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Computer Setup for $250 or under

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dasbeave

n00b
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Messages
6
I was looking to get some help in choosing a new audio system for my computer. I have been rockin the same Sennheiser headphones for about 5 years now and they're starting to break. I want to make the move back to speakers, plus it will save my hair from the horrible indention headphones make after I've worn them too long.

I am looking to spend under $250 on a system that's going to be used mostly for music and occasionally for FPS gaming. I don't know if it will help, but the genres of music that I listen to the most are metal, rock, hip-hop, and electronic.

I am looking for a two speaker setup with a subwoofer. I noticed a similar thread here. I can do speaker setups with wires and amps and such, but I got lost when I started reading about making mods to the speakers themselves. I can't do any of that. I want to keep it fairly simple, as I'm not exactly experienced in this field.

I really do appreciate any help given!

Edit:

If there are systems that still provide a good, clear amount of bass and don't require a subwoofer, that would work too. Again, I have very little knowledge when it comes to audio equipment.
 
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Without knowing how much bass you really want, I'd say sticking with a 2.1 system might be your best bet. I think most of the 2.0 systems with better bass response (assuming you don't want to go for larger, perhaps used speakers that won't fit on your desk) are going to cost over $250 - like the Audioengine A5.

Personally what I'd go for - and I've recommended to others - is this speaker/amp combo and this sub:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-650
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

Once you throw in speaker cables and interconnects, you're looking at a comfortable margin under your $250 budget. Oh, and incredible performance. I've got just the speaker/amp combo, and while it's a little bright and definitely bass-light compared to much more expensive speakers, I think when paired with a subwoofer those will be non-problems.

The level of detail of these speakers is excellent - and the amp is near-perfect when used within its comfortable power range. In a small bedroom, with desktop monitors, or moderately efficient floorstanders, it's more than enough power. I've even used it to power one of my smaller pairs of vintage Infinitys - 1982 RS 5s - and a friend's Polk RTA-11Ts - to normal (to slightly loud) critical listening volumes. It sounds just as good as the Carvers and Adcoms that we use; perhaps just slightly light on the bass.

Upgrading the whole thing in the future is easy, too, being a traditional stereo system with sub.
 
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If you want a hassle free setup then the usual suspects, z2300, klipsch..are good. If OTOH you are willing to position bookshelves properly, then I'd recommend getting some decent bookshelves and saving up for a subwoofer later on. I personally have the A5s with a 10" woofer that destroys the aforementioned computer speakers. That said it also destroys them on price.

Since you listed hip-hop
a) budget option: z2300 (price has gone back up since the BF/Xmas sales) currently 130 on the zon
b) Audioengine A5s on their own..great for music and have respectable bass for bookshelves in their size range 300-325 at the legit resellers
 
Spend $50 more and get two of these.. i guarantee you they will blow everything else out of the water for the price

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0049Z4WSS

To me i think bass is more than enough from studio monitors. Subs in computer 2.1 setup usually results in a muddy mess because the sub is covering such high frequencies that you have vocals coming out of the sub into the ground. bleh. Unless your monitors already play low already adding a sub is not a solution really
 
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0055 said:
Spend $50 more and get two of these.. i guarantee you they will blow everything else out of the water for the price

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0049Z4WSS

To me i think bass is more than enough from studio monitors. Subs in computer 2.1 setup usually results in a muddy mess because the sub is covering such high frequencies that you have vocals coming out of the sub into the ground. bleh. Unless your monitors already play low already adding a sub is not a solution really
Click to expand...

I second that if you want it easy. Those are way better than any other pc speaker system by logitech etc.

If you want bass, you can always get a sub later.
 
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Spending more on monitors or bookshelf speakers now (and no sub) is another good approach - the ability to add a sub later is definitely a plus. But setting up your own speaker/amp/sub combo isn't very hard - I'd say the biggest difficulty may be finding a suitable location for the sub, and transporting it if you move often.
 
I could probably push it up to $350 for just monitors, if they're really worth the price, and just add a subwoofer at some later date. I've seen a few different monitors suggested or mentioned around here, but I can't for the life of me remember the names of any of them. I know one is called like the A5 and another is made by M Audio.
 
I recommend the BX5a or KRK Rokit 5/6. Do you have a Guitar Center nearby? If so, go check out those 2 monitors and decide which one you like more. You can look for them used on Craigslist. I see BX5a pop up on there pretty often. The Rokits can be found on CL as well though may be a little harder to find. With the money you save, use it to buy a subwoofer.

