2.1 Audio Suggestion

[Praytus]

I'm looking for an audio system suggestion for a 2.1 system, used for both a computer and home theater.

I'd like something a little better then the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia as far as quality goes, with a couple hundred dollars for budget. The comp has a DS3 motherboard in Vista 64 (so driver support is a consideration), so an audio card is probably in order as well. The only concern for the computer is music. Card, speakers, sub, receiver I think complete the set.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[0roo0roo]

klipsch ifi. the sats are from their regular line of speakers, much larger than your average pc speaker,good for the midrange.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Ok, so is it only for music or will it be used for HT duties as well?

If its only music, is there any reason you might be averse to headphones? For the price you can get headphones that will be much better for music. Just something to consider.

So what is your budget exactly? You say a couple of hundred, but I don't know if you're including everything in it or just the speakers.

Since music is your aim, if your motherboard has digital out then I would say use that. Audio drivers in general in Vista are terrible across the board so I don't think a sound card will alleviate the problems there. Its not as bad as that sounds as it should be pretty easy to get good 2 channel audio out.

As for the speakers themselves, these are pretty popular and not very expensive (and if you're feeling up to it there is some moddifications you can make to improve the sound for little money). They don't look half bad either, just remember they are big, probably as big as the complete Promedia 2.1 set including the subwoofer. There's a few other brands that have some bookshelves around that price that aren't bad at all for the money. For the lowend you can pick up something like this (they also have a 10" and 12" for a little more each).

If your hard budget is $200 total then I would say grab one of those cheap bookshelf pairs, a Sonic T-Amp (about $30 I think), and something that can feed them a pretty good signal (so a sound card or possibly a DAC). Or possibly use your motherboard for the time being (really shouldn't be too bad, modern mobos are actually ok) and save up for a reciever and sub or possibly better bookshelves.

Some other options:
The Klipsch i-Fi is good, but they've been discontinued by Klipsch and so can be hard to find. I know Best Buy was running them on clearance for a nice price for a while but they're probably out of them now.

These I think I heard pretty good things about. They should be good for music. The sub can be a bit of a problem although I think they might have a set that does include a sub. I don't recall off the top of my head.

There's probably quite a few other options, and there's several other people on here who will be able to add to it.

The last thing is just some extra info that would help people in recommending something:

Music only? What kind of music?
Hard line budget and what is included in that (everything, just the speakers).
Are headphones a possible option?
Are there any space constraints (so no reciever and large bookshelf speakers and sub)?
Is a sub a necessity (by answering the others you will probably answer this)?
Don't forget the software (by this I'm talking about what you use to listen as well as what format you have your audio in).

 

[Sunrise089]

I have Logitech z2300s. I cannot recommend them enough. IMHO they sound much better than more/equally expensive 2.1 sets from Klipsch, Bose, and Logitech's own (POS) z10s.

When I bought mine they were on an amazing sale - $50, shipped. I would say it was one of the best speaker-for-the-money deals ever, but I am biased. A year and a half ago when I picked them up, I know Amazon had them on various sales on and off. Right now, they are $120 at Amazon. It may be worth watching every now and again to see if they drop back down.

 

[Synomenon]

Well you have a huge budget, so I suggest picking up the Z2300s from a local store to try them out with your system. If you don't like them then no harm done, just return them for refund and pickup the Klipsch.

 

[gneGne]

How do the z2300 sound with jazz music?

 

[Praytus]

I'd like to keep the budget under 1000$, half that if possible. Headphones won't cover the requirement for the television.

It will be used for music and home theater, but only in a 2.1 setting.

No space constraints within a normal setting.

Music covers a diverse range. My problem with the ProMedia was the lack of deep base response (and integration into the HT)

Software is simply iTunes. I'm not searching for audiophile clarity as much as I am a lack of distortion when the music/HT is cranked up.

The motherboard is 3.3 rev DS3 (should arrive wednesday, so can't comment on the onboard audio).

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Praytus
I'd like to keep the budget under 1000$, half that if possible. Headphones won't cover the requirement for the television.

It will be used for music and home theater, but only in a 2.1 setting.

No space constraints within a normal setting.

Music covers a diverse range. My problem with the ProMedia was the lack of deep base response (and integration into the HT)

Software is simply iTunes. I'm not searching for audiophile clarity as much as I am a lack of distortion when the music/HT is cranked up.

