Best products from r/audiophile

First of all, stay away from sonos. They sound like garbage.

Now that that is out of the way, we've got some discussing to do.

If you want the ease of Sonos, but good sound, a pair of KEF LSX is what you want. slightly over budget, but there isn't really anything else in your budget. 'All in one' stuff like that isn't very popular, and is pretty hard to find. KEF makes some of the only stuff like that, that actually sounds decent. Honestly, they sound really nice. I like them a lot, especially for all that they can do.

If you'd rather make a 'custom' setup with bluetooth, a receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers will be great. Will they be better than those KEFs? Yeah, but a lot of people don't want to deal with the 'hassle' that comes with setting up a system (it really is pretty easy though. put stuff where you want it and run wires). Also, it won't particularly be loads better than the KEFs.

Here's the receiver you want. It has everything you could ever need. Don't worry that it's 'too many channels'. 2 channel receivers usually don't have as many options. This one has bluetooth, airplay, wifi for streaming, etc.

With that, you'll want two speakers. I prefer bookshelf speakers. You get more for your money with them. To expand on that a bit, bookshelf speakers are usually cheaper than tower speakers for what you get. Neither bookshelf speakers or tower speakers can go all the way down, and you'll get some help from a sub with either. For example, you can get a pair of 'budget' tower speakers for around $1000, or you can step up and get a pair of bookshelf speakers that are the next 'tier' in a line, so you'll get better sound.

This is where you have options to make (not like you didn't before, but now you really do). After that receiver, you have around $700. There are two options. The first is to get a pair of bookshelf speakers. The second is to get a pair of bookshelf speakers and a sub. I would prefer just the bookshelf speakers, because you can get something much better (the 'cheapest' sub I would get is around $400) and you can add the sub in later.

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Here are your bookshelf speaker options:

I really like Ascend Acoustics Sierras. They've got a really smooth response, that's pleasurable to listen to. The Dark Cherry color is beautiful by the way.

These KEFs are really nice as well. They have a less 'smooth' presentation and more of a 'detailed' presentation. They're accurate and revealing. Loads of fun to listen to IMO. (They make a bigger version as well, but they aren't any better, and they're more expensive. Too much to get into now, but I'd avoid them).

Now, I'm going to put this pair in here, but I've never heard them. Philharmonic Mini Monitor. I can't comment on them too much, but I can speculate as well as tell you what I've heard from reviews. These are supposed to be very nice. Ribbon tweeters are very 'open' and 'airy' sounding. It's hard to explain, but it makes the sound feel very transparent. Again, hard to explain. The ribbon tweeter they use is a spectacular ribbon tweeter, so I'm sure it sounds great. They'll have tons of detail but will never sound sharp or anything.

Bowers and Wilkins 607 are a very good option. The way their system works is this: The higher the first number, the better series (607, 707 are the same size but with different drivers). The lower the last number, the bigger the speaker (607 is the smallest, 606 is bigger, etc - I have no idea why it is backwards). We were discussing earlier with towers vs bookshelves and I feel this is a good time to explain. You can get a pair of 600 series towers for $1800. However, you can get a pair of 700 series bookshelves for the exact same price, therefore get better sound quality for the same money, if you're okay with having a bookshelf. Anyways, sorry about the side tangent. I think that the 607s are very good speakers (I bought a pair for my friend the other day but he said he couldn't accept them so I returned them :( - fair enough though). They are very fun and sweet sounding speakers. I like them a lot. They also hit to a decent frequency for their size. If WAF is a concern (wife acceptance factor) I feel like these are a very safe bet. They're also in your budget.

Alright, those are some of the best options. If you'll be doing a lot of music listening, I'd pick the Sierras or the B&W because they sound very sweet and they're fun to listen to. If you're doing a lot more tv/movie stuff, the detail of the KEFs or the Philharmonics will be great for vocals.

Also, if you do any of these, you probably won't feel like you need a sub, but it might be nice. This one is the one to get.

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Here are your bookshelf and subwoofer combos. You'll want this sub as well. It's the least expensive sub I feel good about recommending at this price point.

HSU also makes speakers. I don't know much about them, but I can speculate (mine show up monday). Horns are fun and dynamic, but also provide great vocals in my experience. These would be good for a tv/movie setup rather than a music setup, probably.

Here's another pair of horn speakers. Klipsch makes good tv/movie stuff.

These other Ascend Acoustic speakers are also very good. Not as good as the sierras, but they have a similar smoothness to them. Very good speaker for the budget.

These elacs are what you want if you'll be putting them directly against the wall. They have a front port that won't be choked off if you do that. Also, they are a very warm sounding speaker. I like them a lot.

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Whoops, looks like I shot myself in the foot with this one. I told you not to get towers. There is one pair of towers that I would recommend.

Tekton Mini Lore. I've never heard them, but look up reviews. Extremely sensitive, meaning they have awesome dynamics and sound effortless. Also, they get low enough where you won't need a sub. They get lower than a decent amount of subs actually.

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"But Poly, what would you do?

I'm glad you asked.

If I wanted something 'easy' and 'no fuss' the KEF LSX are the way to go.

If I want something for music and I can't fit towers, Sierras are what I would get.

If I want something for TV/Movies, the KEF Q150 is what I would get. Vocals on those things are crazy good.

If I could fit towers, the Tektons are what I would get. Unfortunately I haven't heard them, so I cant 100% tell you that they're perfect, but look up any review and you'll get the idea.

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How does this all look?

I'm not experienced enough to offer a full end to end answer, but I'll try to fill in some gaps.

• the components in the audio setup with computer files are basically:
  
  • source: mp3/flac (if this is poor quality the whole thing will go poorly)
    
  • digital to analog converter: DAC is the thing that will convert the digital file into analog. This could be the soundcard, a standalone DAC, or one built into your amplifier.
    
  • preamp (optional): might be nice if you want to switch between multiple inputs
    
  • amplifier: for amplifying :)
    
  • speakers: take the amplified analog signal and push on the air to create sound.
    
    The first thing to consider is the DAC side. You computer's soundcard has a DAC, but depending on the model it may be pretty poor, and a much better DAC can be had for fairly cheap. For example my Dell XPS 13 is a very nice laptop, but the headphone jack has TONS of noise. I personally use a Fiio E10 which is a big improvement for $70, and has a very good headphone amplifier built in. That might not be a good option for you, but is an example.
    
    The next step is amplifying the sound. You have to general options.
    
• Amplifier to passive speakers
  
• Active speakers, meaning they have an amplifier built in
  
  The general thought is for a given amount of money active speakers will often sound better because the speaker and built in amp are designed together, but discrete amplifier and passive speakers have more flexibility and room to upgrade piece by piece down the road.
  
  An amp might have a good DAC built in, saving you from that step, and even a small number of active speakers do.
  
  An example off the top of my head is Audioengine. They are know for having very good components in your price range and make for a more apples to apples comparison:
  
  Passive with amp
  
• N22 desktop amplifier $200
  
• P4 Passive Speakers $250
  
  Active speakers
  
• A5+ Speakers $400
  
  I've never heard any of this stuff before myself, so these are examples, not recommendations! but reviews have said the N22+P4 sounds a little better. However the A5+ is all in one, and a little cheaper.
  
  I'm still trying to wrap my head around what is better for near field or not. It seems like many of the powered speakers you see are "near field studio monitors" meant for mixing and mastering, meaning they have flat response and sound good on a desk, where many of the passive setups are designed for enjoying music at a distance.
  
  
  

Going to toss a lot of info at you and some recs, if you have specific questions let me know:

The problem is that unlike graphics cards, audio gear is rarely objectively reviewed. Take for example the graphics cards. You can measure the FPS or time to render pretty simply in a benchmark. Only a handful of really good publications test speakers in a real objective manner.

From speakers there's lots to design aspects that aren't advertised and vary in quality. Just giving a generic frequency response doesn't really tell you how linear it will be in it for example. It doesn't tell you the distortion of the system. It doesn't tell you the max SPL prior to xmech limitations on the woofer. They don't tell you the polar response or on/off axis FR typically.

In amplifier land different manufactures and try and cheat to make distortion look better, or that they have more power than they really do.

Subwoofers sometimes don't tell you their real roll-off, some have port chuffing, and some won't advertise their max SPL (and if they do, not necessarily honestly).

Speaker requirements also vary based on use. What works on a desktop system will not necessarily work in a larger HT, and what works in a larger HT won't necessarily work on the other. The goal is to maximize benefits and minimize the compromises to ones you can work around.

When looking at a desktop system, you can use smaller bookshelves which may be a bit cheaper as you're not fighting for headroom. Reaching a desired SPL at 40hz and at 3' vs 10' is a big difference. For a subwoofer, I'd say the minimum price new is going to be $250 for something decent. This pricepoint has some that can reach into 25-35hz typically at roll-off, and while not true 20hz (or below) performance can get you readily close. You'll need an AVR to add bass management, so a decent refurb runs about $200 or new at ~$200-500 based on features. You don't need a lot of power on a desktop system, and if only running two channels some will do a solid 80W FTC (FTC means full bandwidth measurement for power at a fixed distortion level). This also means you could upgrade later to a 5.1. For the speakers, you'll want to reach a minimum of 80hz and be linear. The frequency response above 80hz on and off-axis is extremely important, but many don't publish this data. I know Chane (under response) and Ascend (under measurements) do. If it retains a good match of linearity on and off axis it means the drivers and crossovers are well matched. With the Ascend on sale they are likely a little bit cheaper shipped, but they also don't have the extension much past 80hz. They do seem slightly more linear though not both are acceptable. They are larger footprint wise, which if desk space is at a premium the Chane might be better for.

What if you took them into a higher distance setting like HT? Well the sensitivity on the Chane is lower so it requires more power to reach the same loudness. Assuming that they aren't mechanically limited by the smaller driver and that distortion isn't a major concern, the next concern is general headroom under duress. Due to the lower sensitivity of the Chane, it requires more power to make up the difference. This means you'd need a larger amplifier, and you need to pump more power to make up the difference. At first this doesn't sound like a big deal, but there's power compression as well. This means that as the voicecoil gets hotter the resistance increases and with it, the sensitivity gets reduced further, which requires more power to make-up. You'll get additional losses, but not as much as the initial compression. The problem is whether the voicecoil will accept the additional power without burning up and if you have enough power.

Considering this, the one with the best sensitivity is the best for larger rooms/further distance listening positions.

An advantage of the Chane though, especially on the desktop system, is the additional extension reaches to 50hz solidly. Given, being at a desk setup the max SPL you'll likely get before motor constraints at 50hz is ~91-95dB which should be enough. If you go this route you can get a cheaper integrated amplifier without bass management, say the TX-8020 for $150.

See the balancing act even when looking at a relatively simple system? As the budget goes up, even more options open. Typically the advantages come down to more headroom, lower distortion, more extension, better polar response, tighter FR tolerance to linearity - assuming objective performance was the goal. That's for the speaker side which has the most variance. Some invest more in their engineering and generally objective standards than others. You can spend thousands on really bad speakers too.

I haven't addressed concerns like distortion as I think both are perfectly fine on that front (competent designers), but that could be another concern with different speaker.

So, if going brand new the general price range is:

~$350 speakers + $250 sub + $200-500 AVR = $800-1100

With Refurb AVR instead:

~$350 speakers + $250 sub + $100-200 AVR = $700-800

Benefits of above options:

True bass management, possibly room to expand into larger rooms for HT with Ascend's - maybe Chanes as well depending on distance/size of room. Also get a DAC built in, able to use most digital connections like toslink, coax, HDMI.

Cons: Cost, possibly larger size.

Strict desktop setup without sub:

~$350 Chane + $150 stereo receiver = $500

Benefits of above:

Smaller footprint, simplicity, cheaper.

Cons: No bass management, no digital inputs.

Strict desktop without sub alt. suggestion:

~$350 Chane + $200 Refurb or new AVR = $550

Benefits:

Bass Management for future upgrades, digital input

Cons: slightly more expensive.



Now, you might be freaking out about a stereo speaker pair recommendation for ~$500 without even offering a sub. Remember the specs I linked you to earlier on the Chane? Pull those up. Now, this isn't your exact logitech setup but is indicative of the performance. See Strategic Deceivers break-down of a logitech setup here. They reach to about 50hz at their best, and are no-where near linear doing it. They consisted of boom and sizzle. So even a stereo Chane bookshelf system is likely a solid advantage in sound quality. I don't want you to think you must get a subwoofer as even this is a good upgrade.

I haven't even got into room acoustics yet, but at this point the speakers and associated equipment should be the primary concern - and it all depends on how deep you want to go down the rabbit hole.


Links to recommended gear:

AVR: Integra DTR-20.4 for refurb rec or Onkyo TX-SR373 for new.

Subwoofer: BIC F12

Speakers: Chane A1.4 or Ascend CBM170

Stereo Receiver: Onkyo TX-8020

I have suggested similar setups to a few friends working at deli's and pizzaria's, but no takers yet.

