Upgrading my speakers, looking for suggestions.

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P4rD0nM3

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jun 5, 2007
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Thinking of getting the Audioengine A5+. I'm coming from a pair of Logitech X240 speakers that I had since college.

Would this be a good choice?

I'll be listening to Bossanova, Downtempo.

Example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5YL-s4TI9s

Are the A5's a good choice?

I also have the Creative X-Fi Titanium sound card. Would getting the Audioengine D1 be an upgrade?

I don't consider myself a real audiophile because I haven't really experienced true high-end speakers but I do know the difference between a Steelseries Siberia vs a Sennheiser RS 180.
 
I don't have the Titanium HD, I just have the Titanium. Is that still a pretty good sound card? What about my choice of new speakers?
 
P4rD0nM3 said:
I don't have the Titanium HD, I just have the Titanium. Is that still a pretty good sound card? What about my choice of new speakers?
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The sound card should be fine, even though it's not top of the line.

The A5+ are likely good, if that's what you want. Personally, I'd audition a range of products if possible. Do you live near a guitar center?
 
When you shop for speakers you can ask advice and read reviews but it can only get you so far. Due ot the complexity of room acoustics it's pretty much essential for you to take speakers to your home and test drive them in the room you plan to use them in.

If that's not possible then it's pretty much a crap shoot. Even expensive speakers can have a problem with your particular room if you're unlucky. This is especially true if you can't set the speakers up to play in near field.

The Audioengine A5s got pretty decent reviews, for that price range I would probably also test Behringer 3030A:s or B2030A:s. Adam audio has some boxes at that price, so do JBL and many others. If you can find a shop that allows for home listening go for it even if you have to pay extra.
 
Audio engine speakers are okay at best.
I've heard them at the local best buy, while they sounded good, you can get MUCH better for the same amount of cash.
The Audio engines are powered passive speakers. Meaning they have a single amp to drive all frequencies and a passive crossover in each cabinet to passively split the highs and the lows.

My recommendation would be to get a pair of fully active bi-amped (one amp for the tweeter one amp for the woofer) studio monitors.
Guitar center has these guys that have a great low end punch while still being nice and clear on all the other frequencies:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Mackie-MR5mk3-5--2-Way-Powered-Studio-Monitor-109318303-i3225360.gc

Don't forget that you'll need cables for them if you don't have these already:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hosa-Stereo-Y-Cable-Mini-Male---2-1-4--Mono-Males-333053-i1128935.gc

I personally have Yamaha HS5's for my desk setup. They are also high on my reccomended list.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-HS5-Powered-Studio-Monitor-109115261-i3058509.gc
They are however slightly lacking in the low end (which is what I needed in my tiny office since all the other speakers I tried REALLY OVERPOWERED the room very quickly).
Old pic, but still pretty much the same setup:
IMG_8558.JPG
 
I was intrigued by those Yamaha's until I (too) saw how quickly the low-end falls off and the fact that Yamaha (unless you purchase from certain retailers that have extended warranties) only covers them for a year.

Personally, I can't recommend the JBL's LSR305' enough. The sound they emit is simply amazing, plus they aren't a one trick pony; they make games sound phenomenal as well. I must say, I'm not sure where the assumption that studio monitors are dull/clinical sounding originated from. The ones I've listened to slap over-exaggerated/standard PC speaks silly.
 
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I'm considering the LSR305 or the LSR308 but I'm not sure which one to get. $240/400 is a big gap, but if the 308s are considerably better, I might as well go that route.
 
heflys20 said:
I was intrigued by those Yamaha's until I (too) saw how quickly the low-end falls off and the fact that Yamaha (unless you purchase from certain retailers that have extended warranties) only covers them for a year.

Personally, I can't recommend the JBL's LSR305' enough. The sound they emit is simply amazing, plus they aren't a one trick pony; they make games sound phenomenal as well. I must say, I'm not sure where the assumption that studio monitors are dull/clinical sounding originated from. The ones I've listened slap over-exaggerated/standard PC speaks silly.
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They work very well in my tiny office and have more then enough lowend. But again my room tends to exaggerate low end like WHOA. Every other small speaker's low end tended to sound a tad exaggerated in the store and I knew that when I got it home that effect would be amplified several times. As far as the warrenty goes I haven't had any issues at all with mine. I saw the 1yr warranty to be a cost cutting thing. if it worries anyone guitar center, sweetwater, amazon etc... all offer a extended warranty for a few bucks more.

Looking over those JBLs... They seem to be a very nice fit for the OP's music as well. Bi-Amped and way less then the audio engines. Also going by the reviews they seem to be a great sounding speaker too!
http://www.cnet.com/news/jbl-lsr305-resetting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/
http://www.wired.com/2014/01/jbl-lsr305-studio-montiors/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end-theory/867409-jbl-lsr305-vs-adam-f5.html

Going by these high praises I will also have to recommend them as well! I may pick up a set if my yamahas ever give me any trouble.
 