The motherboard is 3.3 rev DS3 (should arrive wednesday, so can't comment on the onboard audio).

Is this for a HT PC or a typical desktop?

Either way you seem to be in similar boat as myself, see here. Check out the end of the thread to see what I'm currently thinking.

If you are not adverse to getting your hands a bit dirty kits go a long way in the world of higher-end audio. Check out some of these excellent Madisound kits for a look at what is possible.

 

[Praytus]

It is for both a desktop PC and a HT Television/DVD.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I would highly recommend going out and listening to some different options on a budget like that. You'll have a lot of different products to choose from and every person has their own preferences for what sounds best to them.

Going out to a place that has a decent selection of monitors or an AV / HT oriented store to look at bookshelf speaker options with the help of a demo-disc you bring with you should give you a good idea of what's out there.

 

[Praytus]

I've considered that, and would be a good option if I was just looking for something to hook up to my tv/dvd- but integrating with the computer is where my knowledge limit drops. I want to make sure the reciever connects to the best option to the computer.

Also, this will be an online purchase so I'll have to rely on some experts here for the best option.

I'm not an audiophile nor do I have very discerned hearing, so personal preference shouldn't be too much of a factor, other then the consideration that I thought the promedia speakers were lacking in bass. I suppose I want something with some power and kick.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Here is some info about hooking up a receiver to a computer.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=30&threadid=1940133&enterthread=y

It's pretty simple especially if you just want to run 2.1

 

[soccerballtux]

What kind of music do you listen to (if much at all?)

You could get the Logitech z5500's for $300 after shipping. They're great for movies and games. Not good for music; especially rock. The 12" sub cone needs more like ~220-240 watts to hit the kicks comfortably; and unfortunately it's only got 187 so what you get is more of a delayed muddy whump in your rock music. Not too appealing. However I'm very picky about my music; and keep in mind it took me ~1.5 years to notice this muddiness in my music. To be obliviously happy with a purchase for that long; it must not be all that bad.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
What kind of music do you listen to (if much at all?)

You could get the Logitech z5500's for $300 after shipping. They're great for movies and games. Not good for music; especially rock. The 12" sub cone needs more like ~220-240 watts to hit the kicks comfortably; and unfortunately it's only got 187 so what you get is more of a delayed muddy whump in your rock music. Not too appealing. However I'm very picky about my music; and keep in mind it took me ~1.5 years to notice this muddiness in my music. To be obliviously happy with a purchase for that long; it must not be all that bad.

Actually the z-5500s are only $200

The sub is 10"

I don't think it's a lack of wattage that's the problem with the Logitech subs sounding muddy.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Actually the z-5500s are only $200

The sub is 10"

I don't think it's a lack of wattage that's the problem with the Logitech subs sounding muddy.

I don't think you can find them for $200 anymore. In fact people were all over a deal for them for about $260. I think its the lack of competition (the Creative ones nobody seems to buy and the Klipsch ones have been discontinued).

I tried the Z-5500s about a year ago. They actually did sound pretty good, but you are getting what you pay for. The sub was easily the weakest link in the system in my opinion (unless it was the control pod not doing the best job of processing/passing on the signal). It was ok for some music, and is probably ok for games, but was lackluster for movies. I easily noticed a big difference between it and my 10" Dayton sub. I booted up War of the Worlds and several of the scenes were night and day different (the emergence scene definitely was way better on the Dayton). I really felt like I was missing out with the Logitech, the scene loses a lot of its impact (literally).

I can't even imagine what its like for someone who has a setup like YoYo's to hear things on a different one. I guess the first time wouldn't be bad since you wouldn't know what you're missing but once you've gotten used to it, you really do feel like you're missing out. For me its actually more noticable than going from fullscreen to widescreen on DVDs.

 

[0roo0roo]

there are still some 3rd party sellers of the ifi on amazon and stuff.
damn shame they discontinued it. its sats are superior to any logitech computer speakers.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Actually the z-5500s are only $200

The sub is 10"

I don't think it's a lack of wattage that's the problem with the Logitech subs sounding muddy.

I don't think you can find them for $200 anymore. In fact people were all over a deal for them for about $260. I think its the lack of competition (the Creative ones nobody seems to buy and the Klipsch ones have been discontinued).

