Recommend me some good computer speakers

2011-07-23 20:57:39

#1

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

I've been using these Logitech R20s for the past few years and whilst it does the job, I want something better now, especially since I'm changing my music collection from .mp3 to .flac or another lossless format like .wav for example (and yes, it will take me quite some time before this is complete).

I've started doing some research but there is a lot out there and I'm know there's at least a couple audiophiles on here that can steer me in the right direction. I haven't decided on a budget but a couple hundred dollars would be expected, if not more. I'm not rally prepared to pay much above this but could be swayed.

At this stage my priorities are sound quality and performance. If they look a bit weird but sound amazing, I can live with that. I'm also not too phased (no pun intended) about 5.1 etc. but if they happen to be the best for my budget that would be a nice bonus.

So yeah, any suggestions?

Last edited by Jaekus (2011-07-23 20:58:47)

2011-07-23 21:20:22

#2

Winston_Churchill: Bazinga!; +521|6994|Toronto | Canada

Well, depends if you want speakers or monitors. Some great speakers are Klipsch ProMedia 2.1s - I have the 5.1 set and theyre amazing and highly praised.

Monitors are usually preferred for listening to music though. There are a ton of good ones that pop up as recommendations all the time such as:
M-Audio AV40s
AudioEngine A2s
Samson A6s
Rokit 5 (or 8)
Swan M10
Behringer 40 series

Obviously its preferred you try them out in a store before you buy them but its not always possible. Out of those, I'd recommend the A2s and the AV40s the most.

2011-07-23 21:54:37

#3

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Sweet, that gives me a starting point.

Please don't mention Behringer again

2011-07-23 21:57:14

#4

Winston_Churchill: Bazinga!; +521|6994|Toronto | Canada

I've never even seen a Behringer piece of equipment before in my life, but I've seen a few reviews saying that line is quite good. I've also seen quite a few saying that its a shitty company

2011-07-23 22:00:03

#5

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

I've got a small bass amp by them. Compared to my MarkBass rig it is utter shite

2011-07-23 22:02:04

#6

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Basically they take the designs from other companies and use shitty quality components to make low budget versions of the same thing. And you can certainly tell it is low budget. M-Audio make good stuff though (Pro Tools springs to mind).

Last edited by Jaekus (2011-07-23 22:03:16)

2011-07-23 22:02:51

#7

tazz.: oz.; +1,338|6429|Sydney | ♥

just saying, i'm a cheap cunt, so i went and purchased the logitech x-530s for ~ $60

the quality is pretty fkn amazing considering the price.

^{everything i write is a ramble and should not be taken seriously.... _{seriously. ♥}}

2011-07-23 22:05:11

#8

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

I'm looking for something non-logitech as I think their speakers are aimed at gaming, not pristine audio quality.

And yeah, I should really just spend well over a grand and get a separate amp with some good speakers, but I'm trying to do all this on a relatively low budget. Have a US holiday in 2 weeks (see my sig) and when I get back I want to pick up a 6950 in time for BF3.

2011-07-23 22:33:23

#9

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Ergh, I've done some thinking and chatting to my housemate and realised part of my dilemma is I have been running my headphones from the audio out of my G110 keyboard, using the onboard sound.

So, I think I should invest in a proper sound card before I look at speakers. Suggestions?

2011-07-23 22:37:13

#10

Winston_Churchill: Bazinga!; +521|6994|Toronto | Canada

ASUS Xonar DX

2011-07-23 22:38:00

#11

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6404|'straya

I've got Microlab PRO 3 speakers. It's not exactly a well respected brand name, but I was surprised at the sound quality considering the price.

http://www.itsdirect.com.au/products/Mi … tegory/65/

For a sound card..

Winston_Churchill wrote:
ASUS Xonar DX

This.

Last edited by Little BaBy JESUS (2011-07-23 22:38:58)

2011-07-23 23:59:16

#12

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Sounds good... which one though?

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_li … ;sid=73081
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_li … ;sid=55947
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_li … ;sid=74017

or this?
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_li … ;sid=57789

I'll look into the Microlab PRO 3. Anywhere I could listen to them before I buy? Hardly Normal?