Grab a decent home theater receiver. Something with a good AM/FM tuner and capable of multiple channels running in 7 channel mono or split stereo (IE 5 and 7 channel stereo). THIS DENON should work perfectly. It has three preset keys on the face so you can setup three specific modes it remembers with Master Volume, channel volume, source and sound mode all remembered. In a restaurant situation it helps if things can stay simple. Having just three buttons on the face of the unit to set everything back to a predefined scene helps greatly in this. One can do the radio in mono very quiet. The other an ipod with party music in stereo a bit louder and the last you could have do anything, broadcast TV audio if you want.

Since this is a 7.1 receiver you can use up to seven speakers. You mentioned four but for better balance let's say you use SIX for now, all playing stereo (or mono depending on what sounds best when testing). You would wire the speakers to Front left/right, Surround left/right and Surround Back left/right. Placing the receiver into 7 channel stereo will have three of them play left and three right. And with the ability to adjust speaker gains you will be able to quiet or raise each speaker's individual volume to better level the sound throughout the restaurant.

As for speakers I would simply recommend my favorite budget speaker. The Dayton B652. An amazing speaker for the price and since you will be buying three pairs (six speakers total) it helps that the price is low.

My biggest concern however when I hear the word SPEAKER and RESTAURANT is "Whoops! That speaker fell on that child's head and now we are sued" To avoid this I must recommend the only speaker mounts I consider overkill. These HTD HD-brackets are rated for MUCH bigger speakers but help keep many minds at ease.

So just some Jacketed speaker wire (if you need to run it) and you are set.

The only good monitor/sub setup I'm aware of for that price is probably a Swan system. I haven't heard the one I'm linking to, but I do have a set of M200s that I really like and Swans get good reviews online.

Usually good active monitors are going to cost you most, all of or more than your budget. So getting good monitors and a sub is a trick. Personally, I'd give the Swans a try or consider dropping the sub requirement and getting good monitors and living with them until you can save up for a sub, if you still want one by then. I can live without one using the M200s, and I'm pretty sure I could with the Audioengine A5s, too, given my experience with the A2s.

You could always try something like the Audioengine A2s (they're excellent, but not big in the bass dept.) matched with one of the cheap subs out there. Say, this Polk, or one of the Daytona subs. Personally, I've found matching a sub to monitors is too much of a dark art for me to mess with it across brands like that, but it might be perfectly fine if a competent person dials it in.

So, I'm new here. I do have a few questions that I'd like answered from this community as opposed to the more vinyl-based friends with whom I normally chat.

Right now, I have a slightly sad setup: AT-LP120 outputting through the on-board preamp > RCA into a pair of Bose Companion Series 2 multimedia speakers.

Ideally, for now at least, I'd like my setup to run like this: TT phono out > receiver (with two speaker lines if possible for future expansion) > new decent bookshelf speakers. I'll just leave these Bose ones through my DAC and leave it with my computer setup.

So, I have a few questions:

1. What is your opinion of these Dayton bookshelf speakers? They're pretty heavily recommended as a budget option in a lot of places. I only live in a small apartment, so I don't need a whole lot of sound, but evenly-dispersed frequency range is what I'm going for. I'm not looking to spend more than $50-60 on speakers. Space is also an issue.
   
   
2. I saw this Numark MA-4000 on /r/vinyl and I didn't know such things existed. It looks like it's gonna be a little hard to source, and, while I want it badly, I'm wondering if there are any more recently produced options that have a EQ like this but also have a phono in and act as a receiver. This unit is beautiful, but I don't really know if I want to pay 20 dollars shipping on it. $120 is the highest I'd be willing to go on a receiver. My vinyl collection contains indie rock, jazz, metal, and classic rock, but I may soon start collecting more classical and world music, so an equalizer like this would be great to adjust for each different type of music that I play. Is this worth it? Something better for the money?
   
   
3. However, if that's not an option, I'd just like a unit with a decent phono stage. I'd like something that's not huge, though I wouldn't be adverse to that. Is there something that looks like a DAC but actually has a phono stage on it? If not, is stalking Craigslist the best option for finding a decently priced, quality receiver?
   
   tl;dr Turntable setup: need new speakers and receiver for >$200.
   
   Thanks in advance for the help.

You're gonna need a receiver. Even if your TV does have speaker outputs the receiver is just gonna make everything easier, it'll sound better too! I live in the US so I need to convert...

Your budget is $1145

If you're completely new to this stuff, I can help lay down the basics.

A receiver is a device that 'receives' signals from audio sources, amplifies them, and sends the signal out to speakers. There are two channel receivers, which push audio to two speakers. Five channel receivers are for surround sound, and push sound to five speakers. Seven channel receivers allow for two extra surround speakers to a five channel setup. Right now, you're just looking for a stereo setup, so a two channel receiver will do the job.

This is how you set up a receiver.

On the back of a receiver, there should be a series of terminals or 'plugs', either HDMI, white and red rca jacks, or optical plugs. Next to them should be a term, something like 'DVD', 'CD', 'TV', or 'AUX'. This is to help distinguish the audio sources you are putting into the receiver. Plug your source into any one of the plugs, then turn the receiver on. On the front, there should be a dial or a button labeled "Source". This is used to select the audio source you plugged into the back. For example, if you plugged your source into 'CD', you would then find CD on the receiver display using the source button or dial. This is the jist of it. There are settings to adjust the bass, treble, balance, and other stuff on basically any receiver, so you can tune it to your liking.

Next up is setting up the speakers.

This next step requires some wire cutting, but it isn't difficult at all. I've done it with scissors. If you have ever seen stereo speakers before, you'll notice they don't have wires attached. They will have some red and black clips or screws on the back (Call them terminals). The receiver has these same things as well. Inside the terminals is bear metal, and this is where the signal is transferred. You will need to get some speaker wire and cut the tips off of each end, then attach one end to the receiver's terminals, and the other to the speaker's terminals. Speaker wire consists of two wires sealed together. One wire should have a mark along it or be colored differently, so you can make sure you match up the terminals correctly. (Black to black- Red to red) Do this for both the left and right speakers.

Most receivers can drive two pairs of speakers. (An A system and a B system.) So you will see two sets of black and red terminals. It doesn't matter which one you use, just make sure the speakers are connected to the same system, then select the system you want on the receiver.

If you're only wiring two speakers, it shouldn't be that much work at all. Ten minutes tops to get everything wired.

Now the fun part!

Choosing the system! I'm jealous as I didn't have this big a budget for my setup, you'll be in for quite the treat.

The Receiver

If I were you, I would buy a vintage receiver from the 70s. If you're into ease of access and all that I can understand, but vintage sound is really something else. It has a warm sound to it, and you usually have to pay maybe four times as much for a new receiver to get something similar. (They also look awesome.) Almost all of them have turntable amps too, so if you want to get into vinyl in the future you're basically set.

You can find them on Ebay. If you can, buy one locally off of Craigslist. Look for something by Sansui, Kenwood, Marantz, or Pioneer. Expect to pay $200-$500 for a good one.

You could also get a new one if you want bluetooth and a remote. Bear in mind it probably won't sound as good as the older stuff. Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, and Sony are generally the cheaper of the bunch. Denon and Marantz tend to be higher quality.

I would strongly recommend buying vintage if you're not doing a home theater. You'll get diminishing returns paying the same amount for a modern receiver. You'll probably just get more channels and surround decoders which you aren't going to use anyways.

The Speakers

In this price range, I would look at these companies for speakers: PSB, KEF, Bowers and Wilkins, and Martin Logan to name a few. They make excellent products and I think their field fits snugly into your budget.

My recommendations:

PSB Imagine Bs. $880 pr (Ebay)

KEF q350 $650 pr

Martin Logan Motion 15 ~$350 ea

What I think you should do is let the speakers drive your budget. Choose a pair then use whatever you have left on the receiver.

​

If I were to suggest a full setup for you, I would get the PSB Imagine Bs and a Kenwood KR-6030 with some Amazon Basics wire. (I literally just slapped this together.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-PSB-Imagine-B-Dark-Cherry/112709601866?hash=item1a3e040a4a:g:b-UAAOSwEVpboe5G:rk:2:pf:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JUST-SERVICED-VINTAGE-KENWOOD-KR-6030-AM-FM-STEREO-RECEIVER-EXCELLENT-SHAPE/163318231169?hash=item2606867081:g:iNMAAOSwkwdbqqiF:rk:1:pf:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire-Feet/dp/B006LW0WDQ/ref=sr_1_3_acs_sk_pb_1_sl_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539928099&sr=8-3-acs&keywords=speaker+wire

​

Happy hunting!

1. Budget

I don't have a budget since I'll be saving for each individual necessity for the long run, though I would not spend more than $1,000 for speakers. That being said, you can make a decision on what are price points for each respective item.

2. What are you looking for?

I'm essentially looking for a living room audiophile set up. I would not mind recommendations other than floor standing speakers, but that is what I have now and I'm very pleased with the way it looks. I do not know what I'm looking for since I'm not sure what should be upgraded and what is missing.

3. How will you typically be using the gear?

Mid-Field

4. What gear do you own?

Specifics, I have a Yamaha RX-V381BL Receiver with a pair of Andrew Jones's ELAC B6 speakers. For headphones, I only use an Audio Technica's ATH-M40X.

5. What do you intend on using for a source?

I'll be using a laptop connected via HDMI to the receiver (unless someone thinks I should opt for a different source if I get a dedicated stereo receiver.)

6. What material will you be using your gear for?

Dedicated for music. I would like it to connect this system with HDMI ports i/o, but if a dedicated stereo is necessary, i'll be glad to go through that route.

7. Are you willing to buy used?

Yes, I am willing to buy used, though craigslist, etc. is not preferred. Something like Amazon would be nice. Local: Los Angeles.

Thoughts:

I do not know anything about amplifiers, DACs, tubes, etc. so if you could inform me, that would be appreciated.

Note:

This was re-uploaded with updated information for further suggestions and aid. I'm not too new to audiophile but I never have owned my own full set up. Any information would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advanced.

Hey!
So I'm looking to buy some speakers for home use, with a budget of around 100-170$. I'm kind of a speaker noob, so I can't really say anything that I'd actually wanna go for, but the Micca MB42X looked pretty attractive both money and performance wise (atlest with the little knowledge I have).

I want a mid-field speaker for my room, it doesn't need to be too loud cause I live in a flat with pretty thin walls, but every once in a while it would be nice to turn up the volume and blare loud music for a party or something.

I wanna play music from my computer mostly, so I guess I'll need an amp or a DAC, not sure.

I wanna use the speaker pretty much solely for playing music. I listen to electronic msuic, mainly trap and house, so bass is pretty important. I have smaller crappy speakers for normal usage, so I want these for the premium listening experience.

Well that's all, hope you guys can help me out! :)

You have many many options! I would lurk around the sub for a while to get some ideas. The suggestions that come to mind:

For speakers, going from lowest to highest price, I'd check out the Micca MB42x's, the Fluance SX6's, and the ELAC B5's.

The SMSL SA50 is a nice budget amp but (if you have the space for it) a used receiver is the best bang for your buck and will likely be more powerful.

I have the MB42x's. They're quite capable and will do just fine for me for some time. Just remember that there are so many options out there. Do your best to find the right setup for you.

Just to get started, I'd check out Zoes' 2.0 Desktop Suggestions list from his suggestions sub. His influence as a youtuber is a bit of a controversial topic on this sub but I'd say he has some good suggestions. Good luck and have fun!

Edit: I should also mention that it's always useful to demo equipment if you can. Hit up a local audio shops and demo some gear if you have the time.

Long story short, my front left tower has a damaged tweeter and my google skills cannot find the replacement available for sale.

1. What is your budget?

I am open to spending up to $1500.

2. What are you looking for?

I want a new LCR and I think I am leaning towards floor speakers sa I have kids and bookshelves on stands seem WAY more likely to get knocked over. I COULD mount some speakers on the wall, but again... they might be likely to hang on to them. (Kids. Not Even Once.) Also I am NOT interested in ATMOS at this time.

All in I think I prefer the ease of use with the towers but I dont know if they are the best bang for the buck for me as my subwoofer handles the bottom end pretty well.

3. How will you typically be using the gear?

I use it for home theater (Movies and Games) 50% and music the other 50%.

4. What gear do you own?

• Denon AVR‑X2100W
  
• Pioneer SP-FS52 Andrew Jones x2
  
• Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones
  
• Pioneer (AJs) SP-BS52 Andrew Jones x2 (as rear surrounds)
  
• HSU VTF-15H Subwoofer
  
  5. What do you intend on using for a source?
  
  I stream Spotify Premium or use my PS4 for BlueRay, Games, Netflix and Youtube (mostly kids).
  
  6. What material will you be using your gear for?
  
  In order of importance I think I want movies, music and gaming. Lately I have been listening to a lot of
  
  7. Are you willing to buy used?
  
  Yes. My problem with used research is there are SOOOO many brands and models for me to lookup on a price/sound ratio that I quickly get inundated.
  
  All in I have been thinking about updating my setup for a while, and this tweeter issue is a perfect excuse.
  I have a buddy using the HSU 5.1 and it sounds great. Otherwise I don't have much exposure to a lot of other brands (and there seem to be a LOT of them).
  
