[cel4145]

So with the Schiit vs. the Focusrite, I can connect more stuff to the Focusrite, right?  Like instruments, if I were recording.

Yep. Got an electric guitar you want to plug in?



Yes. The TRS outputs on the back of the Focusrite to the ones on the JBLs.

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.

Just use the CD player on your computer. No benefit from using a portable CD player instead.

 

[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

 
 
Quote:

Just use the CD player on your computer. No benefit from using a portable CD player instead.

 
If I got a DAC, I'd also want to use it with my portable CD player that I sometimes use when I'm lying in bed.

 

[nuraman00]

Ok. The two speakers I will order for a comparison are:

1) JBL 308's.

+ These cables

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-Breakout-10-Feet/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462489663&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5mm%20to%20trs&tag=viglink20246-20

Are the cables split far apart enough, so that if the speakers are 2 feet away from each other, they will be be able to go to each speaker, from the point of separation?

2) Emotiva Airmotiv 6s

I guess I'd use a 3.5mm cable to RCA to connect them.

Cables like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

But, same question. Are they split at least 2 feet from each other?



Since the Airmotiv 6s from Hi Fi Heaven only has a 14 day policy, I will only order them when I'll be home for 14 consecutive days. So, I will probably wait until mid-June.

Also, I will just have to eat the 15% restocking fee if I return them.

Maybe by that time they'll be available directly from Emotiva, with their 30 day return policy.

It will also be a little difficult to have both sets of speakers side by side, so I can compare them, but I will do the best that I can.  Wideness may be an issue.



Last thing. I just noticed neither of these sets has any kind of an output port. I was thinking that if I ever wanted to connect them to the home network, I could connect them to an Airport Express.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-AirPort-Express-Station-MC414LL/dp/B008ALA2RC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

But, it looks like I can't?


I guess trying to get good quality speakers means I have to sacrifice some features, unless someone has one alternative which I could use to compare, which is as good as these speakers, but could be connected to a network in the future.

 

[nuraman00]

 

Ok. The two speakers I will order for a comparison are:

1) JBL 308's.

+ These cables

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-Breakout-10-Feet/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462489663&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5mm%20to%20trs&tag=viglink20246-20

Are the cables split far apart enough, so that if the speakers are 2 feet away from each other, they will be be able to go to each speaker, from the point of separation?

2) Emotiva Airmotiv 6s

I guess I'd use a 3.5mm cable to RCA to connect them.

Cables like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

But, same question. Are they split at least 2 feet from each other?



Since the Airmotiv 6s from Hi Fi Heaven only has a 14 day policy, I will only order them when I'll be home for 14 consecutive days. So, I will probably wait until mid-June.

Also, I will just have to eat the 15% restocking fee if I return them.

Maybe by that time they'll be available directly from Emotiva, with their 30 day return policy.

It will also be a little difficult to have both sets of speakers side by side, so I can compare them, but I will do the best that I can.  Wideness may be an issue.



Last thing. I just noticed neither of these sets has any kind of an output port. I was thinking that if I ever wanted to connect them to the home network, I could connect them to an Airport Express.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-AirPort-Express-Station-MC414LL/dp/B008ALA2RC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

But, it looks like I can't?


I guess trying to get good quality speakers means I have to sacrifice some features, unless someone has one alternative which I could use to compare, which is as good as these speakers, but could be connected to a network in the future.

 
Can someone confirm whether those cables are the right ones for the Airmotiv 6s?  And do you think they will split 2-3 feet apart so I can connect them?
 
If not, can someone suggest the right cables to use?
 
 
Also, what does everyone think about the Audioengine 5+?  How does it compare to the two above?
 
I see the frequency response isn't quite as good, but do you think it still compares well (sound)?
 
If I have second thoughts about the potential 15% restocking fee for the Airmotiv 6s from Hi Fi Heaven, and if it's not available directly from them, maybe I will go with Audioengine as my 2nd comparison?  Would that be a comparable tradeoff, or are is the Airmotiv 6s probably better?
 
 
 

 

[yay101]

How has no one suggested a raspberry pi + hifiberry? Seriously?

Airplay, upnp, mpd server and web client, various streaming services, let's you use ANY speakers on earth.

Is a moving target platform, so when a new standard or service comes out you get support for free without swapping a single thing.

Just buy the speakers you want, wireless has already been taken care of for years and will never be outdated.

 

[PurpleAngel]

   
Can someone confirm whether those cables are the right ones for the Airmotiv 6s?  And do you think they will split 2-3 feet apart so I can connect them?
If not, can someone suggest the right cables to use?
Also, what does everyone think about the Audioengine 5+?  How does it compare to the two above?
I see the frequency response isn't quite as good, but do you think it still compares well (sound)?
If I have second thoughts about the potential 15% restocking fee for the Airmotiv 6s from Hi Fi Heaven, and if it's not available directly from them, maybe I will go with Audioengine as my 2nd comparison?  Would that be a comparable tradeoff, or are is the Airmotiv 6s probably better?

 
The Hosa CMP-159 cables can be pulled apart, but that connector (1/4") will not work with the Airmotiv 6.
Airmotiva uses XLR (balanced) or RCA (unbalanced) connection
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-Breakout-10-Feet/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462489663&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5mm%20to%20trs&tag=viglink20246-20
 
I'm guessing the Belkin 3.5mm to RCA cable might split for about the first 12" (maybe)
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
 
The JBL and Airmotiva come with two separate amplifiers built into each unit.
The 5+ comes with at most one amplifier driving each unit.
Not even sure how discrete the amps are. as the 5+ uses one unit to drive the other unit.
 
