Decent speakers for a PC

[parker82]

Hello,

I'm looking for a decent 2.1 speaker system for use on my computer. I'd like to stay in a low budget (300$ for the complete system), but I'm having trouble to find manufacturers that give meaningful specifications about their products. As an engineer, I don't like spending money without really knowing what performance I'm getting for it in return...
I'm writing in this forum with the hope to find brand names where I can find objectively tested hardware, i.e. with frequency response data (range and attenuation).
Is rigorous testing and hard data something that is only reserved for high-end hardware, or can I hope to find this for lower budget speakers as well? If so, where?

Thank you for any advice!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Unfortunately PC 2.1 has been long forgotten and rarely anything is out there which could be called decent
In this price range I really know only one system - ProMedia 2.1 Computer Speakers | Klipsch®
You are right to look for detailed measurements, but they hard to find in general for most product, in pc speakers field - next to impossible
I would highly advise vs using any sort of internal to pc (build-in or pci add-on) sound card. Despite the claims they always suffer from crosstalk and RF interference from other pc components.
You best bet to isolate the sound is to use (found on most modern desktops) optical out to external dac.
This one will do just fine:
Amazon.com: FiiO D3 Digital to Analog Audio Converter - 192kHz/24bit Optical and Coaxial DAC: Musical Instruments

Alternatively if you are in the rush, I highly recommend to wait for next sale for JBL LSR2325p studio monitors (see my sig) - Not long ago amazon had them for 150/each - which is great price.
I grabbed mine for $370 a pair and was happy for good deal few years back.

Here is good place to track the price and set alerts:
JBL LSR2325P Two-Way 5" Bi-Amplified Studio Monitor | Amazon price tracker / tracking, Amazon price history charts, Amazon price watches, Amazon price drop alerts | camelcamelcamel.com

 

[Cos]

I was at Emotiva Fest in Naperville Il and picked up a pair of these on sale for like 279.00. Great Speakers for a PC

Granted there is no Subwoofer, but you really don't need it as these mini speakers produce great bass.

Airmotiv 4 Powered Studio Monitor (pair) | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers,

 

[JerryLove]

Old AVR at a pawn shop.
Pair of studio monitors (I use PSB 400i's, but would recommend looking at Behringer 2030p)
Subwoofer off craigslist (I am using a B&W I got for around $100)

 

[SearchofSub]

Heard cambridge S30's are good as well as Berringer 2030's.

 

[LiveJazz]

Old AVR at a pawn shop.
Pair of studio monitors (I use PSB 400i's, but would recommend looking at Behringer 2030p)
Subwoofer off craigslist (I am using a B&W I got for around $100)

I agree with this. Can't get much more flexibility.

 

[tcarcio]

Would he need 2030p or 2030a ?

 

[SearchofSub]

2030A I bevlieve is the newer model and goes lower than the 2030P. Same size woofers but 2030A hits down to 50hz vs. 2030P hitting down to 75hz. If he's getting a sub that wouldnt matter I suppose but from the specs, it says the 2030A are built specifically for near-field use and are tested by their engineers for 30 minutes before being shipped out.

Maximum power rating for the 2030A is 125 vs. the 2030P which 100, so it should go cleaner at louder volumes. and its bi-amped so it will stay linear/cleaner with lesser distortion at higher volumes.


"the B2030A have a clear and punchy sound in a very compact and sturdy box. It's Bi-amped, so the tweeter and the woofer are managed separately and the linear frequency response is very flat, so you can really tell when your mixes are balanced. I tested them for about an hour and I was really convinced, so I bought them for my home studio."




I'd get the updated one/ 2030A.

 

[tcarcio]

The 2030a's have built in amps unlike the P's. I have a set of the P's and they are nearfield monitors also but you need something to power them.

 

[GranteedEV]

You will get better balance of bass with some large powered monitors than with an external sub at thst price range IMO. The LSR monitors mentioned earlier are a fine option.

 

[ImcLoud]

you could do this, should sound good...
Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics
Amazon.com: 2013 New Version!! Upgraded LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with US Power Supply Black, US Shipping!!!: Electronics
Amazon.com: SMAKN Muse USB DAC Pcm2704 Sound Card Optical Coaxial Decoder USB to S/pdif Converter: Electronics
Amazon.com: FMOD Crossover Pair 100 Hz High Pass: Car Electronics
Amazon.com : Mediabridge CYA-1M2F-P Ultra Series - RCA Y Adapter - 1-Male to 2-Female for Digital Audio or Subwoofer : Subwoofer Cables : Electronics
Amazon.com : Mediabridge Ultra Series Subwoofer Cable - 6 Feet, Black - Dual Shielded with RCA to RCA Gold Plated Pro Grade Connectors : Electronics
Amazon.com : Cable Wholesale 2 RCA Male / 2 RCA Male High Quality Audio Cable 3 ft : Electronics
Dayton Audio SUB-800 8" 80 Watt Powered Subwoofer 300-627

go from your pcs usb to the usb on the dac, then put a splitter on one of the dacs outputs to run to the subwoofer, install the pair of fmods on the 2 rcas for the amplifier so your bookshelfs don't get any bass (this will give more power for the highs and let the subs amp take care of the lows)... set the amp and sub volume ten use the volume control on your pc as the master... Should be a good system for short money...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Only change I would do, If your pc already has optical out, then swap this

