Speakers help

[Ryuk]

Hi guys,


I am moving to a new apartment and unfortunately I had to leave my old speaker system behind. I really cannot decide what to get.

Things to note: 

 

I live in Europe(Bulgaria) so the availability is quite limited.
Usage for speakers: 70% music, 20% games, 10% movies.
Sound coming from my mobo, Asus Z170i with SupremeFX.

I am not an audiophile, or at least not yet, but I love good sound quality.
I like to have good lows (I listen to a lot of electronic music as well as hiphop), as clean as possible and details in mids and highs(I do listen to classic music as well).
Budget: would like to keep it under $500 but I am ready to pay more if really worth it, I definitely would rather save as much as possible as well.
I also like to keep it energy efficient as most things in my new apartment are very efficient.
I do like they to be at least decently loud.
They need to at least look decent.

Based on my research and considering my needs, it really doesn't matter which system I am getting, 2.0, 2.1 or 5.1 for active systems.

I have been considering getting a AV Receiver + 2 speakers to start with, but it seems just so much more expensive, I am not sure if it is worth the quality improvements (please correct me if I am wrong). Under my consideration was getting the Sony STR-DH550(~$300) receiver, but it just doesn't seem to be that great and the reviews aren't amazing either. To that I will have to add at least a pair of speakers, probably at least $300 for the pair? Again, I would do that if someone tells me that is truly worth it.

When it comes to 5.1, Logitech z906(~$300) don't sound terrible, but they definitely lack clarity in my opinion.

For 2.0 I like the Edifier R2730DB(~$290). Seem to be decent entry level studio monitors (maybe a bit large?) and also have bluetooth, which is not necessary but definitely nice to have.

I really like AudioEngine's offerings but unfortunately they are not available in Bulgaria. Bringing them from abroad would set be back way too much, I really doubt that is worth it. That is ~$600 for the A5+.

Other speakers I am considering: 
Microlab Solo 7C 2.0 (~$200)
Edifier S1000DB (~$315) - not sure if loud enough
Edifier S730D (~$400)
Tannoy Reveal 802 SET (~$450) - not particularly attractive.

I am really stuck, I need some opinions, suggestions, criticism, anything. Really, any help is appreciated.

[Ryuk]

I guess it is not an easy topic.

[Kenna]

Would you get passive speakers (they need an amplifier) or would you get active (powered) speakers.

Also would you consider buying used? 

A site called Hifi Shark is excellent for browsing for used audio gear. https://hifishark.com

 

 

[Ryuk]

I am willing to try anything. After about 20 hours of reading about audio equipment I can see that the z906 is complete crap but good audio systems will be a lot more expensive, getting a cheap receiver/amp + medium priced speakers would be a lot more expensive.

Now I am wondering if maybe I should just get a 2.0 system.

[Kenna]

How expensive is to import things within the EU.

The speakers I have KEF LS50 retail here in Australia for 2000-2500 aud (1442-1730 Euros) and I have seen several sellers (mainly in france) seling them in the 700-750 Euro range. As you stated above this is obviously out of your budget, but I found used speakers online in europe selling for often times 50% less than what I would otherwise pay in Australia. If you are willing to shop around you could score something pretty sweet.

If you want to just get a pair of new speakers I have heard good things about the JBL LSR 308. (LSR 305 is also good but with a smaller woofer i believe) I have seen them on amazon.de for around 190ish Euros. Would recommend the Vanatoo Transparent One's but I don't know if they are available in Europe. 

 

 

[Ryuk]

I am willing to shop around, but unfortunately I am not in US anymore and no deals are available around here, people simply don't buy such expensive equipment, and if they do, they won't be posting it online, they will simply throw them in the storage room.

I would love to get a really nice system, getting just nice speakers is not enough, the ones you mentioned, KEF LS50 are quite good looking and have really nice highs but they would have to be paired with a sub and a good amp. Unfortunately, I am not yet able to pay ~$2000 for a system.

What do you think about Edifier s1000db or s2000pro, just by looking at the information sheet? These are quite cheap but they seem quite nice, especially the s2000pro (even though they are not out in Europe yet).

[Kenna]

I have only recently gotten into speakers and looking at a spec sheet isn't a wise way to make a purchasing decision, that said a frequency response graph can still give you some of the general sound characteristics. Not sure how goods those 2 edifier speakers would be, online reviewers seem to enjoy them but I couldn't find any detail frequency response measurements. 

I did find a seller selling a pair of kef q300's for 230GBP (270 Euros) which are pretty well regarded speakers.

If you wanted to get the best sound for you buck you could go the more difficult and time consuming route of getting a speaker kit and building it yourself. This would easily blow anything out of the water in your price range and may even give speakers costing 3 times more a run for there money.

Regarding the Edifier speakers, reviews seem to indicate they are decent speakers, but at the same time I do think something like the JBL LSR308's would be better if you can get them from a site like amazon.de

 

 

 

 

[Ryuk]

A big problem with reviews is they tend to be not so objective. I have read so many positive reviews about the logitech z906, thought it would be a good investment, went to a local store, the bass is so muddy, the mids are very washed out. I have managed to listen to some lower end Edifiers, they seem to have very clear sound but now I am afraid that it will not be loud enough for my room and it would be great to have a 5.1 system. 

It sucks that they do not have higher end speakers on displays down here, I simply cannot listen to them. I think I will have to go with something cheaper and then later, when I have more money just go for something high end.

I also like your idea to build things, as soon as I come home I will look into it and might give it a go. I just don't like any designs really and making my own will definitely make me a happy man even if they won't sound as good as some high end speakers, they would be my babies

But importing from eu - that's 20% flat tax, sometimes with some extra fees, I would rather avoid that.