2.1 PC Speaker setup

[AndrewL]

I know next to nothing about what is and isnt quality sound. Anyhow I would like to upgrade from my oldschool gateway speaker + sub combo. Im looking to spend around 50 bucks. Although im willing to spend more if you think the average person would notice a difference. I guess you could say my limit is around 100 bucks. Ive heard headphones are much better bang for buck as far as quality sound goes so that is also an option. Either way tell me if theres anything I should read or recommend some products.

Also how much of a factor is a soundcard, in other words would I notice a bigger change from a soundcard than I would from new audio equipment. Given that I have the onboard sound from a DFI ultra-d mobo.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

My first thought is if you don't mind used, you could probably get a set of Klipsch Promedias off ebay for that pricerange.

You're right that you could get a very nice set of headphones for that budget as well.

Of course it would be best if you had both, but I wouldn't try to split that budget and get two lesser products rather than getting one better quality device.

Maybe do one to start (speakers or headphones) and then see if you want the other one later on?

 

[ubercaffeinated]

just picked up klipsh iFi's from costco for 200. VERY NICE, and if they crap out costco will take it back, even years later. win win win.

 

[AndrewL]

Thanks for the responses, I think im going to go with headphones first. Any recommendations for headphones in the $50-$75 range?

Also noise cancelling would be nice to have. However I dont know if noise cancelling is just a gimmick or if theres any good sounding headphones that also have noise cancelling for that matter.

I listened to some cheap headphones with noise cancelling and it seemed to do practically nothing (active noise cancelling). Then i listened to a pair of 50ish dollar phillips headphones with noisecancelling and you could definitely tell it was working (also active).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm not really a headphone guy, but I have the passive noise cancelling Sennheiser HD280s and I'm happy with them. I got mine for $60 ~4 years ago.

 

[AndrewL]

Wow how did you get those for $60 bucks newegg wants like almost $90.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: AndrewL
Wow how did you get those for $60 bucks newegg wants like almost $90.

I got them from ecost.

Zip Zoom Fly has had decent prices on them in the past (~$75). Looks like that's not the case now.

 

[AndrewL]

Any comfortable headphones with surround or noise cancelling that are still good quality?

 

[AndrewL]

YOyoYOhowsDAjello after reading some of your old threads ive noticed that you recommend a high end pair of stereo headphones + surround processing vs. a good pair of surround headphones.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: AndrewL
YOyoYOhowsDAjello after reading some of your old threads ive noticed that you recommend a high end pair of stereo headphones + surround processing vs. a good pair of surround headphones.

Yeah, but X-Fi would pretty much be the card to get for surround headphone usage, and that will take up your budget on its own

 

[AndrewL]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: AndrewL
YOyoYOhowsDAjello after reading some of your old threads ive noticed that you recommend a high end pair of stereo headphones + surround processing vs. a good pair of surround headphones.

Yeah, but X-Fi would pretty much be the card to get for surround headphone usage, and that will take up your budget on its own

Well i might be willing to spend more, but isnt that soundcard like upwards of 200 dollars. Also the onboard from a dfi nf4 ultra-d is still pretty good right?

Basically what ive decided im going to do i buy a pair of cheap noise cancelling headphones where sound quality isnt much of a concern just to use when I want some quiet (the noise cancelled and comfort would be a priority).

Later I will look for some more expensive headphones for music and gaming ect, where I will put the bulk of my money.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You can get the Xtreme Music for about $70 AR. There are also some new versions of the X-Fi that came out recently but I haven't really looked into them yet.

Have you thought about getting some in-ear headphones (like shure)?

You could potentially get good passive noise cancelling and still get some great quality while you're at it.

 

[AndrewL]

Hmm... its always been my impression that in ear headphones are uncomfortable, but ill consider it. Again the question is, is it worth it to spend $70 on a sound card when I could spend that money on better headphones?

Edit: I see your point that the in-ear compromise + sound card probably the best bang for buck solution in my price range.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I don't like the in-ear ones I've tried either, but I figure if I had to, I'd get used to them.

If I had to choose between $70 X-Fi and crappy headphones

or

Good headphones

I'd choose good headphones and save the soundcard purchase for a later date. I'd rather buy headphones once and leave an upgrade path of soundcard rather than buying both right away and having to re-buy headphones later to replace the budget ones.

 

[AndrewL]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I don't like the in-ear ones I've tried either, but I figure if I had to, I'd get used to them.

If I had to choose between $70 X-Fi and crappy headphones

or

Good headphones

I'd choose good headphones and save the soundcard purchase for a later date. I'd rather buy headphones once and leave an upgrade path of soundcard rather than buying both right away and having to re-buy headphones later to replace the budget ones.

Yah sounds like a good idea. Plus with the new soundcards that you said have just released some of the older cards should drop in price and will probably be relatively cheap when I want to buy them in the future. I can always buy a soundcard used on the forums to.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: AndrewL

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I don't like the in-ear ones I've tried either, but I figure if I had to, I'd get used to them.

