help with my setup!

[starbuk]

Hi all,

I want to setup some nice speakers to my computer and need your advice.

HERE is my convertible apartment. There is a large window behind the computer desk and a kitchen and bathroom behind the couch (not modeled). The size of the larger room is 17x14 and 9.5x9 for the room with the bed.

I am looking at a Dayton 12" or 10" and Audioengine A2, A5 or M-Audio AV40's.

2 questions:

1) What speaker setup would you suggest - are the A5's worth the extra $ and are the A2's worth +$70 over the AV 40's??

2) How can I filter out the lows and highs out of the speaker and sub, respectively? My onboard sound card is good (I think) doing 192KHz/24-bit audio output and it has 8 channels, but beyond that it does not have any filters built in that I know of.

Right now my plan is to cheap out and get the Dayton 10 with the AV40, unless you all think the Audioengines (A5 or A2's) are that much better. I love music (techno and rap), I love bass (the 12" is only $20 more), I like to game occasionally - so you all know my listening preferences.

Thanks in advance, I spent a lot of time on here and would have bought a Bose Companion 5 if it wasn't for this site..

 

[bikemig]

You could pick up the Pioneer SP BS 41 for $150, http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS41-LR-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B0045US6DE/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317350138&sr=1-8. They have been getting great reviews: http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs41-lr-loudspeaker. You can get this sub from monoprice for $84 (and thank DenPureSound for pointing these out), http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=8249&seq=1&format=3#specification. And then pick up some electronics to drive the Pioneers like this refurbished Onkyo for $100, http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTX8255/Onkyo-TX-8255-50-watts-2-channel-Stereo-Receiver/1.html. The entire set up will run you $334.

Edit: by the way, assuming you have a $500 budget (which is what the A-5s and the Dayton sub would cost), you could pick up a better sub to go with the Onkyo receiver and Pioneer speakers.

 

[starbuk]

Bikemig -

Thanks for posting. Those Pioneers do have great reviews, and they certainly look better than the AV-40's. That Okyo does 50W @ 8ohms and probably closer to 75W @ the 6ohms the Pioneers run at. Much better than the 15W for the Audioengines. Total I am shelling out $50 more than the A2's but feel that I will get the sound quality of the A5's.

Re: the sub. Which other sub would you recommend for a bit more? I wonder if that Dayton 12 would sound better - it is 13lbs heavier (even though the enclosure is smaller) and after shipping the Dayton is only $40 more.

 

[bikemig]

Or get free shipping from Amazon; you can get the Dayton there or this Bic, http://www.amazon.com/BIC-V1020-Down-Firing-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B0000Y2WY8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317356814&sr=1-1.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The pioneer speakers look interesting, but not without some issues.
I'd suggest a bit better ones - Infinity Primus P163 at $85/each
Unfortunately stereo Onkyo does not manage sub integration as most stereo equipment doesn't - you'll need a proper receiver
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR508/Onkyo-TX-SR508-7.1-Channel-3-D-Ready-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html
Or find something decent on craigslist/ebay for about $100
Doesn't leave much room for sub, but the monoprice one does indeed looks interesting and thou it wasn't yet measured, monoprice has reputation of delivering high value products at rock bottom prices...
If you budget allows I'd even get two of them.

 

[bikemig]

@BSA: I have a question about sub integration. I saw that the Onkyo doesn't have a sub out. Is it a bad idea to use the high level inputs (which would work with the Onk)? Or are sub outs better?

 

[starbuk]

So does the receiver have the filters that I will need - is that why you are suggesting getting one? Because the powered A2's would not require it, if I am not mistaken, and would be cheaper than unpowered speakers + receiver combined.

You must have a reason for suggesting this and I would like to understand your reasoning.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So does the receiver have the filters that I will need - is that why you are suggesting getting one? Because the powered A2's would not require it, if I am not mistaken, and would be cheaper than unpowered speakers + receiver combined.

You must have a reason for suggesting this and I would like to understand your reasoning.

Sub integration is not just having a sub out. I don't want to repeat what Gene already said much better than me in my good articles:
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/bass-management-the-right-stuff
http://www.audioholics.com/education/frequently-asked-questions/handling-various-bass-management-dilemmas
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/bass-management-basics-2013-settings-made-simple
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/an-easy-solution-to-subwoofer-calibrationhttp://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/an-easy-solution-to-subwoofer-calibration

In short version - proper crossover between mains and sub - would not send lower frequencies to main - thus stressing the speakers less => better result
Proper integration will make mains and sub sound seamless like one speaker.
That is the goal.

