babuganoosh

Just wanted to come back here and let you know what I ended up doing... My JBL Arena 130’s are hooked up via banana cables to my Dayton APA150. My PC (primary audio source) is connected to my amp via a 3.5mm to RCA cable (monoprice cable). My headphones (Sennheiser HD 439) are plugged into the aux port on my monitor, and the monitor to PC via displayport. My secondary audio source is an old Haier HD TV. My PS2 is connected via a mini a/v converter cable that came with my TV. My Roku is connected to that TV via HDMI, and finally the TV is connected to my Line-In port at the back of my PC via 3.5mm (also HDMI to GPU). There is a ground loop noise isolator (MPOW adapter) between the TV and PC at the PC end. What a journey it's been. The initial installation of my wall mounts was a nightmare mainly due to the irregularity of my wall studs (and took several trips to the hardware store). Then I ended up taking even more trips to my local Fry's trying to get my TV’s audio to come through my JBL’s. First I tried using an RCA switch with a couple 3.5mm to RCA adapters to connect my PC, TV, and headphones to the amp, which “worked” but I got significant audio feedback at higher amp volumes (the noise got exceedingly worse when I ran a couple video games). So I ended up returning all of that, and now I've got the set-up that I described earlier. The noise grounder is fantastic, I've got no more feedback (except at very high amp volumes, and even then it's not nearly as bad) and all my audio sounds great no matter the source or what application I'm running. Switching audio sources is easy and works like it should. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Yes I could've avoided a lot of hassle by buying a proper receiver (and then it'd be a proper solution). However, as you can see from the picture of my set up, I'm very limited on space. There were plenty of good quality and affordable used receivers online, but none in the dimensions I needed. There are a couple of receivers that could've fit my space requirements, but I could only find them expensive and new. I also felt weird spending more on an amp/receiver than my speakers (I got them new at a great price on sale). Feel free to share your thoughts. At some point I'll add a sub, but I don't have the space for it right now.

Just wanted to come back here and let you know what I ended up doing... My JBL Arena 130’s are hooked up via banana cables to my Dayton APA150. My PC (primary audio source) is connected to my amp via a 3.5mm to RCA cable (monoprice cable). My headphones (Sennheiser HD 439) are plugged into the aux port on my monitor, and the monitor to PC via displayport. My secondary audio source is an old Haier HD TV. My PS2 is connected via a mini a/v converter cable that came with my TV. My Roku is connected to that TV via HDMI, and finally the TV is connected to my Line-In port at the back of my PC via 3.5mm (also HDMI to GPU). There is a ground loop noise isolator (MPOW adapter) between the TV and PC at the PC end. What a journey it's been. The initial installation of my wall mounts was a nightmare mainly due to the irregularity of my wall studs (and took several trips to the hardware store). Then I ended up taking even more trips to my local Fry's trying to get my TV’s audio to come through my JBL’s. First I tried using an RCA switch with a couple 3.5mm to RCA adapters to connect my PC, TV, and headphones to the amp, which “worked” but I got significant audio feedback at higher amp volumes (the noise got exceedingly worse when I ran a couple video games). So I ended up returning all of that, and now I've got the set-up that I described earlier. The noise grounder is fantastic, I've got no more feedback (except at very high amp volumes, and even then it's not nearly as bad) and all my audio sounds great no matter the source or what application I'm running. Switching audio sources is easy and works like it should. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Yes I could've avoided a lot of hassle by buying a proper receiver (and then it'd be a proper solution). However, as you can see from the picture of my set up, I'm very limited on space. There were plenty of good quality and affordable used receivers online, but none in the dimensions I needed. There are a couple of receivers that could've fit my space requirements, but I could only find them expensive and new. I also felt weird spending more on an amp/receiver than my speakers (I got them new at a great price on sale). Feel free to share your thoughts. At some point I'll add a sub, but I don't have the space for it right now.

Oh, I didn't even realize external usb sound cards existed. Thanks for all the help!

Ah, ok. Where else would you suggest plugging the headphones into? Right now the amp is plugged into the headphone AUX port on my mobo. (I believe that's what I'm supposed to do, right?) The best other option I see is (which isn't very good I think) is plugging my headphones into the AUX port of my Monitor, which would work because it's plugged in via displayport (DP carries audio) but I don't think is ideal...right?

As I'm thinking about it, would the headphones work if I used a 3.5mm female to RCA male adapter into a switch like the one you suggested?

Sweet! Thanks.

This is a new audio set-up for my desktop, first time with bookshelf speakers/amp combo. Speakers: JBL Arena 130's Amp: Dayton Audio APA150 Main Audio Source: Desktop PC Right now I have my amp plugged in via a 3.5mm to RCA cable to my PC (motherboard). Both speakers are plugged in via banana cables to the amp, everything so far works fantastic. The things I would also like to plug into the amp are: My headphones (Sennheiser HD 439's) and My TV/second monitor (an old cheap Haier HD TV with auxiliary and RCA connections) Is it possible? Do I need splitters or couplers or a switch? Help is appreciated, let me know if you need more info from me to be helpful.

Ya, I think speaker stands are gonna be the way to go. Thanks for the suggestions!

Thanks for the suggestion, I really like the look of these. Unfortunately, I just don't have the desk space for them. I've been toying around with the idea of getting some bookshelf speaker stands and putting them behind my monitor so the speakers "float" above (and slightly behind) my monitor. If I could angle them down in this scenario that'd be even better. Does that idea have any merit? Any other suggestions for how I could fit traditional bookshelf-sized speakers into such a cramped space?

*This is basically a re-post of mine from Tom's Hardware. I am looking to buy some new speakers for my desktop. Right now, the Audioengine A2+ are my top contender. I know Linus' thoughts on the A2+'s, but it seemed there was a lot of contention in that comment section. My budget is anywhere from $100-300. Mostly playing video games, watching movies and listening to music are what I use my speakers for. I am coming from the Logitech z533 2.1 speakers (that sounded great to me while they lasted and then inexplicably broke), and more recently a pair of little dinky amazon speakers I had lying around that... well they're better than my monitor's built-in speakers. I don't have the biggest budget, but I don't mind paying a little more for a proper bookshelf+amp set up if it's really worth it. My main constraint is space. Here's my current set-up. I have a small room and an even smaller desk, check the link so you can see what I'm working with. The amazon speakers I currently have are 5in tall, with about an inch of clearance to the monitor (there is some leeway here). I am not interested in buying any audio products from Logitech again, and I'd like to avoid anything with proprietary connections. Got any suggestions given my space/budget? I've also been looking at the Mod House Mini Cubes and the Q Acoustics 3020s. Thanks for the help.

I don't get what you're doing hear. aheeeeeeeee

Yup I think going fanless is not the solution, especially with those coolers. Thanks!

Ya that little fan just has to run too fast (loud) to provide adequate cooling at load.

I've got the i5 4690k, no overclock yet. Thanks though, good to get real-world perspective. Also that note about passive towers I think is on point, I'll leave the fans on.

So I'm thinking about getting the Cryorig R1 Ultimate or the NH-D15, thoughts on which one to get are welcome. I'll be coming from the intel stock cooler. However, I have two main questions: 1. How does the noise level of the R1 or NH-D15 compare to the intel stock cooler at idle and load speeds? Decibel ratings are nice, but any personal experiences are great, too. 2. Is it safe to use the R1 or NH-D15 heatsinks without the fans mounted for gaming? How bout for OC? I've seen large heatsinks without fans work well in cases with adequate airflow, so I'm curious about these two specific coolers.