2.1 Speaker and Sound Card package

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Astrallite
The Swans look better than most bookshelves I've seen with a nicer finish too. I thought the Energy Veritas v2.2 had a nice finish, but of course that's a 3-way $2k pair of bookshelves.

I'm not sure if the m200s have real wood veneer on them, but I know Swan and AV123 make speakers with real wood (Swan has faux finishes too).

Hmmm... says "Walnut Finish"
I guess I don't know if that's real or not. Looks good though from the pictures I've seen

These ELTs have real south american rosewood veneers or a piano black finish on them. Add in a Sonic T-amp and you'd have an alternative to the m200s

Could they really be driven by the sonic T-amp?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Astrallite
The Swans look better than most bookshelves I've seen with a nicer finish too. I thought the Energy Veritas v2.2 had a nice finish, but of course that's a 3-way $2k pair of bookshelves.

I'm not sure if the m200s have real wood veneer on them, but I know Swan and AV123 make speakers with real wood (Swan has faux finishes too).

Hmmm... says "Walnut Finish"
I guess I don't know if that's real or not. Looks good though from the pictures I've seen

These ELTs have real south american rosewood veneers or a piano black finish on them. Add in a Sonic T-amp and you'd have an alternative to the m200s

Could they really be driven by the sonic T-amp?

Their efficiency is "89 dB (@ 1 watt / 1 meter)" which is pretty darn good.

If you're not trying to fill a large room with them and you're sitting fairly close to them I think they would be alright on the 5 or so watts the t-amp puts out unless you want insane volumes.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Astrallite
The Swans look better than most bookshelves I've seen with a nicer finish too. I thought the Energy Veritas v2.2 had a nice finish, but of course that's a 3-way $2k pair of bookshelves.

I'm not sure if the m200s have real wood veneer on them, but I know Swan and AV123 make speakers with real wood (Swan has faux finishes too).

Hmmm... says "Walnut Finish"
I guess I don't know if that's real or not. Looks good though from the pictures I've seen

These ELTs have real south american rosewood veneers or a piano black finish on them. Add in a Sonic T-amp and you'd have an alternative to the m200s

Could they really be driven by the sonic T-amp?

Their efficiency is "89 dB (@ 1 watt / 1 meter)" which is pretty darn good.

If you're not trying to fill a large room with them and you're sitting fairly close to them I think they would be alright on the 5 or so watts the t-amp puts out unless you want insane volumes.

Gotcha, I just thought that bookshelf speakers needed a bit more than 5 watts to operate worth-a-damn.

 

[Eureka]

Alright, thanks... from what I've researched it looks like I might get a Promedia 2.1 with AV-710. Most people have discouraged me from getting MX5021 due to lack of information on it... and although I'll be losing 3 channels in the 5300, it probably won't sound as good.

Now to edge my friend to finalize the deal on my 640s.

Norm

 

[alcoholbob]

Well the 5021s seem to be the best overall 2.1 set right now. Dual 2.75s, a .75 tweet, and a 6.25" sub. The only "satellites" that honestly best it in its price range are the Promedia 2.0s, and those don't come with a sub.

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Well the 5021s seem to be the best overall 2.1 set right now. Dual 2.75s, a .75 tweet, and a 6.25" sub. The only "satellites" that honestly best it in its price range are the Promedia 2.0s, and those don't come with a sub.

Aren't the promedia 2.0 and 2.1 the same except for sub?

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Well the 5021s seem to be the best overall 2.1 set right now. Dual 2.75s, a .75 tweet, and a 6.25" sub. The only "satellites" that honestly best it in its price range are the Promedia 2.0s, and those don't come with a sub.

Aren't the promedia 2.0 and 2.1 the same except for sub?

Norm

2.0

2.1

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: cevilgenius

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Well the 5021s seem to be the best overall 2.1 set right now. Dual 2.75s, a .75 tweet, and a 6.25" sub. The only "satellites" that honestly best it in its price range are the Promedia 2.0s, and those don't come with a sub.

Aren't the promedia 2.0 and 2.1 the same except for sub?

