Accessory 2.1 speakers

[tinyitx]

What do you think is a good price for a 2.1 speaker system to match the onboard sound chip (quality) of, say, the Asus Z370i?

I mean, one can buy something like Logitech Z313 for USD 35 or something much much higher end (ie moving from PC speakers to Hi Fi speakers) for $500+. A USD 35 pair of speakers might not bring out the best of the onboard sound but a $500 pair might be overkill and just a waste of money as the speakers are just too 'good' for the onboard sound. I suppose, these 2 prices might be a lower bound and upper bound.

In your opinion, what is the price of a 2.1 speaker system that best matches the sound quality of today's motherboard's onboard sound?

 

[jØrd]

In your opinion, what is the price of a 2.1 speaker system that best matches the sound quality of today's motherboard's onboard sound?

Tin cans and some string should be just fine for that

 

[tinyitx]

Hmmm...24 views but only 1 reply. Maybe I should rephrase the question.

What speakers are you guys using for your PC system?

 

[jØrd]

My suggestion would be to invest a little in the rest of your audio chain before buying speakers if you really want to get the most out of them. Alot of people touch themselves inappropriately at the mere mention of the Schiit line of products so that could be a good place to start. Alternatively alot of people rave about the Audioengine A5's, not my cup of tee being powered speakers but to each their own

 

[Phuncz]

jØrd you should check out the Realtek ALC1150 and ALC1220 chipsets, they're not all that bad as the older ones. I can't tell much difference on the latter with the Shiit Fulla I have now.

A good set of speakers I can recommend for the Realtek ALC1xxx solutions are the Edifier powered bookshelf speakers. You don't need a subwoofer with these unless you want to play at loud volumes that annoy everyone inside the house. I have these:

Edifier R1280T (info link, photo of these and a 34" screen)

The mistake I made with these is that they are best place at ear-level and I had to get some Ikea Lack planks to get them up besides my screen. Another solution would be to get the slanted R1700BT which also has Bluetooth if you want to connect your phone for instance.
Image of the R1700BT on a desk.

The R1280T already have excellent low frequency output if positioned correctly and will blow you away in front of a PC. The R1700BT is about 50% more powerful than the R1280T, it would fill most rooms with quality sound without clipping.

Mind you I'm not an audiophile, I just spend some money on components I feel are worth the upgrade.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

If you are in the US, I'd suggest the Klipsch Promedia 2.1. Why don't you sell them in Europe anymore, Klipsch ? T.T

 

[tinyitx]

The Klipsch might be a good choice as it shows up in almost all ''best 2.1 speakers'' list when I google. I check further and it seems it was designed about 16 or 17 years ago. Such an old design and still shows up in today's recommended list. Do you have a pair? Anyway, it is not available locally.

My research also leads me to Edifier brand. I am checking out their 'bookself' series and 'computer' series now.

I am not an audiophile (anymore). If I want serious music, I would setup a separate HiFi system with amp+pre amp+....
But I just want to use the motherboard sound chip to the full extent without using any external device other than a speaker system.

 

[MultiDoc]

+1 for the Klipsch. I have the original Promedia that first came out more than a decade ago. I would have bought them again if i could find them, but unfortunately couldn't. Instead I had to settle for something less, so got the Bose Companion 2.

Anyway, if you can find the Klipsch don;t even think about it, just get them and enjoy

 

[tinyitx]

I check further on the Klipsch and it basically disappeared from local market about 10 years ago.
But, fortunately, Edifier is well represented in local stores so I can actually go and see and listen in person.

 

[bichael]

Edifier Luna's would be worth checking out. I have HK nova 2.0 which I've been happy with and think the Luna would be similar and potentially better.
For something higher end I can highly recommend the KEF x300a's which have built in dac as well.
I would also say though that on board audio can still sound very good - I had myne hooked up direct to an ATC P1 power amp and SCM 11 speakers while my integrated amp was being repaired and it still sounded pretty awesome...

