Simple Music Setup for my PC

[boboi]

Happy Holidays everyone!

I've narrowed down my choices for possible setups for my computer system based on budget:

Definitive Technology SM 450- $339.99 on ebay
JBL L830CH- $349.95 on amazon.com
Ascend Acoustics CBM 170 B-Stock- $280.00 shipped from factory

My cheap JBL sub blew out a month ago so I've been without decent bass for my music for a while, anyway I'm currently powering a pair of JBL E20's with a HK AVR 145- no complaints but I've always wondered how much better my music could sound if I upgraded the speakers. If you had to pick, which would you choose and why? A subwoofer would be nice to have again, but for now a nice pair of bookshelves will do (budget won't allow the sub). I listen to mostly classical music and rock (Bon Jovi, U2, Queen, etc.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Imitation]

I was down to just a couple options on a similar budget, and I ended up going with the energy rc-10's from vann's for 300 shipped. They currently have both black and cherry in stock. I had also considered the psb b15 or b25's along with the ascend's. In the end since I wasn't going to have the ability to get a sub I decided to go with the energy's mostly because I liked the reviews that they got and had good bass response in a smaller and better looking package compared to the ascend's. The cherry version also comes with some stands for free, that helped my decision as well.

 

[AVRat]

Tough call, I’d be happy with any of them including the RC-10s and PSB 25s can still be had in your budget range. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMB25

 

[sholling]

I'm impressed. I'll be curious to hear from you how these work out when used up close. I tried a air of Energy C100 on my PC and while they sounded decent (for the price) from 5+ feet away they didn't cut it at 2 feet. That was something that I didn't expect. Please take the time to write something up once you get it setup.

 

[boboi]

I was down to just a couple options on a similar budget, and I ended up going with the energy rc-10's from vann's for 300 shipped. They currently have both black and cherry in stock. I had also considered the psb b15 or b25's along with the ascend's. In the end since I wasn't going to have the ability to get a sub I decided to go with the energy's mostly because I liked the reviews that they got and had good bass response in a smaller and better looking package compared to the ascend's. The cherry version also comes with some stands for free, that helped my decision as well.

Thanks for the reply! Did your Energy RC 10's arrive yet? If they have, do they live up the to testimony of having an ultra smooth tweeter? This would be critical for me as I enjoy classial music- especially violin concerto's. The free stands with the cherry finish pair does sweeten the deal greatly! I'll be thinking some more now.

 

[boboi]

Tough call, I’d be happy with any of them including the RC-10s and PSB 25s can still be had in your budget range. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMB25

Thanks for the reply! My uncle has a pair of PSB Image T6 Towers in his setup and they sounded fantastic! Not that that has anything to do with my currrent situation, but my only concern for the PSB 25s is that they are rated at 6 ohms and I wouldn't want to overdrive my receiver.

 

[boboi]

I'm impressed. I'll be curious to hear from you how these work out when used up close. I tried a air of Energy C100 on my PC and while they sounded decent (for the price) from 5+ feet away they didn't cut it at 2 feet. That was something that I didn't expect. Please take the time to write something up once you get it setup.

Thanks for the reply! I currently use my JBL E20's roughly 3 feet away from me and they are decent- it's just that the tweeter tends to sound piercing to my ears and I can't listen for prolonged durations of time with them. When I settle on my decision, I'll come back and do a write up of what I got and how they sound.

 

[boboi]

I've decided

I realized that I would need to purchase speaker stands for whichever speaker I ended up going with and since the Energy RC 10's in the cherry finish came with free 31 Inch Omni Pillar stands, it was hard to pass up. Thanks to everyone that left their input, I will write up a review of them upon receiving them and spending quality time getting to know the twins! Happy listening all!

 

[Imitation]

Yeah mine shipped but I might not get them until after the new year. We'll have to see how quick fedex gets them here. I'm excited too! I've been putting up with logitech z-5500's for too long, time for some quality speakers to play my increasingly large lossless music collection.

 

[boboi]

Yeah mine shipped but I might not get them until after the new year. We'll have to see how quick fedex gets them here. I'm excited too! I've been putting up with logitech z-5500's for too long, time for some quality speakers to play my increasingly large lossless music collection.

Vann's just notified me that they shipped my order today and the estimated date of delivery is January 4th. A new year with new speakers- very exciting indeed! I look forward to your impressions of them as well once you receive yours.

 

[fredk]

Not that that has anything to do with my currrent situation, but my only concern for the PSB 25s is that they are rated at 6 ohms and I wouldn't want to overdrive my receiver.

Your receiver will be fine with a 6 Ohm load.

 

[boboi]

Your receiver will be fine with a 6 Ohm load.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Imitation]

Haha mine are due to arrive the same day! sadly i have to work that day so I probly won't get them setup till late that night or the 5th. also i'm working with an 3.5mm to rca adapter right now I need to buy a couple patch cables from monoprice to make the setup more permanent.

 

[Imitation]

My RC-10's came yesterday in a HUGE box from vann's cause the omnimount stands were in the box too. They were in perfect shape, the cherry is darker than I expected. Sadly the office needs to get reshaped somewhat for me to have room to set them up around my L shaped desk. Wife hates the desk so I decided to dismantle one side and move my desktop to that side but now my cables don't reach so I'm gonna have to fix that issue before I can get them completely hooked up.

boboi do u have yours running yet?

 

[boboi]

My RC-10's came yesterday in a HUGE box from vann's cause the omnimount stands were in the box too. They were in perfect shape, the cherry is darker than I expected. Sadly the office needs to get reshaped somewhat for me to have room to set them up around my L shaped desk. Wife hates the desk so I decided to dismantle one side and move my desktop to that side but now my cables don't reach so I'm gonna have to fix that issue before I can get them completely hooked up.

boboi do u have yours running yet?

Hey Imitation,

My RC 10's arrived yesterday too! I have to agree, the cherry finish is darker as compared to the photos online, I am actually very pleased with this. I set mine up yesterday and was floored by the quality of sound! In my opinion, a HUGE step up from my JBL E20's. I am currently listening to them as I type this- my review of them is soon to follow! I will leave you with this though, I have never heard such clean and pleasant highs from a tweeter. I am sure you will be very happy with the sound as well.