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Advice on new bookshelf speakers

johnt

I'm looking for some advice on new bookshelf speakers. I've had good results from advice on LTT before about monitors, so I'm hoping to receive some useful input regarding speakers.

 

I'm a little torn because I have an Asrock x99x motherboard, and I feel like the on board sound card is sufficient. But I used to own a Creative Labs sound card from years ago, and the quality of the sound just sounded better compared to my older on board sound. Unfortunately, the card started emitting a lot of static and so much chirping and high frequency buzzes that I just had to stop using it. I've been reading that a sound card is not really the way to go because modern motherboards provide decent enough that it won't make a significant difference. I think I would notice a difference, but I feel like my money would be better spent on upgrading my speakers... which is a different dilemma...

 

About when I retired my Soudblaster is when I purchased my current 2.1 set up. It's a Klipsch i-Fi that I purchased on a ridiculous sale from a brick and mortar store. The ipod functionality is no longer existent since Apple decided to switch connectors, but that was the last reason I purchased this set. It has an auxiliary input into the sub, which I connect to my pc. I've been using them without any issues for nearly a decade, and I've just got an itch for some new bookshelf speakers. They work great for gaming, but I sort of wish the sound was a little clearer for music.

 

Are these speakers good enough? Am I just being ridiculous by wanting something bigger and more expensive? I'm only looking to buy two speakers at most anyway. Not even considering a surround sound thing for my computer. Not really worth it for me. I have a decent Onkyo receiver that came with a Bose set I purchased for my TV that I plan to use with the new speakers, so I do not plan on purchasing a new receiver unless there are strong recommendations from your responses.

 

My budget is $300 for speakers and an additional $200 for the receiver if it's really necessary. All in US currencies excluding tax and shipping. Do I need a separate sub or will the bookshelf speakers provide enough boom boom? Is it even worth it or is my current Klipsch set good enough?

 

Current speaker set: http://www.klipsch.com/ifi-ipod-speaker-system/details

 

Receiver I plan to use with new bookshelf speakers (receiver only, I do not have the pictured speakers): http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=CS-325&class=Audiosys

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corsair and logitech make nice desktop speakers

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Simply a pair of bookshelf speakers probably won't cut it for bass, if you're looking for some really deep rumbling. Generally, the bass is there, just not in the quantity that you might be used to, so I would recommend keeping the receiver, and allocating some of that to a sub instead. When you say bookshelf, would they be ending up on your desk, or would they actually be on your desk, and you are just looking at bookshelf form factor? If it's the former, make sure that if whatever you get is vented, that you get the vents facing the front, or sides, so that you can give them adequate room to breathe properly. If it's the latter, I would recommend some desktop monitors (The speaker kind, not the screen kind) and adding a sub. JBL makes a pretty decent pair that isn't too expensive, if I recall correctly.

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Just for reference I am looking into something like this or better: http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Series-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B0040LG96O

 

The i-Fi setup I currently own is going to be tough to beat. When comparing material quality, I doubt any pc speakers are going to come close. That's why I am trying to upgrade to audiophile level speakers without breaking the bank.

 

post-192300-0-71565800-1429795921_thumb.

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Simply a pair of bookshelf speakers probably won't cut it for bass, if you're looking for some really deep rumbling. Generally, the bass is there, just not in the quantity that you might be used to, so I would recommend keeping the receiver, and allocating some of that to a sub instead. When you say bookshelf, would they be ending up on your desk, or would they actually be on your desk, and you are just looking at bookshelf form factor? If it's the former, make sure that if whatever you get is vented, that you get the vents facing the front, or sides, so that you can give them adequate room to breathe properly. If it's the latter, I would recommend some desktop monitors (The speaker kind, not the screen kind) and adding a sub. JBL makes a pretty decent pair that isn't too expensive, if I recall correctly.

 

The speakers are going to end up on my desk, but they will have plenty of room behind them. I was also thinking about mounting them on my wall because the speakers I'm looking into are quite massive and I don't want to lose the desk space. I will keep the vents in mind, especially if I mount. Great tips!

 

Any links on the JBLs?

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How old is your previous motherboard?

