Moving on from my Logitech Z313, What's my next step?

[DrkNinja]

So I am a huge music head and I want to get into a better sound stage. I use the Sony WH1000XM3's which honestly was such a step up in quality for my head phones a few years ago, I want something like that for my speakers. I really enjoy having  a sub, and I tend to really like treb heavy music so... I am looking at like $500 range all in all. Could be Surround sound could be monitors, I just want a better music experience as with my headphones I feel like I can clearly hear all the sounds in the music but my speakers fall flat in comparison. Help please?

Also I stream and right now I'm using a Yeti which I'm fine with at the moment but eventually I do want to expand into higher quality audio input so maybe if the suggestions can be compatible with that upgrade int he future?

[191x7]

Edifier desktop speakers/monitors.

 

A dac/amp.

[DrkNinja]

8 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

Edifier desktop speakers/monitors.

 

A dac/amp.

Can you be more specific? I don't know much about dacs and amps.

[dmcr]

Here's what I'm using.

 

Behringer UMC204HD  ($119)

PreSonus Eris 3.5 ($99)

PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT ($200)

 

I also have a Behringer Composer Pro XL (compressor/dresser) and a Behringer Ultragraph Pro (equalizer) in the loop for microphones, but those types of things could be added later.

 

 

[DrkNinja]

20 minutes ago, dmcr said:

Here's what I'm using.

 

Behringer UMC204HD  ($119)

PreSonus Eris 3.5 ($99)

PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT ($200)

 

I also have a Behringer Composer Pro XL (compressor/dresser) and a Behringer Ultragraph Pro (equalizer) in the loop for microphones, but those types of things could be added later.

 

 

Thank you this was what I was looking for. I've never heard of PreSonus before how do they compare to the sony ssc8 or the elac debuts?

[dmcr]

56 minutes ago, DrkNinja said:

Thank you this was what I was looking for. I've never heard of PreSonus before how do they compare to the sony ssc8 or the elac debuts?

I've not heard the Sony nor the ELAC.  The ELAC should sound better, but are out of your stated price range if you're going to add a decent subwoofer (and you'll need an amplifier).  They're also large for a desktop and aren't really intended as near-field speakers.

 

For me, really good listening doesn't happen via desktop speakers, mostly because you can't play much with speaker position and speaker size is a constraint.  I lean toward near-field monitors at my desk (and those are second behind a good set of headphones).  I also lean toward gear with balanced connections (used in professional gear) because they reject common mode noise that tends to come from powering a bunch of computer gear.  That usually means XLR connectors or 1/4" TRS (tip/ring/sleeve).  PreSonus, Mackie, other near-field monitors.

 

Really the best way to choose is with your own ears, in the environment you're going to use them.  Try before you buy sort of thing (or generous return policy).  I downsized dramatically for my current setup (previously had a pair of Axium M22, 100W/channel ART amplifier and an Axiom EP350 subwoofer) and don't regret it.  I had to do more equalization to get exactly what I wanted from the PreSonus, but I'm happy and that wasn't difficult via software (Rogue Amoeba stuff in my case since my primary desktop is a Mac).

 

You might also want to look at the Audioengine A2+.  With their S8 subwoofer you'd be around $620 but the A2+ has a built-in DAC that's pretty good.

[DrkNinja]

3 hours ago, dmcr said:

I've not heard the Sony nor the ELAC.  The ELAC should sound better, but are out of your stated price range if you're going to add a decent subwoofer (and you'll need an amplifier).  They're also large for a desktop and aren't really intended as near-field speakers.

 

For me, really good listening doesn't happen via desktop speakers, mostly because you can't play much with speaker position and speaker size is a constraint.  I lean toward near-field monitors at my desk (and those are second behind a good set of headphones).  I also lean toward gear with balanced connections (used in professional gear) because they reject common mode noise that tends to come from powering a bunch of computer gear.  That usually means XLR connectors or 1/4" TRS (tip/ring/sleeve).  PreSonus, Mackie, other near-field monitors.

 

Really the best way to choose is with your own ears, in the environment you're going to use them.  Try before you buy sort of thing (or generous return policy).  I downsized dramatically for my current setup (previously had a pair of Axium M22, 100W/channel ART amplifier and an Axiom EP350 subwoofer) and don't regret it.  I had to do more equalization to get exactly what I wanted from the PreSonus, but I'm happy and that wasn't difficult via software (Rogue Amoeba stuff in my case since my primary desktop is a Mac).

 

You might also want to look at the Audioengine A2+.  With their S8 subwoofer you'd be around $620 but the A2+ has a built-in DAC that's pretty good.

Yea I've been bouncing around watching setup and audio stuff so i dunno what I'm talking about really lol.

[DrkNinja]

I was hoping to get a few more options just to compare and contrast...

 

[HM-2]

On 2/13/2024 at 3:17 AM, dmcr said:

You might also want to look at the Audioengine A2+.  With their S8 subwoofer you'd be around $620 but the A2+ has a built-in DAC that's pretty good.

The A2+ are great small desktop actives but the S8 is a flabby boy unfortunately. Not a great sub.

 

For $500 I'd be inclined towards a decent desktop amplifier, something like a Denon PMA60, and some passives from the likes of Q Acoustic 3020i on some decent stands. Should be easily doable if you don't mind going second hand on the passives. 