Norm

2.0

2.1

Alright... but now I'm still confused... Mx5021 or Promedia 2.1???

Norm

 

[alcoholbob]

Well the Promedia 2.1s are out of their league against the 5021s; the sub is a lot smaller, and the speakers suffer from a frequency response hole between 120-140hz, being a single 3" driver with tweeter, it can't extend below 130 respectably.

The 5021s with dual 2.75s should extend lower many consider it better sounding. The highs mids and highs will be similar to the PM 2.0s, although the 2.0s have a much larger cabinent and most reviewers place it above the 5021s. The 2.0s with a sub would be optimal, but if you are comparing pre-made 2.1 sets, 5021s vs 2.1s only, the 5021s should be the winner here.

 

[Eureka]

Yeah, I've seen some 2.0s bookshelf around this forum, but they're at least 150 for 2, then don't you have to add on some kind of AMP, as well as a speaker? How hard would it be just to simply hook up 2.0s and a sub, and what price range am I looking at.

And do you know how stable the MX5021's satellites are? I mean, they don't even have any real feet for support...

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
Yeah, I've seen some 2.0s bookshelf around this forum, but they're at least 150 for 2, then don't you have to add on some kind of AMP, as well as a speaker? How hard would it be just to simply hook up 2.0s and a sub, and what price range am I looking at.

I think I already kind of mentioned this in the thread above, but the m200s are the ones you might be thinking of. Those have a built in amp.

If you got a pair of normal bookshelf speakers, you'd need to get an amp to power them.

To add a sub, the Dayton 10" or Dayton 12" would be good budget subs.

You're looking at $150-ish to add a sub though including shipping.

So, about $300 for a m200 + sub set... likely more if you're going with a bookshelf/amp set + sub.

 

[Eureka]

That's quite a lot... maybe when I get a job (yes, I'm still in High School).

Where can I get the mx5021s for the lowest price? Newegg has them at 135, and Amazon (TigerDirect) has them for 125.

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
That's quite a lot... maybe when I get a job (yes, I'm still in High School).

Where can I get the mx5021s for the lowest price? Newegg has them at 135, and Amazon (TigerDirect) has them for 125.

Norm

Generally for best prices I check pricegrabber and froogle... not to mention hot deals forum and a couple other hot deals areas.

Whatever my source is, I check out reseller ratings before ordering.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
Yeah, I've seen some 2.0s bookshelf around this forum, but they're at least 150 for 2, then don't you have to add on some kind of AMP, as well as a speaker? How hard would it be just to simply hook up 2.0s and a sub, and what price range am I looking at.

I think I already kind of mentioned this in the thread above, but the m200s are the ones you might be thinking of. Those have a built in amp.

If you got a pair of normal bookshelf speakers, you'd need to get an amp to power them.

To add a sub, the Dayton 10" or Dayton 12" would be good budget subs.

You're looking at $150-ish to add a sub though including shipping.

So, about $300 for a m200 + sub set... likely more if you're going with a bookshelf/amp set + sub.

He could always get these, or these then add any halfway decent used stereo receiver/integrated amplifier.

The model six would give you more bass, but both would be decent bookshelf speakers, for sure.

Edit: Then he could have, easily, no more than $150-160 in that type of setup, and the sound would be pretty decent for a low-end 2.0 setup. And a sub can always be added.

 

[Eureka]

How would you connect those bookshelf speakers to the PC anyway?

I'm also now considering the Promedia 2.0... how bad is it without a subwoofer? And how would you add in a subwoofer later?

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
How would you connect those bookshelf speakers to the PC anyway?

I'm also now considering the Promedia 2.0... how bad is it without a subwoofer? And how would you add in a subwoofer later?

Norm

I forget who I've told this, but did you the the $99/pair AV123 ELT deal yet?

To connect bookshelf speakers you'll need some type of amp. I don't really have a perfect solution to that, but some possibilities would be a sonic t-amp or a receiver/amp off ebay. I got one for $40 shipped.

I haven't heard the Promedia 2.0 set so I'm not sure on the bass of it.

