Need Audio setup recommendations please =)

[GuNjAX_3030]

     Like many Pc modders, I like modifying and upgrading different sections and parts on my, 'some what of a new', PC I built. And in the very begining When i was planning my build i knew i was going to be doing a lot of expanding so to future proof my rig, I got a 750D full tower case which would give me plenty of space to work with in the future. So anyways this time I am upgrading the Audio part of my Pc, which I have been doing some research on, specifically on new parts but really don't know a whole lot or have much experience on. I am most definitely not a audiophile dancer, but would sure would like to learn more in this area. I mostly just watch a lot of You Tube videos, rarely listen to music (But would like to start to after getting some nice monitor/book shelf speakers), and play games mainly CSGO. For sound i strictly only use my headphones which are decent gaming headphones (HyperX Cloud Revolvers) which i use for everything "Audio" on my Pc. So utilizing my headphones for gaming is great and all, but when Im just surfing the web watching different you tube videos it gets annoying constantly putting them on and off, so i thought maybe it would be worth it to just get some decent quality speakers below the $200 range, and heard "Bookshelf/Monitor/Multimedia" speakers were the way to go these days.(And to add my Onboard Audio is not bad but not great, and just want something better, something where a non-audiophile head like myself can notice compared to a typical onboard audio). So i have my mind set on these Mackie CR-4's ltd edition W/Silver accents instead of green. Question1:"I am debating between the CR3s and the CR4's they are both 50watts and seems like they have the same specs but the cr4's and just 1" larger than the cr3's obviously, I just like the cr4';s because they have Silver circle accents instead of that green color, my desk setup theme has no green." Question2:"I have looked at the Edifier R1280T, the ones that were $99. but didnt really compare specs between the Mackie's and the Edifier's? Both have great reviews, which ones would you go for? And are there any different monitor style speakers in the $150 price range that are as good as the Mackie CR3/4 or Edifier R1280T?   Question3:"For new audio setup got a new PCI-E Sound Card, the Sound Blaster 'Z', wanted to plug my new future speakers into them for sound improvement (Would this juice up my sound a bit you think? And my MAIN question was, I was also possibly getting a DAC in the future, but since i already would have the PCI-E sound card installed would that be pointless or stupid to do?? Do people use Sound cards and DAC's together? Would one just cancel each other out? How would this work out? Why am i alive? To all you Audiophile heads out there that can shoot me some advice, tips, and tricks, especially on hardware would really be appreciated =) And if you read all this i thank you betty muchie for your time.

 

"Meow said the cow?"-The Awesome Possum Reviewer =)

[JefferyD90]

4 minutes ago, Cazual-T said:

Like many on this forum, I am modifying and upgrading different sections and parts on my some what of a new PC I built. When i was planning my build i knew i was going to be doing a lot of expanding so to suture proof got a 750D full tower case. Well this time I am upgrading the Audio part of my Pc, which I have been doing a lot of research on, specifically on new parts but really don't know a whole lot or have much experience on. I am most definitely not a audiophile dancer, but would sure like to learn more in this area. I mostly just watch a lot of You Tube videos, rarely listen to music (But would like to start to after getting some nice monitor/book shelf speakers), and play games mainly CSGO. For sound i strictly only use my headphones which are decent gaming headphones (HyperX Cloud Revolvers) which i use for everything "Audio" on my Pc. So utilizing my headphones for gaming is great and all, but when Im just surfing the web watching different you tube videos it gets annoying constantly putting them on and off, so i thought maybe it would be worth it to just get some decent quality speakers below the $200 range, and heard "Bookshelf/Monitor/Multimedia" speakers were the way to go these days.(And to add my Onboard Audio is not bad but not great, and just want something better, something where a non-audiophile head like myself can notice compared to a typical onboard audio). So i have my mind set on these Mackie CR-4's ltd edition W/Silver accents instead of green. Question1:"I am debating between the CR3s and the CR4's they are both 50watts and seems like they have the same specs but the cr4's and just 1" larger than the cr3's obviously, I just like the cr4';s because they have Silver circle accents instead of that green color, my desk setup theme has no green." Question2:"I have looked at the Edifier R1280T, the ones that were $99. but didnt really compare specs between the Mackie's and the Edifier's? Both have great reviews, which ones would you go for? And are there any different monitor style speakers in the $150 price range that are as good as the Mackie CR3/4 or Edifier R1280T?   Question3:"For new audio setup got a new PCI-E Sound Card, the Sound Blaster 'Z', wanted to plug my new future speakers into them for sound improvement (Would this juice up my sound a bit you think? And my MAIN question was, I was also possibly getting a DAC in the future, but since i already would have the PCI-E sound card installed would that be pointless or stupid to do?? Do people use Sound cards and DAC's together? Would one just cancel each other out? How would this work out? Why am i alive? To all you Audiophile heads out there that can shoot me some advice, tips, and tricks, especially on hardware would really be appreciated =) And if you read all this i thank you betty muchie for your time.

if you want something good in that range, build your own! Let me know if you'd like help with that. Otherwise, I'd recommend something like one of Logitech's premade set ups and save yourself the $120 or so.

 

audio is one of those things that is kinda hard to really get "great" for less than $500.

[GuNjAX_3030]

1 minute ago, JefferyD90 said:

if you want something good in that range, build your own! Let me know if you'd like help with that. Otherwise, I'd recommend something like one of Logitech's premade set ups and save yourself the $120 or so.

 

audio is one of those things that is kinda hard to really get "great" for less than $500.

Woa, build your own? Like what do you mean by that? I thought you kind of just buy parts and install them into your pc and see if they work well together. Did you mean by literally buying like dif' components, like Circuit boards and soddering wires to the boards together, from scratch? Or the same concept as "Building your PC" rather than buying a pre built one is better and cheaper, kinda thing??

[JefferyD90]

5 hours ago, Cazual-T said:

Woa, build your own? Like what do you mean by that? I thought you kind of just buy parts and install them into your pc and see if they work well together. Did you mean by literally buying like dif' components, like Circuit boards and soddering wires to the boards together, from scratch? Or the same concept as "Building your PC" rather than buying a pre built one is better and cheaper, kinda thing??

Well, I find that unless you spend $400-$500 you're going to be just as good getting a good set of stand alone speakers for just $50-80...

 

Now if you're willing to build your own speakers and such, then you could probably come up with something really nice in the $200 price range and it would be super fun.