Reddit mentions of JBL Professional, 8" speaker (LSR308)

If you've got $400 to spend on desktop speakers, I would go this route: http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR308-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00E8CEW7I They go deep for a desktop monitor: 37 Hz

From what I can gather these JBL LSR305's are much better speakers. While they cost a bit more and don't come with a dac they are still a better deal than the little audioengines.

these should sound good if you can stretch

Alright, here's what I've put together for you:

1. Turntable: Rega P1 ~$450
   
   
2. Speakers: JBL LSR308 - $500
   
   
3. Phono Preamp: Pyle-Pro PP444 - $10.49
   
   
4. Passive Preamp (volume control): Schiit Sys - $49
   
   
5. RCA-to-XLR cable (to connect speakers) 10' - $9.50
   
   Total: $1,018.99
   
   
   Logic:
   
   
   Turntable:
   
   Rega turntables are some of the best in the world, and their quality extends all the way down the line. I have the step-up mode, the P3, and love it. $400 is roughly the entry point for a "good" turntable, which I think is a solid investment given your budget.
   
   Speakers
   
   The JBL LSR series is very well regarded on r/audiophile. They are generally considered to be the best powered monitors on the market. Being powered means you don't have to buy a separate amplifier, saving money. If you want to save some money, you can drop down to the LSR305, which has a smaller woofer. It will not have as much bass power as the 308, but it costs $200 less for the pair (NOTE: The Amazon link is for a single speaker, not a pair)
   
   Phono Preamp
   
   You'll need one of these, because the signal coming out of the tone arm on the turntable is very low voltage. The phono preamp brings it up to a level that is powerful enough to be amplified further by the speakers. You can spend more, but you don't need more than the Pyle (I have one at home that I'd honestly mail to you, but Amazon Prime is probably cheaper than the cost of shipping for me :P)
   
   Passive Preamp
   
   This is a volume knob and a input switch. That's all. Volume knob because the speakers have the volume knob on the back, and have separate knobs per speaker. Didn't think you'd want to mess with that. Two inputs so you can hook up your turntable and your computer, or your phone, etc.
   
   RCA-to-XLR cable
   
   Because the JBL monitors are targeted at pro recording studios, they use "balanced" XLR cables instead of traditional RCA. The reasons for doing so are irrelevant, but you will need an adapter cable.
   
   If that's too much money
   
   As I said earlier, you could drop down to the JBL LSR305 (again, link is a single speaker, not a pair). That would bring the total down to $818.99. If you wanted to save money, this is where I would do it.
   
   Another option is to switch turntables to the U-Turn Orbit. It starts at $179, but I'd definitely add the cue lever for $40. I wouldn't spend more on other options though, not worth the money. If you go this route, treat this turntable as your starter, then replace it later.
   
   If you tell me your local craigslist, I can look around and see if there are any good deals, but the above is going to be pretty hard to beat.
   
   By all means, feel free to ask me any and all questions. I love doing this kind of research for people, so it's no skin off my back. I want to make sure you enjoy Ride the Lightning in all it's rifftastic glory :D

A chromecast audio is all you need for spotify.

Those are pretty good. To power them you'd need an amplifier, but for hip-hop, I'm sure some day you'll want to add a subwoofer, which would kinda force you to get a multichannel amp now (stereo amplifiers aren't able to divide the frequencies correctly between sub and speakers) and a beefy multichannel amp is going to cost you $400: if that's within your budget, then go for it. It's certainly the most convenient solution because an AV receiver allows you to connect anything you might get in the future: consoles, bluray players, chromecast video, turntable (for that you'll need a phono preamp though).

Otherwise I would recommend you something entirely different: 2x JBL LSR308s or Emotiva Airmotiv 6s: they go deeper than those B&Ws with a still great sound quality; and they're powered speakers, which means each has built in amplifiers, requiring no additional gear other than a volume controller for convenience. You would hook up the chromecast to the volume controller with the bundled 3.5mm cable and then run a pair of RCA to 6.3mm TS cables to the speakers, one for each. Done.

For the turntable, you'll eventually get a phono preamp with a switch and multiple inputs like this (but if I were you, I'd stick to digital music unless you inherit a collection).

With these a subwoofer would be less important (because again, they go deeper by themselves), but I'm sure you'd add one eventually: in that case you'd just have to make sure that the sub has high-pass filtered outputs (SVS subs do, for example, and they're good - a high pass filter ensures that the main speakers aren't goint to reproduce the same frequencies of the sub, improving their performance and eliminating the unwanted overlap) so that you could add it to the chain with ease (between volume controller and speakers).

They are powered!

