2.1 with a budget, suggestions?

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viets7ylez

Gawd
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Jun 8, 2004
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Hey guys, I am looking to get a receiver with some bookshelf speakers and a sub. I'll be using this to just listen to music mainly and watch movies on my workstation.

I have a budget of about 250 if possible.

I think I am going to go with the Insignia speakers from Best Buy that I have heard people talk about on here. I haven't gone to listen to them yet in person but I will soon.

I have no idea what I should get for a sub and receiver though so any suggestions would be great.

Thanks!
 
With some further research I found that if I use active speakers and sub I don't need a receiver correct?

How would this setup be?

Sub:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290034

Speakers (not sure which are better):

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-AV-Powered-Speakers/dp/B000MUXJCO
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/prod...swan-d1080mkii-08/cPath/21_24/products_id/144

And how exactly would I hook it up to my onboard sound?

I have a EX58-UD5 (Gigabyte)

Thanks again.
 
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True. Active Monitors don't need a separate amp, you'd just feed your analog output to the amplifier input like usual.

I'd be inclined to go with the Swans because of the larger midrange driver (5.25" vs 4"), but then I'd also defer to someone else on this forum who has experience with both.

As for the subwoofer... I'd choose the Dayton 10" or 12" over the Polk, and the BIC H-100 on ebay (free shipping, use "best offer") for about $200-$230 if you're willing to spend more.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635 - Dayton 12
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633 - Dayton 10

BIC also makes some other subwoofers, which I'd take over the POLK just based on word of mouth. I own the Dayton 12, however, and it's decent.
 
I'd go with those Swans over the M-Audio, too. If you can afford the extra expense, the BIC H-100 is a fantastic sub for the money. I used one for about 3 years. Bought it from one of those eBay auctions for $200 shipped. The Swans + H-100 would be a really nice 2.1 audio system.

I bought my BIC H-100 from these guys: http://cgi.ebay.com/H100-BIC-Acoust...mQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item4835cf53ce

Offer $200 and see how they respond.
 
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That sub does look nice, I might end up going with that. So with that sub and those Swans I wouldn't need a receiver?

Any other speakers I should look at before taking the dive?
 
Correct, no receiver needed with the Swans and powered sub. I'd grab those Swans before the price goes back up.
 
Bit the bullet, Swans 08 with the H100!

Going to be replacing a Phillips "boombox" stereo system on my computer!

So I have a few questions, should I get some nice RCA's from monoprice? Which ones exactly?

What about speaker wire? Is the one that comes with it sufficient?

Also, how will I hook this up? Output from computer to sub, and sub to speakers?

The onboard sound on my motherboard has output for 5.1 so I'm not sure if I should just hook up the sub to its own line and the speakers to their own line or go through the sub.

Thanks!
 
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Sounds like a nice set. I think you will need a splitter from the mobo to both the speakers and the sub. Tell us how it sounds once you set it up.
 
Thanks for the info, I will definitely update once the speakers come in.

Anyone mind chiming in about the RCA/speaker cables and how to set it up?
 
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