Speaker setup upgrade for LG C2

[vikdean]

Hi!

I would like to ask for advise on upgrading my current speaker setup, which is:

2x ESI aktiv 05 Studio Monitors
  |
  | 3,5mm Jack
  |
LG C2 TV
  |
  | HDMI
  |
  PC

I'm using the TV as a monitor, and this was the way I could use the same speakers if I'm watching Plex on the TV, or gaming on my PC.

 

My main use-cases: 50% Movies/Series, 50% YouTube, Music, Gaming

Budget for the upgrade: > 800$

 

Idea 1: get a Subwoofer, e.g.: ESI aktiv 10s + an Optical DAC (e.g.: Topping E30 II Lite). However I'm not sure about the benefits of this or whether I should invest this money instead into a new system altogether.

Idea 2: get Floorstanding/Sony SSCS5/Klipsch R-51M or better speakers + an HDMI eARC AMP

Idea 3: get better powered Studio monitors + an Optical DAC

 

As far as I can calculate, all of these would be in the same ballpark in terms of budget, but I really don't know which would be best for me.

Edited April 20 by vikdean

[Motifator]

Those suggestions all fail in one way or another, you do NOT need a DAC, let's get this straight. Sub might only be a need if you want higher bass.

If you have $800 to spend on a pair of speakers.. and want it loud on a small scale: https://www.voltmusicstore.com/en/eve-audio-sc204-pair.html

You can get their sub if you want... since this is all hooked up to the PC, just get a solid interface to run them off from, which would be something like...

https://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-Studio-24c-USB-C-Interface/dp/B07L9MWWDK?th=1

[BobVonBob]

1 hour ago, Motifator said:

Those suggestions all fail in one way or another, you do NOT need a DAC, let's get this straight. Sub might only be a need if you want higher bass.

If you have $800 to spend on a pair of speakers.. and want it loud on a small scale: https://www.voltmusicstore.com/en/eve-audio-sc204-pair.html

You can get their sub if you want... since this is all hooked up to the PC, just get a solid interface to run them off from, which would be something like...

https://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-Studio-24c-USB-C-Interface/dp/B07L9MWWDK?th=1

On the contrary, unless you have plans to add a phantom power microphone, an instrument, or a MIDI device in the near future I would suggest the setup just use a DAC or DAC/amp (i.e. any amplifier with digital inputs, and thus a built-in DAC) instead of an interface like that. You'll avoid paying for hardware you aren't going to use and you can spend that on features that might actually be useful in your situation like a remote.

[vikdean]

7 hours ago, Motifator said:

Those suggestions all fail in one way or another, you do NOT need a DAC, let's get this straight. Sub might only be a need if you want higher bass.

If you have $800 to spend on a pair of speakers.. and want it loud on a small scale: https://www.voltmusicstore.com/en/eve-audio-sc204-pair.html

You can get their sub if you want... since this is all hooked up to the PC, just get a solid interface to run them off from, which would be something like...

https://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-Studio-24c-USB-C-Interface/dp/B07L9MWWDK?th=1

I have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen already, but the Speakers have to be connected to the TV, otherwise I cant use the built-in apps through those speakers.

Not exactly sure why, but those speakers cost 330$ each where I live, so that would be 660$, not really leaving a lot of room for anything else. Are those speakers really that good?

[Motifator]

2 hours ago, vikdean said:

I have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen already, but the Speakers have to be connected to the TV, otherwise I cant use the built-in apps through those speakers.

Not exactly sure why, but those speakers cost 330$ each where I live, so that would be 660$, not really leaving a lot of room for anything else. Are those speakers really that good?

They're pretty fine, but if you're going hi-fi, you can ditch the idea of studio monitor setup.

Get yourself some good stuff tonally colored hi-fi bookshelves. Example:

https://www.playstereo.com/en/diffusori-stereo/949-indiana-line-dj-308-loudspeakers-pair.html

These are almost always front bass reflex, so no need for a sub with the bass blowing at your face often times... I was going to buy these for a pair of secondary next to my Ikon bookshelf pair from Dali, but they went OOS here pretty quick at the time... still look at them from time to time. I dig the design. It's made in Italy.

Another bonus with these kind of speakers is, they're made out of wood and not plastic as with the case of cheaper studio monitors. Wood shoots vibrations a shitload metric better than plastic on a regular basis. That's why nearly every high end, actual PA system is wood. Plastic soaks up the bass and shakes like shit. From now on, I'm inclined to ALWAYS buy speakers made out of wooden shells.