[DrkNinja]

5 hours ago, HM-2 said:

The A2+ are great small desktop actives but the S8 is a flabby boy unfortunately. Not a great sub.

 

For $500 I'd be inclined towards a decent desktop amplifier, something like a Denon PMA60, and some passives from the likes of Q Acoustic 3020i on some decent stands. Should be easily doable if you don't mind going second hand on the passives. 

I'm willing to go a over 500 if it's worth it.

[HM-2]

1 hour ago, DrkNinja said:

I'm willing to go a over 500 if it's worth it.

The main suggestion I'd then look at above and beyond something like a PMA60 / 3020i pairing would be a decent subwoofer. The PMA has a dedicated sub out, and pairing it with something like a BK Double Gem or Gemini II would net you a superbly balanced 2.1 setup for everyday listening across both music and film/media. Here in the UK you would probably be looking at ~£600 all in for such a setup at current prices as long as you don't have an aversion to buying at least the speakers second hand. Buying new, it's closer to a £1000 set up, but frankly all of my higher any audio gear is second hand.

 

If you have more space to play with, then you might want to look at something like a decent 5.1 system and AV grade amplifier. Again in that $500-600 range, you could pair something like a Wharfdale DX-3 5.1 system with a second hand Yamaha RX-V379 for a very good quality setup- though you'd probably have to add extra budget for speaker stands. Assuming your listening environment is accommodating, that will definitely get you a better (and significantly more adjustable) soundstage. 

[atarione]

Used equipment is the best .. here are some examples of used audio equipment I use in my setup at home.  

In this photo...

speakers:  Yamaha NS-344 (10" 3-ways) $49   // JBL L1's $49 // NHT Super Zero's $49 // Realistic Minimus 7's $10 // MK SX-7 $10

Amps / Receivers:  

*The Sony stuff basically doesn't count almost because nobody ever in human history will get this dead again... blah blah full ES Stack TA-N77ES /TA-E77ESD ...etc tuner/ tape cd a 2nd N110 amp and a dig surround processor for $75US all in..absolute insanity.. but it happened and will likely never happen again.)

 

Pioneer SX-3600 (really nice shape) 45WPC circa 1980 receiver $80

Pioneer SX-450 (sold now actually) but I paid $50 for it

on rack Pioneer SA-710  integrated amplifier 65W circa 1980/81 $120

 

and for the space challenged hiding behind microphone a $40~ish Nobsound TPA3118 class D amplifier.

 

Used gear does have disadvantages, it requires looking around a bit / garage sales/ market place (ugh) / ebay (meh) / Estate sales / resale shops..   you need to be a bit flexible and have ur cellphone to research used gear you see when out and about at a garage sale ..etc..    Sometimes you can't really test fully or at all but Ideally if you can plug in used amps / receiver turn it on... check for lights and listen for relays clicking over.. if the relays go then usually the amp works..    You may need to clean input controls with something like fader lube / contact cleaner ... sometimes you may get a speaker with crumbling surrounds.. you can generally buy replacements and redo these for $30~ or less... kinda messy and a bit of a hassle but easy and the results of are worth it.

 

When Looking at used speakers take a look at the over all condition check for punched in tweeters (kid / idiots love pushing in tweeters for some reason?).

 

[DrkNinja]

1 hour ago, atarione said:

Used equipment is the best .. here are some examples of used audio equipment I use in my setup at home.  

In this photo...

speakers:  Yamaha NS-344 (10" 3-ways) $49   // JBL L1's $49 // NHT Super Zero's $49 // Realistic Minimus 7's $10 // MK SX-7 $10

Amps / Receivers:  

*The Sony stuff basically doesn't count almost because nobody ever in human history will get this dead again... blah blah full ES Stack TA-N77ES /TA-E77ESD ...etc tuner/ tape cd a 2nd N110 amp and a dig surround processor for $75US all in..absolute insanity.. but it happened and will likely never happen again.)

 

Pioneer SX-3600 (really nice shape) 45WPC circa 1980 receiver $80

Pioneer SX-450 (sold now actually) but I paid $50 for it

on rack Pioneer SA-710  integrated amplifier 65W circa 1980/81 $120

 

and for the space challenged hiding behind microphone a $40~ish Nobsound TPA3118 class D amplifier.

 

Used gear does have disadvantages, it requires looking around a bit / garage sales/ market place (ugh) / ebay (meh) / Estate sales / resale shops..   you need to be a bit flexible and have ur cellphone to research used gear you see when out and about at a garage sale ..etc..    Sometimes you can't really test fully or at all but Ideally if you can plug in used amps / receiver turn it on... check for lights and listen for relays clicking over.. if the relays go then usually the amp works..    You may need to clean input controls with something like fader lube / contact cleaner ... sometimes you may get a speaker with crumbling surrounds.. you can generally buy replacements and redo these for $30~ or less... kinda messy and a bit of a hassle but easy and the results of are worth it.

 

When Looking at used speakers take a look at the over all condition check for punched in tweeters (kid / idiots love pushing in tweeters for some reason?).

 

I'll be honest that's way too much desk clutter to be using old school stuff like that for me personally. If I was gonna do that it'd be for a good turntable setup which is something I want to do.