Perspective help

[monsterman]

Hello All,
It's been some time since I have been on here. I need help and perspective for a long term goal.

Goals: To eventually have a budget reference 2.1 (music only) computer sound system.

Current Gear:

Audioengine A5's ( Audioengine A5 Powered Speaker System Review — Reviews and News from Audioholics )
Onix X-Sub ( Onix x-sub Subwoofer Review — Reviews and News from Audioholics )
Very Powerful PC using motherboard 3.5mm output

1 BR apartment cool neighbors /wink


Concerns:
I will start by saying I have done some research but all answers found were not from true Audiophiles so I don't trust them.

1. How is signal quality from motherboard to A5's compared to some other option?
2. Imaging ---- How to I adjust my **** without lets say a DCX2496? Are there any other desktop (low profile) solutions?
3. Perspective on how this will all end up sounding vs cost.
IE. is it better off to start off fresh sending a signal to a processor then out to the 2.1 thus allowing the processor to do the sound imaging and eq?

Long-Term Goals:
I'm a bass addict through and through.
I'd like to either get a JL F110 or an Emotiva Ultra 12 (any other sub suggestions should be extremely sexy aka high WAF )
I'd like to have my small apartment donned with acoustic wall treatments
I'd like my system to bring tears of sound bliss to guests.
I want play chill music and be astonished by the sound quality then 5 minutes later I want to play some rap music and have my gut checked by bone crushing bass.

 

[monsterman]

Basically what I'm asking is:
What should I do next?

Should I keep going along this path by adding speaker stands and find some sort of EQ software/hardware, adding quality interconnects, quality sound card and High quality subwoofer?
Or
Should I move to getting a processor, eq, and use the pc for only source material?

 

[ski2xblack]

Step one: better subs. Forget the expensive JL sub, and consider less expensive smaller sealed 12" subs (plural; you want at least two). You will probably not get the 20 hz extension, but you'll get much better dynamics and smoother in room response everywhere above that. Depends on if music or low freq sound effects are more important to you. I like music myself, don't think I'll ever watch Optimus Prime drop a car on anyone.

Step two: miniDSP or something to integrate subs perfectly.

Step three: play with speaker placement and room treatments. Just looking at your pics, the speakers are too close together for much stereo image beyond your desk chair. Space 'em wider, toe in a bit more, treat first reflection points, etc.

Then, if you really want to shred your ears, get more dynamically capable mains able to keep up with your newfound bass performance.

 

[monsterman]

I'll get some 30" Sonus Speaker stands.
I'm looking for the best build quality possible in my gear. Any suggestions on these cheaper sealed 12" subwoofers of smaller size. I was under the impression the Emotiva Ultra 12 was 'cheap' ~$500-600?

 

[ski2xblack]

Lots of threads in the subwoofer forum on good performance/value subs you should research. I just think for the price of the JL Fathom you could get a superior performing multi-sub setup and still have some dollars left in your pocket for miniDSP/speaker stands/more tunes/etc.

I think the Emo subs are worthy contenders in the budget sub range. For a room as small as yours perhaps even their 10" models would suffice. They're smaller, thus easier to place and take up less precious space in the small room; trade off would be that they may limit in-room extension to ~35-40 instead of ~30-35 hz...flat into the mid 30's is entirely sufficient for music imo.

But there are more options than I could list...SVS, Hsu, etc.

I think Rhythmik and Nathan Funk would be on my personal short list of who to call.

 

[monsterman]

I have just ordered the Sonus 30" speaker stands in Mocha/Black.

I agree with you that 2x 10" subwoofers should be fine for my space. It should be noted that the JL Fathom 110 would be purchased used at ~1200 not the retail price. I search Audiogon subwoofer classifieds all the time.
I think 2x emotiva Ultra 10" or 12" should be fine considering the performance.
Aesthetics and build quality are absolutely #1 in my book.
Funky Waves look beautiful but are only offered in ported designs.
Rythmik finish is not my cup of tea ... they look too cookie cutter.
HSU only the super expensive subs are sexy
SVS not really my thing. I like natural wood colors in my gear as I like to have plants and wood blends as a style.
Emotiva does not offer wood colored products but I like the company and think they should be supported with my business.

 

[monsterman]

Funky Waves looks very very cool. Upon further inspection I now see that you can customize your subwoofer. Wonderful and appreciate suggestion.
My Sonus Speaker stands are coming in any day now and I will post back once I've done more research on subwoofers and MiniDSP