Get those and bring the rest of the cash on a TPA with DAC if you want the DAC so much. Realistically, all you need to power those speakers is actually a tiny Miniampl clone like this:

https://www.amazon.com.tr/dp/B08G4YB5VP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Which can be had for a mere $50. Sure, it isn't the best power amp out there... but talk about saving money in the bank.

Want something better? Here ya go:

https://www.aiyima.com/products/aiyima-d05?variant=39834200866891

Can't go wrong with Aiyima often times...

[vikdean]

40 minutes ago, Motifator said:

They're pretty fine, but if you're going hi-fi, you can ditch the idea of studio monitor setup.

Get yourself some good stuff tonally colored hi-fi bookshelves. Example:

https://www.playstereo.com/en/diffusori-stereo/949-indiana-line-dj-308-loudspeakers-pair.html

These are almost always front bass reflex, so no need for a sub with the bass blowing at your face often times... I was going to buy these for a pair of secondary next to my Ikon bookshelf pair from Dali, but they went OOS here pretty quick at the time... still look at them from time to time. I dig the design. It's made in Italy.

Another bonus with these kind of speakers is, they're made out of wood and not plastic as with the case of cheaper studio monitors. Wood shoots vibrations a shitload metric better than plastic on a regular basis. That's why nearly every high end, actual PA system is wood. Plastic soaks up the bass and shakes like shit. From now on, I'm inclined to ALWAYS buy speakers made out of wooden shells.

Get those and bring the rest of the cash on a TPA with DAC if you want the DAC so much. Realistically, all you need to power those speakers is actually a tiny Miniampl clone like this:

https://www.amazon.com.tr/dp/B08G4YB5VP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Which can be had for a mere $50. Sure, it isn't the best power amp out there... but talk about saving money in the bank.

Want something better? Here ya go:

https://www.aiyima.com/products/aiyima-d05?variant=39834200866891

Can't go wrong with Aiyima often times...

Yeah, I think I've outgrown the studio-monitors at this point, at least in terms of space.

 

I was looking at Floorstanding speakers actually with an AIYIMA D03 AMP, but that may be a bit too optimistic. Are there any good ones perhaps from those which can be powered by the AIYIMA (150W*2 (4Ω load) according to the specs)? The only brand I've recognized was the Klipsch Reference R-620F for 620$, but for power it had 100-400W.

 

How would a basic 2.0 Floorstanding setup compare to a 2.1 setup with Bookself speakers? (The AIYIMA D03 has a port for an Active Sub, so I could add that later)

[Motifator]

3 hours ago, vikdean said:

Yeah, I think I've outgrown the studio-monitors at this point, at least in terms of space.

 

I was looking at Floorstanding speakers actually with an AIYIMA D03 AMP, but that may be a bit too optimistic. Are there any good ones perhaps from those which can be powered by the AIYIMA (150W*2 (4Ω load) according to the specs)? The only brand I've recognized was the Klipsch Reference R-620F for 620$, but for power it had 100-400W.

 

How would a basic 2.0 Floorstanding setup compare to a 2.1 setup with Bookself speakers? (The AIYIMA D03 has a port for an Active Sub, so I could add that later)

Most TPA DAC units with a display up front like Aiyima are very nifty toys actually, can't go wrong. I've dealt with some heavy shit like old school quadra EL34's, Magnat 6L6's, etc.. ended up with an FX-audio 502-L which is a palm sized TPA. Gets the job done VERY well for what it's worth.

Don't make those ratings fool you, you'll never hit peak power with a TPA and a bunch of Indiana Line, Klipch or whatever mid - high class speaker. Those ratings at 4 ohm (who even runs 4 ohm speakers lol), are VERY conversely rated. You can probably power some massive Oberon towers with a Miniampl easily, even around full blast. TPA is no joke towards peak power. It's small yet capable decoder. I love TPAs for the reason that, they replace much bigger older school receiver or tube combos.

You can get towers, depends on the home config. There are some nice towers out there..

https://www.hifikulma.fi/Dali-IKON-5-MK2

[saintlouisbagels]

You don't want want big speakers like floorstanders unless you're intending to sit at a decent distance and let them fill the room. Since you're using them in close-proximity you should still stick to bookshelf speakers.

