Prosumer grade Desktop Speaker solution (2.0/2.1)

[Guest]

Hey LTT Forum,

 

I'm going to be building a more or less new rig (specs in the sig) and I will need to acquire some high quality speakers.

 

In the past I'd been using Acoustic Energy's Aego M's.  I've found these speakers for their cost have been absolutely incredible.  Both satellites are very heavy for their puny size and kick out incredible highs and mids, however I have found the subwoofer to be too boomy for my liking and not suitable for crowded inner city apartment living - I always had it sitting on a couple of pillows to reduce the bass vibration, however this is less of an issue in my current living situation (subject to change).

 

I will continue to run my ASUS Xonar Essence STX as it is awesome.  I used the RCA connection on the card and attach a RCA to 3.5mm jack connecter for the speakers, my Sibera v2's run direct with 6mm jacks into the headphones ports.

 

Now I am looking for a new audio solution.  I am willing to consider 2.0 setups using studio type monitors or with a traditional 2.1 set up.  I'd also like to go optical for these speakers if possible. 

 

I'm not very clued in to what to look for for monitors, however for 2.1 set up I was considering the Corsair SP2500.  Ideally these are in the price range I'd like, however I know that's not particularly pro-grade.  I like to class myself as an audiophile on a budget though. Best possible sound for a reasonable cost, something I can feel like I got more value than what I paid.  I'd heard some promising things about Rokit's http://www.thomann.de/gb/krk_rp6_rokit_g3.htm but at that price for just one it might be a little out of my league - I've also heard that the bass can be pretty boomy and a lot of clarity across the board is lost at higher volumes - not what I want when listening to synths and guitars and blastbeats!

 

As for what I'm using them for?  Gaming, movies/shows and pumping out my FLAC collection.  Primarily death/black/math/prog/tech metal with a healthy dose of funk, jazz, blues, EBM, some rap, orchestral and game sound tracks.  So while bass is very important to me I'd rather it have the sub be punchy than boomy or muddy and not drown out the mids and highs which are important to the styles of bands I listen to.  I like hearing the aggressive music have space to flesh itself out in while allowing the higher pitch and quieter sounds to still have their clearly audible place in the mix.

 

I won't really need these for a party environment, the most would just be a gathering of friends.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance!

[EmoRarity]

I would avoid the SP2500 as they are not a real high quality product. I suggest that you look into something like the Audioengine A2+, as they are better then the SP25k's and allow for you to add a bigger sub down the line if you see fit. 
Also a budget would be more then helpful. 

[Phoenix66]

I don't know what your price range is, but Audioengine's A2+ speakers have some pretty good sound from what I've heard. They are 250$ right now on Amazon, and seem to be a really good option. They also have a subwoofer hookup option via RCA if you so desire to get a sub for them later on. Another good set is the M-Audio AV40 studio monitors. They also have pretty good reviews for a 2.0 system. 

Right now I'm using the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speakers, and I'm pretty happy with them. They deliver pretty good sound for the price, although Logitech provides some competitive options at around the same price point with more features.  One thing I don't like about them is there is no power switch on them. So you either plug them in, or unplug them. Some of Logitech's speakers have power switches, and more options for certain things. Also, the control pod is scratchy and poor quality. I probably would have gone with something different had I gone back to the day I got them. 

[EmoRarity]

I don't know what your price range is, but Audioengine's A2+ speakers have some pretty good sound from what I've heard. They are 250$ right now on Amazon, and seem to be a really good option. They also have a subwoofer hookup option via RCA if you so desire to get a sub for them later on. Another good set is the M-Audio AV40 studio monitors. They also have pretty good reviews for a 2.0 system. 

Right now I'm using the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speakers, and I'm pretty happy with them. They deliver pretty good sound for the price, although Logitech provides some competitive options at around the same price point with more features.  One thing I don't like about them is there is no power switch on them. So you either plug them in, or unplug them. Some of Logitech's speakers have power switches, and more options for certain things. Also, the control pod is scratchy and poor quality. I probably would have gone with something different had I gone back to the day I got them. 

+1 for the Klipsh Pro Media's.

But stay away from Logitech, they are a good audio company, with utter disregard for the feature set, their speakers are sub par.

[MayflowerElectronics]

I actually just picked up some Alesis M1 520's. They're on eBay for around $170. They have a 5 inch woofer, so you won't need a sub. The mids aren't incredibly accurate, but if you want something under $200, these are pretty good.

 

It's hard to get what you are asking for for a decent budget, the audioengine's are much better, but need a subwoofer to really get the best out of them. (but a decent subwoofer costs between $150-200) so there's that.

[Guest]

The Audioengine A2+'s look sexual.  They're right around the price range I want.  Gonna go check out some reviews but they seem like winners, unless anyone can suggest otherwise?

[EmoRarity]

A budget would still be helpful. 

[t0wer]

I'm seeing the a2+ at $250, I say just spend $20 more and get the p4's and a lepai amp if you want to go the audioengine route.

[ShearMe]

The UK has a ton of good used bookshelf speakers on eBay - buying new is so 2007.

[Toxic Tom]

If I were you I would buy the KRKs. I have some Rokit 5 G2s and loving them. They sound great. Enough bass, phat mids and ridiculously clear highs. For me, the 5 inch drivers are just about enough but there is a fairly steep roll-off at 45Hz.

I would buy them again all day long.

[Guest]

A budget would still be helpful. 

 

I figured from the items I'd linked that would have provided a rough budget, apologies for that being unclear.

 

The Audioengine A2+'s I can acquire off of Amazon including the two rubber stand.mount thingies for £195.  If there are alternative solutions that absolutely can provide something better quality then I would seriously consider stepping up a little higher and spending £300 or slightly more if the build quality, sound quality sound stage, imaging and feature set are all noticeably improved upon.

 

I'm kinda wanting to hit that "Sweet Spot" that Linus has talked about before when talking about graphics cards where you are getting significant quality for a lot less rather than something which is largely more expensive for 5% extra performance (I'm paraphrasing, and awfully).

 

From the sounds of the reviews on Youtube the A2+'s are receiving bucketfuls of praise for their ability comparative to their price.