Best 2.1 setup for under $750?

[TridenT]

Use: Music (of all genres), games, and movies on a computer.

Budget: $750.

Size: Thinking bookshelf type size. Something I can put on my desk. (Sub size doesn't matter. It'll be on the floor...)

What I was thinking, Audioengine A5+ plus S8. However, I have momentarily thrown this idea out because I was reading elsewhere that someone was having trouble getting the A5+ to stop producing low frequencies when hooked up to the S8. This obviously makes no fucking sense, but whatever.

I'm just looking for something simple. So, getting a receiver and all that shit is out the window. It's just not worth it for this kind of 2.1 system.

Any suggestions?

 

[Anubis]

do you need to go with something self powered? or will you be able to power some speakers from a receiver?

 

[TridenT]

do you need to go with something self powered? or will you be able to power some speakers from a receiver?

I'm just looking for something simple. So, getting a receiver and all that shit is out the window. It's just not worth it for this kind of 2.1 system.

To.. reiterate... no receiver. Self-powered, yes. Subwoofer and bookshelf speakers need to be self-powered.

 

[fralexandr]

maybe the blue sky exos?
http://abluesky.com/products/exo2-new/

my sister has the blue sky mediadesk 2.1 and it's really nice.

 

[Thump553]

Unless it's a space problem don't automatically rule out a receiver. You can get a decent one dirt cheap at a rummage sale or craigslist. That opens a whole new world of much cheaper quality for the buck than self powered speakers.

 

[cantholdanymore]

I don't have personal experience with these but research the "Swans M200 Mk III". Just need to find the right subwoofer

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Nothing comes close to Aktimate Micro/Mini+ in their respective price brackets. Audioengine and Swan don't even come close. Swan is much cheaper though, and so is Audioengine.

I say get a Micro with a PSW505 if it is an active sub. Will set you back $650 but will give several $1000+ setups a run for their money.

And by the way Audioengine barely competes with Swan for equally priced products.

Audioengine can compete with Polk TSI series. But Aktimates give Ushers and Wharfedales a run for their money with sub $250 amps.

 

[lagokc]

If you had big enough mid-range drivers to not need a sub would the simplification be worth adding a receiver?

If you shop around for a sale you should be able to fit a pair of Klipsch RB-81 IIs into your budget with a receiver. You'd better have a big desk though

 

[Anubis]

To.. reiterate... no receiver. Self-powered, yes. Subwoofer and bookshelf speakers need to be self-powered.

yea i read everything but that GG me

anyway these are slightly over your budget. you wont need a sub and they will demolish anything mentioned so far
they play flat to 30hz and then cut off quite fast. yes i have heard them on more then one occasion and they are pretty amazing for what they cost


they are kinda large however
http://www.amazon.com/KRK-Powered-Mi.../dp/B005P0UHA8

 

[Jinny]

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/speakers/products/airmotiv6

or a smaller one airmotiv5
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/airmotiv5 paired with a

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F1.../dp/B0015A8Y5M

 

[alcoholbob]

Swan T200b

pros:

woofer and tweeter inverted so no woofer reflections off table

tweeter is pointed upwards

well reviewed by firingsquad

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/prod...ve-desktop-loudspeaker-system&products_id=78&

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

yea i read everything but that GG me

anyway these are slightly over your budget. you wont need a sub and they will demolish anything mentioned so far
they play flat to 30hz and then cut off quite fast. yes i have heard them on more then one occasion and they are pretty amazing for what they cost


they are kinda large however
http://www.amazon.com/KRK-Powered-Mi.../dp/B005P0UHA8

Are the highs on those sibliant/fatiguing like they are on the KRK rokit 8's? I've got some 8's and I don't like them for near field because the highs are so bloody harsh. Come to think of it I don't like them for big rooms either. The KRK 6's are great for the price though, much more balanced.

 

[Anubis]

ive heard them both times in a pretty big room from 12 ish feet, the first time they were kinda harsh on the highs but they can be attenuated down pretty easily.(the owner just tweaked something on the back of them and they were fine)

the 2nd time we took more care with setup and they sounded phenomenal. we ran a huge range of music through them and they were IMO never harsh. their only real limitations are the hard cut at 30Hz and they fact that they wont play as insanely loud as some dedicated HT type speakers due to the amps. which isn't really an issue for many.

they are quite possibly the most detailed and accurate speakers ive ever heard. if you have bad recordings they will let you know.

 

[lagokc]

Nothing comes close to Aktimate Micro/Mini+ in their respective price brackets.

Integrated class A/B amp? :wub:

 

[TridenT]

A lot of these setups are not including a subwoofer (I guess I should say that's a requirement? I need that kind of bass!). I see the Aktimate Micro has USB and an iPod dock. That just seems like extra cost and features that I don't need. This is going to be hooked up to a computer 24/7/366.

 

[fralexandr]

a lot of subwoofers are already powered (and many of them are active and have connectors for active stereo speakers), so finding a subwoofer to add to any of the 2.0 speaker recommendations isn't too difficult (though there may be extra cabling).

a review of the blue sky exo2
http://www.head-fi.org/t/653299/new-speakers-blue-sky-exo2

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Integrated class A/B amp? :wub:

Doesn't come close.

 

[TridenT]

Surprised no one has mentioned the KEF x300a. They seem to be popular right now...

That said, I don't know if they'll do well against a 2.1 system. (Bass response anyway)

EDIT: I'm hearing a lot about most of these bookshelf speakers kind of failing at nearfield. This is going to be VERY nearfield. I'm going to be 2-3ft away from any speaker. :/

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Pretty much anything in the high dollar range fails near field. When you put a bigger driver in your speakers your need more room. And anything over a few hundred has a 5 inch or bigger driver.

I use my Wharfedale Evo2-10's in near field(6 inch driver) and they sound good. But they sound great when I back it up to about 10 feet.

 

[Howard]

Swan T200b

pros:

woofer and tweeter inverted so no woofer reflections off table

tweeter is pointed upwards

well reviewed by firingsquad

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/prod...ve-desktop-loudspeaker-system&products_id=78&

You're still going to have reflections from both drivers regardless.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Surprised no one has mentioned the KEF x300a. They seem to be popular right now...

That said, I don't know if they'll do well against a 2.1 system. (Bass response anyway)

EDIT: I'm hearing a lot about most of these bookshelf speakers kind of failing at nearfield. This is going to be VERY nearfield. I'm going to be 2-3ft away from any speaker. :/

Bookshelves are not meant for 2-3 ft distance. Either get computer speakers or studio monitors.

 

[TridenT]

So... recommendations then? I guess I'll be looking for studio monitors now.

 

[Anubis]

i recommended you studio monitors

 

[TridenT]

i recommended you studio monitors

$1,000 studio monitors is what you recommended.

 

[Howard]

Bookshelves are not meant for 2-3 ft distance. Either get computer speakers or studio monitors.

What does that even mean? Bookshelves are not meant for 2-3 ft distance?