 

My recommendation would be

Loxjie A30 $170 (currently using) --> connect to TV via TOSLINK

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/loxjie-a30-amplifier-review.17547/

https://www.amazon.com/LOXJIE-MA12070-Headphone-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B08J7Z8TN6

or the Wiim Amp $300  --> connect to TV via HDMI

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-amp-streaming-amplifier-review.52372/

https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Amp-Multiroom-Streaming-Chromecast/dp/B0CGCLXH4H/

 

KEF Q150 for $350 Recert (or new $600) or Q350 for $500 Recert. Remember, bigger is only if you want like more room-filling sound.

Accessories4Less is an authorized reseller, so you get full warranty if there are any issues.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/spkbookshelf/speakers/bookshelf-speakers/1.html?brand=KEF

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefq150wln/kef-q150-pair-5.25-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-walnut/1.html

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefq350wht/kef-q350-pair-6.5-2-way-bookshelf-speakers-white/1.html

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefq150whta/kef-new-q150-pair-5.25-bookshelf-speakers-white/1.html

 

I've had several friends get the KEF Q150 and they're all very happy. It's such a great pair of speakers.

[Motifator]

Not a fan of KEF, at all. Their speakers seem like a bunch of hot China trash in ugly, overglorified disclosures. Can't go wrong with Dali though. That Indiana Line, bit below Dali but technically I'd still put it well above KEF for what you get with the wallet.

[vikdean]

Are there any sites which have Tier lists or something? E.g. how do these compare?

• ESI aktiv 05 (my current one)
• KEF Q150
• Klipsch RP-600M
• Sony SSCS5
• Dali OBERON 3
• Indiana Line DJ 308

I can see their specs and price, but that's about it, not much else to go on... There are thousand of these from a hundred different manufacturers. How do you pick one which is good value?

[Motifator]

You know, if you don't want studio monitors so much... just get the Indiana Line stuff and call it a day. It's probably above the daily Oberons, and the retro design is pretty nice. Save money in the pocket, spend it towards a proper Aiyima or whatever with the display, remote, etc. To me, this does sound like a hi-fi setup wanna-be.

In that particular case, audiofools aka snobs will find anything to say bad about a speaker. The Indiana Line stuff is pretty nice I mean big tweeters, dual bass ports up front and double cones. It will probably get loud as fuck if you want it be... like that configuration is easily floorstanding level loud on the high end... it's something I'd buy for my own self because see avatar. I LOVE using big amount of decibels when I play music.

[vikdean]

I've got my current Studio Monitor because this was the "next level" back then, but today it doesn't cover everything I'm trying to do anymore. Right now I'm just trying to figure out how do they compare e.g. with those Indiana Line speakers? Sound is obviously hard to quantify, but there has to be some way...

 

Cost-wise, getting a Sub for my current setup would be around the same as buying the Indiana Line ones plus an AMP -- how would those two compare? I have no clue...

[Motifator]

The Indiana Line DJ stuff is not Dali Ikon quality. If an Icon is like a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso with full AWD, then the Indiana Line is a Ferrari FF with a half baked 4WD that starts working at highway speeds.

In other words, they're both great speakers but the Indiana Line is just not the OMG THIS TONE!! At least, from everything I ever gathered towards it. Don't get me wrong though, it's still a damn fucking good speaker and there's also a DJ 310 which takes the 308 a step further, making it a closer shot to the long iconic Ikon 1 MK2 I personally main from Dali.

The DJ 310's cost like 450 euros while it's 350 for the 308. Whichever one you choose, sounds to me like you want a capable power amp to go together with. I don't think you'll need a bass, especially with good EQ... the 310's will probably boast more than suffice bass levels to not actually need a sub.

Though if you DO want a sub... then there are obviously lots of active or passive subs go to along with them.

The Aktiv 5's are good.. but they're far from the best. They're the "budget" option of ESI, don't get me wrong though... the budget of ESI is still better than the budget of Yamaha, Mackie and the alikes cause ESI also happens to be a good brand, especially with the Unik series which I love to death. Why not just get a pair of Unik 08 plus..? They're great studio monitors and are big on the tone and size. You can easily use them with your interface. ESI makes a sub to go with them, too...

[saintlouisbagels]

10 hours ago, vikdean said:

Are there any sites which have Tier lists or something? E.g. how do these compare?

