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[H]elp making a decision

B

boltz man

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
68
Read through the forums and found some helpful suggestions but still not clear on how I should proceed. Considering budget of up to $200 to replace my uninspiring 5.1 system with a 2.0/1 setup. To be used on my computer with onboard sound (potentially upgrading). I'm having trouble finding opinions on some of these speakers. I listen to all kinds of music, casual gaming, and movies.

Current considerations:

M-Audio Studiophile LX4 2.1 (from musiciansfriend)
Fostex PM0.5 MKII (musiciansfriend)
AV40s
Swan M200MkII

I'm game for any suggestions you may have. Needs to be active. I am somewhat concerned about lower frequencies with the AV40 and M200. As far as monitors are concerned I've listened to and enjoyed KRK Rokit (5 or 6).

Thanks in advance!
 
Last two are old favorites, haven't heard the first two.

No sats in your budget are going to do great bass. Some like the last two have decent bass. You should consider a subwoofer if those are inadequate.
 
So I'm fairly settled on getting the LX4's. I was wondering next if I were to upgrade my sound interface, I'd need to get an external device since my pci ports are all blocked. From what I've read people have had good experiences with the EMU 0202, but some note it can be a bit finicky - I've noticed this a lot with EMU software. I'm not going to be doing much if any sound recording, but may dabble here and there - flexibility is certainly welcomed. I've heard bad things about the current creative branded usb sound cards (although I know EMU is owned by creative), but noticed the Digital Music SX which looks like everything I could want feature-wise. The only problem is it's only available in Japan - one person's selling it on Ebay, but it seems a bit sketchy, and it's ~$150. Musician's friend sells a refurbed 0202 for $80.

Also, neither of these interfaces mention anything about Dolby, Pro logic, etc, etc. Honestly I don't know what they mean - my question is that the 0202 especially is made for recording, so would that be detrimental to movies and games? I know sound is sound, and signals are signals, but this seems like a legitimate concern to me. Thanks again.
 
the best 2.0 speaker set is the Creative T40 Series 2 2.0 speakers !!!!
these things sound awsome and you don't miss the bass !
 
As a corollary, I could use balanced TRS cabled with the 0202? It's output is unbalanced.
 
Lower frequencies are fine on the m200mkii's. It won't shake your house or anything, but it really does get down pretty low. I got a sub to go with them for the extra extension, but honestly I only notice that it's there in movies with the low-freq rumbles. Still sound great without.
 
I realize that the LX4 setup is just two DX4's plus a subwoofer, and that perhaps the AV40's are "better" than the DX4's alone, but as a complete set up wouldn't a 2.1 system outclass the AV40's?
 
boltz man said:
I realize that the LX4 setup is just two DX4's plus a subwoofer, and that perhaps the AV40's are "better" than the DX4's alone, but as a complete set up wouldn't a 2.1 system outclass the AV40's?
Click to expand...

Well, let's have a look at this review:

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles2/proaudio/m-audio-av40.html

The frequency response is down to 85 Hz without the bass boost, and 60 Hz with the bass boost on. You really won't notice the lack of bass below 50 Hz listening to music, not unless you feel the need for earth-shaking bass from your speakers. Like the reviewer says, in my experience these speakers have plenty of bass without the switch on...but if you want more, the switch is there.

So, you get great bass response without the separation issues of a 2.1 system, all in a 2.0 pair of speakers that can be had for around $120 if you shop around. Did I also mention that the AV 40s are an improved version of the LX4, with improved power output and a protective covering for the fragile speaker cones?

What other reasons do you need to get the AV 40s?
 
defaultuser. that's certainly true. personally i would get a pir of bookshelves and then get a sub later. it's pretty easy to match the two together. the trick is that you don't want to overpower your speakers with the sub. with that in mind it's pretty easy, especially when the mains go down pretty low on their own. i have the crossover on my sub pretty low just for the deeper stuff. it's a nice bass extension, but 2.0 systems are typically better than crappy 2.1 setups. Mine are a pair of bookshelves with the sub tacked on.
 
The Fostex PM0.5MKII's look like a good deal at $200. Response down to 50Hz, amp in each, TRS. They're like $300 everywhere else. For $50 more there are 5" woofers with lower response over the AV40's. Can't say the connectivity is any better, but it's not bad. I hate that I can't listen to any speakers, but I'm out in Idaho - makes this a bit difficult.
 
boltz man said:
I'm going to ignore this :/
Click to expand...

LOL. That cheered me up. Good one, and good choice for ignoring it.

I have the AV40s, and again, they are magnificent, I love them. None is a bad option when choosing from a list of what these guys say - if you have a higher budget and want more things (more bass, higher volume, etc.) then spring for higher models.

I, personally, can't go past 25-30% on the AV40s volume knob, gets way to loud. And the bass is just perfect for me - even for electronica/techno/etc. Bass boost is too much for me. :p
 
Yeah, exactly. The only time bass really comes into play is for movies for the low end (or I guess if you wanted some thump or something). It gives a little better response than the m200mkii's for the very low-end, but they were perfectly acceptable on their own. I just wanted the added texture from having a dedicated sub for that though and let the speakers be dedicated for high bass/low mids and up.
 
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