Computer Audio

[TheStu]

Not sure if it should go here or the Peripherals, or General Hardware... but whatever.

I am looking to upgrade my computer's sound system. I am currently using an 8 year old Logitech 2.1 setup that sounds decent for the price ($50 IIRC), and when I want headphones, I hook up my also 8 yr old Grado SR60s (also $50). I use onboard sound for these since neither is top-end enough to really be able to tell the difference. Besides, I don't have lossless files for audio, so it don't need bit perfect reproduction.

So, I want to step up my game, I would rather stick to a 2.0/2.1 setup, I don't want to mess with 5.1 on my computer. I also need a new pair of headphones for the setup. I primarily use my computer for games and music.

I like the sound signature of Grados, so I wouldn't be averse to a new pair of them, but they get uncomfortable after an hour or two of use, especially when I wear my glasses, which is most of the time. Something more comfortable, and dare I say, sexier looking, would be nice. I have my eye on the Bowers & Wilkins P3s, I have tried them in a store and they were quite comfortable and sounded pretty good, and the reviews say that they are worth the cost.

I wouldn't mind starting with the headphone setup and then upgrade the speakers down the road. I would say that the total budget is around... $500.

I figure I need/want:
DAC (would prefer USB)
Headphone Amp (?)
Headphones
Speakers
A way to toggle between the two. What I like about my Logitech's is that if I plug my headphones into the wired volume box thing, it only routes audio to the headphones, a very elegant solution.

 

[mshan]

http://www.head-fi.org/f/46/computer-audio

http://www.head-fi.org/f/4/headphones-full-size (haven't kept up, but Grado SR225 were supposed to be headphones for rock, but hey need a headphone amp).

Quick summary description of many headphones: http://www.headphone.com/headphones/full-size.php



edit: surprisingly musical dac / headphone amp: http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-D1#.ULegC45TMqY

 

[gus6464]

I use Audio Technica AD700's for gaming on my PC and while they are ugly as sin, they are insanely comfy like having 2 pillows on my head. They are open air headphones like your Grado's as well.

Also I don't run an amp with them and my mac mini powers them with no problem. For speakers take a look at these:
http://emotivapro.com/products/powered_monitors/

I would try out those options without a DAC first and see how you like the onboard sound.

 

[TheStu]

I use Audio Technica AD700's for gaming on my PC and while they are ugly as sin, they are insanely comfy like having 2 pillows on my head. They are open air headphones like your Grado's as well.

Also I don't run an amp with them and my mac mini powers them with no problem. For speakers take a look at these:
http://emotivapro.com/products/powered_monitors/

I would try out those options without a DAC first and see how you like the onboard sound.

$350 for a pair of speakers is a little steep for me.

 

[Childs]

I recently went with a refurb Yamaha receiver, and just use spdif out on the onboard sound. Right now you can get some decent deals on bookshelf speakers. I think Polk Audio R150s are $50/pair at Newegg this week. I picked up some Polk T15s for $50 at Best Buy last week. Also got Beyerdynamic 770 pros for headphone use. Sound is pretty awesome, even without a sub. Sub is sorta out of the question for me, because I live in an apartment, and the bookshelf speakers are pretty solid by themselves.

But if you want computer speakers, I think the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's are $100 this week at Best Buy.

 

[uhohs]

http://www.adorama.com/FIE10.html

pretty good and versatile in the <$50 range.

 

[TheStu]

I recently went with a refurb Yamaha receiver, and just use spdif out on the onboard sound. Right now you can get some decent deals on bookshelf speakers. I think Polk Audio R150s are $50/pair at Newegg this week. I picked up some Polk T15s for $50 at Best Buy last week. Also got Beyerdynamic 770 pros for headphone use. Sound is pretty awesome, even without a sub. Sub is sorta out of the question for me, because I live in an apartment, and the bookshelf speakers are pretty solid by themselves.

But if you want computer speakers, I think the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's are $100 this week at Best Buy.

Those Polks are way too big for my desk. I don't need room filling sound with these things, I sit at the desk they will be sitting on. As for the Klipsch... I'm not crazy about the sub connector, it looks like it is going to fail over time like my Logitech's have (basically the same connector), and the way you connect the headphones as a passthrough.

Ideally I would like to be able to switch between headphones and speakers easily. Right now it is as easy as plugging in my headphones, they just passthrough my Logitech speakers. I would rather not have to futz with Windows or OS X audio settings or unplug and re-plug too many things whenever I want to use stuff.

 

[s44]

I'm running with the Topping TP30 as my on-desk DAC/amp. The DAC/headphone side is fine though not particularly fancy, but the T-amp side is pretty sweet.

On your budget I'd really look at Peachtree DS4.5 speakers. I have their former incarnation (Era D4) and these things put out more and better sound than you could imagine coming from cute little 4" woofer units. Not huge efficiency, obviously, but you're using it for near-field!

 

[gus6464]

$350 for a pair of speakers is a little steep for me.

You said your budget was $500 for everything so this is the breakdown:

Fiio E10 - $45 on sale at adorama
Audio Technica AD700 - $100 amazon
Emotiva Pro Airmotiv4 - $350

 

[TheStu]

You said your budget was $500 for everything so this is the breakdown:

Fiio E10 - $45 on sale at adorama
Audio Technica AD700 - $100 amazon
Emotiva Pro Airmotiv4 - $350

Ok, I guess the better question is... what makes the $350 worth $350 vs a pair that costs around $200? I was looking at the Audioengine 2s, or the Audyssey Media Speakers. Both of those are around $200 and seem to get pretty good reviews.

Or the Peachtrees that s44 recommended, are the Airmotiv4s worth $50 more?

I suppose a lot of that answer comes from me... hmm. Decisions, decisions.

 

[gus6464]

Ok, I guess the better question is... what makes the $350 worth $350 vs a pair that costs around $200? I was looking at the Audioengine 2s, or the Audyssey Media Speakers. Both of those are around $200 and seem to get pretty good reviews.

Or the Peachtrees that s44 recommended, are the Airmotiv4s worth $50 more?

I suppose a lot of that answer comes from me... hmm. Decisions, decisions.

With the Peachtree you will need a separate amp to power them whereas the Emotivas are powered. I consider the A2's and Audessey Media speakers more PC speakers than monitors which the Emotiva are. The big difference is that the tweeter on the Emotiva is just absolutely fantastic. The Heil air motion tweeter is pure bliss and it's found on more expensive Adam AX speakers. With Audessey you are paying more for the name and I would recommend the A2 over them.

The Fiio E10 connects to your PC via USB or coax and it also has a line out for the powered Emotivas so all you have to do to switch between headphones and speakers is plug in the headphones to the front of the E10.

Steve Guttenberg did a good write-up of the Airmotiv 4
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57367525-47/emotivas-astonishing-desktop-speaker/

E10 write-up (he always puts up good reviews at head-fi)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/575084/impression-fiio-e10

 

[uhohs]

another option for speakers <$350
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

 

[TheStu]

another option for speakers <$350
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

Those look really good, but they are too big.