I tried the Z-5500s about a year ago. They actually did sound pretty good, but you are getting what you pay for. The sub was easily the weakest link in the system in my opinion (unless it was the control pod not doing the best job of processing/passing on the signal). It was ok for some music, and is probably ok for games, but was lackluster for movies. I easily noticed a big difference between it and my 10" Dayton sub. I booted up War of the Worlds and several of the scenes were night and day different (the emergence scene definitely was way better on the Dayton). I really felt like I was missing out with the Logitech, the scene loses a lot of its impact (literally).

I can't even imagine what its like for someone who has a setup like YoYo's to hear things on a different one. I guess the first time wouldn't be bad since you wouldn't know what you're missing but once you've gotten used to it, you really do feel like you're missing out. For me its actually more noticable than going from fullscreen to widescreen on DVDs.

$203 shipped from Dell right now or $195 shipped with Dell preferred account

I didn't forget my logitech days
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/Random/Log%20vs%20Rock.JPG
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/Random/Log_vs_SVS.JPG

 

[Praytus]

I'm thinking about going with

http://www.sounddistributors.com/buynow...id=188&cat_name=BIC+Acoustech+Speakers

With

http://www.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=AVR1907

and

http://axiomaudio.com/m3ti_main.html

Can anyone recommend a good sound card for some light gaming and coaxial outputs that will work in an X64 Vista environment?

Anyone have experience with these audio components who can comment on them?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

That will work well.

I personally didn't think Axioms were for me when I tried them, but they're a very popular choice. I tried out M22s vs. the M3s you have selected
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/Random/Axiom_Angle.JPG

Axiom includes shipping in their price so if you decided they weren't for you, you could return them and only be out 1-way shipping cost to get them back to Axiom.

 

[Praytus]

I assume I'd want to stick to coaxal inputs and outs when I can? After looking on a couple boards, it appears the upcoming Prelude card from Azuntech will suit my needs for light gaming and audio quality as well as outputs.

Last question- with that receiver/speaker combo, do you think I'll need a seperate amp or will be receiver provide enough oomphf as is?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Digital coaxial or Digital optical should work fine.

Just make sure whatever you get for your future soundcard will work with you OS

That receiver should be plenty for those easy to drive speakers.

 

[Ghouler]

AVR-1907 delivers 7x85Watt @ 8 Ohm, specs on speakers are not very detailed but I'd say you won't be able to drive them to their (high) maximum. You can try bridging outputs if you realy need that much power. It should be fine without it thou

 

[Operandi]

The 1907 is a 7 channel receiver but you are only looking to create a 2.1 system? In my opinion you would be much better off with a dedicated 2 channel amp. You'll end up with better a better amp in both quality and ouput and probably end up costing you less.

The Axiom's are good I'm sure, I checked them out for my project as well but you are probably looking at at most probably $150 in materials. $300 invested in one of the Madisound kits would kill those Axiom's for only a little bit of work on your part. (I just noticed Madisound's page is turning up weird errors currently).

Lastly if you are going to be using digital out (in which case the Denon would come in handy) there is no reason to opt for a separate sound card as it's all 1's and 0's so the sound would be identical to the Gigabyte's on board solution.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

He gave be some more info in PMs about the possibility of making this a 3.1/5.1 (or higher) system eventually with gaming being one of the sources. This is why I think the Denon and eventually a soundcard with digital encoding would be a good match for him.

He also said he doesn't want to get involved with building anything himself after I mentioned kits and such.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
He gave be some more info in PMs about the possibility of making this a 3.1/5.1 (or higher) system eventually with gaming being one of the sources. This is why I think the Denon and eventually a soundcard with digital encoding would be a good match for him.

He also said he doesn't want to get involved with building anything himself after I mentioned kits and such.

I see. Then it makes more sense.

Still I will say the kits are pretty simple. Roughly the equivalent of putting together something from IKEA, all the hard work in speaker design is in just that the deisgn, the assembly is easy.

The cabinets are all finished, and cut, the crossovers are assembled (and more importantly perfected), all the materials you need are provided and cut to length. The only remotely technical aspect would be soldering the speaker wire to the various leads but that's also incredibly easy.

Still if you set against kits I'll through out the KEF iQ1's I've only heard one set of KEFs and that was actually a custom build with just the Uni-Q drivers with each tower housing a custom powered sub but it was one of the most amazing speakers I've heard and I've heard a lot.

The iQ1 is what I will most likely go with if building my own set doesn't pan out for whatever reason.