Speaker noob looking to upgrade

[donnyz89]

so I'm totally new to the audio gimmicks. I've been using a creative t20 2.0 set and one of the speaker seem to be getting random interference and I've had them for a while so I want to upgrade.

after reading the forum for a bit, I realize that a lot of people don't use out of the box computer speakers but add amplifiers or additional subwoofers.

then there are all these different types of speakers (active, passive, monitor), and different amplifiers, preamplifiers, etc etc... and I have no idea what to get, how to make sure the pieces work together. I don't want to get a set of speakers and an amplifier just to find that they don't work.

anyways, if someone could point me to a comprehensive beginner's guide to setting up a nice audio station for PC, or just highlight a couple key points that I should know that would be great!

finally, I'm considering the M-Audio Studiophile AV30 which seem to be pretty nice monitor speakers. I'm not a huge bass person nor do I plan on shaking my apartment, I'm more interested in clarity and quality than heavy bass. my question with that is, should I get an amplifier? what if I don't have a nice sound card? my total budget is under $150

sorry if this is a lot of question and being a forum veteran in other areas, I know sometimes its annoying for a noob to come in and ask 50 questions thats already in the stickies, but I haven't had a great deal of luck finding the answers I need but if there is a thread, please direct me there

thanks,

cheers

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

so I'm totally new to the audio gimmicks. I've been using a creative t20 2.0 set and one of the speaker seem to be getting random interference and I've had them for a while so I want to upgrade.

after reading the forum for a bit, I realize that a lot of people don't use out of the box computer speakers but add amplifiers or additional subwoofers.

then there are all these different types of speakers (active, passive, monitor), and different amplifiers, preamplifiers, etc etc... and I have no idea what to get, how to make sure the pieces work together. I don't want to get a set of speakers and an amplifier just to find that they don't work.

anyways, if someone could point me to a comprehensive beginner's guide to setting up a nice audio station for PC, or just highlight a couple key points that I should know that would be great!

finally, I'm considering the M-Audio Studiophile AV30 which seem to be pretty nice monitor speakers. I'm not a huge bass person nor do I plan on shaking my apartment, I'm more interested in clarity and quality than heavy bass. my question with that is, should I get an amplifier? what if I don't have a nice sound card? my total budget is under $150

sorry if this is a lot of question and being a forum veteran in other areas, I know sometimes its annoying for a noob to come in and ask 50 questions thats already in the stickies, but I haven't had a great deal of luck finding the answers I need but if there is a thread, please direct me there

thanks,

cheers

First - Hi Donny and Welcome to AH!

What type of computer do you have? is it a desktop or laptop? do you already have digital audio out (optical or coax?)
I think that Behringer MS40 would a better choice for you
you could get them here:
http://www.buy.com/prod/behringer-ms40-digital-monitor-speakers-2-0-channel-40w-rms/q/sellerid/11981947/loc/101/204887426.html
or even better ask Zzounds for price match to the deal above (click on seen it for less)

 

[bikemig]

so I'm totally new to the audio gimmicks. I've been using a creative t20 2.0 set and one of the speaker seem to be getting random interference and I've had them for a while so I want to upgrade.

after reading the forum for a bit, I realize that a lot of people don't use out of the box computer speakers but add amplifiers or additional subwoofers.

then there are all these different types of speakers (active, passive, monitor), and different amplifiers, preamplifiers, etc etc... and I have no idea what to get, how to make sure the pieces work together. I don't want to get a set of speakers and an amplifier just to find that they don't work.

anyways, if someone could point me to a comprehensive beginner's guide to setting up a nice audio station for PC, or just highlight a couple key points that I should know that would be great!

finally, I'm considering the M-Audio Studiophile AV30 which seem to be pretty nice monitor speakers. I'm not a huge bass person nor do I plan on shaking my apartment, I'm more interested in clarity and quality than heavy bass. my question with that is, should I get an amplifier? what if I don't have a nice sound card? my total budget is under $150

sorry if this is a lot of question and being a forum veteran in other areas, I know sometimes its annoying for a noob to come in and ask 50 questions thats already in the stickies, but I haven't had a great deal of luck finding the answers I need but if there is a thread, please direct me there

thanks,

cheers

Donny: for $150, all you need is a pair of powered speakers. The Behringers that BSA suggested would work well. These Swan speakers are a good deal at $134 and you get a 30 day trial period to check them out, http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?p=swan-d1010mkii08&products_id=166. For $117, Swan M-10s would work well also, http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?p=swan-m10&products_id=89. If you google the swans, you'll find some online reviews especially of the M-10s.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

These swan speakers are a good deal at $134 and you get a 30 day trial period to check them out, http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?p=swan-d1010mkii08&products_id=166.

"Out of stock and discontinued. Please check back Fall 2011 for the new Swan D1010 IV replacement."

 

[bikemig]

"Out of stock and discontinued. Please check back Fall 2011 for the new Swan D1010 IV replacement."

The other speakers I suggested, the M-10s for $117 are not out of stock. Personally, I'd buy the Swan M-10s if I were looking for speakers in this price range. They have nice specs, they look cool, and there are great online reviews for them.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The other speakers I suggested, the M-10s for $117 are not out of stock. Personally, I'd buy the Swan M-10s if I were looking for speakers in this price range. They have nice specs, they look cool, and there are great online reviews for them.

Last edited by bikemig; Today at 06:46 AM.
And that's why AH have hour edit limit ...





I don't know why I even bother ...

 

[donnyz89]

thanks for the suggestion, those do look nice.

another question. If I wanted to upgrade in the future, could I add an amplifier to these speakers? would it help?

thanks, and cheers guys!

 

[its phillip]

No. The speakers have built in amplification.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

thanks for the suggestion, those do look nice.

another question. If I wanted to upgrade in the future, could I add an amplifier to these speakers? would it help?

thanks, and cheers guys!

All the speakers so far me and bike advised to you have built-in amplifier which you can not bypass or add external one.

You could get a subwoofer thou later on