• ESI aktiv 05 (my current one)
• KEF Q150
• Klipsch RP-600M
• Sony SSCS5
• Dali OBERON 3
• Indiana Line DJ 308

I can see their specs and price, but that's about it, not much else to go on... There are thousand of these from a hundred different manufacturers. How do you pick one which is good value?

Dali Oberon is above your budget.

Sony SSCS5 is a budget speaker. Way below the quality of the other recommendations.

Klipsch is an overpriced brand that relies on their namesake. They're good, but not for their price bracket.

 

I don't even know where to get the Indiana Line DJ speakers, and this thread is the first time I have ever heard of that brand.

You could also look into ELAC Debut and ELAC Unifi speakers. They were incredibly well-received when they were released for being exceptional value speakers and I love how they sound.

 

Of the KEF, Dali, ELAC, and even Klipsch, you're not making any bad or wrong choices. Don't get too caught up in "best" because audio is incredibly subjective.

 

Looking up specs is almost 100% meaningless.

[vikdean]

10 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

Dali Oberon is above your budget.

Sony SSCS5 is a budget speaker. Way below the quality of the other recommendations.

Klipsch is an overpriced brand that relies on their namesake. They're good, but not for their price bracket.

 

I don't even know where to get the Indiana Line DJ speakers, and this thread is the first time I have ever heard of that brand.

You could also look into ELAC Debut and ELAC Unifi speakers. They were incredibly well-received when they were released for being exceptional value speakers and I love how they sound.

 

Of the KEF, Dali, ELAC, and even Klipsch, you're not making any bad or wrong choices. Don't get too caught up in "best" because audio is incredibly subjective.

 

Looking up specs is almost 100% meaningless.

I've listed those ones as an example; my biggest issue right now is that I cannot compare any one these to my current one, so I have no idea how much I have to invest to get a better one, where I would even notice the difference.

[saintlouisbagels]

15 minutes ago, vikdean said:

I've listed those ones as an example; my biggest issue right now is that I cannot compare any one these to my current one, so I have no idea how much I have to invest to get a better one, where I would even notice the difference.

In my experience owning multiple powered monitors/speakers in the sub-$200, $300, and $400 brackets, they are in no way comparable to passive bookshelf speakers that are $200 and above.

 

For powered speakers you’re paying for a compact box with electronics inside. Your money is being split and the internals aren’t optimized. For passives, everything is going towards audio quality.

I would just go for the recertified Q150.

I have $1600 KEF speakers and they’re only a little better than their $350 younger brother. Once you pick any bookshelf speaker, the next big upgrade is getting a real subwoofer. Like, minimum spend $300.

[vikdean]

3 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

In my experience owning multiple powered monitors/speakers in the sub-$200, $300, and $400 brackets, they are in no way comparable to passive bookshelf speakers that are $200 and above.

 

For powered speakers you’re paying for a compact box with electronics inside. Your money is being split and the internals aren’t optimized. For passives, everything is going towards audio quality.

I would just go for the recertified Q150.

I have $1600 KEF speakers and they’re only a little better than their $350 younger brother. Once you pick any bookshelf speaker, the next big upgrade is getting a real subwoofer. Like, minimum spend $300.

One question though regarding AMPs. I've seen topics discussing issues with LG's Optical port, reporting constant cut-outs and the likes. What AMP could I get that would be free from these issues?

[saintlouisbagels]

46 minutes ago, vikdean said:

One question though regarding AMPs. I've seen topics discussing issues with LG's Optical port, reporting constant cut-outs and the likes. What AMP could I get that would be free from these issues?

... I recommended 2 DAC/speaker amplifiers in my first post...

 

An optical port is digital. You would need a DAC (digital analog converter) before it can be fed into an amplifier.

The Loxjie A30 has a optical input and no HDMI port.

The WiiM Amp has HDMI ARC, which means we don't need to talk about the LG optical output.

There is also this Arylic with an HDMI ARC port, but... I am hesitant about a device with so many features while being so cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Arylic-B50-Transmitter-APP-Support-Transmission/dp/B0BVM6BH8G

[vikdean]

47 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

... I recommended 2 DAC/speaker amplifiers in my first post...

 

An optical port is digital. You would need a DAC (digital analog converter) before it can be fed into an amplifier.

The Loxjie A30 has a optical input and no HDMI port.