You can add a sub later by getting some splitters and sending the L/R signal to bothe the speakers and the sub. If the sub has a built in crossover you should be able to get pretty good results.

 

[alcoholbob]

The Promedia 2.0s are rather large PC "satellites". They can extend down to 50hz at +/-7.5db. They are +/-3 at 70hz.

You would adda a subwoofer later by either enabling a stereo surround feature on your sound card (plenty of free programs do this) and then taking a mini to RCA to the subwoofer, or using a Y-splitter, although you will lose volume this way. Personally they are good enough on their own in nearfield listening. For $100 more, the Altec Lansing MX5021s are available. Imagine them as a Klipsch 2.0 crossed over with a sub (since they are much smaller than the 2.0s and have much lower bass extension, but the difference is made up with the sub; although a subwoofer is not "stereo" bass like a lower extending speaker is).

Klipsch 2.0 response curve

http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/9/0,1425,sz=1&i=92684,00.jpg

 

[Eureka]

Actually, the MX5021s I can get for 120... and the PM 2.0 for 90.

Norm

 

[alcoholbob]

Well I would suggest the Klipschs over the Altecs by default just because Altec Lansing has a bad record of very "thin" sound--in other words small satellites and overworked small subs trying to fill in the midrange. Their only flagship-level ever in my opinion were the 621 2.1s and the 641 4.1s.

Otherwise, Altec Lansing really just sells nifty looking, small and thin and asthetically pleasing but sonically challenged speakers.

 

[Eureka]

So, how much work would there be in attaching a subwoofer to the PM2.0? I mean, I have no clue on how to work with wiring.

Norm

EDIT: And on the contrary, I think the MX5021s are not good looking... their speakers are too thin, and that also produces the problem of them tipping over. I liked the look of the Ultra 2.0 better... but the process of having to add a subwoofer intimidates me.

What about PM2.1 in comparison to the 2.0?

 

[vimacoaster]

I think a good set would be to get the refurb. Klipsch GMX 2.1 from www.klipsch.com for $79.99. I have them and they are pretty good. Good bass, mids,and highs. And for soundcard i think the AV710 would work best which are only $24.00 from www.newegg.com.

 

[Eureka]

From what I've read here, the GMX isn't the best especially with the PM 2.1, PM2.0, and MX5021... but at $80, that's tempting.

Plus, the lack of speaker protection is a no-no... not with little kids around.

EDIT: Are the speakers really 10" high??? That's what it said on Amazon... But that's huge for a satellite.

Norm

 

[alcoholbob]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
So, how much work would there be in attaching a subwoofer to the PM2.0? I mean, I have no clue on how to work with wiring.

Norm

EDIT: And on the contrary, I think the MX5021s are not good looking... their speakers are too thin, and that also produces the problem of them tipping over. I liked the look of the Ultra 2.0 better... but the process of having to add a subwoofer intimidates me.

What about PM2.1 in comparison to the 2.0?

Originally posted by: Astrallite
You would adda a subwoofer later by either enabling a stereo surround feature on your sound card (plenty of free programs do this) and then taking a mini to RCA to the subwoofer, or using a Y-splitter, although you will lose volume this way. Personally they are good enough on their own in nearfield listening. For $100 more, the Altec Lansing MX5021s are available. Imagine them as a Klipsch 2.0 crossed over with a sub (since they are much smaller than the 2.0s and have much lower bass extension, but the difference is made up with the sub; although a subwoofer is not "stereo" bass like a lower extending speaker is).
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/9/0,1425,sz=1&i=92684,00.jpg

You can't connect Klipsch 2.0s directly to a subwoofer like normal PC speakers. The 2.0s are self-powered. Asside from the two workarounds I provided, the third option is a receiver with pre-outs to the 2.0s. You would input with standard minijack to RCA fare to the receiver, and then pre-out to the 2.0, and RCA out to the sub.

If you aren't open to trying any of these, I'm not sure you can integrated a sub with the 2.0.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Click on the my rig link in this post. Music to my ears....