Need a good 2.0/2.1 setup for PC

[yh125d]

Looking to replace my Logitech Z4's, since they're a bit small for my new desk.

I'm looking at bookshelf/monitor/reference type speakers (2.0 or 2.1) mostly, emphasis on sound quality. A very rough budget is $200. I could be persuaded up to $300 or so if needed

Of course I'm looking for something with good sound quality for my 320kbps library, but I would like but not necessarily require...

Digital input, either coax or optical
A secondary input, which can be easily switched to/from
Decent bass. I listen to fairly bass heavy rock/hardcore/metal, but I never turn my bass knob above mid on my Z4's
Preferably not too huge, 8" wide would be a soft maximum
Ability to be hooked up to a dedicated receiver in the future (this isn't an important one)



So far I've only really looked at Swan M200MkII's, (MkIII?), because I don't really know where to look. Any comments/opinions/recommendations welcome

 

[frostedflakes]

Was going to suggest the Swan M200MKII, lol. What's the deal with them, though? They are out of stock at most stores, have they been discontinued?

edit: And I hadn't heard about the M200MKIII, I guess that's why the MKII can't be found anymore. Any idea when the MKIII will actually be available, though? Can't find them for sale online.. :/

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Some suggestions in here
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2309426&enterthread=y

other info here
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2306120&enterthread=y
(well, except for all the suggestions from the OP )

 

[yh125d]

Hmm, there doesn't seem to be as many options as I was hoping for. I might just nab my dads NAD C 370 and get some nice passive speakers.


Thoughts?

 

[yh125d]

Ok, so I decided to wait and do it right, with a true receiver and set of bookshelf speakers. I looked around at AVSforum and saw the Yamaha RX-V565 coming well recommended, and that led me to find this deal on newegg for a RX-V565 with a free pair of Polk TSi-100's ($300 on newegg) for only $430

It seems to have all the features I will want in the home theater setup I'm pondering for the future, and this sounds like an awesome deal right now, that ends tomorrow. What do you guys think?


Edit: Crap, it doesn't seem to have assignable audio inputs, so I can't use an HDMI video source with an optical or coax audio source.... Not sure yet if thats a deal-breaker

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: yh125d
Edit: Crap, it doesn't seem to have assignable audio inputs, so I can't use an HDMI video source with an optical or coax audio source.... Not sure yet if thats a deal-breaker

Do you need to do that? You can send audio through HDMI with your 4890.

Edit: I agree that it's a very annoying limitation though. My $230 Panny XR55 (from a few years ago) even has assignable inputs.

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: kalrith

Originally posted by: yh125d
Edit: Crap, it doesn't seem to have assignable audio inputs, so I can't use an HDMI video source with an optical or coax audio source.... Not sure yet if thats a deal-breaker

Do you need to do that? You can send audio through HDMI with your 4890.

Edit: I agree that it's a very annoying limitation though. My $230 Panny XR55 (from a few years ago) even has assignable inputs.

Yeah it would work fine with my 4890, but I'll likely keep whichever receiver I buy a lot longer than this card, and who knows whether some future upgrade will send audio over HDMI. Also it may not be that simple with other inputs I may have in the future

 

[JSt0rm]

digital inputs spdif and aes/ebu jbl lsr4326p they will also scan the frequency response of your room and tailor a eq setting for weird room nodes. You might be able to get them@300 each