The Yamaha HS-5:s are used in mastering studios to simulate a typical home radio so they can optimize the sound to work decently even in lower end systems. That's why you see HS-5:s AND proper control monitors side by side in most setups.
 
B00nie said:
The Yamaha HS-5:s are used in mastering studios to simulate a typical home radio so they can optimize the sound to work decently even in lower end systems. That's why you see HS-5:s AND proper control monitors side by side in most setups.
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I think you may be referring to the NS-10's that are typically seen in said studios. The HS-5's are better sounding to my ears then the NS-10's.
The HS-5's are fairly reviling for their price range and pretty much anything I toss at them tends to sound pretty good.

That said I'm sure there are better studio speakers out there.At the time I got these yamahas I couldn't find much for under $1k that I could listen to that sounded good for my room. Again, everything else tended to exaggerate bass a bit.

What works well for me may not be good for you kinda thing.
 
pwrusr said:
I think you may be referring to the NS-10's that are typically seen in said studios. The HS-5's are better sounding to my ears then the NS-10's.
The HS-5's are fairly reviling for their price range and pretty much anything I toss at them tends to sound pretty good.

That said I'm sure there are better studio speakers out there.At the time I got these yamahas I couldn't find much for under $1k that I could listen to that sounded good for my room. Again, everything else tended to exaggerate bass a bit.

What works well for me may not be good for you kinda thing.
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This is exactly why I've been saying that you have to test speakers in your room. What others may find lacking may be just what your room requires.
 
Yep!

With that said be careful with guitar center! When I brough back a set of dynaudio monitors I had to eat a pretty sucky restocking fee. Donno if that policy has changed or not, but I did buy the yamahas right after I brought the dynaudio speakers back.
 
I had good luck with getting a pair of Dayton Audios B652's and a mini stereo receiver to upgrade my audio on the cheap. Added a Polk 10" sub and it sounds awesome. I have less than $200 in the whole setup.
 
God damn this thread. I picked up the lsr305's. Pretty freaking impressed, not gonna lie. This is gonna allow me to get rid of a AVR+cheap old sub + insignia bookshelves. OP would be foolish not to try these.
 
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TheToE! said:
God damn this thread. I picked up the lsr305's. Pretty freaking impressed, no gonna lie. This is gonna allow me to get rid of a AVR+cheap old sub + insignia bookshelves. OP should be foolish not to try these.
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308's are even better :)
 
TheToE! said:
God damn this thread. I picked up the lsr305's. Pretty freaking impressed, no gonna lie. This is gonna allow me to get rid of a AVR+cheap old sub + insignia bookshelves. OP should be foolish not to try these.
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Welcome to the club of audio nirvana. I would have paid more for the 305'. They're that damn good.
 
heflys20 said:
Buying the D1 would be an absolute waste of money when you already have a pretty good sound card.

Here, read through this:

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/173-2...-you-have-good-sound-card-5.html#post23783047

Most people would tell you that a majority of DAC' are marketing gimmicks. It's similar to "Audiophile" speaker cables.
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From personal experience, with a simple headphone setup, I can tell you that going to from a Creative soundcard to an external DAC, at the time, was the single most significant upgrade I made. It sounded better; that is all, no need for why.

Nonetheless, remember, you're only as strong as the weakest link in your chain, and your speakers are most certainly the most important starting point for your setup..
 
Do the speakers have to be powered?

Based on the music it seems you like (controlled, yet bass heavy, material), if you have the room I would highly recommend the Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 55's.

http://www.definitivetech.com/products/studiomonitor-55

The overall setup would be more costly, but in the long run worth it, IMO.

Serious bass output from a speaker of its size, yet refined. Highs are nice, as well. All around, a great speaker.
 
I3eyond said:
From personal experience, with a simple headphone setup, I can tell you that going to from a Creative soundcard to an external DAC, at the time, was the single most significant upgrade I made. It sounded better; that is all, no need for why.
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I must admit, I am skeptical, since most DAC's/Soundcards (even cheap ones) reduce such things as noise/distortion well beyond the hearing spectrum of humans, For instance, a $20 Xonar DG has a THD of 0.0025 (-92db) at 1khz, and a THD+N 0.0022 (-93db).

It also posses a 24bit /96khz response from 10hz-48khz at -3db.

The $160 Audioengine D1 mentioned in the first post has a THD+N of 0.0025 (1khz (96ks/s) and a frequency response of 10hz-25khz (+/-0.5db 96ks/s). If they went higher in FR, you would likely have a similar response to the DG. The D1 has a slightly higher SNR (110db for the D1 vs 105 for the DG).