  As of right now the following combinations have caught my attention:
  
  
• HSU CCB-8 x 3 (so matching center on its side) (also these are not out yet... so minimal reviews)
  
• ELAC B6 pair with C5 Center
  
• ELAC UB5 pair with UC5 Center
  
• ELAC F6 with C5 Center
  
• ELAC UF5 pair with UC5 Center
  
  What other speakers should I consider? Or is there a clear winner?
  

A couple years back I bought a bunch of speakers when I was living in a house and had freedom, hooked them up to some junky receivers from the thrift shop and was happy enough.

I'd like to give them a bit better treatment and see just how much I like them after giving them a fair shot though and could really use some advice on the best solution to power them adequately enough for a fair trial, here's what I have, a bunch of Polk stuff:

Monitor 70:
https://smile.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Monitor-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B00631YX62/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517939899&sr=8-3&keywords=monitor+70

Monitor 40:
https://smile.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-AM4095-Monitor-Bookshelf/dp/B0071MSYEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517939826&sr=8-1&keywords=Polk+Monitor+40

PSW505:
https://smile.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517940032&sr=8-1&keywords=psw505

I was thinking maybe something like this?:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MXUCN0A/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

My source is 99% high quality digital files straight from my PC (2011 MacBook Pro 15").

I'm not in any big rush so would be happy to hunt for smarter used prices, etc. just really looking for guidance. Does it make sense to connect both sets of speakers to the same amp?

Is a subwoofer redundant/unnecessary/harmful for music listening with this set up?

Side question: the Monitor 70s come prepared for bi-amping with little removable metal connectors between the two sets of connectors on the back of each speaker. Am I in any trouble if I remove these connectors and DON'T bi-amp?

Thanks a lot for any help.

These are powered speakers with USB inputs - $350/Pr Retail -

https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-15pm-powered-monitors

How important is USB to you? That's a nice feature, but only if you need it.

I think these might be the latest version (R-51PM - $500/pr) -

https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-51pm-powered-speakers

If there is a replacement model that means there are probably very good deals on the Older Version.

These are 5" speaker, and to make a determination, you have to consider what else you can get for a similar price.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305MK2--jbl-305p-mkii-5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MR524--mackie-mr524-5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

Edifier S2000-Pro, DAC, Remote Control, Bluetooth 4.0, etc... - £399/pr -

https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-S2000pro-Bluetooth-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0725GZQFZ/

https://www.edifier.com/us/en/speakers/s2000pro-bookshelf-speakers-studio-monitors

There is nothing wrong with the Edifier, assuming they do what you need done.

The one advantage the Klipsch do have is that they have a USB input for direct connect to a computer. That is probably the feature that is the deciding factor. However, if you computer has an Optical or Coaxial Output, then something like the Edifiers 2000 might be a good choice.

Or, if you are not connecting to a computer, then USB becomes less valuable. In the case, the Edifier with Optical/Coaxial/AUX and Bluetooth is a better choice, simply because it has a Remote Control.

The various Mackie and JBL in 5", 6.5", and 8" could be a good choice as they are highly rated and are less money, but they would require you to buy a USB DAC. Though these can be had in the range of $100.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_703DGNFLYB/AudioQuest-DragonFly-Black-v1-5.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_772D3DAC/Audioengine-D3.html?tp=59309

https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/

https://www.amazon.com/Q1-Mark-II-Native-Amplifier/dp/B0757MH46M/

https://www.amazon.com/CREATIVE-LABS-70SB173000000-Sound-Blaster/dp/B06XBZ38ZJ/

https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B01HERNVQQ/

Some of these are USB DACs and Headphone Amps.

The JBL 306 and the Mackie MR624 are both 6.5" speakers, which are TWICE as big as a 5" bass driver. They are about $200 each, which with a DAC would run in the neighborhood of $500/set.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR306MK2--jbl-306p-mkii-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MR624--mackie-mr624-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

You can check reviews on line and you will find nothing but positive for both the JBL and the Mackie MR Series.

All that said, nothing wrong with the Klipsch, just make sure they do what you want, suit your application, and fit your budget.

Just a range of possibilities

Budget: Like to keep it under 800.
What I Need: Looking for an entry level system with a receiver to build around. Only want 2 speakers.
Where it will be used: In the family room of a 1600 square foot single level. The room is 15 x 15.
Use: Music (variety). Will use with Apple TV and PC for gaming and movie watching.

I was thinking about going with the Onkyo A-9010 https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-A-9010-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B00SY20TE8

Speakers: I was going with floor speakers. These look good. Pioneer SP-FS52. https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-FS52-Designed-standing-Loudspeaker/dp/B008NCD2S4

Questions:
I want the system to be a incognito as possible to placate partner. Will the system sound good? Would lay people be impressed with the sound? Or is going to sound like a glorified 5 speaker special from Best buy? I'm willing to spend more on the speakers, up too $500 if there is a significant difference that a normal person could tell. I am not interested in a loud or party system. I'm in my mid thirties and got a little one. I am interested in new right now, and preferably from Amazon. Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.

Asked in the last thread but a bit late, hopefully more luck now.

Budget: Hoping to stay under $300 if I can

I have the ever popular JBL LSR305's and they're beautiful, but I'm looking to round out my setup past simply having the speakers directly plugged in. I know I'll need a DAC or something in order to get rid of the hiss the speakers get when I have them over 4, but it's an entirely new field for me and I'm getting a bit lost. As long as I have solid quality, I can get the volume up without worrying about white noise, and maybe a volume knob then that'd fit my requirements for the DAC/preamp/whatnot (I know the 305's are powered so don't need a preamp at least), doesn't have to be expensive (I've seen some very pricey systems come up), just solid for my purposes and able to block out the noise my computer might be generating in the input.

Where I'd prefer the majority of the money to go though is towards a sub, the 305's have a lovely low end but I'm big into bass heavy music, especially dub so having a dedicated subwoofer will be needed to get the boom I'm looking for. My first instinct was to look for the paired sub (The LSR 310s) But while I'm sure it sounds amazing it seems like I might be able to get more than enough for less, $400 is a hefty price point, though I remain tempted. I've searched through this subreddit and seen this sub suggested, but I'd like to know if anyone with 305's has a system they might vouch for, maybe have 2 or 3 options, of which I'm having difficulty finding as most of the posts I can find tend to be 2.0 setups.

Get a basic 5.0 system, then add a sub. This should be good value for music and movies. I'm partial to Denon/Marantz for their musical audio quality, but some other folks on this sub may know a cheaper receiver that still sounds good. The speakers are definitely the best bang for your buck, but you could get higher quality speakers for music if you did a 2.1 instead of surround sound. Based on the 4K TV, I'm assuming you're going to be watching movies/tv more than you listen to music.

• AV Receiver ($280): https://www.amazon.com/Denon-Audio-Component-Receiver-AVRS530BT/dp/B06XYD1RZ3/
  
  
• L, R, Surround L, Surround R (2 x $90): https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2/
  
  
• Center Channel ($80): https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HHFBEK6/
  
  
• Speaker Wire ($11): https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire-Feet/dp/B006LW0W5Y/
  
  Boom! Slightly overbudget but you get a good 5.0 surround sound, 4K/HDR compatible receiver, and you can throw in a BIC F12 subwoofer for $200 or a Polk PSW10 for $100 when you save the cash

Sorry this doesn't (directly) answer your question, but at your budget, I think you're better off starting off with a 2.0 system than 2.1. A decent pair of speakers will have better bass extension (goes lower frequency with better clarity) than a cheap subwoofer. It's kind of only worth getting a sub if you can spend more than ~$100 on it, which would put too much strain on your budget. Wait until you save up a little more and expand a 2.0 system to include a sub.

For equipment recommendations, I'll start with the amp, since that has the least amount of flexibility. The cheapest component worth recommending is the Muse M50, but it's not great and doesn't give you a lot of room to expand. The Audiosource AMP-100 is a very capable amp at around $100. A receiver would give you A/V control, but will cost significantly more. Fortunately, there are tons of decent receivers on Craiglist for ~$50 if you're interested in going the used route.

My recommendation to those on a budget is to buy a used receiver for the amplifier. A nice balance of Good Enough quality and low cost.

For speakers, you have a ton more options that really depends on how much budget you have left after the amp. Two suggestions to get started: Pioneer and BIC. The BIC's are more home theater speakers, rather than something for a desk. They get loud, but at a higher cost.

You could also go used again. I love older B&W stuff, and you can probably find some of their speakers used in your budget.

>What are you feeding into the JBL's? Computer, phone, etc.

I'm using this cable to connect them to my PC's stereo output jack: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HGM1D6

>How are the speakers placed? On a shelf, on stands, etc.

At the front edges of my computer desk about 4-5 feet apart and hanging over the front edge an inch or two. The speakers are about level with my ears when sitting on my sofa listening to music, and are pointed slightly inward as per the card that came with the speakers.

>That said, speakers loved by "audiophiles" (especially in this price range and form factor) don't necessarily "wow" - they aim for accuracy and to get out of the way of the music more than anything else.

To clarify what I meant by "wow" - basically I was expecting to be blown out of the water as to the amazing quality of the sound coming out of the speakers. Not necessarily "wow that's some amazing bass", etc. (Even though the LSR305's bass is very impressive to my ears.) It's not that the speakers don't sound good, it's just I was expecting to hear the best quality sound I've ever heard in my life by far, and perfection, or close to it.

It's hard for me to put into words how I feel about the sound that the LSR305's produce and what I'm not sure whether I like about it or not. I hear the term "warmth" being thrown around a lot in general, and I'm wondering if that's what describes what I might feel the LSR305's possibly lack. Almost slightly digital and cold? I don't know. I also noticed that it's harder to hear vocals on some songs vs. when listening on headphones or my OEM car speakers, like they're turned down in the mix a bit. I noticed the bass level drops off with minor listening distance changes too but that's probably got nothing to do with these speakers and more to do with me never having speakers that produced decent bass before, meaning less level change to notice...

>In contrast, the Pioneer BS22s (while still very accurate for their price) are designed for slightly more of a recreational listening experience - a slight hump in the bass, with rolled off treble. A lot of people find that more enjoyable. There's a tradeoff, of course. It's like wearing tinted glasses. Things might look "better" but they'll definitely be less accurate.

Thanks. Maybe I would enjoy them better then. Before I do anything with the LSR305's (I've still got a month to return them), maybe I'll buy some BS22's and a cheap used receiver (hopefully most older receivers produce decent audio quality) and do a comparison, I guess that's the only way to really find out.

Budget 200-500 €.

I am looking for a stereo for my HTPC. I listen to all my music, watch all my tv and play all my games via it. So I'm anywhere between 2 meters in the couch to 8 meters away from it. This means I've only got one analouge audio source to bother with - the two RCA connectors on the sound card, which is an Asus Xonar Essence STX if that matters. I never play loud music 'cause of neighbours so I'm not looking for a powerful system capable of drowning out the vaccum cleaner or running water in the sink.

I'm willing to buy used but since I live in Sweden, used market is a bit smaller than the one in the US.

Bonus points if the system is aesthetically pleasing and not too intrusive. There's a regular sized slot in the TV bench that measures 30h x 60w x 60d (cm) and would take a regular sized reciever/amp. I would love to have an amp with old-school VU meters but I would guess that would be out of my price range :) ) There is space both on the tv bench for speakers and next to it for free standing speakers.

Should I go with active or passive speakers? Should I get floor standing speakers or not?


Edit/update: Would this work for me?

Klipsch RB-61 II
SMSL SA50 amp

https://www.komplett.se/product/771307/tv-ljud-bild/hogtalare/stativhogtalare/klipsch-rb-61-ii-svarta-stativhogtalare#
https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-50Wx2-TDA7492-Amplifier-Adapter/dp/B00F0H8TOC/ref=pd_sim_23_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00F0H8TOC&pd_rd_r=47VERT43P6CEQ89E32GZ&pd_rd_w=CGnwg&pd_rd_wg=LIpy5&psc=1&refRID=47VERT43P6CEQ89E32GZ

If you get him bookshelf speakers like the Q Acoustics suggestion, you'll probably need something to put them on, i.e. speaker stands, unless you've got an unusual amount of room on the stand next to that enormous TV. These can range from pretty affordable to unjustifiably expensive. Just find something that seems stable that you like the looks of. Speaker stands are something you can save a ton of money buying second hand without really having to worry about them being broken or abused, but you might not like gifting something used.

Oh, and if your house is entirely new to this speakers-and-amps thing, make sure you've got some speaker wire. Don't let anyone tell you you need to spend a lot on it. Stuff like this is just fine.

One other question you had was about wall mounting and sound quality--generally speaking nice bookshelves on stands will sound better than something you'd wall mount. In part because you'll have more control over how you place them in the room, and they'll be at ear-level like they should be. And in the case of the Q Acoustics (and many other speakers), there's a port on the back of the speaker that you definitely don't want pressed up against a wall. Basically they need a little room to "breathe".

Now, if he wanted actual IN-wall speakers (where you only see the grill), that's kind a specific and very different thing than what we tend to do around here.