 

[tinyitx]

For a pair of 'bookshelf' speakers like Edifier R1280T, with its natural position being on the desk (instead of sitting on a shelf), do you feel a little bit 'shaking' (cannot think of a better word to describe) of the desk if the speakers are outputting a higher volume of bass?

Let's say, with the volume being on a scale of 1 to 10, if the knob is turned to 5, can you feel a little 'movement' as my forearms will be resting on the desk typing a keyboard.

 

[Phuncz]

You mean "rumble" I guess. I can't really say, I've used it on the shelves almost immediately from the start. But it'll also depend on your table, the position, etc etc. Sound in the end is produced by vibrating stuff at the right frequencies so you should expect it nonetheless.

Some use small but thick carpets under their bookshelves, other use vibration-damping foam. I was also looking at pedestals but they were ugly, large and expensive for something that Ikea could fix for € 9,90 a piece.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Decoupling spikes, stack of materials having different density (wood -> stone -> cork .... Like below)

 

[bledha]

I used these (Audioengine A2+) for a long time, I do not classify myself as an audiophile (or a -phile of anything, thankfully), but I listen to a lot of music and play music as well - and these sound great. They are compact, beautiful, powered, and the USB interface is also quite handy. They were always crisp and offered a surprising amount of low end for monitors. They go for around $200 in North America last i checked.

Keeping in mind what you listen to and/or what you will be using the speakers for primarily is good practice, as monitors are quite natural, but if you are a bass head - you may want something with a dedicated sub. Of which Audioengine sells as a beautiful additional upgrade to their speaker-ranges, FYI, just too pricey for me. Other than that, the suggestions in the thread so far are good.

NOTE: for any rumbling, shaking or bouncing due to high volume or just isolating sound better, I bought some big, cheap, white erasers you would use for pencils and cut them in a wedge. They were invisible under the speaker and prevented the shake.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

I used these (Audioengine A2+) for a long time, I do not classify myself as an audiophile (or a -phile of anything, thankfully), but I listen to a lot of music and play music as well - and these sound great. They are compact, beautiful, powered, and the USB interface is also quite handy. They were always crisp and offered a surprising amount of low end for monitors. They go for around $200 in North America last i checked.

While on the powered monitoring speakers theme, KRK has some awesome kits too (the subwoofer can be added to active speakers later).

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

+1 for Audioengine + Sub

Try also JBL LSR305 + Sub.

Upgrade onboard audio chip to a dedicated USB DAC.

Or Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS Digital Cinema and attach spdif connection from computer.

 

[nipsip]

Cheapest great sound :
Shiit Modi 2 DAC - $99USD
Audioengine N22 Desktop Amp - $199
ELAC B5 or B6 Debut or Debut 2.0 Speakers - $229-$299

 

[owliwar]

right now I'm using a pair of speakers I assembled just for the fun of it but I'm using a cheap ass 3w amplifier. I mean it works but I cant get decent mid range volume out of this weak amp.
there is any affordable entry level amplifier for things like these? I'm really into woodworking more than I'm an audiophile.
one thing that I usually miss is bass because I used to play piano and drums so feeling the music is too important, but I also like doing things myself

 

[ignsvn]

Another good contender is Swan M10. Google for more info.

 

[tinyitx]

As the speakers will be sitting on my desk and to the left and right of my monitor, they will be at a distance of around 1/2 metre (say, 2 feet for the imperial users) from my ears. Considering they are so close to my ears, would speakers of size mentioned in the above posts still sound good? I am wondering if I should get some physically smaller 'satellite' speakers (eg Edifier M3280BT).

Is my concern justified? Anyone has experience of putting speakers with similar size on his desk next to the monitor?

Also, I think I am going with a 2.1 system rather than with a 2.0 as I want to shift the task of producing bass from the satellite speakers (sitting on my desk) to the subwoofer (sitting on floor) to reduce/eliminate the possibility of creating 'rumble' on my desk surface. Also, the speakers will be just 1/2 m from my ears, I do not wish to be bombarded with bass so close.

My current target is: Edifier S350DB