[canali]

thanks nuraman00...those jbl 305s certainly now have my attention, too....seems fab bang for buck per reviews
http://www.cnet.com/news/jbl-lsr305-resetting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/\
despite being 2013 it is interesting esp when he compares to adam f5 speakers...comments also interesting...
some also suggesting the yamaha msp5 as a great alternative
 
i guess an iFi micro idsd, dragonfly red or chord mojo could act as a good dac?

 

[theveterans]

Well, I prefer neutral sound with incredible detail retrieval both in headphones and speakers so I use Yamaha HS7. I use Schiit Asgard 2 as a preamp to easily control the volume level of those speakers.

 

[nuraman00]

  thanks nuraman00...those jbl 305s certainly now have my attention, too....seems fab bang for buck per reviews
 
i guess an iFi micro idsd, dragonfly red or chord mojo could act as a good dac?

 
As soon as the Airmotiv 6s is in stock, I will purchase both that and the JBL 308 (wanted the bigger one because I have more space in my setup, although it might be difficult to put both sets of speakers side by side), and compare both. 
 
Both you and I might actually be comparing similar speakers at about the same time, haha.  Just possibly a slight difference in model here or there.
 
I don't have a DAC yet, but have keeping note of recommendations in the back of my mind.  I'm sure I'll get one at some point.
 
When I get one though, I want one with both TOSLINK, and USB.  TOSLINK, so I can connect it to my personal CD Player.  USB so I can connect it from my PC to the speakers.
 
Here's the recommendations that have been made so far:
 
 
1)  Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
 
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
 
(Doesn't have TOSLINK).
 
2)  Audioengine D1
 
https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-D1-24-bit-Digital-to-Analog-Converter/dp/B006IPH5H2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
 
3)  Micca OriGen+
 
https://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01BURJVOC?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
 
4)  Schitt Fulla
 
http://schiit.com/products/fulla
 
(Doesn't have TOSLINK).

 

[nuraman00]

   
however, aside from b&w mm1 and the keg egg or x300a,
those monoprice, swans and m-audio products have me interested too.

 
Just curious, what Swans did you come across that interested you?
 
To me, initially, it was this:
 
http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=443
 
I'm not going to switch as to which ones I want to compare at this point (Airmotiv 6s, JBL 308).  I've spent too much time already debating.  But if something happened and I didn't like either, I would then try that Swan one, it had me very curious.
 
 
When I compared headphones in 2014, I compared 3 different ones at the same time.  But headphones are easier, as one can simply plug and unplug.
 
Speakers are more difficult both for the space required to compare multiple ones, and also plugging and unplugging more connections between each unit.  Since I can't plug in both at the same time, because they both need the 3.5 mm output on my sound card.

 

[nuraman00]

  Well, I prefer neutral sound with incredible detail retrieval both in headphones and speakers so I use Yamaha HS7. I use Schiit Asgard 2 as a preamp to easily control the volume level of those speakers.

 
Thanks.  That also looks good.

 

[canali]

thing with the jbl 305s, however, (see review below), is that my desk is smallish and against the wall,
so am reading 1/rear ported speakers are not necessarily the best for these types of setups.
also 2/ they're best placed at least 4' apart from one another....guess the research continues.
still on my  list, however... they do sound like fab speakers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOySstGCMRg&ab_channel=ZReviews
 
focal cms 40 now on list as well as (emotiva) airmotive s4 or s5
...can get a pair of the focal 40s used for US$533....but that is pushing my budget.

 

[nuraman00]

  thing with the jbl 305s, however, (see review below), is that my desk is smallish and against the wall,
so am reading 1/rear ported speakers are not necessarily the best for these types of setups.
also 2/ they're best placed at least 4' apart from one another....guess the research continues.
still on my  list, however... they do sound like fab speakers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOySstGCMRg&ab_channel=ZReviews
 
focal cms 40 now on list as well as (emotiva) airmotive s4 or s5
...can get a pair of the focal 40s used for US$533....

 
How is the design of the focal cms 40 different from the jbl 305s, or airmotivs?  
 
What exactly is a "rear ported speaker"?  Are all of these (Focal, JBL, Emotiva) rear ported?

 

[Dillan]

I think rear ported speaker means it has a hole in the back for air pressure to be released.

 

[nuraman00]

  I think rear ported speaker means it has a hole in the back for air pressure to be released.

 
Thanks!

 

[theveterans]

It's good for slight bass boost if placed near a wall.

 

[melen1717]

I see that your budget is $500 and at that price range there are quite a few excellent systems available. What if you can save lets say $450 and get a 2.1 system for less than $50 and still have a decent system? Have you heard of the Cyber Acoustic CA-3602 (62 watts) desktop system??? I'm a 35 year experienced audiophile and I guarantee you that you will be delightfully surprised as I was. Why spend $500 when you can experience decent sound quality for less than $50?  I've got a audiophile quality stereo set-up with (just to mention a few) very good electronics and speakers... amps like NAD, Onkyo, Rotel and Adcom and speakers like ELAC, Triangle Espirit EZ Titus, B&W and Monitor Audio. Of course not trying to compare a $50 set-up to any of the mentioned audiophile quality ($$$) I have as my main listening set-up BUT I can tell you this, sound and build quality is very very good. Lets just say that the Cyber Acoustic is the "Poor Mans Audiophile Dream Come True"...  Just click on the picture and see the review. You can get these at Amazon or Newegg. Enjoy...
 

 

[Dillan]

Those seem pretty great. I have liked CA stuff before as a cheap, easy way to enjoy music.

 

[melen1717]

  Those seem pretty great. I have liked CA stuff before as a cheap, easy way to enjoy music.

Yeah.... cheap. But that doesn't mean that the Cyber Acoustic sound is any ware near cheap. I've got these speakers and they sound better than some systems costing 3 & 4 times their price. I don't now if you have ever experienced listening to the CA's BUT IMHO, they are actually very good and for less than $50 ($39.95) they kick ass. I've been a dedicate audiophile for over 35 yrs and, believe me,  CA 2.1 system is difficult to bet unless you are willing to spend over $150 for maybe a bit more sound quality. I have been a believer in the "Poor mans audiophile dream" that with very little you can get a lot. If you want REAL AUDIOPHILE QUALITY SOUND then jump in the wagon and be prepared to spend big money. Believe me, I know first hand. Just read my previous comment. The Cyber Acoustic CA-3602 happens to be the system that fits the bill...... If you haven't auditioned them please do and you just might be convinced and agree with me.

 

[Dillan]

I was agreeing with you

 

[melen1717]

I was agreeing with you

Okay..... Have you ever CA-3602 or listened to them?