Last edited by Jaekus (2011-07-24 00:02:17)

2011-07-24 00:05:28

#13

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,815|6361|eXtreme to the maX

Buy a hi-fi and stop listening to music on your computer.

Fuck Israel

2011-07-24 00:07:05

#14

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

There's already a good one in the loungeroom, though I live in a sharehouse and like to be in my own space. All my music is on my computer. 'nuff said.

2011-07-24 02:22:31

#15

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|7027|PNW

If you're really wanting audiophile speakers, set your sights away from things marketed as computer speakers.

$100 (for 2) Numark NPM5 Active 5" Studio Monitors
$150 (for 1) Mackie MR Series MR5mk2 80-Watt Studio Monitor
$200 (for 1) JBL LSR2325P Bi-Amplified Studio Monitor]
$290 (for 1) Yamaha HS80M Studio Reference Monitor

Just remember that they're not the only component for good sound.

2011-07-24 02:26:31

#16

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

unnamednewbie13 wrote:
If you're really wanting audiophile speakers, set your sights away from things marketed as computer speakers.

Yeah I was implying that, but didn't state as such. My bad.

$100 (for 2) Numark NPM5 Active 5" Studio Monitors
$150 (for 1) Mackie MR Series MR5mk2 80-Watt Studio Monitor
$200 (for 1) JBL LSR2325P Bi-Amplified Studio Monitor]
$290 (for 1) Yamaha HS80M Studio Reference Monitor

Just remember that they're not the only component for good sound.

Good suggestions

Any knowledge on the Xonar sound card? I'm reading a few reviews and from what I'm seeing it's the one to get. But my local computer store has four different types at the same price point. I'm confused which one I should get.

2011-07-24 02:28:29

#17

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Also, those Numarks seem the go for what I am after.

2011-07-24 02:31:58

#18

Cheez: Herman is a warmaphrodite; +1,027|6694|King Of The Islands

Do we even get those brands?

Looks like a trip to JB is needed.

My state was founded by Batman. Your opinion is invalid.

2011-07-24 02:35:21

#19

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

We get all those brands, I've used them before... except looking online it seems the NPM5 is not available in Australia

2011-07-24 04:05:56

#20

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|7027|PNW

Jaekus wrote:
Any knowledge on the Xonar sound card? I'm reading a few reviews and from what I'm seeing it's the one to get. But my local computer store has four different types at the same price point. I'm confused which one I should get.

Here's a list of feature comparisons across multiple sound cards: http://sound-cards-review.toptenreviews.com/

Rather than simply buying the most expensive, I'd see about hooking things up to an external amplifier.

e: Surprised by the HT Omegas. I'd even consider one if I were willing to replace my Audigy 2 ZS at the moment. Then again, I'm mostly using the HDMI-out on my laptop, so...

2011-07-24 04:16:36

#21

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Thanks for the link

I'm looking pretty set on something from the Xonar range. The ones I am looking at are all in the same price point ($185 - $189 between the four) though another has caught my eye which is half the price. Will require some further research to narrow it down to one.

As for the speakers, I fear decent monitors will blow my budget somewhat, unless I get lucky on a second hand sale. It looks as though the Altec Lansing range are decent for computer speakers though, and they get good reviews. Still undecided and looking for an alternative however.

Also looking for a decent pair of headphones for music AND gaming... I don't do things by halves!

2011-07-24 04:23:44

#22

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|7027|PNW

If it were me and my own listening habits, I would keep the old speakers and look around for studio monitor head phones. Most of them are bulky enough that you can wear mic-only sets that wrap around the back of your head beneath them without noticing, if you want to game in silence. I'd just make sure I bought some that are easy to repair (replacement padding known to be sold by mfg, etc.). I have a pair of beyerdynamic DT 770's that are on the bleeding edge of constant-use tatters, though I can fix them any time for ~$40 worth of parts.

2011-07-24 05:08:31

#23

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Yeah well I do have a $40 set of Plantronics that I use for gaming and listening, but tbh no one ever uses VOIP on BC2 so the mic is fairly redundant. They can just be shelved until such time I need them.

So yeah, for the time being perhaps forget the speakers and pick a card and some 'phones... while we're here discussing it, what are yours like?

2011-07-24 06:12:25

#24

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

Ok, I think I'm pretty sold on the Audio Technica ATH-AD700.