Also if you are looking for the AV40 which is also very good, I am selling one for $110 before shipping. I've only used it for 2 weeks and it's in perfect condition. Practically brand new.
 
I do have a $150 credit at Guitar Center, which means I could get the two Rokit 5/BX5a for $150 or two Rokit 6 for $250. Would the Rokit 6 be worth the increase in price?

Edit:

I will be using my computer to do home studio/guitar work as well. I just think I failed to mention that. I am currently saving up to get a Fractal Axe-FX.
 
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dasbeave said:
I do have a $150 credit at Guitar Center, which means I could get the two Rokit 5/BX5a for $150 or two Rokit 6 for $250. Would the Rokit 6 be worth the increase in price?

Edit:

I will be using my computer to do home studio/guitar work as well. I just think I failed to mention that. I am currently saving up to get a Fractal Axe-FX.
Click to expand...

You will just get a bit more bass and a smidge better midrange. Worth $100? Not to me.
 
I have a MOTU UltraLite-MK3 audio interface. I'm guessing I could get 1/4" to XLR cables and run them from the interface as the main outs to two of those speakers and just have the interface connected to my computer via firewire, right? Again, forgive me if my questions seem dumb because I really am clueless when it comes to this stuff. I really appreciate all the help given so far.
 
dasbeave said:
I do have a $150 credit at Guitar Center, which means I could get the two Rokit 5/BX5a for $150 or two Rokit 6 for $250. Would the Rokit 6 be worth the increase in price?

Edit:

I will be using my computer to do home studio/guitar work as well. I just think I failed to mention that. I am currently saving up to get a Fractal Axe-FX.
Click to expand...

damn you should've posted last month..you could've bought the pair for 149 (music123 brand new).

edit: if you don't mind red..the limited edition set is still available for 199 (pair)
 
jterp7 said:
damn you should've posted last month..you could've bought the pair for 149 (music123 brand new).

edit: if you don't mind red..the limited edition set is still available for 199 (pair)
Click to expand...

im confused, what speaker are you talking about?
 
BX5a,

I should note that one review of the BX5a shows it being much brighter sounding than the warmer sounding A5s, aka Grado sound vs Sennheiser. I realize that the BX5a had an update too which may have affected the EQ, but I can't confirm since I haven't heard them myself.

Here is the link to the aforementioned review:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/467480/m-audio-bx5a-vs-audioengine-a5-short-review

And another discussing the updated version:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/374721/m-audio-studiophile-bx5a-versus-bx5a-deluxe
 
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I wouldn't spend more than $200 for the BX5a Deluxe since they have bad caps that you might have to replace later on. I paid $150 for mine at GC since my friend works there. They are a bright but not fatiguing if you have them positioned correctly. The more toe in the less bright they become and raising them to ear level also helps with the brightness. The BX5a is more transparent than the A5 and has a flatter response. The bass does fall off after 80hz and there isn't much after 65hz. You'll still hear the bass hit down to the cutoff point but they sound muddy.
 
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I think the decision is fairly simple, if youre going to buy studio monitors have guitar center.com price match the ferrari grey RP6 g2s. They are a step above the maudios
 
dasbeave said:
I do have a $150 credit at Guitar Center, which means I could get the two Rokit 5/BX5a for $150 or two Rokit 6 for $250. Would the Rokit 6 be worth the increase in price?

Edit:

I will be using my computer to do home studio/guitar work as well. I just think I failed to mention that. I am currently saving up to get a Fractal Axe-FX.
Click to expand...
Nobody can answer that question but you. You have to go to Guitar Center and test them out for yourself. Only your own ears will tell you if it's worth it.

spaceman said:
You will just get a bit more bass and a smidge better midrange. Worth $100? Not to me.
Click to expand...
Ive heard the BX5a has slightly more bass
 
How would a 5" driver have more bass than a 6"? That is what I am basing it on. Haven't heard both. Just the 6.
 
I have a bit of an update. I just got a huge bonus from work, and I have a ton of spare cash that I can spend on the system. We're talking about $1000 dollars (or more) I can add on top of what I can already spend. It's not necessary to spend all of it on the system, but I want to get something awesome and will last me. I imagine now I can get a good set of monitors and a subwoofer with this kind of money.

Would the suggestion for the Rokit/BX5a change given the new information? Also, kinda of sub can I get now?

Really, you guys have been awesome so far. Thanks for the help!
 
Is there any way to change the title of the thread to accurately display what I'm looking for now?

Anyway, I've noticed that most places are selling them for about $400 each, but they sell a pair for $999. I think they've got their math wrong somewhere hah.
 
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