2.1 or 2.0 low budget system

[Terminus14]

Hi there, around the end of November I currently plan on building a PC. Right now I'm using a laptop and a second monitor with no built in speakers so I realized that unless I want to be stuck using my headset (Tritton AX720) all the time, I'm going to need some speakers.

I'm in a college dorm that is about 12' x 16'. The current motherboard I have selected for my computer is capable of running a 7.1 setup but with my limited space and budget, I've decided to spend more money on less speakers and go with either a 2.0 or 2.1 setup. My budget is rather limited because I'm a poor college kid so I'd really like to stay below $150 but if you are a smooth enough talker and the price increase is really worth it, I might stretch my money and go $200-250.

I will be using this system for everything from music to movies and games. Music genres are pretty much rock, heavy metal, country, and orchestra/choir music (I like listening to soundtracks. Hans Zimmer ftw). I need good lows for guns and whatnot in games and movies but good sound reproduction for the music. I'm afraid this will be difficult on a budget.

If my extremely limited audio knowledge serves me right, the only difference in a 2.0 and a 2.1 channel setup is the presence of a sub in the 2.1. If it'd be better to go with a higher quality pair of speakers without a sub for now and save up for a sub later on, I'm completely ok with that.

As far as connectivity goes, I'd rather not mess with an amp or anything like that. I'd prefer the money to go into the speakers themselves. Also, my monitor also serves as the screen for when I'm using my PS3 but since the monitor has no built in speakers, I'm completely forced to use my headset. If there exists a speaker/speaker system out there that would have the ability to work with my PS3, that'd be great. However, I want to note that this would be a complete extra and is nowhere near required.


As a quick recap:

• Under $150 budget but willing to go $200-$250 if REALLY worth it.
• Used for games, movies, wide range of music genres.
• Room is roughly 12' x 16'
• Sub is optional.
• PS3 connectivity would be amazing but not at all required.
• Using motherboard's onboard audio.

If there is any other information that you might need from me, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Matt34]

Don't go in to this expecting top tier performance but these might do it for your budget.

Amazon.com: M-Audio Studiophile AV40 Powered Monitor Speakers (Latest Version): Musical Instruments

 

[shadyJ]

Check these out, Alesis M1 active monitors. They are spec'd with bass extension down to 50 hz, with 6.5" woofers, so you can get by without a sub, but it won't do the real deep bass (but you can't really afford anything that does). $257 shipped. I think that may be the only think near your budget that can give you any kind of substantial bass at all. Anyway I used to have some Alesis speakers, and I have always enjoyed them, they were good monitors with a great crisp sound.

 

[bikemig]

swan d1080 active desktops

These have pretty good specs for the price ($169) and come with a 30 day money back guarantee: Swan D1080 IV active desktop loudspeaker system

 

[ImcLoud]

If you will go $230 or so heres what I would do...
2.0
Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Loudspeaker - 2 Way, 55Hz-20kHz, 80 W, Gold 5-Way Binding Posts at TigerDirect.com
Dayton Audio APA150 150W Power Amplifier 300-812

If you go separate amp you can always upgrade your speakers, but them new pioneers sound amazing... IMO best bang for buck...
The amp is on sale rite now too...

As for a 2.1 with that budget I woldnt bother because when you do want to upgrade you will be tossing your entire pc system out, this way the speaekrs are good for any theater, the amp can be paired with another one for a nice dual mono block setup or ran to a non powered sub, the possibilaties are endless...

Im not sure if you can find a used set os lsi7's but I used a set with that amp and they sounded awesome, they are 4 phms so you will get the full power in stereo...

 

[Terminus14]

These have pretty good specs for the price ($169) and come with a 30 day money back guarantee: Swan D1080 IV active desktop loudspeaker system

This pair in particular is really grabbing my fancy. Not sure why. Perhaps it's just the pretty website.

Anyway, on another site I was recommended a set of speakers to be used in conjunction with the FiiO D3 DAC because it works with optical instead of USB. That would be great as my PS3 has an optical port and, if I understand correctly, this would allow me to use my speakers with it as well. My question here is, can this DAC be used with these Swans?

 

[Terminus14]

If you will go $230 or so heres what I would do...
2.0

Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Loudspeaker - 2 Way, 55Hz-20kHz, 80 W, Gold 5-Way Binding Posts

I don't think I'm going to end up going with an amp because I'd like to put some money into a DAC so I can go to an optical connection to be used with my computer and my PS3 as well. So how would you say these Pioneers compare to the Swan D1080 IV set that was recommended in this thread as well?

 

[ImcLoud]

I don't think I'm going to end up going with an amp because I'd like to put some money into a DAC so I can go to an optical connection to be used with my computer and my PS3 as well. So how would you say these Pioneers compare to the Swan D1080 IV set that was recommended in this thread as well?

Totally different, them are active for one... I am not a fan of active speakers... As far as a dac I like the audioengine d1 works awesome, Iown 3 of them, there is on in the fs section for sale rite now...

I personally dont like active speakers, unless you need them for space, but since someday you may upgrade to a 5.1, than I wouldnt go with active...
With the setup I recomended the apa150 and pioneer bookshelfs, if you add the pioneer senter when your budget allows it, you will have a real nice front 3 capable of good music and great movies...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

OP. You best bet to get all your wants on your budget is to start looking 2nd hand stuff.

I can bet that some decent avr from big brand can be found for reasonable $50-60. I seen plenty of examples on CL.

Same could be applied to speakers, but I think it'll be harder to find what you are looking for.

2012 Models from Pioneer AJ's line are probably your best bet.

Another option would be go active speaker.
These wont break the bank and sound good for the money. Plus they have a dac onboard.
Behringer MS40 Studio Monitors: Music Instruments & Karaoke : Walmart.com

 

[bikemig]

This pair in particular is really grabbing my fancy. Not sure why. Perhaps it's just the pretty website.

Anyway, on another site I was recommended a set of speakers to be used in conjunction with the FiiO D3 DAC because it works with optical instead of USB. That would be great as my PS3 has an optical port and, if I understand correctly, this would allow me to use my speakers with it as well. My question here is, can this DAC be used with these Swans?

Yes. Dacs have analog outs that you can use to connect to powered monitors (or to a receiver or an amp); the only question, which you answered, is whether the source has the right connection for your dac.

You might want to think about a swiss army knife dac headphone amp like the audioengine d1, Audioengine D1 - Audioengineusa.com. It will make a more useful front end for your powered speakers as it will function as a preamp and it has both a usb (very useful for a computer) and digital input. Plus it has a headphone amp.

 

[Terminus14]

Totally different, them are active for one... I am not a fan of active speakers... As far as a dac I like the audioengine d1 works awesome, Iown 3 of them, there is on in the fs section for sale rite now...

I personally dont like active speakers, unless you need them for space, but since someday you may upgrade to a 5.1, than I wouldnt go with active...
With the setup I recomended the apa150 and pioneer bookshelfs, if you add the pioneer senter when your budget allows it, you will have a real nice front 3 capable of good music and great movies...

More evidence that I'm new to all of this and I apologize for all the questions. What exactly is the difference in active and (I assume the opposite would be passive?) speakers? Pros and cons of each?

 

[bikemig]

More evidence that I'm new to all of this and I apologize for all the questions. What exactly is the difference in active and (I assume the opposite would be passive?) speakers? Pros and cons of each?

Passive speakers need an amp or a receiver; active or powered speakers have an amp built in. Powered speakers tend to be a bit more cost effective and it sounds like they would be ideal for your set up and budget.