Amazon.com: SMAKN Muse USB DAC Pcm2704 Sound Card Optical Coaxial Decoder USB to S/pdif Converter: Electronics

for that:

Amazon.com: FiiO D3 Digital to Analog Audio Converter - 192kHz/24bit Optical and Coaxial DAC: Musical Instruments

It's a pretty good setup overall, not as powerful as jbl's above, but very

In addition instead of Lepai, Dac,fmod and few cables (total about $95-100) you could easily pick up used avr on Craigslist or pawnshop

So : used AVR - $50-100. Pioneer speakers and Pioneer 8" Sub for $100 , would be my other option.

Check AH's review for these speakers - they measure beautifully, especially considering their price.

edit: and if you pc doesn't have optical out, that be easily fixed:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812186171&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-USB+Converters-_-N82E16812186171&gclid=CO2tnuyijbkCFUyi4Aod2G4AjQ

 

[ImcLoud]

I don't like using an AVR for music systems, and I really don't like them sitting on my desk taking up valuable real estate... My pc system is a set of eco2-08s, a matching sealed 12" wharfedale sub, emotiva mini X, fmods, D1 dac and it sounds great... But I do have the lepai (older version) powering a set of truth 2030s's and it can get loud with little effort, but this is because the lows are cut out of the mix and sent to the subs amp, when I play them full range they are not nearly as powerful...

 

[JerryLove]

I went the AVR route because he asked for 2.1. There are (IMO) no "computer speaker" sets that will match my recommendation.

As to real-estate... well, you are gonna need amps, a crossover, and (likely) a DAC.
I suppose you could you powered speakers (the poster stating that the difference between the 2030P and 2030A is that the A has an amp is correct), split an RCA out from your computer, use a passive in-line crossover, and attach the subs, drivers, and assorted power cables... but it seems simpler to make a shelf for your AVR.

I went the sub route because he asked for 2.1. I don't see a way to get nearly the bass response out of a $300 pair of bookshelves that you'll get out of a $100 pair of bookshelves and a used sub.

 

[tmurnin]

What are you using the system for? Movies or music? Is this your main listening area or just occasional? Personally, I love the Audioengine D-1 DAC and their A2 speakers. That will not get you a subwoofer and the speakers are great for their size, but they are not equal to full fledged bookshelves (they don't take up that kind of real estate either). If you can swing a little more $$, the A-5 speakers are fantastic and they do allow you to add a subwoofer down the road should you choose to do that. Personally, I'd start with just the A-5's and use your PC line out until you can afford the D-1 DAC, then I'd add the subwoofer last. However, that is all from the perspective of someone who doesn't have the room in my home office to set up a receiver and full size bookshelf speakers. If you can do that, you will definitely get better sound from that setup than any computer speakers.

 

[shadyJ]

In that budget, I would forget the sub and just get a pair of used active speakers that have some decent bass extension. Behringer 2031a, KRK Rokit 8, JBL LSR2328, Mackie MR8, Look around on ebay, craigslist, etc. By the way, why do all used active monitors on ebay have their dustcaps pushed in?

 

[panteragstk]

Guitar center has a good selection of used and new monitors. Might get a pretty good deal if you look.

 

[parker82]

Many thanks for your helpful replies. I will have a look at each of the options you suggested, and come back with questions if I have any.

I would highly advise vs using any sort of internal to pc (build-in or pci add-on) sound card. Despite the claims they always suffer from crosstalk and RF interference from other pc components.
You best bet to isolate the sound is to use (found on most modern desktops) optical out to external dac.

Thanks also for this extra bit of information. I've always wondered why my speakers where making noise even when I didn't play any sound. I never suspected it could be due to interference in the DAC itself.

 

[bikemig]

I was at Emotiva Fest in Naperville Il and picked up a pair of these on sale for like 279.00. Great Speakers for a PC

Granted there is no Subwoofer, but you really don't need it as these mini speakers produce great bass.

Airmotiv 4 Powered Studio Monitor (pair) | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers,

Agreed. I recently picked up a pair of the airmotiv 4 for my office and paired with the audioengine d1 dac. The speakers have very nice specs and sound great. I couldn't be happier with my computer music system.

 

[parker82]

I've read the specs and reviews for the equipment you mentioned, and I will go for a 2.0 system as most of you suggested - I've always had 2.1 systems for my computer, and I didn't even know you could get decent bass with a 2.0 system alone. I'll go for an external DAC (probably the AudioEngine D1), and JBL LSR2325P or Behringer Truth monitors (probably JBL, as they are cheaper).

Now I do have a couple more questions for you, to know precisely what I can do with it:
- Since these are amplified speakers, is it correct that I can connect an iPod (for example) directly to the speakers with a stereo 3.5mm to RCA adapter, should I want to do so?
- Say I want to add a subwoofer to this system later on, how can I do that in practice? Will I have to use Y-cables and filters as ImcLoud suggested?