Computer speakers

[Atalair]

Hey I'm quite new to the audiophile world but I have been taking a liking to higher end systems. I'm looking at buying some speakers for my computer system and I need some advice from the experts!

My budget is (preferably) around $300 Canadian - also keep in mind that means the speakers have to be available in Canada hopefully. I'm a student currently so the budget can't go much higher however in the summer I'm looking at upgrading.

So I'm looking for a 2.0 system that has great sound for a medium size bedroom AND that I can hopefully add a sub-woofer to in the summer to get the lows. The price limit for the woofer in the summer will probably be around $400.

The types of music I listen to are rock, funk, and a lot of acoustic stuff.

So would anybody have any recommendations for around that price range? I've heard a lot of good stuff about Audioengine but also some bad stuff, including the sub-woofer S8 being a bit loose?

Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I got my LSR2325p on sale for $334/pair (us) see sig for pc - they way more awesome than I could ever hope for pc speakers and they will fill even larger room with sound with ease

You might want to budget also a balanced usb interface like this one :
Alesis iO2 Express USB Audio Interface IO2 EXPRESS B&H Photo

or this one:
ART USB Dual Pre Two-Channel Preamplifier/Computer Interface: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

 

[Crackerballer]

Is $300 also for an amp too? If so, $300 isn't going to stretch very far.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Behringer TRUTH B1030A is good budget alternative... but if you can find a deal on JBL and could afford them go with jbl pro - you won't be disappointed.

 

[Atalair]

Thanks for the advice! So judging by the replies it would be good to get passive speakers with an amp, if I moved the budget to $400 would I have any more luck (it would be pushing it slightly at $400).

As well, I looked up the Behringer TRUTH B1030A and found it for $209.98 for two, at that point what would I need to get it running on my computer? Would that be worth it?

And BoredSysAdmin, what kind of prices would the JBL systems be? Based on a first look I'm not too sure what would be good for a computer setup/good price point.

Thanks again!

 

[Crackerballer]

I am sure you can find a small 2 channel amp for less than $100, so the setup would be:

USB Audio provision: $100
2 Channel Amp: $100
Two Speakers: $200

Maybe this amp?
Dayton Audio DTA-100a Class-T Digital Amplifier 50 WPC Provides Power To Computer Speakers, Bookshelf Speakers, Headphones, And More! 300-383

 

[Atalair]

Okay, I'll take a look at that. The USB audio interface though, would I be fine just having a high end sound card in my computer?

As for the speakers and others, what would you recommend to go with that amp?

 

[sholling]

I suggest one of two options. A pair of Behringer B2030P (P=passive) speakers and a used a/v receiver. The Behringers are homely as heck but are very good budget studio monitors. I suggest a used A/V receiver (AVR) because most have bass management which will make integrating a subwoofer easier. The B2030P sounds especially good up close but have little output below 80hz.

Or you could bust your budget and go with Behringer B2031A powered studio monitors and connect them directly into your L&R speaker outputs on your computer. They play deep enough that you may not need a sub. The downside is that the built-in amplifiers don't have a great reputation for reliability.

 

[Crackerballer]

That is a good recommendation about the A/V receiver so you can run 2.1 in the future. With the deals NewEgg and Fry's are having every week/weekend, you can get a good new receiver for $200-$250.

See how easily we just pushed your budget from $300-$500, all in 9 posts?

 

[Rickster71]

Since you may move your budget to $400, perhaps these?
Audioengine 5+ - Audioengineusa.com
Audioengine 5

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for the advice! So judging by the replies it would be good to get passive speakers with an amp, if I moved the budget to $400 would I have any more luck (it would be pushing it slightly at $400).

As well, I looked up the Behringer TRUTH B1030A and found it for $209.98 for two, at that point what would I need to get it running on my computer? Would that be worth it?

And BoredSysAdmin, what kind of prices would the JBL systems be? Based on a first look I'm not too sure what would be good for a computer setup/good price point.

Thanks again!

I believe mentioned the pricing for jbl speakers above. I don't think you should go with receiver and passive speakers system for pc system if 2.0 is all what you need. You'd be better off with ether good multimedia speakers or pair pro monitors. For ether of them all you need a solid audio interface. Most likely your pc's soundcard is too noisy - possible exception if you have a mac computer you might not need it and just use built-in sound card

 

[Atalair]

Well I was thinking about buying a nice $100+ soundcard for my PC, but I think I've made my decision about this whole thing.

Spending 300-400 on a system will probably severely limit what I can do. So I'm probably going to buy a good ~$200 pair of powered speakers now and then build up a nice set in the summer... and instead make the budget for the nice one around $800?

Would $800 get me a good system you think?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well I was thinking about buying a nice $100+ soundcard for my PC, but I think I've made my decision about this whole thing.

Spending 300-400 on a system will probably severely limit what I can do. So I'm probably going to buy a good ~$200 pair of powered speakers now and then build up a nice set in the summer... and instead make the budget for the nice one around $800?

Would $800 get me a good system you think?

what type of system are thinking for $800 ? 2.0? 2.1 or full blown 5.1 ??

 

[Crackerballer]

Yea $800 can get you a good 2.0 with a decent receiver. Much past that and you are reaching. You could wait for some deals and get a good 2.1 system for $800 or a small 5.1 (Energy Take 5) if you want just good and not great sound.

 

[Atalair]

I think for my computer I'll go for 2.0 or 2.1. No need yet for a 5.1 especially if it will sacrifice the quality of sound.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I think for my computer I'll go for 2.0 or 2.1. No need yet for a 5.1 especially if it will sacrifice the quality of sound.

My best advice to you is just grab the jbl like mine or upgrade to bigger brother lsr2328p and just use this "sound card" :
E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio-MIDI Interface | eBay

 

[Atalair]

The lsr2328p looks nice, I think in the summer I'll definitely drop at least $800 on a system, for now I'm thinking of getting the Audioengine A2 to tide me over since they are $189.99 at NCIX. Unless of course someone knows of a better system for the price?

 

[JazzGuyy]

The Audioengine 2s are within your price range and sound very good for computer use.

 

[droht]

The Audioengine 2s are within your price range and sound very good for computer use.

They are $169.15 thru Crutchfield's Outlet Store. Free shipping. Standard return policy.

Easy to sell with little or no loss if/when you want to upgrade.