But hell, even the cheap Realtek 889 on my board goes from 10hz-22khz at +/- 0.05db (96ks/s), has a THD+N of -90d and an 108 SNR.

The main issue with most on-board units is ground loop/emi.

However, you are listening with $400 headphones (i assume the ones in your sig), I can't actually really doubt your opinion. LOL.

Nonetheless, remember, you're only as strong as the weakest link in your chain, and your speakers are most certainly the most important starting point for your setup..
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Exactly, which is why I'm slightly baffled when I see people powering $100 speakers (not used! LOL) with a $100 soundcard/dac. Wouldn't it be better to spend the dough on better speakers? LOL.
 
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There's much more to audio than simple S/N ratios and response ranges. There are several kinds of known distortions (and probably still some unknown ones) that affect sound. DACs can have digital ringing that affects step response etc. Also the huge difference in quality may be due to Creative having a cheap headphone amp implementation or even loudness settings by default. All those 'crystallizer' etc. are nothing but a fancy version of the age old 'loudness' tab.
 
So I went to guitar center just to see what the raves were about the JBL LSR305's... Yeah, don't do that unless you plan to buy them, They are THAT good! :eek::D:cool:
Song after song they utterly KILLED the Yamahas! Bass is fuller, Mids blend better with the music, highs are NOT super crispy like they tend to be with the yamahas...

Needless to say out with the Yamaha HS50s in with the JBL LSR305s.
 
Fuck, deal is dead. Also anyone that can help me out? I am getting some weird feedback coming out of the speakers at high volumes. Like if I dial the speakers to anything pas 7 on the dial I'll hear this weird feedback. It sounds like electric noise. Interference? I am using a sound blaster z sound card. The red one.
 
Kueller said:
I hope you don't mind that I'm cross-posting this to the [H]ot deals subforum.
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I sure don't and I was going to post this deal over there but then looked at the time and saw that it was going to expire in about an hour so I held off doing so.

TheToE! said:
Fuck, deal is dead. Also anyone that can help me out? I am getting some weird feedback coming out of the speakers at high volumes. Like if I dial the speakers to anything pas 7 on the dial I'll hear this weird feedback. It sounds like electric noise. Interference? I am using a sound blaster z sound card. The red one.
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Is it both speakers? Wouldn't be like a cabinet resonance or anything would it? I came across a few vids showing that on some faulty speakers of this model.
 
Try seating tthe card in a different slot. Or use a different audio cable.
 
TypeO said:
I sure don't and I was going to post this deal over there but then looked at the time and saw that it was going to expire in about an hour so I held off doing so.
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Where did you find that deal btw, was it a BH email or something?
 
Kueller said:
Where did you find that deal btw, was it a BH email or something?
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Pure luck. I had been pondering buying them for awhile and knew they were originally $249.99. I checked Amazon and they were $228 each and had them in my cart. Then I decided to just type in the model number in google shopping and a link came up for B&H for that price and immediately bought them. I have no idea if they advertised them in an email. I never saw them on slickdeals and that's usually where things like this end up.
 
TheToE! said:
I am getting some weird feedback coming out of the speakers at high volumes. Like if I dial the speakers to anything pas 7 on the dial I'll hear this weird feedback. It sounds like electric noise. Interference? I am using a sound blaster z sound card. The red one.
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"Electronic noise" ain't gonna be a cabinet resonance or other acoustic effect. What happens at max volume with no source connected?

Same noise with no input means you're hearing the speakers' electronics. Turn it down to inaudible & adjust level at source.

No noise implies that your source is causing/picking up the noise.
 
TheToE! said:
Fuck, deal is dead. Also anyone that can help me out? I am getting some weird feedback coming out of the speakers at high volumes. Like if I dial the speakers to anything pas 7 on the dial I'll hear this weird feedback. It sounds like electric noise. Interference? I am using a sound blaster z sound card. The red one.
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Mine does it too when it's connected the computer. I can hear the mouse scrolling too. LOL. Sounds like good ol' EMI. I went a head and bought a cheap Xonar to see if it makes a difference.

It's only at loud volumes though, because these things can get loud,
 
heflys20 said:
Mine does it too when it's connected the computer. I can hear the mouse scrolling too. LOL. Sounds like good ol' EMI. I went a head and bought a cheap Xonar to see if it makes a difference.

It's only at loud volumes though, because these things can get loud,
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Same. I was not getting this noise previously though on my old bookshelves and cheap AVR.
 
TheToE! said:
Same. I was not getting this noise previously though on my old bookshelves and cheap AVR.
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Yeah, it's likely something internal with computer, since the speakers are near quiet (aside from a slight hiss when turned high, but you have to be very, very close) when turned off.


Edit: Not off, I mean when not connected to the computer. LOL.
 
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