 

It was some Gigabyte motherboard from the early 2000's. The Soundblaster was able to output much clearer sound. My current X99 is probably a year or so old, which is why I'm focusing on the speakers.

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It was some Gigabyte motherboard from the early 2000's. The Soundblaster was able to output much clearer sound. My current X99 is probably a year or so old, which is why I'm focusing on the speakers.

Onboard audio has changed since the last decade. A sound card like that could very well lower the quality of the audio you're getting out. Very often onboard is transparent already.

 

Of course, if the speakers are passive, you're going to need an aftermarket amp for that.

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The speakers are going to end up on my desk, but they will have plenty of room behind them. I was also thinking about mounting them on my wall because the speakers I'm looking into are quite massive and I don't want to lose the desk space. I will keep the vents in mind, especially if I mount. Great tips!

 

Any links on the JBLs?

Here you go :) http://www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/3-series#.VTksxSFVhBc(The 305 go for about $150, each, as far as I know, but they are supposed to sound really really good for the price, so there's that. 

Here they are on amazon for a bit less: http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR305-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1429810496&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=JBL+LSR305+5%22+Active+Studio+Monitor

Also, they are active speakers, so you won't need to worry about an external amp!

Be aware though, the sub from that series is really quite expensive... (~$400) but you can always add it later, if you decide that the monitors aren't to your liking on the bass. (I find that they are plenty, if you give your head a little while to get used to the sound.)

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Here you go :) http://www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/3-series#.VTksxSFVhBc(The 305 go for about $150, each, as far as I know, but they are supposed to sound really really good for the price, so there's that. 

Here they are on amazon for a bit less: http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR305-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1429810496&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=JBL+LSR305+5%22+Active+Studio+Monitor

Also, they are active speakers, so you won't need to worry about an external amp!

Be aware though, the sub from that series is really quite expensive... (~$400) but you can always add it later, if you decide that the monitors aren't to your liking on the bass. (I find that they are plenty, if you give your head a little while to get used to the sound.)

 

Yes! This is exactly the type of suggestion I am looking for.

 

I looked into the sub.. yeah wow. $400... nooooooooooooooooo. Talk about a bait and switch "Here are some great speakers. We don't want a lot of money for them... wait just kidding... yes we do!"

 

But I'm having a slightly hard time figuring this out. So I understand each speaker requires its own power, but do I have to buy two or are they sold as a pair?

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Yes! This is exactly the type of suggestion I am looking for.

 

I looked into the sub.. yeah wow. $400... nooooooooooooooooo. Talk about a bait and switch "Here are some great speakers. We don't want a lot of money for them... wait just kidding... yes we do!"

 

But I'm having a slightly hard time figuring this out. So I understand each speaker requires its own power, but do I have to buy two or are they sold as a pair?

There was somewhere on amazon that sold them as a pair, with a bunch of cables for $290. Most professional monitors (AFAIK) are sold as individual monitors, and not as pairs, so you would be looking at around $260 to buy them from amazon.

 

/Edit: Welcome to the world of high end audio... Where you can spend over half a million dollars on a sound setup! 

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There was somewhere on amazon that sold them as a pair, with a bunch of cables for $290. Most professional monitors (AFAIK) are sold as individual monitors, and not as pairs, so you would be looking at around $260 to buy them from amazon.

 

/Edit: Welcome to the world of high end audio... Where you can spend over half a million dollars on a sound setup! 

 

Yeah... frightening!

 

Let me pick your brain a little bit more if you don't mind. Just in case I decide to go with a passive setup, are there any DACs or receivers you recommend? One benefit of using a DAC over my sound card is that some DACs let you choose between two or more sources (similar to a receiver) without having to switch cables every time. Which would be great because I have two computers side by side, and it would be great if both PCs can take advantage of the new speakers with a single switch or button.

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Well, If they are passive, I don't think they would actually necessarily need an external amplifier. I have a Denon Receiver, and it works fine with the Carver passive speakers that I have. The Denon I have is pretty old, but a midrange one from them nowadays would probably be more than enough, if you went passive. I would definitely test out your onkyo with whatever speakers you get though, since you may find that it's plenty loud enough. 

