Audio Noob Question

[LegoMan]

So you just want monitors? Or do you want 2.1? I'm assuming you don't have a budget for those as well? I'll have a look in the morning.

Sorry - I meant sound cards will NOT be good with those headphones. Whatever you do don't plug hd800's into those garbage products.

Yes. If Monitors = Speakers? Not sure what 2.1 is? Is that like 7.1, but with only 2? I really don't think I want surround. Just maybe

some really high quality speakers to put on my desktop or on the floor maybe? Subwoofer maybe? Minus surround of course.

 

I ultimately want to utilize both my current headphones and external speakers(I don't have), together. Not at the same time of course.

But being able to switch from one to the other without having to disconnect and/or re-connect a bunch of cables etc.

 

Hans Christian | Teri mentioned something about a high quality a/b switch?   I would like if possible to have the same sound quality coming out of my headphones as I do coming out of the Monitors?/Speakers. Although, at this point I guess I am not getting the best sound quality out of my current headphones, from what you are saying.  

[kcchi]

@LegoMan okay DO NOT get a sound card like I had suggested before, couldn't have imagined you had HD 800 omg @MayflowerElectronics basically forget everything I said, those advice were so not applicable to you... I'm sorry but this situation is really beyond what I could do for you... good luck?

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[LegoMan]

Usually happens when people have no idea what they're talking about recommend sound cards for $1500 headphones.

Yeah, that would be my fault. Sorry about that. New to the forum and all. I'll try and rap it up.....hopefully?  :unsure:

[LegoMan]

@LegoMan okay DO NOT get a sound card like I had suggested before, couldn't have imagined you had HD 800 omg @MayflowerElectronics basically forget everything I said, those advice were so not applicable to you... I'm sorry but this situation is really beyond what I could do for you... good luck?

Sent from my SGH-T989D using Tapatalk

Alright then. I do appreciate all of your insight though. Right or wrong, it's more knowledge than I had before I started, so thanks.

[LegoMan]

Oh gahd this thread is everywhere...

Yeah, that would be my fault. Sorry about that. New to the forum and all. I'll try and rap it up.....hopefully?  :unsure:

[MayflowerElectronics]

 

Yes. If Monitors = Speakers? Not sure what 2.1 is? Is that like 7.1, but with only 2? I really don't think I want surround. Just maybe

some really high quality speakers to put on my desktop or on the floor maybe? Subwoofer maybe? Minus surround of course.

 

I ultimately want to utilize both my current headphones and external speakers(I don't have), together. Not at the same time of course.

But being able to switch from one to the other without having to disconnect and/or re-connect a bunch of cables etc.

 

Hans Christian | Teri mentioned something about a high quality a/b switch?   I would like if possible to have the same sound quality coming out of my headphones as I do coming out of the Monitors?/Speakers. Although, at this point I guess I am not getting the best sound quality out of my current headphones, from what you are saying.  

 

 

Yes, monitors are high quality desktop speakers. Used for mixing audio for professionals. 

 

2.1 is 2 monitors, with 1 subwoofer.

 

If you get powered speakers, you can just plug them in seperatly, without getting an all in one device.

 

How much room do you have on your desk?

[LegoMan]

Yes, monitors are high quality desktop speakers. Used for mixing audio for professionals. 

 

2.1 is 2 monitors, with 1 subwoofer.

 

If you get powered speakers, you can just plug them in seperatly, without getting an all in one device.

 

How much room do you have on your desk?

Perfect! That's what I am looking for. That type of set up.

 

Quit a bit of room. Although I'm not sure how much room I need? How big are these speakers?

I just don't want an eye soar. Are they small? Or like, A Who Concert Speaker?

[MayflowerElectronics]

If size is a concern to you, pick up Audioengine A5+

 

For a subwoofer, pick your poison from this website.

 

http://velodyne.com/

 

For the headphone, you need an amp/DAC. Recommendations around here are this.

 

http://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/objective2-amplifer-with-odac.html

[LegoMan]

If size is a concern to you, pick up Audioengine A5+

 

For a subwoofer, pick your poison from this website.

 

http://velodyne.com/

 

For the headphone, you need an amp/DAC. Recommendations around here are this.

 

http://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/objective2-amplifer-with-odac.html

Is something like this OK as well? http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=48

Or is what you recommended better?

 

These are Awesome as Hell! http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-5-plus-bamboo

 

And is something like this way overkill for those A5's? Meaning being drowned out? http://velodyne.com/subwoofers/digital-drive-plus-series/digital-drive-plus-18.html

[MayflowerElectronics]

Ours is cheaper, but you can get whatever you want.

The subwoofer has a crossover and volume control so no, you should be fine .

[LegoMan]

OK. Great! I really do appreciate all of your knowledge and help. Thanks again.

[NohbdyKnows]

 

Sennheiser HD 800

 

Mr.MoneyBags should be your name  :mellow:

[LegoMan]

Mr.MoneyBags should be your name  :mellow:

No. That would be Mrs. MoneyBags.....My Wife.  :wub:

[DrewRockon]

My budget is........(I don't want to be, snooty?).......but it's a none issue.

Well then this gets really easy.

Check out these M-Audio BX8's http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBX8D2.html

 

Or the cheaper variant BX5's http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBX5D2.html

^^they have smaller woofers but if you combine it with their sub (which you should) it won't matter

 

My budget is a bit of an issue however and I use AV40's http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV40.html

Honestly if you aren't mixing in an expensive studio (which I'm not) then the AV40's will be fine

 

Here is a really great sub to put with the book shelves. You want to make sure you get the same brand because when it comes to studio monitors they all have their own sound so you want a sub to match. http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/SBX10.html

Definitely turn this down though via the volume knob on the back (assuming you aren't producing music just turn to taste). This thing is LOUD! My brother has used it to add some umph to his schools plays and it easily outshines the rest of the schools equipmunk.

 

You're going to want to couple this with a soundcard (they are NOT irrelevant) because you will definitely hear a difference compared to using onboard sound(if switch to onboard sound on my system you get the same effect as if the songs bitrate decreased). Don't worry about any sort of amplification though because it is built in to the speakers and sub (each cone gets its own individual amp)

 

The sub avoids any frequency crossover issues by requiring all sound to go through the sub first. The sub will ONLY send frequencies above what the variable crossover knob is set to avoid any overlapping.

 

Things to note:

You will need to add about $50 worth of TRS cables to connect it all together.

Once you get to this level of gear you might want to look into isolation solutions. I would recommend http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ISOL8R155/ (depending on what speakers you decide make sure you choose the stands with the right dimensions!)

This system will be bad ass! 

[helping]

You're going to want to couple this with a soundcard (they are NOT irrelevant) 

yea, or he could just get a Maverick D1/D2 and use the tube preamp out allowing it to make the soundcard irrelevant while being able to drive both the headphones and monitors. 

[DrewRockon]

for $200 he could just get a low end interface with pre-amp and start recording if he wanted to =p

[ShearMe]

For $200 he could invest in my lucrative timeshare. 

[mr moose]

Nice thread, sorry I'm late.   What's with all the jiz on the walls?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh.. I see....  someone owns a pair of HD800's has an unlimited budget and needs advice. 

 

my advice, by a decent USB DAC, spend more than $100 on a headphone amp but not more than $400.

And always wash your hands before eating.