The Monoprice 5" studio monitors come with two amplifiers built into each unit
Audio quality wise the Monoprice 5" studio monitors ($170) should be easily at least equal to the Audioengine 5+ ($400)
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=605500
 
For less money then the Airmotiv 6 ($500).
You can get Monoprice 5" monitors ($170) and a Monoprice 10 "sub-woofer ($220).
 
If you did get the Airmotiv 6 units, I really doubt you would have any reason to want to return them.

 

[Satsugai]

I'm extremely partial to the Corsair SP2500. http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Gaming-High-Power-Speaker-CA-SP211NA/dp/B004H0MQYW
 
If you're looking for room filling hifi sound with exceptional bass response, you will be quite pleased by these.

 

[drews]

 
Also, what does everyone think about the Audioengine 5+?  How does it compare to the two above?
 
I see the frequency response isn't quite as good, but do you think it still compares well (sound)?
 
 

 
I had the Audioengine 5, the Airmotiv 5 is much better.
 
P.S. The Audioengine D1 DAC is fine (owned it twice), but I'd personally I'd give this similar, newer, cheaper alternative a try: http://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01BURJVOC 

 

[ysosirius]

How about the Klipsch R15PM? Seeing reviews everywhere and it seems to be really good.. Not just for computer speakers but TV and all else too. Anyone tried it yet? 

 

 

[nuraman00]

   
The Hosa CMP-159 cables can be pulled apart, but that connector (1/4") will not work with the Airmotiv 6.
Airmotiva uses XLR (balanced) or RCA (unbalanced) connection
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-Breakout-10-Feet/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462489663&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5mm%20to%20trs&tag=viglink20246-20
 
I'm guessing the Belkin 3.5mm to RCA cable might split for about the first 12" (maybe)
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
 
The JBL and Airmotiva come with two separate amplifiers built into each unit.
The 5+ comes with at most one amplifier driving each unit.
Not even sure how discrete the amps are. as the 5+ uses one unit to drive the other unit.
 
The Monoprice 5" studio monitors come with two amplifiers built into each unit
Audio quality wise the Monoprice 5" studio monitors ($170) should be easily at least equal to the Audioengine 5+ ($400)
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=605500
 
For less money then the Airmotiv 6 ($500).
You can get Monoprice 5" monitors ($170) and a Monoprice 10 "sub-woofer ($220).
 
If you did get the Airmotiv 6 units, I really doubt you would have any reason to want to return them.

 
Thanks for pointing this out.
 
I didn't even consider looking this up before.
 
But now I checked each product specs (JBL, Airmotiv 6s, Audioengine 5+).  The first two say they're bi-amplified, while the latter doesn't.

 

[nuraman00]

  How about the Klipsch R15PM? Seeing reviews everywhere and it seems to be really good.. Not just for computer speakers but TV and all else too. Anyone tried it yet? 

 

 
I looked at the R15PM last weekend.  It looked intriguing.

 

[nuraman00]

   
I had the Audioengine 5, the Airmotiv 5 is much better.
 
P.S. The Audioengine D1 DAC is fine (owned it twice), but I'd personally I'd give this similar, newer, cheaper alternative a try: http://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01BURJVOC 

 
Thank you.  I will keep this DAC in the back of my mind, if/when I get one.

 

[djcarpentier]

I don't know where you are, but i would look at your local craigslist (or equivalent) and find a used set of powered studio monitors. Budget king is the KRK Rokit range. find a set of rokit 8's for about $200 to $300. They have unbalanced input so can connect directly to a computer. You won't need a sub, and you won't do any better, i've tried. Very good sound for the price and lots of power.There are other similar options, but again it comes down to what is local. I can't stress this enough, buy USED.

 

[nuraman00]

   
The Hosa CMP-159 cables can be pulled apart, but that connector (1/4") will not work with the Airmotiv 6.
Airmotiva uses XLR (balanced) or RCA (unbalanced) connection
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-Breakout-10-Feet/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462489663&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5mm%20to%20trs&tag=viglink20246-20
 
I'm guessing the Belkin 3.5mm to RCA cable might split for about the first 12" (maybe)
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
 
The JBL and Airmotiva come with two separate amplifiers built into each unit.
The 5+ comes with at most one amplifier driving each unit.
Not even sure how discrete the amps are. as the 5+ uses one unit to drive the other unit.
 
The Monoprice 5" studio monitors come with two amplifiers built into each unit
Audio quality wise the Monoprice 5" studio monitors ($170) should be easily at least equal to the Audioengine 5+ ($400)
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=605500
 
For less money then the Airmotiv 6 ($500).
You can get Monoprice 5" monitors ($170) and a Monoprice 10 "sub-woofer ($220).
 
If you did get the Airmotiv 6 units, I really doubt you would have any reason to want to return them.

 
What cables do you think I can use, with the Airmotiv 6s, that can be pulled 2-3 feet apart?

 

[nuraman00]

I emailed Emotiva and asked when the Airmotiv 6s would be available.
 
Here's their response.
 
I guess I'll wait a month and ask again.  Do you think their month timetable is close to being accurate?
 
+++++++++++
 
Thank you for your email. I do apologize for the delay. Current ETA is not available. It may be another month or so, but at this time we do not have a confirmation.
Thank you and regards,