[cel4145]

For speakers that have built-in DACs, is using that better than a sound card's DAC processing?

Might be. Hard to know.

 

[nuraman00]

  Another question:  The Kef EGG has optical in.
 
The MM-1 does not.
 
How much of a factor would the optical connection from my computer make?
 
I don't mean to say that this is as equal as other factors, when determining the sound quality of speakers.  Just wondering how much emphasis I should give this.

 
Any thoughts on this?

 

[nuraman00]

The 15% restocking fee is a bit of a downer, for the KEF, especially when I want to compare 2 sets of speakers, and might have to return them if I like them less.
 
The EGG is on sale through May 22nd for $400.
 
https://www.kefdirect.com/egg-digital-wireless-speakers.html

 

[nuraman00]

Then either (a) use your keyboard or (b) get a pro-audio dac/pre amp to go with it: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA. Then you can put it wherever you want it on your desk

BTW: I'm not a fan of wireless over wired. Typically you are paying for the convenience technology of the wireless. Built in DACs? With your budget, you can afford an external dac if you want.

 
 

  I will give priority to DAC, because it is related to sound quality, and wireless just for convenience.
 
If you can afford more, KEF X300A Wireless is great choice according to your needs. DT Incline or Sanlitun's recommendation B&W MM-1 both great for DAC only ,and I will recommend SONOS Play:1 for Wireless only.
 
BTW you can check KEF EGG and Focal Little Bird for $500, they both have DAC and wireless.

 
(Quoting both of these posts as they discuss wireless).
 
Ok, after doing some research, I will drop wireless from consideration.  I see that I can get an Airport Express, and connect speakers to it, if I want a wireless setup.
 
But for the budget I am trying to keep, I can have the money go toward other considerations.
 
So, now I think the things I am considering are:
 
* Built-in DAC
* 2.1 system
* Optical connection.

 

[nuraman00]

BTW, Bowers & Wilkins has a 60 day trial policy.  That's very nice.  No restocking fee.

 

[darkforce]

  So, now I think the things I am considering are:
 
* Built-in DAC
* 2.1 system
* Optical connection.

 
Even without wireless, but also not much choice on 2.1 with Optical DAC, many 2 system speaker list above has good low-frequency and bass.

 

[nuraman00]

   
Even without wireless, but also not much choice on 2.1 with Optical DAC, many 2 system speaker list above has good low-frequency and bass.

 
You're probably right, but I think I have to at least compare one system with a 2.1 to see if I still want the good low frequency and bass, and if I still think it's missing compared to one without one.
 
What combination of 2 systems do you think would at least help me cover all 3 factors?
 
If I do the MM-1 and the Swan 2.1 system, neither would have the optical connection.  And you think I should try to get it, right?
 
Thanks for your advise in this thread btw.
 
The combination that would give me all 3 to compare would be the Swan, and the Definitive Audio Incline.
 
When I was comparing headphones in 2014, I got 3 different ones.  I think it's easier to compare headphones though, as I can just unplug and switch.
 
With speakers, I'd want all 3 speakers set up at the same time, and I think doing that would take too much space.
 
I'd feel bad about not trying the Bowers since after a comparison I went with their headphones, so I want to try their speakers too, having liked one of their other products.

 

[cel4145]

Is there some reason you are set on optical output? You could get a Schiit Fulla and plug speakers into it. And it would sound very nice with your headphones if you wanted to use them with your computer: http://schiit.com/products/fulla.

 

[cel4145]

Never mind. See you have considered the Inclines, and I recommended them again

 

[nuraman00]

Never mind. See you have considered the Inclines, and I recommended them again

Thanks.  Both you and darkforce like the Inclines.
 
Ok, one more update to my thoughts.  I don't need a separate subwoofer if they come with built-in woofers like these do:
 
http://www.klipsch.com/products/r-15pm-powered-monitors
 
http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-DIA101-CHR-Diamond-10-1-Cherry/dp/B0079XG53W

 

[cel4145]

Well, some of the computer multimedia speaker subwoofers are more toys than subs. What you want to look at is the rated frequency response. And often with the computer multimedia speakers (probably not the Swans, though), they will be overly optimistic.

Whereas speakers like these will have excellent bass response down to about 50hz: https://emotiva.com/products/powered-monitors/speakers/airmotiv-5s.

JBL LSR 305s are good down into the 40hz range: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305. They are generally considered some of the best speakers you can buy for <$500. Pair them with a Focusrite USB audio interface DAC, and you'd have a great setup: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA

 

[drews]

Whereas speakers like these will have excellent bass response down to about 50hz: https://emotiva.com/products/powered-monitors/speakers/airmotiv-5s.
 

 
FWIW, I'd be willing to pay much more for the Airmotiv's than the B&W MM-1 (fortunately they're actually cheaper!).

 

[nuraman00]

Well, some of the computer multimedia speaker subwoofers are more toys than subs. What you want to look at is the rated frequency response. And often with the computer multimedia speakers (probably not the Swans, though), they will be overly optimistic.

Whereas speakers like these will have excellent bass response down to about 50hz: https://emotiva.com/products/powered-monitors/speakers/airmotiv-5s.

JBL LSR 305s are good down into the 40hz range: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305. They are generally considered some of the best speakers you can buy for <$500. Pair them with a Focusrite USB audio interface DAC, and you'd have a great setup: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA

Yeah, I've been looking at the frequency responses of each pair I'm researching.  But, I haven't always taken them as an absolute truth.
 
Also, you and I had a mini conversation on AVS on why I was favoring optical vs. USB on DAC.  I guess I thought the optical would just be better, but if there's no difference from one digital connection to another between the two (USB and optical), then you're right, there is no reason to favor optical.  Only small thing would be to free up a USB port, but I do have some to spare in the back of my tower.
 
Also, over the past week, while I initially put some emphasis on the speakers having convenient controls, based on many of the recommendations, it just seems like the better speakers will have controls on the back.  I will have to accept that that's how things are, and I'll get a $15 Amazon keyboard for easy sound / mute controls.
 
If I go with the JBL's, I'd probably go with the 8" version.
 
 

Is there some reason you are set on optical output? You could get a Schiit Fulla and plug speakers into it. And it would sound very nice with your headphones if you wanted to use them with your computer: http://schiit.com/products/fulla.

 
So with the Schiit vs. the Focusrite, I can connect more stuff to the Focusrite, right?  Like instruments, if I were recording.
 
So I'd connect a left and right output on the Focusrite below (bottom image):
 

 
To the TRL input (that's to the right of the XLR one) below, right?
 

 

[nuraman00]

I guess with the JBLs, I have to use a DAC, since I can't connect it directly to the PC.
 
If I ever wanted to remove the DAC to use it with something else, then I wouldn't have any computer speakers connection.

 

[nuraman00]

Is there a DAC you'd recommend with both optical and USB?
 
So that I could also try the DAC with my portable CD player.
 
I see this one has both, just not sure if there's a different one someone would recommend.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-D1-24-bit-Digital-to-Analog-Converter/dp/B006IPH5H2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1463868524&sr=8-12&keywords=dac+with+optical+and+usb