JBL LSR308 Amazon Link

Focusrite 2i4 Interface Amazon Link

2 X TRS cable Amazon Link

Get a pair of these. Best speakers you can buy for the price. Will need a balanced pre-amp.

JBL LSR305's https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00DUKP37C/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all $100

or the LSR 308's https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00E8CEW7I/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&mv_size_name=2&mv_style_name=1 $123

Then pair it with a Dayton Sub 1500.

total package would be just over $300 and would be killer for a first time setup.

You need studio monitors for mixing and mastering. Ideally a good setup would have both studio monitors and listening speakers.

I currently use Tannoy Reveal 502 5" monitors for producing. I also have a set of Altec Lansing 2.1 THX speakers on the computer. Often I'll try the tracks out on both speakers so I can hear the difference.

If you are set on only buying one or the other, I'd go with these large 8" JBL monitors that go down to 37hz.

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR308-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00E8CEW7I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420573391&sr=8-2&keywords=jbl+monitor


If you want a set of 2.1 to go with the monitors I recommend the Logitech Z623s: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-980-000402-Speaker-System-Black/dp/B003VAHYTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420573516&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+2.1+thx

I'll point you towards the JBL LSR305, which are the active speakers recommended in the OP. I linked the UK Amazon page, where they'll cost you £249 for a pair.

To connect them to your Pioneer SB2s, you will also need to buy two cables like this.

You need WAY better peripherals!

Let's start with the audio. For speakers, you want to go with Micca MB42X (Amazon link) or the newer Micca PB42X (Amazon link). If you wanted to go even better, get the JBL LSR305 (Amazon link) or even the larger/better JBL LSR308 (Amazon link). For headphones, you want to go with Sennheiser PC 363D (Amazon link) for gaming or any of the Sennheiser HD headphones for music. You also will need a DAC for your audio so get a Schiit Modi 2 (Amazon link) or you could setup a Schiit stack which is a Schiit DAC like the Modi 2 and a Schiit amp like the Schiit Magni 2 (Amazon link. Do NOT buy any audio equipment made by a computer company. Buy from an audio company. You don't have to believe me, check out /r/BudgetAudiophile /r/Audiophile /r/Audio /r/Headphones.

For your monitor, you really want at least a 144 Hz 1440 monitor (preferably with G-Sync) since you have a nice GPU. I have the Asus - ROG SWIFT PG278Q 27.0" 2560x1440 144Hz Monitor. Any of these monitors would suit you. I'd recommend checking out the Asus - MG278Q 27.0" 2560x1440 144Hz Monitor.

For your keyboard and mouse, you don't want Razer. For your keyboard, you want a mechanical keyboard. I have a Corsair RGB K65, which isn't made anymore, now it's called a Vengeance K65 which has a Cherry MX Red switch. Figure out which switch would suit your style and go from there. If you aren't sure what the differences between switches are, check out The complete guide to mechanical keyboard switches for gaming and How to Choose the Best Mechanical Keyboard (and Why You'd Want To). Personally, I think the Cherry MX Red is a great all around switch. I use it for gaming and typing. Check out keyboards by good companies like Ducky. You can also check out /r/mechmarket /r/MechanicalKeyboards /r/keyboards. For your mouse, again, there are better mice out there than those by Razer. I use a Logitech G303 because I didn't want a mouse to have a million buttons that I could accidentally hit while gaming. The Logitech - G300S Wired Optical Mouse and the Corsair - KATAR Wired Optical Mouse look good.

Remember to always keep an eye on /r/buildapcsales.

Any other questions?

interesting. okay, i'm going to continue doing research but between these two JBLs, would you go with the monitors?

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-3-Way-6-Inch-Bookshelf-Loudspeaker/dp/B000FYZARY/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header (i've been liking all the reviews on these, but I can't find anything about them on stereophile, this board, or any respected audiophile boards. but all customer reviews seem very positive. do you know anything about them?)

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR308-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00E8CEW7I/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TB324VGQQF2BYRQ5K21


and thank you so much for your help, i really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me.

As soon as I move out I am getting the JBL LSR308 for my living room.

I have their little brother the LSR305 on my desktop and the sound is amazing. With LSR308 you would have very similar sound, but it has a bigger woofer and would be more effective at filling a 12x12 room. The LSR308 reach deeper in the bass as well. They are less than 200 each on amazon right now, be sure to buy 2 as they do not come in a pair.

Edit: I use my lsr305 at the desk as well as sitting on my bed 7-8feet away and they do a great job.

I don't know what your budget is, but if I was you I would buy two of these and an odac. Will run you about $600 bucks.