What a great gift idea!

Hello. I hope this is the appropriate place to post - a bit of an audio noob, so i'm hoping someone(s) will be kind enough to point me in the right direction.

I recently got a pair of JBL LSR305s, however, when plugged into my PC (i use this cable) i hear pretty noticable static and popping (mostly at rest, a little faint when playing something at lower volumes.) I have this motherboard which apparently has a built-in amp on it's onboard DAC, which made me wonder if that's what was causing the noise. More than likely however, I think it is signal noise, because i tried my 305s with the same cable at a friends house, both with his PC which had a built-in amp, as well as into his USB DAC/Amp combo. Both times the noise went virtually away on the LSR05s.


Because of this, i'm guessing i need a DAC or audio interface. Could you all be so kind as to direct me on a few points:

1. Will i actually need a DAC or interface?
   
2. I was looking at the Modi 2 Uber as well as a Scarlette, maybe like the 2i4? Would one of these be better than another? I kinda gathered that maybe the Scarlett wasn't actually a DAC, but an interface, although either might eliminate noise? I also have a Sennheiser HD598 and a MIDI keyboard (though i can plug that straight in USB) if that makes a difference on which one would be more ideal. Just trying to figure out which would be best for my needs, seeing as the LSR305s are already amplified.
   
3. If i do get a DAC/Interface, which cable would be best for the LSR305s?
   
   
   Thank you so much to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

In that budget, go second hand. If you don't want that;
Don't bother buying a budget pro-ject or Rega. They're not really value for money. Really good record players only start close to 1000 euros.
You can just as well buy a cheap Denon, Pioneer or even the ATLP60 in this price range. If you want something more fancy looking, consider the U-turn Orbit (if you're in the US or Canada).

That amp seems decent, not much wrong with that. Generally speaking though, if you want to go super cheap, Onkyo is your friend.
Pioneer also has some really cool speakers with the SP-BS22
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG
They are definitely worth the money.


If you only want to hook up one record player to your speakers you could also consider a littl Topping T-amp and a phono preamp they are really nice for the money. Or get a pair of active speakers and a phono preamp. Though not brilliant, the Analogis Easy Phono makes a nice preamp for the money.

Hi all. I bought these things and I think I realized I want to go a bit bigger/I kinda bought the wrong things:

Micca PB42x Speakers

Nobsound NS-15G Amp (im dumb and got powered speakers on accident, another reason to return them)

I think instead I'd like to do a set up with KEF Q150s, but am unsure what else I need. Apparently they sound better with bass (I'm in an apartment but it's a highrise with good thick walls so I think I'll be ok?) and I was thinking about going with this. I was hoping that amp up there would be good enough, but I want to be able to switch between computer/turntable/tv/maybe stream audio from a phone so I think I need a receiver.

So I guess I'm mainly looking for suggestions on accessories for receiver/amp/wires. I already have some rca to rca cables and rca to 3.5mm cables, but I assume I will also need a subwoofer cable (?) and some speaker wire + banana plugs (??!!) so I would really appreciate some help here. Help is much appreciated, cheers :)

They are just ok but adequate for most people...

You'll find that buying what i have listed below would sound much better but obviously wouldn't have the same form factor...

Fronts (2x): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Rears (Sold as pair): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2LG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Center: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2EI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Sub: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063NU3AA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A385A0XNQBW8HY

Total around $600. If you wanted, you could invest a bit more into the front L/R channel speakers (or the subwoofer)

If you are looking for minimal trouble and just want a home theatre as easy as possible, you obviously would be giving up sound quality for something easier to work with. so the bose would work. Just go off your instinct :D Like the other mentions if you are happy with how the bose system sounds, then it would be a great deal.

I didn't get much input in /r/hometheater, so I am going to cross-post this here:


> I want to upgrade my home theater setup. I'd like to pick up some higher-end towers, and have been on the wait-list for the Chane A5RX-C's for 6+ months now.
>
> I'm curious if that is still a good upgrade path, or if I should be looking at other options? And if so, what?
>
> Current setup:
>
> L/R - BIC America FH6
> Center - BIC FH6 LCR
> Rears - BIC PL-66
> Sub - (1) BIC F12
> * Receiver - Denon E400 - 7.1
>
>
> Planned upgrade path:
>
> 1. Replace left and right speakers with tower variants and a matching center.
> 2. Figure out NAS vs HTPC and the universal remote situation.
> 3. Upgrade receiver to 7.2 and pull in another sub.
>
> Speaker upgrade options:
>
> 1. Upmarket BIC Americas -
> BIC PL-980 and PL-28II
> 2. Chane's top end tower and matching center -
> Chane A5RX-C and A2RX-C
> 3. Wildcard. Suggestions welcome! Accessories4less is local to me, so something like KEF Q700 or Q900 open boxes are on the table.
>
> Room is 18x26. Use is 60% music, 40% TV/gaming.
>
> I've been happy with the efficiency and clarity of the BICs. Definitely enjoyed the volume. I'm just looking to upgrade and in a better place financially than I was two years ago. Curious what I could get for a few dollars more.

Hey guys, I have a few questions about purchasing some high end cans. I'm using two solutions for amplification so I'll kind of start there.

I'm currently using a Harman/Kardon AVR 320 to power my HD 650's and this is my preferred output. I don't know if using a receiver is frowned upon but it was my dad's old one and he let me have it for free. The other option I have is the FiiO E10k DAC/Amp but I feel like it has a bit of a different sound. It's mostly for the office given it's small size.

The reason that I bring up the device powering it is that I'm looking at the HD 800 S since its the best that they have to offer and the cost isn't a concern necessarily. First of all, how much of a difference is there between the regular HD 800 and the 800 S? is it worth the substantial price difference if the cost isn't a concern? Some reviews say that given how much you'd spend on the 800 you might as well get the 800 S. I've also read some negativity about the HD 700 so I feel skeptical about them but is it just people poking fun at the frequency response? And what should I use to power it? Sennheiser makes their own amp for them, what's the general option on them?

Thanks in advance guys :)

Hey I got the same TV, 55" though. Surround channels can also be 90 degrees from you like this.

Do you have any 4k content? Older / cheaper receivers might not support it. I don't personally have much experience with any other receiver than my own (Marantz NR1504), but I'd suggest something from A4S around $300. Marantz, Denon, and Yamaha are generally solid choices. If you're unsure about anyone feel free to ask.

With about ~$400 left for speakers, you can go about this a couple of ways. First is a 2.0 with the best LR speakers you can get. This is the best option if you're willing to spend more money in the future to buy the center / sub. SVS Prime / Elac UniFi UB5 are both $500 retail, but you can likely find them for cheaper used on amazon, or direct from SVS Outlet. Both speakers have matching centers that can be bought afterwards.

If you'd like a more complete system, I'll recommend a 3.0 and a 2.1 system soley because I don't think it's worth trying to squeeze a full 3.1 in at the moment. Do you plan on mostly watching movies or listening to music? Center vs Sub is going to be dependent on your use case.

For a 3.0, I'd recommend the Elac Debut Line. For main speakers, Elac B5 or B6. B6 costs more but is going to have more bass, which makes up for not having a sub. This is the matching center.

For a 2.1 system, I'd still recommend going with either the B5 or B6, but instead of the center grab this sub.

You'll still need to buy speaker wire, but that's dirt cheap.

So I bought myself a teac tn-300 during a sale recently and I've been truly loving it along with the vinyl I have been collecting since. However it naturally makes me want to keep improving my system and I'm looking for a good starting point.

I have been using A bose dock by directly plugging into the rear input of the device. Works fine for the time being but it would definitely be nice to start thinking of getting some actual speakers and an amp.

Could anyone recommend a good starting point to look? How much money am I really looking at spending? I'd love to hear the recommendations for my situation.

Specs: The speakers would be mainly used to sound a 20x15 room.

considering:
http: //www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Black/dp/B00E7H8GG2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453818118&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42x

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-50Wx2-TDA7492-Amplifier-Adapter/dp/B00F0H8TOC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453820918&sr=8-1&keywords=smsl+sa50

I just ordered a pair of these tonight, but I'm lost on what amp to get. I am completely new to any sort of advanced audio like this and have only owned gaming headsets and meh-tier earbuds all my life. With that in mind, I don't think I have the most discerning of ears yet and it would probably be a waste to spend 200 on a Schiit stack or 02+ODAC combo, especially considering that's over double the price of my headphones! I would prefer to keep amp/DAC totals to be in the $100 ballpark.

 

My first question - is a DAC even necessary for these? I'm still not entirely sure what it does, since all of the explanations I've seen have been in audiophile jargon that is gibberish to me. Can I get away with running only an amp or a amp/DAC combo?

 

A cheap option I've seen while shopping around is a amp/DAC combo as mentioned previously. I've heard SUPER mixed reviews of pairing these 250-Ohm headphones with a Fiio e10k, some saying it works great, but others saying the complete opposite. I've also heard good and bad things about SMSL products like the SMSL SD793-II, one mention highly recommending the iBasso D-Zero Mk2, and another few people recommending the CMOY.

 

What are my best options here? I would appreciate any help I can get. Sorry for the long post and thank you!

I'm going to be receiving my pair of Philharmonic AA+'s monitors and realized I didn't have any stands to put them on. So I went scouring online and found a couple that peaked my interest, but wanted to come here for some possible last minute advise. Now I'm not sure if your expertise is limited to headphones, and IEM's directly or if it expended to Monitors and home theater setups as well. I'm currently using a Sprout100 as my integrated amp which are powering my Meze 99 Classic's which I have some to really like. I can wear them for hours and they just do not get fatiguing both to my ear or my head. In the back I have a BIC America F12 12-Inch 475-Watt Front Firing Powered Subwoofer, and will also have these Affordable Accuracy Plus Monitors.


Now that you know what I am working with. I am looking for some stands to hold those monitors. But IDEALLY I'd like to have stands that I can adjust for both close and far range listening. Raising the stands up while I'm sitting closer at my computer, and then lowering them to be ear level while sitting farther back on my couch. I love the sturdiness of the following stands, but they are not adjustable: Atlantic 77335799 Speaker Stands & Sanus NF36B 36" Natural Foundations Speaker Stand. One the opposite side of the spectrum, I'm not too fond of the construction of these stands but the adjust-ability of them seems very very nice: VideoSecu 2 Heavy duty PA DJ Club Adjustable Height Satellite Speaker Stand


Do you know if there is something out there that has the best of both worlds?

I'm the thrifty kinda guy.

Refurbished Denon receiver, 2 Micca bookshelves, a Micca center channel, and a Bic America subwoofer. About 700 bucks total. Sounds good enough for me. I know much better is out there but it's hard to justify the costs.

My Sennheiser HD598SE's are great ($150), and I have a FiiO E10K ($75) that they plug into at work, and at home I just plug them in directly since the onboard soundcard isn't too bad surprisingly on my motherboard. I have a Sony SRS-X5 bluetooth speaker plugged into the back of it as well. I have those cheap-ass sony ANC headphones (20 bucks at the time I bought them) and they get the job done at a cheap price for planes and for the AC unit blasting in my office (I know... killing me, 80db of white noise all day long).

I have a friend from work that spent 50,000 bucks on his setup. It sounds great, and it's worth it, but I couldn't spend that much on it.

I'm more of a headphone kinda guy. My next upgrade would probably be going all out on headphones. A pair of Sennheiser HD800's probably. That's in the far future, I got stuff I want to do around the house first.

These are my workout earbuds

They are a great value.

Amazon Basics (http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire-Feet/dp/B006LW0W5Y/) and Monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10239) make good, cheap speaker wire.

Good choice on the speaker. Those Chanes are amazing values: http://www.cnet.com/news/the-149-chane-a1rx-c-speaker-is-almost-too-good-to-be-true/ The tower version also won a shootout among $1000 speakers with some formidable opposition.

The next step down for subwoofers is the NXG BAS 500 (IMO the best subwoofer under $300): http://www.radioshack.com/nxg-nx-bas-500-12-500-watt-powered-subwoofer/55058551.html#.VIm1SjHF_T8 review here: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-reviews/67178-nxg-nx-bas-500-subwoofer-review.html

However, they sell like hot cakes and they're out of stock everywhere (Radioshack and Amazon are out of them). No idea when they'll come back into stock.

A good option for less than $200 is the BIC F12 and will save you some money: http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M

Okay, I lived in the dorms for two years so I can help you out here.

I'm hoping you're not trying to do a surround sound thing, because it just won't work well. That being said, I'm going with the notion that you're setting up two different groups of speakers.

Are you using the Modulus MS-1 speakers as computer speakers? Let's say that you are.

Are you wishing to use the BU-1 with both sets of speakers? Let's say that you are.

