[jrm27]

Hello all,
 
I've been doing some research all over this wonderful forum because I'm trying to put together a system that I can use to get some good sound out of my laptop (MacBook Pro).  I've thrown a few questions in the Computer Audio Forum, but I'm figuring this might be a better place as I'm hoping I could use it for ipods and other audio sources too.... If this is considered a cross post, please let me know and I will delete this as needed.  It just seems that this may be a better place to ask.
 
I'm thinking of putting together a passive system out of the following:
 
Audioengine P4:
http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-P4
 
Dayton Sub-800:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-627
 
Lepai T-Amp:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-300
 
It'd be nice to use a t-amp that I can plug my headphones into (Westone ES5), but what is the consensus on these speakers and such?  Do you think these would all play well together?
 
-jon

 

[trog]

I feel your choices are a bit of a misfit tbh
 
1. Head down to AVS forums - for the price range you can do far better
http://www.avsforum.com/f/89/speakers
2. For a musical set up get a better active sub..maybe a 10" that goes lower than that Dayton?
3. Not sure of your budget but consider the Topping TP22 amp?
http://hifion.com/dac-amplifiers/topping/topping-tp22-t-amp-tk2050-tc2000-tp2050-digital-amplifier.html
 
I have a poor mans T-amp/cans PC Audio set up consisting of
 
Lepai TA2020
Polk M3II (out of production)
Fiio E7 DAC
Cans : alternate between JVC RX700 & Superlux 668B
everything was bought cheap/used except the Lepai and coming to 2 years now i am still stoked

 

[cel4145]

I agree. I think you can do better than the P4s.

What's your maximum budget?

 

[jrm27]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the input.  I started a thread over at AVS, but haven't really seen any response there yet.
 
My budget really is between $250 and $300.  I can spend a little over if I need an amp, but I need to keep it in that range.
 
Space is a concern as I have quite a small desk, so using a set of BX5 or something would just eat up too much deskspace...
 
Thoughts?  Any input is very very appreciated!
 
-jon\

 

[cel4145]

Would the EMPTek E5Bi be too big? Or how about the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR if you want to keep your cost down on the speakers and put more into the amp and sub. Here's a review of the Andrew Jones Pioneer speaker line: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/pioneer-sp-pk52fs

 

[jrm27]

thanks for the direction there!  those emptek look great, but I think they would just be too darn big.  The size of the p4 would probably be about the biggest I can go with for the size of my desk (which is a side table pulled from the copy room at the moment).  The Pioneer look nice.  What kind of amp/sub would you reccomend if I were to go that route?
 
Conversely (and not to beat a dead horse), what would I be missing out on if I were to go with something like a p4?

 

[cel4145]

There might be some other options for you. Did you try AVS like trog suggested? That's a home audio speaker forum, and the people there might know of some deal that's a better option on a speaker that's small enough to fit your needs.

 

[jrm27]

Thanks cel.  Yep, I started a post over at AVS, but I haven't had any response to it. 

 

[cel4145]

I bumped your thread over there with a question

 

[jrm27]

Thanks for the cel 4145.  Maybe that'll help me get some traction over there!
 
also, here's a pic of my very limited deskspace, just in case it jumpstarts anyone's thought process!
 

 

[Lenni]

there's not space on that "desk" for speakers, not matter how small they're. I can't see from the picture, but if there's some space on the sides, you should get front ported speakers and put them on stands, imo.
 
 

 

[jrm27]

Yes, stands may be an option.  There should be an actual desk somewhere in my near future.  This limited space is initially why I was looking at the Audioengine A2. They look so darn compact...

 

[cel4145]

Compact is not necessarily good when it comes to speaker design. If you look at any speaker line, the bigger driver models are almost always better sound. Often the mid range can be a little more resolving and the midbass will be better.

 

[Lenni]

nothing wrong with a round desk. I think it's more suitable and looks better with speakers on each side than a rectangular (standard?) one - but stands are your only option, imo.

 

[jrm27]

Yeah, stands would be great.  I guess I'd have to factor that into my budget too!
 
Yes, "compact" is definitely a marketing word for "small", which really isn't great for speakers.  But I'm hoping I can find something that sounds good (probably not amazing) in my price range.