To Bikemig: High level inputs are also possible, but
a) Not with active speakers like A2
b) Less desired compared to low level lfe inputs

For A2 & Sub -> You would need a sub with low level inputs AND outputs - these are much harder to find.

And A2 would still benefit from proper bass management like any other speaker powered or not.

 

[starbuk]

Gotcha - so you need a crossover anyhow, which a receiver has, to make the system sound good.

Possible silly question - will that $200 Onkyo receiver - or any decent receiver - have an adjustable crossover? My old receiver I do not recall having that feature, but maybe I was not looking in the right places.

Lastly, how can I plug my PC into this receiver? My video card has an HDMI output, but I have heard these are unreliable at times for audio and want to be able to plug it into my motherboard/sound card. It looks like THIS. HERE is the receiver.

Thanks for all your help, guys

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Gotcha - so you need a crossover anyhow, which a receiver has, to make the system sound good.

Possible silly question - will that $200 Onkyo receiver - or any decent receiver - have an adjustable crossover? My old receiver I do not recall having that feature, but maybe I was not looking in the right places.

Lastly, how can I plug my PC into this receiver? My video card has an HDMI output, but I have heard these are unreliable at times for audio and want to be able to plug it into my motherboard/sound card. It looks like THIS. HERE is the receiver.

Thanks for all your help, guys

Is this same ports as your motherboard? If so it have optical spd/if port is the one you should use. Next best would be HDMI port on your motherboard or gpu (it depends and hopefully it's ati card)

 

[starbuk]

Yes, that is my motherboard. Holy smokes I did not see that optical port there! That is ideal. I have a GTX 460 graphics card, which has 1 HMDI output on it - not optical out.

Looks like I have to pony up for a decent receiver with an optical port. So, again, do these receivers have the built in crossovers and are they adjustable?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Looks like I have to pony up for a decent receiver with an optical port. So, again, do these receivers have the built in crossovers and are they adjustable?

Onkyo TX-SR508 has 8 steps Crossover adjustment from 40Hz to 200Hz - not as good as higher models - adjusted to 1 hz (like my TX-SR805), but its fine
Check out the manual page 35
http://filedepot.onkyousa.com/Files/own_manuals/SN29400388_TX-SR508_En_web.pdf?CFID=1705343&CFTOKEN=55544151&jsessionid=f0306499e55a69f044952c3c1a617514e791


p.s: 508 does have two optical inputs..

 

[starbuk]

Thanks for your help. I will post this up once I get everything hooked up. Really do appreciate the help. If you only knew the lack of knowledge found at most stores selling this stuff.. well you probably already know it's frustrating.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for your help. I will post this up once I get everything hooked up. Really do appreciate the help. If you only knew the lack of knowledge found at most stores selling this stuff.. well you probably already know it's frustrating.

yea, that why
a) I never shop at B&M
b) If I do visit I never ask for their advice or opinions

If you are interested to learn more - start reading articles of main site - there hundreds of good ones - AV University etc...

 

[starbuk]

One more thing - if I do end up getting powered speakers - the Rokit 5's are on sale for $180 for the pair locally - how does that work with a receiver. Does it take power from the onboard amp only or does it combine it with the receiver's wattage?

Also as a personal opinion do you think the Rokit 5's are better speakers than those Infinity's. Price-wise it appears the Rokits are a good deal at $180 per pair.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

One more thing - if I do end up getting powered speakers - the Rokit 5's are on sale for $180 for the pair locally - how does that work with a receiver. Does it take power from the onboard amp only or does it combine it with the receiver's wattage?

Also as a personal opinion do you think the Rokit 5's are better speakers than those Infinity's. Price-wise it appears the Rokits are a good deal at $180 per pair.

A) The AVR I suggested to you doesn't have pre-outs - this is what you need if you want to use active speaker like KRK Rockit
You'd need at-least this receiver :http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR707/Onkyo-TX-SR707-Thx-Select2-Plus-100-watts-channel-7.2-Receiver/1.html

B) With KRK Rockit you could get away without receiver at all, but you'd need subwoofer with low level input and output

C) I don't think that KRK Rockit 5 are better speakers than P163, at same almost price (both on sale) P163 wins hands down.

Thought, I'd consider Rockit5 at $90/pair

 

[starbuk]

If the Infinity's are better I will try to find a way to make them work.

Honestly I didn't want to get a bulky receiver, but it seems like if you want a sub you need the crossover capabilities of a receiver. Let's see what I can do with all this info!