Best speaker option to get close to headphone quality?

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TwistedMetalGear

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I don't really know anything about HTPC's, but I do know that listening through headphones, even cheap headphones (Sony MDR-V6 studio monitors) sounds sooo much better than my Klipsch 5.1 system (it's actually a Logitech Z-5500 matched with Klipsch 5.1 satellites). The clarity of the headphones is just unmatched.

So I was wondering what the best option was is to get headphone quality clarity from a home theater sound system. Are studio monitors the way to go? Any specific receiver/speaker combos that I should be looking out for? Trying to get good value for the money, so nothing too expensive. I just want good quality crystal clear rock and metal music. :)

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
 
Not sure what you're asking here. If you're asking how to get better quality sound, buy better quality speakers. :) It is true, that for a given price point, a pair of headphones is going to sound better, though.

I use studio monitors on my desk for near-field listening. For home theatre, get a pair of floorstanders or decent bookshelves for the fronts for music.
 
what is your budget?

I'd suggest staying away from HTIB systems as they are not generally that great sound quality..but depends on your budget ...cause they can be quite inexpensive.

my wife and I just got a Yamaha RX-V573 Receiver (last years model so it was on sale @ fry's for $299 when we got it... I am very impressed with the sound quality and have in general been very happy with any yamaha audio gear i have listened to / owned. So especially if you find them on sale I think the yamaha receivers are quite good and good bang for the $ ratio.


Speaker wise Polk Monitor series (if you look on ebay polk is selling many speakers (either refurbs or new) for low dollars I have a 5.1 system I have had for some time consisting of (older now) Monitor 50s(F) //CS1(C) //Monitor 30s (surrounds) and PSW10 sub .... I'm very happy with this set up for what I paid (waited for sales so spent about $430~ total on all the speakers and sub ) money was tight So i got the fronts and sub first then the center later and finally the surrounds.

Pioneer's SP speaker line get's a lot of praise for good sound bang for buck speakers also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=100008225 50001167&IsNodeId=1&name=Pioneer


there are of course a world of options...since I'm rocking the yamaha and the polks I can say for me these are quite pleasing ...comparing favorably to my ears with the SQ from my ATH-M50 headphones (w/ Fiio E07k /E9).
 
I guess I'm just asking for the best bang for the buck sound system (which will mostly be blasting rock/metal). I feel like it's time to upgrade from my Z-5500/Klipsch system. I guess it's subjective, but I appreciate the suggestions!
 
I would suggest getting used speakers like Paradigm Monitor 3s and a T-amp if your are going with 2.0 sound that will kill those Logitechs. Or go with a full blown receiver and some real speakers on stands.

Do realize that computer speakers are nearfield audio environments though. If you can't get Home theater speakers far enough back you will not be satisfied with their sound. Something like the BIC HT-88 series would be a very interesting setup and definitely better than any PC Speaker setup, but this about how much space you want to give up for that type of configuration. How about something like this?

Denon 1913 Receiver (or really any receiver for that matter)
Pair BIC Acoustech PL-76 Mains
BIC Acoustech PL-26 Center
Pair BIC Acoustech PL-66 as rears (if you can wall mount them)
BIC Acoustech H100II Sub
 
You need to give us a budget and speaker requirements.
Subwoofer?
Satellites or floorstanders?
2 channel or surround sound?
Movies? Games? Music? (Order of importance)

The sky is the limit with audio. I like my Onkyo THX receiver and NHT speaker setup with a homebuilt subwoofer.
 
We defentaly need a budget to help you out here.. If your just going to listen to music I would get some nice floor standing speakers and a nice 2 channel amp. Then really step it up and pick up a nice 600+ dollar turn table and really be happy.. Just my front speakers were 800+ per speaker. But I have had them for over 10 years now.. That's the nice thing about speaks you invest in some nice one's and don't have to worrie about getting new one for a long long time.
 
mrkazador said:
If you want headphone quality sound you will need some acoustic panels.
Click to expand...

This. Get some quality speakers, really any, but the made issue is room acoustics. Headphones negate all the room issues (introduce other issues, but negate bad room acoustics).

The best speakers will not be able to overcome room dynamics.
 
Liver said:
This. Get some quality speakers, really any, but the made issue is room acoustics. Headphones negate all the room issues (introduce other issues, but negate bad room acoustics).

The best speakers will not be able to overcome room dynamics.
Click to expand...

This.
 
Liver said:
This. Get some quality speakers, really any, but the made issue is room acoustics. Headphones negate all the room issues (introduce other issues, but negate bad room acoustics).

The best speakers will not be able to overcome room dynamics.
Click to expand...

That's not entirely true. Speakers with good directivity will eliminate a bit of room issues. That said, I have speakers with excellent directivity and I still have room treatments.
 
nyt said:
That's not entirely true. Speakers with good directivity will eliminate a bit of room issues. That said, I have speakers with excellent directivity and I still have room treatments.
Click to expand...

plus room correction algorithms and adjustments are capable of dealing with the vast majority of issues.

The question with audio is always "how much do you want to spend?"
 
i think (much to my own amazement...) i forgot to yabber on about used speakers last time..


so i have gotten some pretty kick as speakers for little monies over the last 6~mos here

1st JBL L1 $40 PR(vg conditon)

2nd Bang & Olufsen RL 60.2 (pretty good shape accoustically perfer) $60

3rd B&W V202 $20 (pretty good shape)

4th Advent 9 (got these friday in wonderful conditon but the surrounds are rotted waiting on $8 surround kit before can try em out)

5th Klispch KG 2.5 (near mint) got these things yesterday $60 freaking awesome...



pics...
JBL L1 (made in US)



klipsch (made in US)


advent 9 (made in US... not bad surrounds will be fixed...by me)


B&W V202 (England)


Bang & Olufsen RL 60.2 (Denmark)




these are all awesome speakers which i have spend under $200 total on.... pretty much any of these could give you nice (very nice) Sound quality..... and I have just spend hilariously small amounts of money getting them.

obviously used takes looking and luck and research and testing them out...

I am particularly stoked on the Klipsch and JBL L1s and I have yet to give the advent's a go.. but all of these are nice speakers. (the deals I got on these are actually pretty stylin' ...low prices basically for what these could normally be expected to go for.)
 
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