @PurpleAngel and @buke9 ..... I finally bought the JBL LSR305s !!!! They are just sitting pretty on my desk right now as I am yet to buy the cables. I ordered the Schiit Modi 2 Uber DAC Didn't order the Magni 2 as I dont plan to use headphones whilst at my desk (yet!). Just wanted to say thanks for the awesome recommendation.... !
 
Cheers

 

[buke9]

Thank you @PurpleAngel
 and @buke9
 ..... I finally bought the JBL LSR305s !!!! They are just sitting pretty on my desk right now as I am yet to buy the cables. I ordered the Schiit Modi 2 Uber DAC Didn't order the Magni 2 as I dont plan to use headphones whilst at my desk (yet!). Just wanted to say thanks for the awesome recommendation.... !

Cheers

Hope you get many hours of enjoyment out of them.

 

[b0000]

I have a pair of jbl lsr305's paired with an svs sb-1000. You definitely made a good choice on the speakers.
 
They do however, need subwoofers depending on what you listen to. I've done test tones on the lsr305's, 40 hz is as low as they effectively reach. Anything below is just too quiet. The sb-1000 isn't the best sub you can get at the price, but it covers the rest of the low frequency range without disturbing the neighbors since i live in a townhouse. Also it's really small. I would've gone for a good ported sub if i could.
 
I've done so much research on subwoofers, just ask away if you're interested.

 

[Rknrolls]

I have a pair of jbl lsr305's paired with an svs sb-1000. You definitely made a good choice on the speakers.

They do however, need subwoofers depending on what you listen to. I've done test tones on the lsr305's, 40 hz is as low as they effectively reach. Anything below is just too quiet. The sb-1000 isn't the best sub you can get at the price, but it covers the rest of the low frequency range without disturbing the neighbors since i live in a townhouse. Also it's really small. I would've gone for a good ported sub if i could.

I've done so much research on subwoofers, just ask away if you're interested.

Noted thanks! I actually was really determined to get a sub at the start but then I thought I do also want to get a home theatre system, so I'll end up with 2 subs!!!

Having said that I am quite keen on bass!! I'll try them and let you know if I get a hankering for the sub!!

What's a decent one to get... For say.. £250 or £300? I came across Zeos guides on Reddit. They look pretty informative too!!

Thanks again... I have a feeling I will need a sub based on what you have just told me!! P.s. I live in a 1 bed flat on the ground floor... If that matters by any chance...

 

[b0000]

For music, you can get away with a cheaper sub unless all you listen to is hip-hop/rap/trap that has below 30hz content.(example(25-27hz ish) and another (about 33 hz, the lowest note in that drop))  
 
Just about all the subwoofers that zeos recommended are solid (no clue about earthquake sound though). The usual sub recommendations are bic america f12 or klipsch sub 12. Just dont get any polk or logitech, and you'll be fine.
 
i have a klipsch sub 12hg in my living room. They can reach to about 25 hz, which is pretty good for the 300 i paid for it. If you can find it, get it. The f12 is considered to be just a bit inferior to the klipsch. Just keep their sizes in mind. ported 12 inch subs are big
 
edit: the Bic Acoustech PL-200 is now below 300, you should consider that instead of the f12. But i still like the klipsch.
 
Home theatre is a different beast. You ideally want a sub that can reach to 20hz, preferably ported. Those subs usually start at $500 unless you go DIY.  And theyre huge.