If I had to choose between $70 X-Fi and crappy headphones

or

Good headphones

I'd choose good headphones and save the soundcard purchase for a later date. I'd rather buy headphones once and leave an upgrade path of soundcard rather than buying both right away and having to re-buy headphones later to replace the budget ones.

Yah sounds like a good idea. Plus with the new soundcards that you said have just released some of the older cards should drop in price and will probably be relatively cheap when I want to buy them in the future. I can always buy a soundcard used on the forums to.

True.

 

[yhelothar]

The in-ear ones, admittedly, are quite uncomfortable when I first tried them. It's hard to get a good seal without practice, and your ears feel really stuffed and irritated. However, the foam tips are a godsend to these issues. They fit much more comfortably and is almost guaranteed to get a perfect seal your first try.
I have the Etymotic ER4S/amp, and I also have the Sennheiser HD497. The Etymotic BLOWS away the Sennheisers, HANDS DOWN. There's absolutely no comparison. It's like a whole nother level of sound. It adds a third dimension to sound that you won't experience from any other setup. Forget surround headphones, or 7.1 speakers. These are the real deal. Live recordings are absolutely amazing. You feel like you're there. You can hear distinctly where the audience is - even down to where each scream is coming from. I've never gotten this sense of soundstage before. Not even from listening to my neighbor's $15k audiophile setup. The Etymotic ER4P can be found for $150. You can get a DIY ER4S(high impedance) upgrade cable for $15 if you choose to get an amp. It really enhances the highs. If you're on a budget, you can get the Altec Lansing iM716, that's based off the Etymotic ER4P for under $100. I think that's easily the best earphones for the price.

 

[AndrewL]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
The in-ear ones, admittedly, are quite uncomfortable when I first tried them. It's hard to get a good seal without practice, and your ears feel really stuffed and irritated. However, the foam tips are a godsend to these issues. They fit much more comfortably and is almost guaranteed to get a perfect seal your first try.
I have the Etymotic ER4S/amp, and I also have the Sennheiser HD497. The Etymotic BLOWS away the Sennheisers, HANDS DOWN. There's absolutely no comparison. It's like a whole nother level of sound. It adds a third dimension to sound that you won't experience from any other setup. Forget surround headphones, or 7.1 speakers. These are the real deal. Live recordings are absolutely amazing. You feel like you're there. You can hear distinctly where the audience is - even down to where each scream is coming from. I've never gotten this sense of soundstage before. Not even from listening to my neighbor's $15k audiophile setup. The Etymotic ER4P can be found for $150. You can get a DIY ER4S(high impedance) upgrade cable for $15 if you choose to get an amp. It really enhances the highs. If you're on a budget, you can get the Altec Lansing iM716, that's based off the Etymotic ER4P for under $100. I think that's easily the best earphones for the price.

Thanks for the advice. I might try some IEMs down the road , but ive read that in ear phones arent good for your hearing (unless your really careful with the volume). Suppossedly the upper treble doesnt have time to fade a bit like it does when it comes from speakers or headphones further from your ear canal.

 

[Molinjir]

I'd recommend buying klipsch as well. You can get their GMX 2.1 A for 70$ on their website, refurbed. Best sound quality you can get at the pricepoint. However, you must be careful, as there are a number of potential issues with the all of the klipsch. I've heard about unrealiable amps that are prone to blowing out, unresponsive connectors, poor/slow customer service, and occasionally bad connections. However, it's the best value at this price, at least for sound.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I think the 5.1 system is more prone to the amp issues vs the 2.1 ones. Also if you can get the Promedia set vs the GMX set, that's supposed to be the better system of the two.

 

[Wuzup101]

If you want a larger pair of studio headphones, the sen 280's are nice. I bought a pair a while ago from newegg and was very impressed (especially for the price). They are quite comfortable and produce pretty damn good sound for their price range. As for 2.1 speakers (if you go that rout), someone above mentioned the klipsch iFi's for $200. That's a pretty good deal, as they are nice speakers (better than the promedia sets). Great to fill a small room with nice stereo sound.

 

[AndrewL]

Originally posted by: Wuzup101
If you want a larger pair of studio headphones, the sen 280's are nice. I bought a pair a while ago from newegg and was very impressed (especially for the price). They are quite comfortable and produce pretty damn good sound for their price range. As for 2.1 speakers (if you go that rout), someone above mentioned the klipsch iFi's for $200. That's a pretty good deal, as they are nice speakers (better than the promedia sets). Great to fill a small room with nice stereo sound.

What did you think of the highs and the detail/resolution of the hd280?

I have a pair of px100 and hd201. I like the bass of the px100, but id also like more detail than the px100 provide in the highs and upper mids.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I found my own 280s to be very detailed. The bass is a bit anemic, but I get enough of that when I'm using my speakers.

My gf has 212s which have a lot more bass, but they don't have nearly the amount of detail that the 280s provide.