 

Unfortunately, I know a lot more about headphones and the company's that make products for them than I know about speakers, etc. 

 

As far as switching audio, you could just get an audio input switch (I have one from the mid-2000s made by radioshack that switches between 3 RCA ins and one out) and those aren't very expensive, or you could pretty easily build one yourself, should you be so inclined.

 

Sorry that I can't be of more help!

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Well, If they are passive, I don't think they would actually necessarily need an external amplifier. I have a Denon Receiver, and it works fine with the Carver passive speakers that I have. The Denon I have is pretty old, but a midrange one from them nowadays would probably be more than enough, if you went passive. I would definitely test out your onkyo with whatever speakers you get though, since you may find that it's plenty loud enough. 

 

Unfortunately, I know a lot more about headphones and the company's that make products for them than I know about speakers, etc. 

 

As far as switching audio, you could just get an audio input switch (I have one from the mid-2000s made by radioshack that switches between 3 RCA ins and one out) and those aren't very expensive, or you could pretty easily build one yourself, should you be so inclined.

 

Sorry that I can't be of more help!

 

You mean because you can't be of any further help, right? :lol: Because I really appreciate your input and taking the time to make suggestions! I'm not looking for little PC 13.2+ speakers setups with 5w per channel and I think you definitely picked up on that.

 

Although I'm not sure what you mean by your first sentence. I thought all passive speakers require an external amplifier whether it's integrated into a receiver or a DAC? And the only reason I'm entertaining the idea of a DAC is because they are typically smaller and significantly cheaper than receivers, and also most of the ones I've seen are for two channels. As opposed to receivers that are for 5 or more.

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You mean because you can't be of any further help, right? :lol: Because I really appreciate your input and taking the time to make suggestions! I'm not looking for little PC 13.2+ speakers setups with 5w per channel and I think you definitely picked up on that.

 

Although I'm not sure what you mean by your first sentence. I thought all passive speakers require an external amplifier whether it's integrated into a receiver or a DAC? And the only reason I'm entertaining the idea of a DAC is because they are typically smaller and significantly cheaper than receivers, and also most of the ones I've seen are for two channels. As opposed to receivers that are for 5 or more.

That's true, they do. What I meant by my first sentence was that you don't necessarily need a discrete amp, you might be able to use the one that's already built into your receiver. You could easily use any DAC on the market and then use an RCA in on your receiver to get sound through that way. Something like the Schiit Modi 2 would work well for that, although it is a bit expensive. There should be a few cheaper solutions available. The reason it comes to mind is that most of the Onkyo gear that I have experience with is silver/Aluminum, and this one is, so it would go well together, if your receiver is the same as the one my mom has :) 

 

(http://schiit.com/products/modi-2) <= that's the Schiit website, and yes, it is pronounced S**t, and yes, they do make fun of their name on their website :) 

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That's true, they do. What I meant by my first sentence was that you don't necessarily need a discrete amp, you might be able to use the one that's already built into your receiver. You could easily use any DAC on the market and then use an RCA in on your receiver to get sound through that way. Something like the Schiit Modi 2 would work well for that, although it is a bit expensive. There should be a few cheaper solutions available. The reason it comes to mind is that most of the Onkyo gear that I have experience with is silver/Aluminum, and this one is, so it would go well together, if your receiver is the same as the one my mom has :)

 

(http://schiit.com/products/modi-2) <= that's the Schiit website, and yes, it is pronounced S**t, and yes, they do make fun of their name on their website :)

 

No Schiit!  :lol: I see what you mean now. 

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I am going to suggest checking out this. It will probably give you all the information you will ever need for a desktop 2.0 or 2.1 system. 

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I am going to suggest checking out this. It will probably give you all the information you will ever need for a desktop 2.0 or 2.1 system. 

That looks like a really good read for someone trying to get into audio, especially speakers, but it does have some stuff applicable to headphones too. Nice page!

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I am going to suggest checking out this. It will probably give you all the information you will ever need for a desktop 2.0 or 2.1 system. 

 

Awesome! Thank you! Your link was quite useful.

