Sound system solutions for college

[Jisi]

Well I'm gonna be at northwestern in about a week and I really need to get a good sound system going. So far my sources are my ipod and my ibm t43 with the creative audigy zs 2 notebook. I was thinking of returning the card, based on everyone's opinion of the echo indigio... should i do it?

But the main question was if I should get the klipsch promedia ultra 5.1's or I should spend the 200-300 on a pair of nice cans.

If I were to get the cans instead this is what id be looking for:

Great all around can that can play a wide range of music... examples: pinkfloyd, led zep, ac/dc, modest mouse, nirvana, radiohead, interpol, gorillaz, the clash, rancid, dj shadow, drum and bass, red hot cp, kanye, nas, atmosphere, wutang, biggie, sublime, rage, jack johnson, dispatch, jazz and blues, some classical...

I'd like to have a sound that is balanced, the major gripe i have with the sharp md33's i have right now are that the bass is exaggerated and muddy, it ruins the rest of the sound, plus the treble isnt forward or vibrant.

I'd like to have a good soundstage

I don't realy have a preference of a specific sound signature becuase i dont really have any experience with any brand

I'd like to be able to plug and play, but if an amp will really help the sound i would be willing to buy a portable amp too... any recs?

So basically the question is, if you listen to a wide arrangement of music, and had to be stuck on an island with only one pair of headphones (and an amp if nessesary) what would it be in the 200-300 price range?


Thanks for the help guys, headfi rocks

 

[Teerawit]

I have the Klipch Promedia Ultra 5.1s. They are good for games and movies and okay for music too, but they cannot compare to my sennheiser HD600s in 2-channel audio. In fact they won't see any more use once my new headamp arrives (I don't play games anymore heh). BTW sources are a Micro DAC and an Audigy 2 NX.

Do you prefer headphones over speakers? Do you listen to music more than play games? If yes to both questions, I would recommend selling the Audigy and getting a better source, and going with a nice headphone (and possibly amp) rig.

 

[Jisi]

well right now i have logitech 4.1's and i use them only for music, I never game and I hardly watch movies, so i only use my sound system for music. I much rather listen to my speakers over my earbuds, but that is because i feel the speakers offer a better soundstage and clearer sound, the earbuds i have feel... clogged and "closed" into my ears. But i think if i a got a good pair of cans id be enjoying my music much more.

so if i were to get a new setup what would be my best best? soundcard/amp/headphones...

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jisi so if i were to get a new setup what would be my best best? soundcard/amp/headphones...

I wouldn't get the Klipsches in that case then. I prefer my headphones to them

What's your total budget? (or what's your budget for each component?)

 

[Jisi]

well for the headphones id like to be around 100-300
amp and usb or slot soundcard or a combo amp/soundcard should be around 200

Is the creative audigy 2 notebook card really that bad?

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jisi well for the headphones id like to be around 100-300 amp and usb or slot soundcard or a combo amp/soundcard should be around 200 Is the creative audigy 2 notebook card really that bad?

Mine is. The amp inside it is bad to my ears. For gaming it's great though.

Unfortunately I don't know what your tastes would be in headphones, as alot of headphone brands can offer what you're looking for (it just matters how much of soundstage you want, how much of neutrality you want, etc etc). What are your sound preferences? People are just going to come here and recommend their favorite headphone...not necessarily going to be your favorite headphone.

Soundcard would be a topic of another whole thread.

Same with the amp

 

[Jisi]

don't soundcards already have amps in them?

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jisi don't soundcards already have amps in them?

They do, but they aren't going to properly power your headphones as good as an external headamp will

 

[Jisi]

well I just really need some recommendations on a good setup, becuase i am clueless right now... hopefully ill have a better idea when i cehck on the thread tommrow, thanks guys im off to bed

 

[jonnywolfet]

a usb headphone amp plus cans.
what is your headphone flavour?

 

[mrarroyo]

You could get the Micro Dac and Micro Amp with the Mini Cardas HPI interconnect. For cans the DT880, SR-225, or the HD600 would fit the bill. You are looking at +/-$850.00 but the sound would be excellent.

 

[Ttvetjanu]

ATH A900's? No need for an amp and you save a bit of money. Also closed so you can use them portable/wont distub others.

 

[Jisi]

are there any good amp/soundcard combos around 100-200?

and any more suggestions for a good pair of cans around 200

would the senn hd595 fit hte bill?

 

[ojnihs]

Alright! Another Wildcat to join the fray of the Head-fi experience! If you can wait till you get to Northwestern in about a week, maybe you can stop by and listen to my AKG K271S with my Gilmore Lite to start you at a base as to what you're really lookinfg for in terms of sound quality and such.

Give me a PM, let me know where you're living on campus. Are you a freshman this year?