Here's what you need to do:

Inputs

• PC --> optical input
  
  
• AT-LP120 --> line input (aux or CD will work)
  
  Speaker Connections
  
  
• Infinity Modulus MS-1 --> "Front A L&R"
  
  
• Other speakers --> "Front B L&R"
  
  
• Infinity BU-1 --> Subwoofer pre-out
  
  Doing this, you can choose which set of speakers to have on, and you can also turn both sets of speakers off when you want to just use your headphones with the 1/4" jack. Although I think you might have to manually turn your subwoofer on and off depending on if you want to hear it with your speakers or not, and when using headphones. If you're set on getting a pair of floor standing speakers, take a look at these. They are easy on the wallet, and are pretty slim so they won't take up a lot of precious floor space. If you'd rather not spend that much, take a look at these. With the subwoofer to supplement them, it shouldn't matter a whole lot that they only have a 4" woofer (just means you might need to raise the low-pass filter on the sub). Don't forget you'll need speaker stands with the bookshelf speakers.
  
  Extra tips for dorm rooms:
  
  
• USE BLANKETS TO ABSORB AS MANY REFLECTIONS AS POSSIBLE! There was a noticeable difference when I put a blanket on my rear wall, as the reflection from the wall wasn't mixing with the sound coming from the speakers.
  
  
• An area rug is also a really good idea to absorb some noise, plus it can hide your cables.
  
  
• Only turn your system up during the afternoon when people are at class and not really studying. The weekends are also fair game. In my dorm, it was basically as loud at the other end of the hallway as it was in my room. If you play your music during prime homework time, you will get asked to turn it down and you may end up not being able to play your system at all. Bass especially travels a TON in the dorms (including to the floor above you).
  
  
• Make friends with as many people in your hall as possible, and they will come ask you to turn it down rather than getting the RA to make you do it.

• Looking to purchase: a pair of bookshelf speakers
  
• Budget: $200 total
  
• Location: USA
  
• Context: My dad gave me his old AIWA A30 amplifier and I'm looking to start a new set up from scratch. Eventually, I'll connect a turntable to it, but at the moment I'll probably just stream music through an audio chromecast.
  
• Also, aside from wires - anything else you all could recommend with any leftover from the $200?
  
  I know you (collective r/audiophile hivemind) suggests the Micca PB42X speakers
  
  But I've also come across the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR that have had pretty good reviews.
  
  Then there are always the super budget Dayton 652's
  
  Any thoughts or comments are always appreciated, thanks!

Here's a fairly easy-to-read guide on speaker placement for home theater.

And here's an exhaustive resource on acoustic treatment from Ethan Winer. He is (I believe) one of the more serious experts in the audio community.

I love the look of the room and setup, but I agree with other people on swapping the lava lamp (as cool as it is), and the TV to help center the display between your speakers. Something about the low vaulted ceiling and basic but neat appearance of your system is pretty bitchin'. Nice stuff.

Also, about your cables... I say sell them for whatever somebody will pay and do yourself a favor.

Happy listening!

Hello everyone! I have been trying to upgrade my home theater over the past few months. I started with a pair of BIC F-12 subwoofers, and now I'm looking to upgrade my front speakers. This system is used for movies, games and music, but music is really what I care about when it comes to the performance of the speakers.

I was looking to get a pair of floor standing speakers, but I'm open to suggestions on that front. I would prefer if the speakers had a matching center speaker available in case I want to switch from a phantom center. I would prefer to only spend around $1,000 - $1,200 for the pair, but I could probably go up to $2,000 or more for the pair if it was worth it.

I mostly listen to hip-hop and electronic music, but I play a good mix of most everything. I have seen a lot of people recommend Bowers & Wilkins, Paradigm, and BIC Acoustech in this price range, but I'm not sure what you guys think of them. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

• Thanks Tom, that is helpful.
  
• I am based in Spain, but I'll probably buy online from Amazon.es or Thomann.de (because local stores carry little stock and have no listening room or anything like that while background noise is generally too loud). If I buy online, I can try them out at home (and return them if I am not satisfied). I can even order multiple sets and only keep the winner). The problem is, of course, that I do not even know what candidate system(s) I should order...
  
• When you say 'with an integrated amplifier', do you mean so-called 'active speakers', with an amplifier in every speaker? So, no separate amplifier needed? Does that also imply that they are wireless? How would I connect the iPod (old clickwheel type, without wifi or Bluetooth) to such speakers? Should I get a more modern iPod/iPhone?
  
• It should not be bass-heavy of course, but I would appreciate sufficient bass (for contrabasses and so on to really kick in when they do). So floorstanding or bookshelf+woofer seems to be the route to go.
  
• Could you recommend any types/brands/models? (I would rather opt for 'proven success' than 'latest'.)
  
• How about the JBL LSR 305 that is 'recommended' in the purchase thread (without amplifier, suggesting they are active?)? On Amazon, I get two hits, both saying it concerns a studio monitor, but one is just the speaker cab, and the other seems to be some kind of bundle with an EON? See the links:
  
• https://www.amazon.es/JBL-LSR305-Monitor-de-estudio/dp/B00DUKP37C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467138541&sr=8-1&keywords=jbl+lsr305
  
• https://www.amazon.es/Jbl-LSR305-monitor-estudio-biamplificado/dp/B00TZW9BJK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467138541&sr=8-3&keywords=jbl+lsr305
  
• Not saying this should be it, but if this is good, really good, it seems a bargain.
  
• Kind regards,
  
• Ruud

So I don't really know too much about setting up a system. Right now, I'm mainly planning on using it for music and some gaming/tv from my pc. Have a small room and not a big budget (college student), so following the recommended speakers above I'm planning on getting the Micca MB42X speakers (https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2).

Following this 2.1 setup (http://i.imgur.com/Z8FMJ.png), it looks like I'm gonna get this DAC (https://www.amazon.com/BEHRINGER-U-Control-Low-Latency-Interface-Digital/dp/B000KW2YEI).

The recommended amp from above, the SMSL SA 60W, is unavailable from most places. Out of these two options which one is the best for their value?

Pyle (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO6G4/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza)

Dayton (https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322387040&sr=1-17)

Feel free to recommend me any other amp you think would work for ~$75 or less, it just has to have a 3.5mm input as well as an RCA input. Thanks for the help in advance friends, means a lot.

Some people on here will tell you the HD598 improves with better gear. I don't think it does, but whatever makes you enjoy it more I guess.

A few people aren't paying any attention to what you actually linked to. The SA-160 has a headphone out. It's not super powerful (130mW into 32ohm vs. 1.5W into 32ohm from a Magni 2Uber) but the HD598s don't really need a whole lot of power.

So basically you need RCA audio cables to connect the amp to your source. If your computer doesn't have RCA line out then you'll want an external DAC for that. Examples include the ever popular Behringer UCA202 for a cheap $30 "Amazon prime to my door ASAP" solution, or $100-150 for a Schiit Modi 2 for a "really fucking good measurements for consumer gear" solution.

Once you hook the amp to your source, just plug your headphones into the headphone jack on the amp.

IMPORTANT: The advice you got that was "just use a 3.5mm to RCA splitter and plug that into your headphone output on your PC" was bad. You're double amplifying the signal, once in the computer and once in the SMSL amp.

If you need more advice, just post to /r/headphones .

Honestly, at some point you should get some unpowered speakers to hook up to this thing. That's where the bang for your buck will happen with this amp, as a specialized headphone amp would be better for just headphones. It's kind of a sunken cost fallacy, but it is what it is. This subreddit tends to recommend Micca MB42X with a similar model from SMSL to amplify, so just look at it as: you may have bought the wrong type of amp for just headphones, but at least now you're halfway to a functioning setup that will power both headphones and unpowered speakers.

Hey! I'd like to purchase a receiver, new or used, for under $200. There are two highly rated models on Amazon:

Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Receiver R-S201

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00F0H88SY?pc_redir=1411312586&robot_redir=1



Onkyo TX-8020 Stereo Receiver

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EE18O7W?pc_redir=1411220328&robot_redir=1



So far I just have a set of Pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelf speakers. I'd like to purchase this receiver in order to play FLAC files from my laptop. In the future I'd like to add a turntable to the setup. I'm okay with not having surround sound.

Also, I'd be comfortable buying vintage if you feel that's a better option. Here's my local Craigslist:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/search/ela?query=receiver




Thanks for your help!

This is the setup I am saving for. I don't have near the amount to spend on it, but it's a goal of mine to save enough. I want to set up a Turntable>Integrated Amp>Speaker station. Here it is:

U-Turn Orbit Plus ($309.00 USD) Or even a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon.

Mies i100 Integrated Amplifier ($312.18 USD) OR Marantz PM5005 Integrated Amplifier ($499.00 USD)

JBL LSR305 ($290.72 USD)

I'm thinking about spending $1,000-$1,500 which would be ideal for me. I really don't want powered speakers though, so can anyone recommend some passive speakers for around the same price? Any other suggestions would be nice.

Cheers!

The AVR is good...nice score as long as it works.

The speakers will need to be upgraded to either the larger Yamaha's or something different. You will need the adapter that other users spoke of. What Yamaha's do you have? My concern with the sony speakers are they are probably just some full range speakers from a SS set. They will not give you the range that you're going to need to get good sound. If you're not doing a full 5.1 and not hooking up the TV then don't even worry about the center.

I would just go for a 2.0 or 2.1 at this point if I were you. You might could use the Sony's with a sub but I think I would just get different speakers. Amazon has pioneer speakers on sale right now. I would invest in those and enjoy.

• Pioneer BS-22 great all around bookshelf at an amazing price right now. Just $60 a set...you can't go wrong unless you want the towers.
  
  
• Pioneer FS-22 nice towers for $70 each! You wouldn't need a sub unless you wanted one for really low end stuff.
  
  

Looking for AMP (DAC too? I'm not sure.)

First time trying to get a pair of decent cans. I'm completely ignorant in what I should be looking for based on the specs of the K7xx. Is a DAC completely necessary? I heard an AMP is good for the K7xx but heard nothing about a DAC.

I can spend up to $100 give or take $25, but I already have a DAC/AMP combo in mind that seems good based on the reviews, but I'm not sure if that what I need. So I'm posting here to make sure.

Will the FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier be enough to power the K7xx to it's fullest?

I'll pretty much be using the headphones for gaming, movies and music on both PC and laptop for when I'm studying not at home.

I'm open to other suggestions, but a portable DAC/AMP is preferable. Although, I'm willing to sacrifice portability if it means significantly better sound quality.

Also, if it helps this is my motherboard. Could the built in soundcard be good enough?

That is definitely sound card related then. Whether its a hardware or firmware issue is hard to say for certain. But if its not doing it from your monitor (which works exactly the same way that a usb interface works) definitely narrows it down to being your sound card (which is likely the built-in on the mobo). Either way you may need to spend a bit of money if you want to fix it.

I think the fact that you can still get clean audio after a restart suggests that its more a firmware/driver issue rather than hardware. Windows isnt known to be the best when it comes to things like that. So maybe it was caused by a recent update or something. Who knows, it may very well even be fixed in a future update. But the best way to eliminate that variable is to take it out of the equation. Thats why i suggest an external DAC like the Fiio E10K so that you aren't relying on windows and can restart it independently of the computer.

Hi, want to ditch out my crackling 30 bucks PC speakers and want to buy really budget-stuff for music listening and sometimes plugging to TV. My budget is around 150 USD. ( I know i can't get anything outstanding for this, so at least decent. )

JBL 305P MkII are great, everyone says, but.. they are expensive for me + overpriced in my country as hell, ordering them from Amazon is no help, cus VAT.

Micca PB42X can't be shipped to my country, maybe different website is a solution.

​

I can get Q Acoustics 2020i for 120 USD in my country

or PreSonus Eris E3.5 for 115 USD.

​

I want consumer speakers for listening to music, enjoyable, not monitors ( if they are not boring, then yes.)

Should i get one of these i mentioned ? Or try to ship Micca PB42X from another website, it's still gonna be pricey, because of the VAT, they are not sold in my country.

​

I am poor, but i love music.

( Should i save up more and buy the JBL 305P ?, is it worth ? like long-term investment ? )

​

Thanks

I am planning on buying some ELAC B6s but I need an amplifier. I will mostly be listening to music through streaming services like Spotify in my room. I had this SMSL SA50 amplifier recommended to me. I was told it'd be fine for my purposes and if so I'll buy it but if you've got other recommendations, I'd love to hear them. I'm willing to buy used. I live in the Salt Lake City, UT area. I'd like to not spend much more than $100 for one though. I'm planning on using Chromecast Audio to make it a wireless setup. I'd love to hear any thoughts and suggestions or advice.

Yamaha R-S300 or, if you're ok buying refurbished, the R-S500 is just $50 more

+

Emotiva T1s. I know these are $700 but they are worth it. If you must absolutely spend less, Elac F5s are around $550 but even if you prefer ELACs, I would recommend the larger F6s. I strongly recommend against polk or klipsch.

If you can't stretch the budget for more expensive speakers, get the less expensive but still great Onkyo 8020 receiver. Money spent on speakers is money well spent. Always skew your budget for speakers at the cost of a slightly less powerful amp, you don't have to turn your home in a club and 50W are more than enough for 90% of rooms.

The system gets plenty loud to feel the walls vibrate and fill up the house if I so desire, but I rarely push it. It's great for movies. Edit: forgot to mention that everything comes from my Laptop -> receiver via HDMI.

