Help a n00b out

[gurpswu]

Hey guys and girls.

Not that it will matter much, but just to put you in my situation, I'm 18 & a couple of months ago, I started paying more attention to the quality of the music I listen to. I bought a record player and started to buy some of my favourite albums on vinyl. I now want to buy a new set of speakers for my laptop which is currently plugged in to my dad's old JVC S40's using a RCA cable( i think that is what it is), which connects to my laptop and the back of my Hi-Fi system which is connected to the record player I mentioned earlier.

I don't like the sound quality that comes from the speakers, when I am using the laptop,and they are huge and I have limited space on my desk for them to be. When playing from a CD I haven't noticed bad audio quality but I think, when I'm listening to stuff from my iTunes I find it to have too much bass. Especially when the volume is turned up when listening to rock or hip hop stuff. I haven't really tried playing my acoustic stuff that loud . Are my EQ settings on my iTunes and/or AMP messed up? What is the problem here?

I'm very sorry for the bad quality thread and for the stupid questions..im sure their are some.

The Pioneer Hi-Fi is a XD-Z53T. The speakers are JVC Model S-40. Not sure if the below info is required but just to be sure:

Frequency range 50 ~ 20 kHz
Impedance - 8 (think an ohm symbol next to it)
Power Handling Capacity - 35 W RMS(DIN) 70W Music

If for whatever reason you are wondering what type of music I am listening to check my last.fm profile, I can't post the link yet, but my username is grt05.

Again sorry, and thanks for the help. I don't mind buying new speakers if I have to, but keep in mind, I am a student at university, and don't have a job.

Thank you

 

[markw]

What can you afford to devote to this? That's a big part of the equation.

I understand a poor student, but you might want to see what you can find at garage sales, rummage sales, craigslist and where-ever.

 

[gurpswu]

The thing is, I don't know what I need...I have around £200, that I wish to spend. I know I'm not going to get the best system by far..but I would like to upgrade a bit from my current system.

 

[markw]

The next queston really harkens back to your original post. You provided so much information that a little clarification seems to be in order.

Do you want:

1) an all-in-one amplified speaker system for a computer,

2) just a pair of plain unamplified "standard" speakers,

3) or a pair of standard speakers and an amp which you'll need to drive them?

 

[gurpswu]

the first one..Thanks so far

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If your speakers are these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JVC-S-40-Speakers_W0QQitemZ260550472211QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item3caa04b213

Looks they frequency response graph is amazingly flat down to 100hz 0db, but not everyone might like flat response out of speakers.
Audio cards in laptops typically mediocre especially then using headphones-out port. I'd try to connect semi-decent cd/dvd player directly to receiver/speakers and play a few of your favorite CDs.
My bet is your laptop/last-fm/itunes are source of issues.

If your JBL S-40 speakers are in good shape - I wouldn't replace them for aesthetic purposes alone, since even they are vintage, they are made right.

Edit: For all in-one AudioEngine A2/A5 are popular choices, also checkout Behringer Multimedia Speakers, I use MS16 for near-field and they are great

 

[gurpswu]

If your speakers are these:

Looks they frequency response graph is amazingly flat down to 100hz 0db, but not everyone might like flat response out of speakers.
Audio cards in laptops typically mediocre especially then using headphones-out port. I'd try to connect semi-decent cd/dvd player directly to receiver/speakers and play a few of your favorite CDs.
My bet is your laptop/last-fm/itunes are source of issues.

If your JBL S-40 speakers are in good shape - I wouldn't replace them for aesthetic purposes alone, since even they are vintage, they are made right.

Edit: For all in-one AudioEngine A2/A5 are popular choices, also checkout Behringer Multimedia Speakers, I use MS16 for near-field and they are great

Those are indeed the same one's as mine. Is the flat frequency response graph a good or bad thing, I didn't get that from your post..and what does it mean?

I took a look at the A2's and they seem like the perfect size for me. I have a feeling that maybe the bass would be overpowering though, can I just use an equalizer in my itunes or whatever to fix that?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Those are indeed the same one's as mine. Is the flat frequency response graph a good or bad thing, I didn't get that from your post..and what does it mean?

I took a look at the A2's and they seem like the perfect size for me. I have a feeling that maybe the bass would be overpowering though, can I just use an equalizer in my itunes or whatever to fix that?

Flat response means speaker playing exactly what comes in - so - crap in=crap out, however this is a very good thing if you appreciate audio precision.
So basically flat response - is a love or hate thing.

On side note I'd crossover (on your receiver) these at 80-100Hz so it won't attempt (and fail) to play lower (bass) frequencies

 

[gurpswu]

What does the last sentence mean?

 

[gurpswu]

...friendly bump?

 

[indulger]

It means in your receiver setup menu, go to speaker setup, then to crossover, and set the crossover of the speakers to either 80, 90, or 100. What ever sounds best to you. This is so your sub will handle the low freq. not your speakers.