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Assuming you have room for "bookshelf" speakers, and not just "desktop" speakers, which are usually smaller, my go to with your budget is the Infinity Primus line.  They've been building these speakers for a few years now and most of the changes between versions have been solely cosmetic, so you might save even more money going for one of the older editions if you can find them.  

They are NOT powered so you will have to use your receiver or an alternate source of amplification.  If you are happy with your current Klipsch sub I would say go ahead and continue to use it.  Fringe benefit is that these will make excellent fronts for a stereo system or rear surrounds for a home theater setup should you ever decide to try something different.  Klipsch makes an excellent product as well... I've owned a lot of both brands (and others) but the Infinity Primus line has no real equal in it's price range.  Some that come close but...

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/404infinity/

http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-P153-Primus-Bookshelf-Satellite/dp/B004649W1Y


Just my US$0.02 worth.  ;)

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I want to thank everyone for helping me out with this. I learned quite a bit from the discussion and the links. My new set up is loud... just loud... but a great loud! The noise carries all throughout my house from my upstairs loft.

 

I ended up with Klipsch Reference RB-51 ii speakers. They can be quite bright with some input, unfortunately, and I was surprised to see just how little bass they produce for 6.5" woofers. I have a much older AIWA stereo (anybody remember them?) with two 5" woofers and those speakers can hit decently hard. My new speakers are way too boomy by comparison. But I'm just being picky. Once I adjusted a few settings, they sounded great. Some input sucks (like some tv shows on netfilx), but mostly the sound is very immersive. It totally changed my gaming experience. Music actually sounds different! I also added a 400w Klipsch subwoofer to complete the set. I think I went overboard.

 

My existing receiver did not have a pre-out for the subwoofer, so I just bought the "cheapest" receiver I could find with a pre-out.

 

Again, thank you guys for the discussion.

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I want to thank everyone for helping me out with this. I learned quite a bit from the discussion and the links. My new set up is loud... just loud... but a great loud! The noise carries all throughout my house from my upstairs loft.

 

I ended up with Klipsch Reference RB-51 ii speakers. They can be quite bright with some input, unfortunately, and I was surprised to see just how little bass they produce for 6.5" woofers. I have a much older AIWA stereo (anybody remember them?) with two 5" woofers and those speakers can hit decently hard. My new speakers are way too boomy by comparison. But I'm just being picky. Once I adjusted a few settings, they sounded great. Some input sucks (like some tv shows on netfilx), but mostly the sound is very immersive. It totally changed my gaming experience. Music actually sounds different! I also added a 400w Klipsch subwoofer to complete the set. I think I went overboard.

 

My existing receiver did not have a pre-out for the subwoofer, so I just bought the "cheapest" receiver I could find with a pre-out.

 

Again, thank you guys for the discussion.

Glad to hear that you got some stuff that you really like! *mostly* anyway... But that's the way it is with audio, unfortunately :P (Next time you decide you need an upgrade, you should definitely consider the KEF LS50, as they are SOOOOOOOOOO good... the local audio shop near me is a KEF dealer, and they have a pair of LS50s setup, and they are some of the best speakers I've ever heard.) They are not *quite* as good as the stereo setup that we use to have, but then again, my late step-dad spent over $40k on that setup... So they are absolutely stunningly good for the price.

Hey! New SIgnature! 

 

I'm supposedly a person on the Internet, but you'll never know if I'm human or not ;)

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Glad to hear that you got some stuff that you really like! *mostly* anyway... But that's the way it is with audio, unfortunately :P (Next time you decide you need an upgrade, you should definitely consider the KEF LS50, as they are SOOOOOOOOOO good... the local audio shop near me is a KEF dealer, and they have a pair of LS50s setup, and they are some of the best speakers I've ever heard.) They are not *quite* as good as the stereo setup that we use to have, but then again, my late step-dad spent over $40k on that setup... So they are absolutely stunningly good for the price.

 

Wow those KEF's are really, really, ridiculously good looking! The designer should be shot for selecting a glossy cabinet, but the engineer should be praised for implementing the tweeter into the woofer. Very cool!

 

I spent around $750 for my current setup and I think it sounds pretty amazing. $40 grand? I can't even imagine how that must sound! I'd love to see a picture of that set up.

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