$200 to replace headphones

I currently use on-board sound and cans. Been using them so much my head has a dent lol.

I want two desktop speakers for either side of my monitor (no subwoofer) and a sound card (if needed) for $200 or less. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

if you haven't minded your onboard sound for headphones it will probably be fine for speakers...


imho this would be a great way to go

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR $50~ right now on newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405


t-amp

my preference would be something like my SMSL SA-S3 or topping TP-20MKII

http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP20-...?ie=UTF8&qid=1392690598&sr=8-4&keywords=t-amp


but cheaper options exist like the lepai 2020A+ ~$20

many other options

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SA-50-TD...ie=UTF8&qid=1392690658&sr=8-14&keywords=t-amp

The above suggestion is good. The Micca speakers have gotten quite a few rave reviews for their priceerformance. The added bonus is that they are small speakers and should fit a desktop space without being too obtrusive.

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2/

If you need a cheap soundcard/dac go with HifimeDIY. They're great budget DACs and I am really surprised they aren't more popular.

atarione said:

if you haven't minded your onboard sound for headphones it will probably be fine for speakers...


imho this would be a great way to go

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR $50~ right now on newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405


t-amp

my preference would be something like my SMSL SA-S3 or topping TP-20MKII

http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP20-...?ie=UTF8&qid=1392690598&sr=8-4&keywords=t-amp


but cheaper options exist like the lepai 2020A+ ~$20

many other options

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SA-50-TD...ie=UTF8&qid=1392690658&sr=8-14&keywords=t-amp

Click to expand...

This looks great and well below my budget! I'll get the $50 pair and the $18 Lepai amp for the next year. If I really get into speakers, I'll look at upgrading to something much nicer early 2015.

Thanks to both of you!

I like this t-amp better than the Lepai (I've tried them both)

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dta-1-class-t-digital-ac-dc-mini-amplifier-15-wpc--300-380

mrtheshaggy said:

This looks great and well below my budget! I'll get the $50 pair and the $18 Lepai amp for the next year. If I really get into speakers, I'll look at upgrading to something much nicer early 2015.

Thanks to both of you!

Click to expand...

hi... sweet i think you will be happy

I went from having a decade old logitech Z560 set up (which always in retrospect was just a muddy bass boomy mess) to getting a little SMSL SA-S3 t-amp with a pair of polk t-15 bookshelf speakers

i was immediately amazed at how much better the sound was vs the logitech's

be warned it is a slippery slope

this is my desk now..





and one more thing... honestly i am not a big fan honestly of the lepai amp... (but many people are and it is cheap as chips certainly) those ones usually come with a 2A power supply which many people suggest replacing with a 5A or so PSU (which is about $10~ or so off amazon which obviously boost the total cost for those that do so.


totally up to you... but i kinda still think getting a bit more expensive one might be well worth the money.

I absolutely love my little SMSL SA-S3

i have also heard these and have seen many good reports and they are a bit less money than my SMSL

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-15-50-1...04799?var=410261854522&_trksid=p2047675.l4066

$40 shipped with a good psu out of the gate...

.02 like i said many people have and love the lepai so ...

I just finished the setup and this is fantastic for $70. I check slick deals and hard deals every day. When I start seeing better equipment on sale I'll jump on it.

I'm happy to slip down a slope, but I'll wait for a house.

Thanks again!