Speakers! Recommend me some? :o

[SunnyOctopus]

Hi! I'm looking to get a pair of good speakers (measure close to flat when frequency response is tested) and other audio related equipment that may enhance (make flatter) the speaker's sound.

I'm really not too audio-educated so I'd appreciate help from any audiophiles out there.

I'd be listening through my computer...I have the sound card pictured below, but could definitely get something else:

Creative X-fi Xtreme Audio

So anyone have a list of things you'd recommend I purchase in the 1000$ range? Speakers, sounds cards, calibrating tools, or anything, really. Whatever will get me the best (flattest) sound possible.


Thank you so much for your time! ^_^

 

[m_vanmeter]

you have two options - run the line level outputs from the computer card into an a/v receiver which supports separate channel inputs and will drive a set of typical HT passive speakers ....or.... connect powered studio monitor type speakers directly to the sound card and let the amplifier in each monitor take care of amplifying the card output.

Will this setup be just for your computer, i.e a "near field" setup or do you hope to drive a room full of surround sound speakers with the card and some form of amplification ?

 

[SunnyOctopus]

you have two options - run the line level outputs from the computer card into an a/v receiver which supports separate channel inputs and will drive a set of typical HT passive speakers ....or.... connect powered studio monitor type speakers directly to the sound card and let the amplifier in each monitor take care of amplifying the card output.

Will this setup be just for your computer, i.e a "near field" setup or do you hope to drive a room full of surround sound speakers with the card and some form of amplification ?

I was just planning on stereo to play from my computer.


As for the second question, I don't really know. Whatever will sound better?

 

[SunnyOctopus]

I was thinking something like this would work well in providing a nice, wide soundfield:

The black box and smiley face represents me and the computer desk. That's sorta the shape of my room, but I'll provide exact measurements later?


Thanks again.

 

[NicolasKL]

What are the main uses of this going to be? Audio creation? Video games? Music? Movies?

The flat sound makes me think some kind of audio creation or editing, in which case it sounds like you could use a good set of studio monitors, powered or otherwise. Which is far from my realm of expertise, but I have a friend that swears by Mackie HR624mk2 which I believe fall into your price range. He's a music generating nut but not really an audiophile like most of us are, if that makes sense, so he could be full of poo though.

Depends what you're using them for though.

 

[Below10hz]

Magnetic Sheilding

Might be a good idea to get speakers that are magnetically sheilded as this will prevent noise from the computer being transmitted to the speakers.

 

[shadyJ]

Magnetic shielding is there to protect stuff around the speaker from its magnet, like say CRT monitors or magnetic strips on cards. It isn't there to help the sound in any way.

By the way, I'm glad all you "audio pedophiles" were ready to dispense advice. If you don't know what I am talking about, read the first post closer.

 

[SunnyOctopus]

What are the main uses of this going to be? Audio creation? Video games? Music? Movies?

The flat sound makes me think some kind of audio creation or editing, in which case it sounds like you could use a good set of studio monitors, powered or otherwise. Which is far from my realm of expertise, but I have a friend that swears by Mackie HR624mk2 which I believe fall into your price range. He's a music generating nut but not really an audiophile like most of us are, if that makes sense, so he could be full of poo though.

Depends what you're using them for though.

I'll be using them to listen to music.

I just mentioned the flat thing because I figured any preference towards any colorization that certain speakers may cause is subjective. I just want good sound that can be quantified, you know?


Thanks again! : D

 

[NicolasKL]

I'd take a look at Ascend Acoustics speakers, whichever fits your size and budget constraints the best, and pretty much whoever you like for a sub and do 2.1.

I can't imagine anyone not liking any of their offerings, and I've heard all of them except for the CBM-170 (and own their smallest speakers for my PC, the HTM-200SE). The HTM is a GREAT small speaker, which was important for me doing 5.1 in a computer room, but if I was doing 2.1 I prob would have gone with the CMT-340.

I went with a VTF-1 (10") for my sub but only because it was on sale, otherwise I would have gone with a STF-2. Any of their (Hsu's) subs are good, but so are subs from SVS and Epik and eD and Rythmik and others.

 

[SunnyOctopus]

How would this work out for me? I already have some stands.

 

[SunnyOctopus]

Anyone? [:

 

[lsiberian]

Anyone? [:

When you start of equating us to some of the worst criminals don't expect us to help you?

I don't appreciate what you called us in the first post.

 

[SunnyOctopus]

When you start of equating us to some of the worst criminals don't expect us to help you?

I don't appreciate what you called us in the first post.

It was an accident. I'm sorry. :[

 

[lsiberian]

It was an accident. I'm sorry. :[

Fine then I suggest the Behringer 2031p's they are monitor speakers and very accurate.

Pair them with an Audiosource amp and you'll have a very nice setup.

 

[JerryLove]

I'll add that I suggest running digital from the computer to the amp and doing DAC there. Sound cards are notorious for unwanted noise out of their analog inputs (there's a lot of interference in the case).

Flat might be hard to manage in a small-speaker system. Given that rooms color sound anyway, I'd recommend a good equalizer (there's actually some decent equalizing software for the PC) and a response meter (or better still, auto-calibration software)

 

[zvardanian]

Ascend: HTM-200 - 278
SVS: PB10-NSD - 499
HK 3390 : 219 (has sub level outputs) free shipping too.
HK 3395: 300 (same as above, more power and optical in)
I you can find a good 8 inch sub for cheaper, go for it.

 

[fredk]

Audioholics did a review of some KRKs here.

If you don't have a lot of realestate for a receiver and are looking at active monitors, Mackie has some monitors that have received positive comment here. Just do a search.

 

[wickedjawsh]

I use the Audioengine A5's (~$325) and love them. They are monitor speakers, so you won't need an amp and have more oomph than any PC speakers I've seen. Was a HUGE upgrade from my previous system (a 7.1 logitech system) and are pretty versatile because it has two inputs (i.e. comp + mp3 device, etc) and a usb charging port (for ipods.) It even works well as a stand-alone ipod dock if you want.

While i think they are a great deal, I'm sure you can get better if you are interested in sinking ~$1k into it.

Hope this helps (a little),

-Josh