Suggestions for speakers under $300 USD

[TheKDub]

For the past probably 5 years now, I've been using the Dell A525 2.1 computer speakers with my PC. I've wanted to upgrade in the past, but never have really found the money for it, and the A525 had worked fine as is. That is until recently, the speakers are dying, and are badly in need of replacement.

 

I've looked around quite a bit for various options, right now I'm looking at the Audioengine A2+ or the Presonus Eris E5 Pair, though I'm somewhat concerned with their abilities on the lower end.

If needed, I'd be willing to add in a subwoofer later on once I've got a bit more money, though would like it if that wasn't needed.

 

What I primarily want is the speakers to do great with things like movies and music. I do tend to game every now and then as well, though that's not as big of a deal to me as the movies and music are.

Space is a little bit of an issue since my desk is already rather full, though I'd be alright with getting (or even making) some speaker stands if they would be too large to fit in the remaining space on my desk.

 

As for preferences..
- Merchant: Amazon, B&H, Newegg, BestBuy. (I'd also be willing to buy from the manufacturer's website, or if there's another retailer out there for audio equipment, then that'd be alright)

- Color: Dark colors, preferably black.

 

Thanks!

[SSL]

Micca PB42X. Add a Dayton SUB-1000 if you aren't happy with 50Hz. Tough combo to beat for the money.

[SSL]

Also, if you can stretch your budget a little, the passive MB42X, SMSL Q4 Pro integrated amplifier, and the same sub would be a cool combo. That would get you the convenience of subwoofer out, remote volume control, and digital tone controls.

[Lays]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

Also, if you can stretch your budget a little, the passive MB42X, SMSL Q4 Pro integrated amplifier, and the same sub would be a cool combo. That would get you the convenience of subwoofer out, remote volume control, and digital tone controls.

Sx6 tho, they're still on sale for cheaper than MB42X, and better

[SSL]

Just now, Lays said:

Sx6 tho, they're still on sale for cheaper than MB42X, and better

 

In what way are they better?

[Lays]

Just now, SSL said:

 

In what way are they better?

They image better, and have a better lower end. 

[Gofspar]

 

4 minutes ago, SSL said:

Also, if you can stretch your budget a little, the passive MB42X, SMSL Q4 Pro integrated amplifier, and the same sub would be a cool combo. That would get you the convenience of subwoofer out, remote volume control, and digital tone controls.

 

9 minutes ago, SSL said:

Micca PB42X. Add a Dayton SUB-1000 if you aren't happy with 50Hz. Tough combo to beat for the money.

Fluance SX6 + A Lepai 2020A+ Ti kills that shit, lol.

It has a more accurate tweeter, hits like 15hz lower at +0db and will go louder.

 

Add a BIC America F12 in for $180 and cross it at 80hz, and you've got the best sub $300 music setup.

[SSL]

lol, beavis and butthead in the house.

 

[SSL]

Also, Fluance is fucking huge. Does OP really want that shit on the desktop?

[Gofspar]

2 minutes ago, SSL said:

lol, beavis and butthead in the house.

 

nice squiggly lines

 

I own MB42X's and Fluance SX6's tho, literally no comparsion.

 

Fluances win everytime.

[Lays]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

Also, Fluance is fucking huge. Does OP really want that shit on the desktop?

He said he'd be OK with getting/making stands

 

I had the mb42 for like 2 years, upgraded to sx6 for $79 and for real they extend better into the lower end, don't sound nearly as thin, and image much better.

[SSL]

2 minutes ago, Lays said:

He said he'd be OK with getting/making stands

 

I had the mb42 for like 2 years, upgraded to sx6 for $79 and for real they extend better into the lower end, don't sound nearly as thin, and image much better.

 

MB42 is not comparable to the X version. Get gud.

[Lays]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

MB42 is not comparable to the X version. Get gud.

Gof had the X version and had the same experience. There's a reason why zeos shilled the fuck out of the sx6 even at $129, let alone $79 with FREE shipping.

[SSL]

1 minute ago, Lays said:

Gof had the X version and had the same experience. There's a reason why zeos shilled the fuck out of the sx6 even at $129, let alone $79 with FREE shipping.

