Starting an Audio journey

[pcunite]

For my computer controled HTPC

I'm very new to good sound ... currently what I think sound okay is a set of Logitech X-530 using only two speakers and a sub. I just bought a set of Logitech Z523 to replace them and they sounded so awful that it has sent me to you for help.

I'm looking at the M-Audio AV 40 and then I'll find a sub. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 also seem the way to go. Your help is invaluable.

 

[sdifox]

budget?

 

[pcunite]

budget?

Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned that ... really it is not about price though, more about size. I don't want anything bigger that the M-Audio AV 40 I think and a sub that is not more than twice that ... if I had to say price would guess maybe $200.

 

[sdifox]

your 200 is just for the speakers or include sub?

 

[pcunite]

your 200 is just for the speakers or include sub?

Well, I guess I can't get a sub at that price ... let's say $300 for everything ... these look nice:

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-P4

 

[sdifox]

Well, I guess I can't get a sub at that price ... let's say $300 for everything ... these look nice:

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-P4

Those need amplification. 5 is active. And I am not sure you can afford a sub for that kind of price range that is worth buying. I would rather put all the money in the 2 speakers.

 

[pcunite]

Those need amplification. 5 is active. And I am not sure you can afford a sub for that kind of price range that is worth buying. I would rather put all the money in the 2 speakers.

Oops, yeah I need the AudioEngine 2

How about the AudioEngine 2 $200, and a Polk Audio PSW10 for $100.

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290034

 

[pcunite]

How about two Polk Audio Monitor 30 II with the Polk Audio PSW10 powered sub. I assume the sub will power the book shelf speakers.

 

[sdifox]

How about two Polk Audio Monitor 30 II with the Polk Audio PSW10 powered sub. I assume the sub will power the book shelf speakers.

no, the sub will not power the bookshelf speakers.

 

[Smoove910]

I started with these:
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=DQq7TcidPIq4sQPOu5HHBQ&ved=0CCQQ8wIwAA#

And a Refurbed Onkyo TX-SR505. Still have the receiver, replaced the fronts and center with Polk Monitor 60's and Monitor CS1 respectively. I still have the surrounds and the sub, however I replaced the sub with a Rockford Fosgate 4ohm sub I've had from the old school days. Made a huge difference in low end output. The sub that comes with the set is essentially the same as the PSW10, except it's an 8" driver.

Here's a link to some refurbs:
http://www.shoponkyo.com/products_refurb.cfm?specials=1&group_id=1#

 

[alcoholbob]

You could just buy a receiver and then go hunting for some speakers on craigslist. Not unusual to see speakers at 70% discount.

 

[cerebusPu]

i guess the question is do you want to upgrade to a sound setup that uses normal speakers powered by an amplifier or receiver, or stick to a computer based sound system where amp is built into the speakers.

you can get a $200-$300 computer based speaker system like the Klipsch or M-Audio AV 40 or Audioengine 2, but you'll be limited by expandability and features and you'll have to change out all components at once. (that is you wont be able to upgrade the speakers separately from receiver and vice versa)

you could buy a receiver ($150+) and get a 2.1 speaker set to start with. hook up the computer to the receiver via optical or SPDIF and let the receiver handle the decoding. also hook up your bluray player and game consoles to the receiver so it handles audio and video switching.

recently i retired my computer speakers and hooked up an old bookshelf speaker set to a small pyle pro 40watt amplifier for $30. i don't get surround sound or a subwoofer, but i like it much more than computer speakers for music