The WiiM Amp has HDMI ARC, which means we don't need to talk about the LG optical output.

There is also this Arylic with an HDMI ARC port, but... I am hesitant about a device with so many features while being so cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Arylic-B50-Transmitter-APP-Support-Transmission/dp/B0BVM6BH8G

The Loxjie A30 was specifically mentioned for having Optical cut-outs with LG TVs [LINK], hence why I'm asking. No idea about AIYIMA though...

[saintlouisbagels]

22 minutes ago, vikdean said:

The Loxjie A30 was specifically mentioned for having Optical cut-outs with LG TVs [LINK], hence why I'm asking. No idea about AIYIMA though...

Your link doesn't show "Loxjie" or "A30" when I CTRL+F and I'm not going to go through 6 pages.

 

Okay, then get the WiiM Amp or the Arylic because they have HDMI ARC.

Everything I've suggested this whole thread has been within your budget.

 

edit: I'm just noticing you wrote ">$800"

you know that means you want to spend "greater than $800" right?

[vikdean]

24 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

Your link doesn't show "Loxjie" or "A30" when I CTRL+F and I'm not going to go through 6 pages.

 

Okay, then get the WiiM Amp or the Arylic because they have HDMI ARC.

Everything I've suggested this whole thread has been within your budget.

 

edit: I'm just noticing you wrote ">$800"

you know that means you want to spend "greater than $800" right?

Sry, I thought I copied a different link, but it was mentioned in the last post in that thread.

 

Yeah, around 800$ would be great. I was actually looking at the KEF Q350 because right now its cheaper then the Q150.

Are there any good AMPs with eARC HDMI which doesn't have Streaming/Bluetooth/WiFi capabilities? I don't really need any of those, so could save some money there.

 

[saintlouisbagels]

1 hour ago, vikdean said:

Sry, I thought I copied a different link, but it was mentioned in the last post in that thread.

 

Yeah, around 800$ would be great. I was actually looking at the KEF Q350 because right now its cheaper then the Q150.

Are there any good AMPs with eARC HDMI which doesn't have Streaming/Bluetooth/WiFi capabilities? I don't really need any of those, so could save some money there.

 

Not that I know of.

Integrated amplifiers including HDMI ARC is a very, very new thing at these very low prices.

 

Otherwise, you can buy a huge bulky home theater receiver with HDMI ARC at like 4 times the footprint but at the same or lower cost.

[vikdean]

6 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

Not that I know of.

Integrated amplifiers including HDMI ARC is a very, very new thing at these very low prices.

 

Otherwise, you can buy a huge bulky home theater receiver with HDMI ARC at like 4 times the footprint but at the same or lower cost.

Might have found one; ONKYO TX-SR3100 - 320$. It has HDMI 2.1 eARC.

Its actually cheaper then the WiiM Amp, only problem is that I cannot find it in Europe, maybe its too new, not sure.

 

[saintlouisbagels]

38 minutes ago, vikdean said:

Might have found one; ONKYO TX-SR3100 - 320$. It has HDMI 2.1 eARC.

Its actually cheaper then the WiiM Amp, only problem is that I cannot find it in Europe, maybe its too new, not sure.

 

So you don't want the WiiM amp because it has wireless functions that might inflate its cost... but you're interested in a box that costs more, is many times larger, has many times more HDMI ports even though you only need 1, many times more audio channels you won't use because you're only buying 2 speakers, and many times more inputs?

 

Did you come here to ask for advice, or to just be a troll?

 

38 minutes ago, vikdean said:

only problem is that I cannot find it in Europe

B R U H

 

why are you using USD if you were in Europe this whole time.

[vikdean]

12 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

So you don't want the WiiM amp because it has wireless functions that might inflate its cost... but you're interested in a box that costs more, is many times larger, has many times more HDMI ports even though you only need 1, many times more audio channels you won't use because you're only buying 2 speakers, and many times more inputs?

 

Did you come here to ask for advice, or to just be a troll?

 

B R U H

 

why are you using USD if you were in Europe this whole time.

WiiM Amp is 335$, so its not more expensive. Also, if I wanted to add more speakers in the future, I could.

 

I though the ESI speakers were a dead giveaway, because you cannot get those outside of Europe as far as I know, sorry, my bad.

I'm not sure why I used USD... EUR is not my local currency either, so it didn't matter.