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Best 2.1 setup for under $750?

TridenT

TridenT

Lifer
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?
 
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do you need to go with something self powered? or will you be able to power some speakers from a receiver?
 
Anubis said:
do you need to go with something self powered? or will you be able to power some speakers from a receiver?
Click to expand...
TridenT said:
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.
Click to expand...

To.. reiterate... no receiver. Self-powered, yes. Subwoofer and bookshelf speakers need to be self-powered.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 😀
 
TridenT said:
To.. reiterate... no receiver. Self-powered, yes. Subwoofer and bookshelf speakers need to be self-powered.
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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
 
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Anubis said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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. :/
 
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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.
 
TridenT said:
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. :/
Click to expand...

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