Help with audio setup

[Woahduds]

Im using a Dac/Amp combo for my headphones and i want to step into the world of speakers. (this is the out http://prntscr.com/9lpfh4) do i need to buy a product (a middle man) to use speakers? 

[TheMastr13]

what kind of speakers?

Passive (no amp built in), or active (have an amp build in)?

[Woahduds]

what kind of speakers?

Passive (no amp built in), or active (have an amp build in)?

passive

[TheMastr13]

passive

Then you will need an amplifier.

 

A decent small one is the Lepai 2020A+:

http://www.amazon.com/Lepai-LP-2020A-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI

 

Or you could get a full reciever like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STRDH130-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B006U1VH2S

[Woahduds]

Then you will need an amplifier.

 

A decent small one is the Lepai 2020A+:

http://www.amazon.com/Lepai-LP-2020A-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI

 

Or you could get a full reciever like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STRDH130-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B006U1VH2S

so the back of the dac got XLR outs can i just buy a xlr speaker and use the onboard amp?

[Woahduds]

what is active?? oh so built in amp?

[TheMastr13]

what is active?? oh so built in amp?

Active speakers have an amp built in to one of the speakers, an it amplifies the sound for them. Most computer speakers are like this. Here's an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-A2-Premium-Powered-Speakers/dp/B00DQMJE7E

[TheMastr13]

so the back of the dac got XLR outs can i just buy a xlr speaker and use the onboard amp?

Any signal coming from an XLR will be at what's called "line level". There is no amplification to it at all. If the speaker you buy has an XLR input, then it most likely has an amplifier built in

[Woahduds]

Any signal coming from an XLR will be at what's called "line level". There is no amplification to it at all. If the speaker you buy has an XLR input, then it most likely has an amplifier built in

is bookshelf speakers and studio monitors the same thing?

[TheMastr13]

is bookshelf speakers and studio monitors the same thing?

Bookshelf speakers are a form factor of speaker. They are smaller (though some can be pretty huge) speakers that in most cases can fit on a bookshelf (brilliant naming).

Studio monitors are speakers made to replay an audio file as close to original as possible. No "bass boost" or "sound enhance", it's played back exactly how it was recorded. Some people like this, and some people (like me) like messing with their music, and making it sound different. It's all a matter of preference.