Fronts: $40

Center: $30

Sub: $80

Rears: $50

Receiver:$40

Total: $240.

My main fronts are Bose Model 31's from the mid 90's. They are front ported with 8" drivers and 3" tweeters. They were absolutely falling apart when my uncle gave em to me so I replaced the woofers with some newer rubber surround ones. They sound surprisingly good for what they are, but the crossover doesn't match the woofer exactly. I've had these things for a long time. $40 for replacement speakers.


The center is this Sony model I picked up from a cousin of mine for $30 when he upgraded. It matches the fronts better than I thought it would, much better than my old center.


I picked up a Cheap Polk Sub last year and it's the only purchase I regret, looking for a replacement. $80.


My rears are Micca MB42's I picked up from Amazon, pretty solid little bookshelf speakers. I spent about $50 on them.


The Receiver is a Denon Avr-791 I got from the same cousin for $40. He was going to just give it to me but he needed the money. One of the HDMI inputs went bad on him and he replaced it with a newer model, this one was collecting dust and now it works perfect for me (minus one input).


I do most of my serious music listening with my Philips shp9500 or Logitech UE6000 headphones.

Hey everyone!

I'm hoping to find some help in picking out some new studio monitors for my home studio that will also double as a stereo system. So I'm basically looking for a wide and flat frequency response as well as a pretty large sweet spot.

I'm trying to stay near the $300/pair price range,if possible, and I've narrowed it down to these possibilities:

M-Audio BX5 Carbon,
Behringer Truth B1030a,
JBL LSR305,

I haven't personally heard any of these, so I'm curious to see if anyone has an opinion on what would be best for my use case. Thanks!

Correct me if I'm wrong but your phone is outperforming your computer, not the speakers. The soundcard on your phone is probably better than on the computer. When I connect my speakers directly to my computer, it doesn't sound as good as when I use my phone.

An easy upgrade is the Behringer UCA202 Audio Interface. Much better (at least for me) than going directly from my laptop. There is a bit of a volume boost as well and it provides an extra RCA input if you need it. Great $30 upgrade to use with your computer.

I just got a set of Kef LS50s for a desktop setup. I got a good deal so I picked them up without thinking how I'll be powering them. Then without much thinking I thought the PS Audio Sprout looked good so I ordered it off Amazon, as I'm looking for a clean/simple setup. It turns out it's a bit of a no-no and isn't a great product the more I look into it.
So what's the recommendation around the $500 mark for a desktop unit that I can use to power the speakers to play music off my laptop while I'm working? I'm willing to buy used.
Any help or advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

EDIT: I also have a Schiit Magni/Modi 2 Uber. Could I just use the preamp and hook it up to something like this SMSL SA50 or does the LS50 deserve a better setup?

I'm a noobie. The only speaker system I've had before is a [Logitech z623 Computer speakers] (https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/speaker-system-z623?crid=47) which was satisfactory until the subwoofer started rattling at high volumes and one of the speakers stopped working. I want to get a full set-up so I've been learning everything I can. I want a good set up for house parties, generally playing rap and electronic music. My budget is $250-500.
Willing to buy used, just always paranoid I'll buy something in bad shape.

These are the parts that I am currently contemplating buying:

Speakers -- I can't decide between tower or bookshelf. I have read that bookshelf speakers can be a better bang for your buck, so I would love some suggestions. Speakers are suppose to be the most important part of the set up so I've tried to pick out decent options, but very willing to go cheap if there are any good deals.

Bookshelf option:

• Fluance SX6W High Definition Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers $150
  
  
• Yamaha NS-6490 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers $130
  
  Craigslist for Bookshelf
  
  Tower options:
  
  
• Polk Audio Monitor70 Series II Floorstanding Loudspeaker (Black) Single $276 for pair
  
  or the cheaper version
  
  
• Polk Audio Monitor 60 Series II Floorstanding $190 for pair
  
  or dirt cheap option
  
  
• Dayton Audio T652 Dual 6-1/2" 2-Way Tower Speaker Pair $119 pair
  
  Craiglist for Towers
  
  
• Someone is currently offering B&W (Bower & Wilkins) DM-630 Large Tower Speakers for $275 -- Worth?
  
  Subwoofer:
  
  
  
• Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer Found this for $73, usually $110.
  This product seemed to be at a great price for its quality, so for now I think this is what I'm gonna get but very open to suggestions.
  
  
• Martin Logan Dynamo 300 $200. This is probably too pricey for me, but is suppose to be the best in its class.
  
  
• Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered Subwoofer $150. I've thought about going with a 12" considering I listen to a lot of rap and electronic.
  
  Craigslist for Subwoofers
  
  
  Still doing research on DAC's, Amps and Receivers, probably just gonna go with a receiver for simplicity's sake.
  
  EDIT: Wait can I just get these JBL LSR305 Professional Studio Monitor with the built in amps and then just have to buy a DAC? or would I still need a receiver if I wanted to add a subwoofer?

I'm looking for speakers at or around $250 to hook up to my Technics SU-Z980. I know you've got the JBLs in the header, but those are powered so I'm wondering if I can get more bang for my buck with passive speakers since I have an amp. I'll be using the speakers for listening to vinyl on my Technics SL235 (I don't have a particular tie to Technics, that's just what I've ended up with). I've been looking at the ELAC B6s but they're a little steep at $280. The B5s are in the same line at a lower price, but I feel like it's a waste to get those and not stretch for the B6 since they're supposed to have noticeably better quality. My only concern is that my amp recommends 8 ohm speakers and those are 6 ohm, and I've heard they can take a bit of power to drive, so I don't know how loud or long I'll be able to play them without overheating my amp. As an added bonus I happen to have a $75 Best Buy gift card - I don't know if they sell anything decent, but if they do I can use that to up my budget a bit. Thanks!

Edit: Who the hell downvotes a question in a question thread?

I don't have personal experience with too many amps. I have the Yamaha A-S301 and it's an amazing amp, great, clean and dynamic sound, and terrific build quality. It's $350 new, however. Generally Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, and used Marantz products provide a lot of bang for the buck. You'll be pretty safe going with a product from those companies. Honestly it's hard to go wrong with a modern amp, even the cheap ones -- they just might not last as long. When you upgrade to 5.1, you can always use that 2.1 amp for another room system.

Is this worth buying? I've been casually browsing amps for awhile now to go with some bookshelf speakers I inherited. Main question is, would this work if I ever upgraded to a bigger system? Would this run a turntable? Is Best Buy over charging for the features it has?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-200w-2-0-ch-stereo-receiver-black/4550834.p?skuId=4550834

1. What is your budget? $100-200
   
2. What are you looking for? An Amplifier that I could run wired and wireless music through. Willing to buy a separate adapter if it means the amp is better overall.
   
3. How will you typically be using the gear? Room sound for a decent sized but not massive living room. Also would be good if I could hear it in the kitchen which is around the corner.
   
4. What gear do you own? Pioneer SP-BS22 bookshelf speakers https://smile.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499125389&sr=8-1&keywords=pioneer+jones+speakers
   
5. What do you intend on using for a source? Wireless receiver of some type, also a record player possibly.
   
6. What material will you be using your gear for? Music only
   
7. Are you willing to buy used? Yes
   
   
   Thanks for any help.

which of these three speakers would you recommend? I plan on getting a turntable and receiver to hook them up to, and they'd for now be used just in my bedroom and eventually possibly in a smaller apartment living room or such. this will be my first setup, so I want to make sure I get something that will give me good sound and last for awhile before I can upgrade down the road. the options that I've found to seem like the best are:

pioneer bs-22. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008NCD2LG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1395946696&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

pioneer bs-41.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0045US6DE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1395946696&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40

klipsch kb-15.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AS3X740/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1395947740&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40

if you think there is a better option besides these three let me know, and id there is a better place to ask this question please direct me there!

Hey /r/audiophile! Three questions for you today.

I have seen the Behringer UCA202 recommended on here a few times for a DAC, but I am considering the UFO202 instead because I want to also be able to record vinyl to my computer. Is this the right choice? Will I still be able to use the UFO202 as a DAC for playback?

Also, if I plug a 3.5mm to RCA cable from the headphone jack of my computer to the AUX input of a receiver (Yamaha CR-450), will I get any additional benefit from adding a DAC, or does the receiver serve as a DAC?

3rd question: If I were to use that same 3.5mm to RCA cable to go from the headphone jack of the UCA/UFO202 to the receiver, would that be just as good as getting an RCA-RCA cable, or would that throw away some or all of the benefit of the DAC in the first place?

Thanks!

Hey guys total newbie here with some questions.

For great sound in a small room for home theater audio/digital music but that's also simple would 2 bookshelf speakers do well or will I need a sub woofer? 2 free standing speakers would do? I would hate to buy stands for the bookshelf speakers when the freestanding ones would take up the same room.

What do you guys think of ELAC? They're currently half price off on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4Q5587/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_1_w

I don't mind spending under 1 grand on a pair or for the speakers themselves but what else would I need?

Edit: This is essentially an upgrade from the sound coming directly from my TV and my current best music experience is listening in my car.

Getting ready to purchase the JBL LSR305's as recommended. I like to have higher quality systems at work, but I wanted some decent sound for the house computer.

Aside from these Breakout Cables, is there anything else I need / can do to improve the sound (that's worth the effort?) I just plug this straight into my Mobo's audio jack right? Would a dedicated soundcard make a significant difference? Would a USB to DAC to Breakout cables be worth it? If so any recommended DACs for these speaks? I'm mostly only familiar with headphone setups

Fyi I already have a lot of high quality source music so I'm mainly just talking about the hardware

Should use google man.

Sound Dynamics was a decent Canadian company in the 80s.

Klipsch synergy is their lowest line, I wouldn't bother.

The KG 1.5s are good for the money.

The JBL setup only has one speaker. I dunno how good they are. JBL's newest line of LSRs is super well regarded. The wave guide on the tweeter is the same as their super flat $10,000 m2s. https://www.amazon.com/JBL-LSR305-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1468809717&sr=1-2&keywords=jbl+lsr
You wouldn't need an amp either.

The Bowers and Wilkins are great for the money. I would get these. At that price they would be gone in less than an hour in boston.

I think you could do better for a grand.

For a receiver I would recommend the Denon 1612, which can be had for around the same price as the Onkyo you are looking at, but comes with Audyssey MutlEq, which can make a big difference in an untreated room.

For a sub I can't recommend anything under $200. If you can't at least spend that I would recommend going without and just making sure to get mains with decent extension. At $200 the Bic F12 is probably the best option.

For speakers I am going to highly recommend that you go with bookshelf speakers. You've got the sub to cover the low end and you will be able to get higher quality sound by going with a bookshelf. Consider the Monitor BX2, B&W 686, Usher S-520, PSB Image B5, or Quad 11L Classic. For the bookshelves figure about $50 for some stands as well.

Such a list is a bit of a waste of time. The number of combinations is far too great at every price point. It may be more productive to pick a price point and get recommendations.

I've got more than a few systems under my belt, having bought and sold more equipment than most people will ever hear. I am down to 3 (maybe 4) systems at the moment. If I were to recommend a "beginner" or entry level system, it would be one that gives bang for the buck, can be improved as funds allow, and that meets your current needs. That being said, I think it would be very hard to beat a NAD D3020 as the heart of a starter system. It only needs a digital source (i.e., your computer) and a pair of speakers. I use one in one of my systems with a pair of Dynaco A25XL speakers to great effect. A good beginning choice would be the Pioneer Andrew Jones series http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-FS52-LR-Designed-standing-Loudspeaker/dp/B008NCD2S4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1407462178&sr=1-2&keywords=andrew+jones.

If your current audio DAC is fine, there may not be a reason to buy a seperate DAC, but that purchase will completely depend on your current setup.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Amazon says the impedance of your headphones is 50 Ohms. This is an impedance spec that definitely will work fine without an AMP. However, should you decide to purchase an AMP (like the budget-oriented ones I'll post here), such as the 02 from Mayflower, the FiiO E10k or one of the Schiit AMPs like the Magni, you would find that the audio quality of your headphones would increase, since their full potential will be unlocked.

The Schiit combo is very high quality for the money, and I believe you'd be pretty happy with it.

I'm looking for a simple active speaker that accepts aux input and has a powered USB port. Bonus points for the PlayStation style power cord.

I plan on pairing each speaker with a Chromecast for a full house audio system.

I'm hoping I can get better quality speakers than the typical portable Bluetooth types. I don't want to pay for batteries and waterproofing if I don't need them. I also am trying to avoid the Sonos and Bose types. They seem expensive and come with their own wireless connectivity and smarts that the Chromecast will provide.

[edit]
Here are some suggestions and/or speaker sets I've found in my searches. Let me know which one you would prefer:

• PBX42X - Recommended
  
• Edifier R1280T
  
• Edifier R1700BT
  
• Microlab H21 - USB Charging
  
• Grace Digital GDI-BTSP201
  
  The D. W7 is the only existing speaker in the setup. I managed to get a great open box deal on this for $150.