 

Zeos shills anything that gets him amazon affiliate link clicks.

 

Are you running the sx6 with EQ correction? Close to the wall?

[TheKDub]

The Fluance SX6-bk look pretty good, and if they're better than the MB42Xs then I'd be down for that.

 

If I'm going with a setup where I'd need an amp (Passive speakers), then we'd be leaving around $150 in the budget for the speakers. (I'd be going for something like the SMSL Q5 Pro for an amp).

[Lays]

4 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Zeos shills anything that gets him amazon affiliate link clicks.

 

Are you running the sx6 with EQ correction? Close to the wall?

They're about a foot off the wall, no eq correction, no eq correction on 42's before either

 

 

Never had the 42's in the spot the 6's are now, but I did have the sx6 on each side of my monitor, in the same spot my 42's were when I had them still.

 

I still have the 42's in the garage and I do have banana plugs, I can make a video or some crap perhaps but quality won't be so great. 

[SSL]

Just now, Lays said:

They're about a foot off the wall, no eq correction, had the same with the 42's before.

 

 

Never had the 42's in the spot the 6's are now, but I did have the sx6 on each side of my monitor, in the same spot my 42's were when I had them still.

 

I still have the 42's in the garage and I do have banana plugs, I can make a video or some crap perhaps but quality won't be so great. 

 

Then something doesn't add up. The measurement above is similar to the one on the Fluance website; there is a rising response issue that you and apparently the crap-fi god Zeos are failing to hear. Unless Fluance has refined the tuning in a silent update.

 

5 minutes ago, TheKDub said:

The Fluance SX6-bk look pretty good, and if they're better than the MB42Xs then I'd be down for that.

 

You'll probably need stands, then. These speakers are large, 13.5 inches tall, about 9x8 in width and depth.

[Gofspar]

12 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Then something doesn't add up. The measurement above is similar to the one on the Fluance website; there is a rising response issue that you and apparently the crap-fi god Zeos are failing to hear. Unless Fluance has refined the tuning in a silent update.

 

 

You'll probably need stands, then. These speakers are large, 13.5 inches tall, about 9x8 in width and depth.

if you're taking NoAudiophiles measurements seriously, I can't even.

that tard sticks the mic like 6 inches away from the tweeter and is like HURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR THEYRE BRIGHT GOTTA EQ EXDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

The Fluances do NOT have a rising response, my Fluances are on custom wood stands 2ft from a wall in all directions about 4 feet away from me.

[SSL]

Just now, Gofspar said:

that tard sticks the mic like 6 inches away from the tweeter and is like HURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR THEYRE BRIGHT GOTTA EQ EXDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

I'd say that's inaccurate.

 

BTW, @Lays, grow a pair. Stop running to @Gofspar when I disagree with you. It's embarrassing.

[Gofspar]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

I'd say that's inaccurate.

 

BTW, @Lays, grow a pair. Stop running to @Gofspar when I disagree with you. It's embarrassing.

we fucking live together lol.

[Lays]

15 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Then something doesn't add up. The measurement above is similar to the one on the Fluance website; there is a rising response issue that you and apparently the crap-fi god Zeos are failing to hear. Unless Fluance has refined the tuning in a silent update.

 

 

You'll probably need stands, then. These speakers are large, 13.5 inches tall, about 9x8 in width and depth.

I'm just going off personal experience, rather than measurements.

 

I just know that my stepdad thought they sounded better as well, and they have very positive reviews, considering they're only $79 I think it's a decent option / alternative.

 

this guy's review seems more audio sample than review-ish, but still good.

 

 

[SSL]

Just now, Gofspar said:

we fucking live together lol.

 

So what?

[Gofspar]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

So what?

he screamed across room that i needed to roast u on ltt

[SSL]

Just now, Gofspar said:

we r gay together

 

i kno

[TheKDub]

I wonder if the SMSL Q5 Pro would be powerful enough to drive the Fluance SX6-BK, seeing how their impedance is 8 ohms, and they have a power handling of 30-100 watts, whereas the SMSL Q5 Pro can only do 2x20 watts @ 8 ohms.

 

I'm guessing I'd need to go with a more powerful amp.