This is the bulk of the review that sold me on them (and susequent comments supporting all claims - all 21 pages!)

The first thing I noticed (after the packaging) was the funky looks. They're decked out in a very regal purple and gold. It looks a lot better in the flesh than pictures can do justice. Trust me, they look cool.
The second thing I noticed was the (usual) comfort level - very nice indeed.

And the third thing I noticed was the sound. These sound awesome.

Ok, so I haven't had a chance to test against the famous Beyer DT531, but I (and some lucky customers as well as the LSK guys) have joined me in some headphone auditioning and we all agree that the AD700 is a winner.

Bass response is fast and tight, good impact without being overwhelming. It integrates very nicely into the sound and never sounds detached. Bass notes have good speed and definition to them without sounding thin so they work well with dance and electroica as well as more traditional rock, jazz and classical.

Midrage/vocals is very smooth. Vocals are excellent and tracks like Beth Orton's "she calls my name" (which has very intimate/close/forward vocals) manage to produce goosebumps. Very sweet sounding indeed.

Upper end and treble is fast, energetic and detailed without being spitty or harsh. There are times where I expected the level of detail to sound harsh but they're so smooth it never happens. Even with agressive rock (industrial as well as Dick Dale style guitar stuff) I found that the energy was more than welcome and certainly made me want to rock out.

Overall sound is very cohesive, no individual frequency or characteristic leaps out at my ears and they perform extremely well aross a broad range of music.

Soundstage is very good, but not the best I've heard however they're easily capable of keeping up with anything in their own pricerange.

The big surprise was when I put these up against some other favourites

The Sennheiser HD555? No comparison. There is honestly NOTHING about the HD555 that should make you choose them over the AD700. The HD555 sounds dull and lifeless, even muffled at times, compared to the AD700. Separation and clarity are sadly lacking in the Sennheiser model, bass response is slow and wooly and treble detail is almost nonexistant. The AD700 makes the HD555 sound like a tired old man who's just run a 200m race.

The Sennheiser HD595? I just did this for kicks and was very interested to note that the AD700 even outdoes the HD595. There's one standout moment that confirmed this for me - at the start of the St Germain track "Sure Thing" there is some resonant bass. On the HD595 (I tried several pairs to confirm it wasn't a fault) the 595 sounds like a badly ported subwoofer, there is a strange resonance and distortion to the bass with the HD595 while the AD700 manages it effortlessly and clearly with perfect detail as well as impact.
I probably wouldn't have noticed this as much if I hadn't switched straight to the AD700 - I also tried a few other pairs to see if this was common and the HD595 was the only one that had this bass mess. Marcus from LSK confirmed (in a "blind" test) that the HD595 didn't sound right and Marcus as well as Aaron agreed the AD700 was clearly superior - both were surprised at the price difference.
The HD595 has an emphasis on certain upper midrange areas that lead them to sound "agressive" at certain times, but for long listening I find they sound simply too harsh, by comparison the AD700 has more uper end detail WITHOUT the harsh edge as well as more energy. Midrange on the HD595 is hit and miss sometimes sounding slightly muffled (much like the bass on the St Germain track) yet at other times sounding quite good, while the AD700 projects sweet, sweet midrange vocals every time very nicely indeed.

The Beyer DT440? Well, the DT440 isn't anywhere near as comfortable for a start Otherwise I'd say the DT440 is halfway between the HD595 and AD700 in overall sound signature, but I'll definitely reach for the AD700 before I reach for the DT440. I'll also be quicker to recommend the AD700 as the established AT design doesn't have any glaring flaws that are likely to cause me grief in the future. Overall the DT440 still has a sound that some people will like, but I think the price difference between it and the AD700 will make it hard to justify getting the 440.

In closing;

Wow. Comfortabe, affordable, easy to drive, good loocking headphones that sound great? You got it!

Last edited by Jaekus (2011-07-24 06:16:11)

2011-07-24 21:23:27

#25

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5433|Sydney

So I bought those headphones

Now just trying to track down an Asus Xonar Essence STX for the best price. My local is out of stock

BF2S Forums Recommend me some good computer speakers

Winston_Churchill wrote:

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

Jaekus wrote:

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