Shit I was going to come here and say something assholeish about his post but man you kind of delivered. That's a great buy. I'd personally go separates but if he can score a free avr more power to him. He would proabbyl be better off getting a different sub though. BIC makes a nice one right around $200 on amazon right now.
http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M

Depends on if you want AVR capabilities as well. There are a ton of stereo receivers out there that will do just fine. Sony, Yamaha, Denon, etc. all make economy models that should last forever and have decent power. Maybe not feature packed or super sexy, but will do the job for years and years.

This guy has bluetooth which is HUGE for a lazy listener like me.
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S202BL-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B01EMQI2CU/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1484073625&sr=1-4&keywords=stereo+receiver

If you want something you can use as a surround receiver, just make sure you get one with 5.1 capabilities - they can play both stereo/two channel as well as surround sound.

Hi guys,

I just moved to a new studio flat and I'd like to update my current very basic setup: a Yamaha NX-U02 plugged into my laptop (Alienware R15 R3).

• I'm looking for compact 2.0 speakers that will be sitting on my desk and used for music, gaming and movies; either from my desk or the couch which is 2 meters away. I might want to use headphones once in a while. The room is about 15 square meters so I don't need much power (I rarely use the Yamaha at full volume).
  
  
• The budget I have in mind is roughly 200 EUR (pretty much the same in USD I suppose), but the lower the better.
  
  
• I don't mind second hand but considering I don't know much about audio gear and I'm in France I'm planning to buy new.
  
  My first Idea was to get Audioengine A2+ but they're a bit pricey.
  
  What I have in mind now is a FiiO E10k with Roth Audio OLIRA1 speakers. I like the idea of having a separate DAC/Amp and the upgradability is a nice bonus, but I'm not sure it's actually ideal for my needs.
  
  I'm also looking at the cheaper EDIFIER Studio R1280T.
  
  Any thoughts?
  

Hey, so I've got some christmas money and was thinking about getting a new amplifier. Currently I have the cheapest Yamaha amp, the R-201BL which pushes 100 watts but at THD of .02 and has considerable hiss when on without music playing. My budget is around 300$ and I'm looking for something worthwhile without any kind of DAC. The best one I can find is the Yamaha A-S301BL and while it has great THD and other specs I feel like my money is getting wasted on a DAC I'll never use (I have an external DAC). Should I instead get the R-S500? If there are any other recommendations I'd like an amp with a Subwoofer out because that's my next addition to my current set up. Additionally, I need wattage due to the fact that I am experimenting with RoomEQ right now and it significantly lowers the output from my PC.

Current loudspeakers: RTi A1s eventual upgrade to either KEFs Q100s or Ubi-Fi ELAC.

What do you guys think?

Also here are the relevant links.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044779GI/ref=twister_B00FPLMSK4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-S301BL-Natural-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00MXUCN0A/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1483652544&sr=1-3&keywords=yamaha+amplifier

The same company makes an 8" or 10" powered sub that is usually recommended with these speakers. The sub itself is around $80-$90 iirc, so it would be difficult to get something under $100 total.

Also note that these speakers require an amplifier.... which will drive your total cost up a bit.
If you need an amp, you could look at
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-650

You could always add in a cheap USB DAC (digital to analog converter) such as
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333570606&sr=8-1
To bypass your sound card (your sound card has a DAC built in, but its probably shit).

As far as needing the sub, it really depends on what kind of sound you want. I would recommend getting the 2.0 (just speakers) first, and adding a sub (bringing you to a 2.1 system) if you feel like the bass is lacking.

I have those two speakers, without a sub, and I am very pleased with them.

These speakers are frequently recommended for people looking for the best sound at a low budget.

Hello!


I am looking for a subwoofer (and eventually speakers) for a 2.1 system. I’m looking to spend under $1000 for everything.


Right now I’m using some KEFs from the late 70s and a Polk 10 inch subwoofer. The KEFs still sound OK, but are old. The sub is not good.


I’m driving the speakers with my vintage Sansui G-6000 rated at 65wpc RMS.


I only use my system for music. I listen to a lot of hip-hop, rock, metal, jazz, and electronic music. I only like to add extra bass when I’m listening to newer trap style hip-hop, otherwise I like a “normal” frequency response.



For sub’s I’m considering:


JBL Sealed 10 inch


Dayton 10 inch

BIC F12

I am also very much open to hearing other subwoofer options…

For speakers I’m considering:

Polk Audio RTI A7s

Klipsch R-28Fs

I am also very much open to hearing other speaker options…


I am pretty new to all of this, so please try to be understanding. I appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EMQI2CU/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519841814&sr=8-2-fkmr1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=yahama+stereo+receiver


Audio Technica AT-LP60B Turntable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008872SIO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519841897&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=turntable&dpPl=1&dpID=41r7Qsa8SUL&ref=plSrch


Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00192KF12/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519841960&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=polk+bookshelf+speaker&dpPl=1&dpID=410nZ6jqYQL&ref=plSrch



Sorry for the late response. This is definitely a budget setup but honestly it sounds awesome. I couldn’t be happier with this setup.

You'll probably want to look into speakers then an amp in that order. Speakers tend to be the most subjective and personal piece of the setup, so get those squared away, then figure out what to drive them with.

For speakers, check out:

• Pioneer SP-B22 ($129/pair)
  
  
• PSB Alpha B1 ($299/pair)
  
  
• Wherfdale Diamond 10.1 ($299/pair)
  
  
• Klipsch RP-160M ($399/pair)
  
  
• Polk RTi A3 ($399/pair)
  
  
• DefTech ProMonitor 1000 ($439/pair)
  
  
• B&W 686 S2 ($499/pair)
  
  
• PSB Imagine Mini ($499/pair)
  
  I'm partial to Bowers and Wilkins myself.
  
  For integrated amps, look at:
  
  
• Pioneer Elite A-20 ($299 on sale right now)
  
  
• Onkyo A-9010 ($299 also on sale)
  
  
• Yamaha R-N301 ($299) or for a bit more A-S301 ($349)
  
  
• Cambridge AM10 ($349 – analog inputs only)
  
  
• NAD C316BEE ($379 – analog inputs only)
  
  
• Cambridge 351A ($399 – USB DAC)
  
  
• Harmon Kardon HK3700 ($349 – USB DAC)
  
  
• Onkyo A-9050 ($399 on sale – includes phono preamp)
  
  
• TEAC AI-301DA ($399)
  
  
• NAD D3020 ($399)
  
  With a simple computer and two bookshelfs setup, I really like the NAD D3020 or its bigger brother, the D7050. The Cambridge 351A is probably one of the better options in this range, however.
  
  Also, you might find you like powered speakers like Audioengine A5+ ($399) and HD6 ($749). AE has a great sound and features a built-in DAC. If you can demo them, see what you think.

you dont need something specifically for a PC to work the way you want. actually "PC" speakers are usually gonna be pretty bad to mediocre

the rest really depends on your budget, things generally get better as you spend more money.

those JBL LSR305 are small active monitors/speakers. they are advertised as "studio monitors" but really a studio monitor is just a really well engineered speaker and can be used in any sound application. you could put them on your desk and run directly from your soundcard to them with no other equipment needed for stereo listening.

buying a separate amp lets you upgrade speakers later or upgrade amps later if you really like your speakers.

getting a AV receiver would let you run the toslink out to get 5.1.

the 3.5mm jack will be stereo only and could run out to a small amp like this paired with speakers like these would make an equally good setup and still be small enough to sit on a desk

My dad just gave me his old Technics SL-7 turntable and I'm super excited to start using it. What else do I need to use with a pair of Micca PB42X Bookshelf Speakers that I already own? Both a phono preamp and an amp? I'm in college, so whatever's most frugal while still doing justice to the turntable would be great. Thanks!

I'v heard those monoprice active speakers are the best value at that price point.

For a DAC, I have the schiit audio modi. I think it is amazing, and is built buy a very serious company. However, at $100, it might be a bit too expensive considering the price of your other components.

If that is the case, then something like
http://www.amazon.com/D3-Digital-Converter-Optical-Toslink/dp/B005K2TXMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380723420&sr=8-1&keywords=DAC

or http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1380723420&sr=8-8&keywords=DAC

might be reasonably as good as the modi at a much more reasonable price.

Can't say I know much about audio equipment, honestly.

My roommate has a pioneer VSX-830 that is really cool. Wifi capabilities with Pandora and Spotify, HDMI connections, and Bluetooth. It's super nice and he got it on sale for about $180? I'd have to ask. I know pioneer is a trusted budget brand here.

For speakers I have these, which I really like (recommended from this sub), along with some older Bose bookshelf speakers my dad bought in college.

I just recently ordered the Fluance SX6 speakers. I haven't heard them yet but they seem to be a great set of budget speakers. They are passive but you can get an amplifier that will drive them for very cheap. The speakers cost $130.00 USD. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IEDL8EM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are supposed to be quite good as well! http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1397965376&sr=1-1&keywords=micca+mb42x

I've got a SMSL SA50 I've been happily using with a pair of Micca MB42x bookshelf speakers as a 2.0 setup for my desktop for a little over a year now. I find myself using the speakers to listen to music about 60-70% of the time on my desktop, the other 30-40% being gaming/Youtube/whatever.

I've bought a Chromecast Audio that I'd like to use with the speakers so I don't have to be in front of the computer to control the music. The SMSL amp only has one input though. What is the best/cheapest way of adding Chromecast Audio support while still being able to use the speakers with my desktop and not having to manually swap inputs via cable swapping? Buying a new amp? Buying an additional piece of equipment? In a perfect world I'd have something about the size of my SMSL with a remote (so I can switch inputs from bed :D) that I can use for both desktop and Chromecast Audio purposes. I'd like to keep it to just one unit, but if I need an additional unit, I'd like it to be the same size as the SMSL as I've got limited desk space.

Regardless of whether I need to purchase another amp or an additional piece of equipment, I'd like to keep the cost under $100.

Thanks!

http://www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-loudspeakers/A1rx-c

These speakers are great for the price

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426927052&sr=8-1&keywords=bic+subwoofer

I hear this sub is great for the price.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JBZFVK?psc=1

Sweet little integrated. Lots of inputs and a sub output. Should work great with all this.

Yes. I won't compare it between my laptop speakers and IEM headphones. It's just very big difference between those.

It seems that I don't hear any hiss around when I plug my IEM but noticeably lower sound quality. Hence I'll like to buy a DAC to upgrade it. An example of DAC that I'm talking about is this and this.

I don't mind w/ the sound quality that my laptop speakers provide. Since I'm watching movies at a dorm which have very thin wall and I'm afraid that my movie annoys other people between my room, I'm thinking of using IEM to enjoy the movie instead.

I appreciate with all of your help. I might use EQ or something like Viper4Android for Windows to settle it around.

About the speakers you recommend, is it an old product ? It seems I can't find it anywhere on my local e-shop websites.

Hello all,

So I'm currently running this receiver: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EMQI2CU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VIMGybE5P73FE

With no DAC. A friend of mine said the best upgrade for me would be to buy a better receiver with an integrated DAC, "better quality sound". How true/necessary is this? I was considering upgrading my bookshelves before my receiver.

I normally run music from my desktop or through Bluetooth. I have a great processor, so from what I understand a sound card wouldn't change much. Should I consider buying a separate DAC?

If you are talking about the Pioneer bookshelves or the Daytons then these will still outperform them. For the money, those speakers are great, but these will still sound better IMO.

The RB51s also don't go on sale often so anything below MSRP is a good deal really. The Reference Series hold their value really well.

So your sennhesier gsx 1200 is currently what is giving you the virtual surround sound. So if you get rid of that amp youll need another amp that offers virtual surround sound, which is pretty limited.

​

In other words if you just switched amps you may not have the ability to do that. unless you changed your headphones as well.

​

Arctis pro headset DTS virtual surround 32ohms

https://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Arctis-Fidelity-Gaming-Headset/dp/B07B32GY9Z/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1549572900&sr=1-3&keywords=arctis+pro

​

Audio Engine headphone amp/dac This unit sounds really good and fits perfectly on a desktop. With a 32ohm load it should go plenty loud for you.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006IPH5H2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&smid=A17IVE6SUAZA2P

​

This unit I've never used before but I've always read good reviews and im sure it could power a 32ohm load no problem. Great price point.

https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1549573059&sr=1-3&keywords=headphone+amp

​

The Audio Engine D1 and the Arctis Pro should be a solid pairing.

​

​

​

I've always used the more old school route of passive speakers and receivers or separate amp/preamps, so I'm not expert on this, but I think a cable with 2 male 1/4" TS or XLR to a 3.5mm TRS would do it. like this though it appears out of stock right now. If the sound card in your computer isn't great, there are lots of recommendations on here about pretty reasonable DACs to get that could help in that regard.

These are active speakers, meaning they are each powered by an amp in the speaker cabinet. Traditionally, most speakers are passive, so you need an external amp to get any sound out of them. A receiver is just an amp with other features added, to put it in the most simple terms possible.

Amp: Start off with a entry-level class D amplifier: https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-50Wx2-TDA7492-Amplifier-Adapter/dp/B00F0H8TOC

DAC: Get something cheap and clean for your desktop's optical out: FiiO D30k: https://www.amazon.com/D03K-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B009346RSS

Speakers: I recommend Monitor Audio Bronze 2s: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1MRBS2&variation=PWAL

I think you'll be pretty happy with that combo, and that's a great budget setup for less than $500 overall

Ah yes, they are! Thanks for the suggestion. Seems like a lot of people are making great comments how the lsr305 are. Amazon has them at 132.23 a speaker for those interested! http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR305-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C

Have you personally compared the two?

Okay, it can be difficult to get anything good (by audiophile standards) for that price without building it yourself or buying used. You could get a bangin' two channel setup, but 5.1 setups cost a ton more than a 2 channel setup (because tons of speakers).

However, it may be worth looking into the Pioneer BS22 series, they're cheap, well regarded (the older BS21's impressed me a lot, and the 22's are supposed to be even better), and were designed by Andrew Jones, who normally designs speakers well into the multi tens of thousands of dollars range (per speaker). Check out the TAD Reference One to see one of his more recent speakers.

Here's a link to the series, they have floorstanders, bookshelves, a center, and a sub, though it may be worth looking into the BIC F12 instead of the sub in this series. After getting all of that, you should have enough for an entry level receiver. I'm not sure if Best Buy sells this series, but it's still cheap enough on Amazon to fit your budget.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG

One quick note, never mix speakers with different tweeters (meaning, never mix speakers from different brands/series).

Have you made that /r/hometheater thread? Link me to it when you do.

Here's the thing about receivers. They are cheap, and even the cheap ones have tons more features than the receivers of old. However, what they don't have, even up to the $2000 range, is power. The issue is power supplies. yeah you can have 150WPC amps on each channel, but they are all sipping power from the same power supply, and driving more than 2 channels at once lowers the output power (and increases distortion) on ALL other channels. That's the dirty little secret about multichannel receivers.

So if you want good stereo sound for music, I'd advise against a multichannel receiver and suggest one of the stereo combination devices like the Yamaha S301 which has more than enough power for Klipsch super efficient speakers, and a built in phono stage. No HDMI though.

If HDMI is a must have, all of the sub $500 amps are basically the same. Denon's have better room correction, all of them are lacking in power.

Hello everyone. I just wanted to get a cheap subwoofer (maybe around 100-150, but it's flexible) to round out my sound system (Micca MB42X, EMPtek towers, B&W CC-6 center, Marantz NR1506 receiver) which I use for vinyl/music, games, and movies. I was hoping someone may be able to help point me in the right direction.

I found these two online and were wondering if they were worth my investment: JBL S10 and Polk PSW10

If anyone has any other suggestions I'd be more than happy to consider them, I just need a sub and can't believe I've gone so long without one.

> Personally, I would like to see more aggressive moderation of the purchase advice thread to weed out users who clearly (i) have no interest in good sound quality, (ii) haven't read the thread's introductory comments or posting advice, and/or (iii) haven't done any preliminary research on Google, Amazon, Wikipedia, review websites, etc.

We can't police (i) for good reason. ToIP (Telepathy over IP) doesn't exist. I can't read the mind or intent of someone posting. Most of the time when people seemingly ask for the wrong thing, it's because of a lack of knowledge that leaves them completely stranded, even with a ton of web sites on their hands.

> Amazon [ … ] review websites

This thing here has an average rating of 4.3 stars, and so does this. A buyer without the required knowledge would think that these are equal in quality, just that the wooden thing costs more (especially after they've had to buy an amplifier as well). Both you and I know that one of these sucks way less than the other.

Yes, ideally, people should do their own research, but reviews and user reviews are a minefield laced with shit, and in that regard, we're probably much better suited to help. So, when someone asks for a $100 bluetooth speaker for home use, or wondering if they should buy the Z313, we can quickly tell them why they should avoid it.

(The best thing we could do here, is probably do a write up of what we will and won't recommend, and link it at the top of the purchase help thread)

That's pretty low for something new, man. But this $200 Onkyo should fit the bill, assuming you don't have any unique needs.

Other than that you're looking for something used - I'd suggest a used AV receiver. Just note that not all have phono pres. Vintage stereo equipment looks good, but ensuring that you get one that'll work with little maintenance may be more trouble than it's worth.

In the alternative, you could get one that doesn't have a phono pre like the SMSL listed in the OP, and add a $23 outboard one like this Behringer.

Some might say that this outboard box might be worth upgrading, but I think you'd probably be better off putting any future $ towards other system upgrades; of course this depends on what you already have.

So atm, I have these speakers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OZ9NNCY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

with this DAC: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LP3AMC2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So my audio setup is currently about £160. I've recently come into some money from a relative's will, and I'm not using much money at the moment, so I was looking to see if I could upgrade my system by more than just a tier. My friend who likes to consider himself something of an audiophile (although to what extent that's true I have little clue) recommended that if I'm going to be upgrading something, I should probably wait until I have enough money to upgrade it by more than one tier, which sounds like intuitively sensible advice to me. If my budget is, say, around £2000, what sort of advice could you give me? Apologies if more detail is require, I can always edit more in later as required!

Thanks!

After further research I was looking at the Edifier R1700BT speakers and they look pretty great, decent price, bluetooth is cool, and the reviews look good. I was also thinking about adding a subwoofer because ya know bass lol. Any thoughts??

How much money are you willing to spend?

If you're only looking for a headphone amp, a solid (and probably one of the cheapest) options is an O2. If you have the tools and know-how, it's easy (and cheaper) to DIY.

If you're also willing to buy a DAC, the UCA-202 is a popular recommendation, and it's pretty cheap. If you're willing to spend a bit more money (or in the future) you can upgrade to the ODAC, which does measure better. I do not think you'd need a DAC that measures better than the ODAC, at least not with your current setup.

Two part question. (This setup will be for a computer in a medium sized bedroom.)

1. I am looking at getting a pair of JBL LSR305s. I was wondering if this sub http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1463455626&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=bic+america+f12 would pair well with them? And yes I know that's a lot of bass.
   
   
2. Whats the best way to hook these up to my computer with minimal noise? I have this motherboard: http://www.asrock.com/mb/intel/z97%20extreme3/ and no other sound card. I would like to not have to use anything expensive, ideally just some cables.
   
   Thanks so much!

These are my very first "serious" pair of speakers and they sound great! They are very good for watching movies and also for listening to music especially for near field use.

Of course you have other options as well. Like for example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NXAEPDC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521643447&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=micca%2Bspeakers&psc=1&th=1

But I would also recommend that you look at passive speakers with a separate amp if you want to upgrade in the future

You have a lot of flexibility with the surround speakers. They aren't going to be asked to produce much bass, and they don't even need to match your mains. So you can go with smaller wallmount speakers if necessary.

As for the fronts, I think you'll just need to go with floorstanders unless you can rig up some way to securely fasten bookshelf speakers to their stands, and fasten the stands to the wall or something so they can't tip over.

Floorstanders don't need to be expensive. These have been out since 2012 and all the speakers in this line (except the sub) are pretty well loved; tons of reviews to Google.

Those speakers are also cheap enough that you won't feel bad about experimenting a little with them. My wife and I are planning on starting a family and I expect I'll need to replace my bookshelf speakers with something like that. My current plan is to get those Pioneer towers and perhaps attach a wider base, or some kind of wall strap, to decrease the odds of tipover.

Speaking from experience and reviews, you might want to consider the Fluance XL5F towers, which are on sale for only $199 (reg. $350). Free shipping (both ways) and 30 days time to listen and decide. I love my SX (towers below) and these seem very well received.

http://www.fluance.com/floorstanding-speakers

The pre-ELAC, Andrew Jones designed Pioneer towers were my second choice and have been recommend and well reviewed also. Couldn't go wrong them either!

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-FS52-Designed-standing-Loudspeaker/dp/B008NCD2S4

Uturn orbit with phono preamp - 249 (https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable). Be sure to press the built in button for the preamp

SMSL AD18 - 145 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073F8Z565

Micca MB42x - 90 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7H8GG2

Total 485

Is a baseline respectable system. There may be black Friday specials to bring the cost down a bit. The speakers are the weakest link here (though not bad), if you can pony up an extra ~200 you can get a much better pair (Emotiva B5, Kef Q100/150, Elac B5/B6, Chane A1.4, Klipsch RP-150m, etc.) EDIT: I also just noticed the Elac UB5 for $350 on amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRYWVG2, they are definitely worth the extra cash if you can scrounge it. Also from a post below: https://www.turntablelab.com/products/denon-dp-300f-turntable-ortofon-2m-red-upgrade is a fantastic deal and a better deck.

Craigslist is your best bet. You can get new but the subwoofer form factor and technology has not changed a ton and your sub doesn't need to match your other speakers. LIve and breath Craigslist. Look up what they are selling by reviews and then buy the best one that you can. I am sure there are a few newer subs out there like this one that are cheap.. http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B0002KVQBA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1465051113&sr=1-1&keywords=polk+subwoofer

Well I cancelled my order because it didn't send. So I ended up purchasing BIC America F12 12-Inch. Super excited to use it. I will use it mostly for music, and I read reviews that it's great for music and surprisingly a lot better than the psw505. I'll let you know how it sounds after everything is setup.

i wouldn't spend more than half your speaker price on an amp early on. Better to save some money and invest in better speakers. Your amp is fine in your current chain. what are you using as a source at the moment? if you don't plan on upgrading your speaker system any time soon maybe go for a headphone amp (which will probably drive the headphones better than a new amp for your speakers with separate headphone out) like this one.

Does this look better?

Amp - SMSL SMSL SA-60

DAC - FiiO D03K

Speakers:
Would you recommend any of the following (not super interested in the ones in the original post bc they low key look like ass)

http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers

http://emptek.com/r5bi.php

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG (I know these are below the price you recommended, but I heard they were very good for their price)

And thanks for pointing out potential bottlenecking. That was one of my biggest concerns, and what I had originally posted in r/budgetaudiophile for.

New to speakers.
Long time headphone guy.

Want something cheap but good for my lab.

Have my eye on:https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMedia-Certified-Computer-Speaker/dp/B000062VUO
Since a few friends have them...

But have been looking at:https://www.amazon.com/Micca-PB42X-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00NXAEPDC/

I want to spend around $300-$500 when all is said and done.
I am guessing we need to also factor in the sub and dac/amp?

much appreciated!

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI

This USB DAC will give you the best bang for your buck until you want to drop big money on stuff. I've been using mine for about 6 months now, and really dig the quality. It's also great for using headphones (if they don't need a dedicated amp), since it's a much higher quality than your typical pc headphone jack. Soundcard's aren't really worth the money, IMO, unless you're gonna try setting up a 7.1 system or something. But with your current setup, the USB DAC -> RCA output -> receiver -> speakers should be solid.

Also, check into building some monitor stands, or stacking some books up to set them on. Getting the tweeters around ear level makes a big difference in the sound at your listening position.

Placement makes a big difference. /u/zeospantera has some nice guides on setup, often referring to this diagram he's drawn up of the suggested placement for a 2.0 system. You can also play around here with different recommendations from around the web with a good visual.

That makes sense, thanks for breaking it down. Would there be a way to handle control of the volume with that? For example, would there be a device I could put between the PC and the sub that would control the overall volume? Or is it the case where each speaker/sub has their own volume control that I present on the device, then I use the software volume on the computer to control it?

EDIT:

So It would be:

• PC (3.5mm->RCA) -> Sub -> RCA to 1/4" TRS -> LSR305's
  
  so is it possible somewhere is there to put a volume knob to control everything or is it best to regulate that from the PC?
  
  That build takes the price to around $600 ish probably after the cables.
  
  I have heard of a build that used something like the Polk Audio PSW10 + Micca's. Is that a viable build I could do for less, or would the price of what connects the two bring the total cost of the system into a similar price bracket?
  
  Also do the JBL's have both a sub and tweeter in them each already? Is a separate sub just needed for very specific use cases? If that is the case, I may just be fine with that already. Thanks again?

Starting to jump down this rabbit hole of audiophilism (is that even a word?) Looking to replace my AIWA CX-NA202 from the 90s.

​

Was going to just settle for an edifier r1850db but with many hours of research it seems that a passive set up may be the way to go?

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The first passive setup I was going to attempt to try was the -

Nobsound Mini TPA3116

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WTOAC1M/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=ADPE7GPX91ORE&psc=1

Micca MB42X

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E7H8GG2/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=AFKH6OU9WWNFS&psc=1

Which puts me under ~$150

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But I have been hearing people just recommending an AVR, which I have landed on the Denon x1400 or x2400 which I may be able to pick up used for ~$200. Should I pair this with a Micca MB42X? Or are their other speakers that would work better with this?

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Budget and currency - Under $300, USD
In which country are you located - USA
Where can you buy from - Amazon.com
What you want to use it for (music, movies, games, all of the above, etc) - All of the above, this will be a setup for my computer.
On a desk or in a room (or both) - On a desk in my room
How big of a space and how loud - Approximately a 12 feet x 12 feet room, not too loud and don't need much bass for now (still want the path to add a sub thou).

Thanks all in advance!