Desktop Speaker Setup Suggestions

[kavorka19]

I've got a couple hundred dollars to blow ($200-$300) and my old set of speakers went out a few months ago (Klipsch ProMedia 2.1)

I am by no means an audiophile (yet) and I don't really know what my options are.

I think I'd like to have a setup that includes a receiver and a couple speakers and/or a sub. I'd also like to be able to upgrade to a 5.1 setup at some point in the future w/o having to get a whole new rig (assuming that's possible)

Is something like this ^^ plausible? Or would I be better off just buying some sort of 2.0 desktop computer speakers? Either way, suggestions would be very welcome and appreciated.

The only relevant computer info I can think of providing is my sound card: Asus Xonar DG

 

[Procyon12]

yes, its possble.

but unless you go used, a decent receiver will cost you $300.

my advice to you, is to just go 2.0 or 2.1 for now, and then when you add the extra speakers, get the receiver then.

a decent, entry level amp should only cost you $40-$70, and that would be the only thing you cant re-use when you go to 5.1
the speakers are the sub will still be usable.

Or you could ebay a receiver with analog inputs. that will work.

how much space do you have on your desk for speakers? do you need speakers as small as your Klipsch's ?

 

[Impulse]

Yeah, I agree... You can get decent receivers for a bit less than $300... Last year's Denon AVR-1612 is not hard to score for $200. This year's model ($350) just adds one more HDMI port and network/smartphone features you wouldn't really need at a PC. You can also get solid bookshelf speakers for $100, waiting for the next Newegg special on Polk Monitor 30, Pioneer BS42, or Infinity P153 would be wise. (they all go down to $100/pair every other month)

However, if you're not going 5.1 right away you might as well just get a cheap stereo receiver or sub-$80 T-amp (heck even a $25 Lepai t-amp from Parts Express) and put more of your money towards the speakers, or just save the difference towards a future sub upgrade. Speakers tend to be a better long term investment than receivers, and they'll also affect the sound far more.

You have quite a few options for $200-$300... Tho $150 give or take in speakers and an amp doesn't leave much of a budget for a sub, but you can always start off with some bookshelf speakers and go from there, they're gonna produce far more bass that I your old satellites (obviously not as much as the sub but you might not miss it as much as you'd think).

 

[kavorka19]

how much space do you have on your desk for speakers? do you need speakers as small as your Klipsch's ?

They don't have to be as small as those Klipsch's were. I've got plenty of space. My desk is around 4 feet long, give or take, and my monitor is 21.5" at its widest.

Yeah, I agree... You can get decent receivers for a bit less than $300... Last year's Denon AVR-1612 is not hard to score for $200. This year's model ($350) just adds one more HDMI port and network/smartphone features you wouldn't really need at a PC. You can also get solid bookshelf speakers for $100, waiting for the next Newegg special on Polk Monitor 30, Pioneer BS42, or Infinity P153 would be wise. (they all go down to $100/pair every other month)

However, if you're not going 5.1 right away you might as well just get a cheap stereo receiver or sub-$80 T-amp (heck even a $25 Lepai t-amp from Parts Express) and put more of your money towards the speakers, or just save the difference towards a future sub upgrade. Speakers tend to be a better long term investment than receivers, and they'll also affect the sound far more.

You have quite a few options for $200-$300... Tho $150 give or take in speakers and an amp doesn't leave much of a budget for a sub, but you can always start off with some bookshelf speakers and go from there, they're gonna produce far more bass that I your old satellites (obviously not as much as the sub but you might not miss it as much as you'd think).

Thanks for the advice. I'll look around at the things you suggested.

 

[Procyon12]

i just want to add, that i would love to suggest Polk monitor 30s or Infinity Primus, even i might say 2 p163 and no sub, but when you do go to 5.1, the matching center for those will be way to large for most desks.

i think you should plan out your total budget for when you upgrade to 5.1, before proceeding, but just initially,

i want to suggest to you, to buy these:
http://www.fluance.com/fldyhidetwbo.html

and use it without a sub right now, unless you can stretch budget.

when you go to 5.1,
buy the remaining part of the kit:
http://www.fluance.com/fluance-sxhtbcs-center-surround-sound-speakers.html

then you will have 5 timbre matched speakers.


as for the amp, i want to say if you can go used or refurb, get one for about $100-$150

if you cant, then maybe just a cheap 2ch one right now, and then get the new receiver with the 5.1

 

[Impulse]

The Infinity PC251 center channel is only like 2" taller/longer... Not trying to steer him in either direction, just saying, you need a good deal of space either way.

 

[kavorka19]

I'm leaning towards getting a couple bookcase speakers and a cheap amp, for now. Any recommendations on a 2-channel amp? What do I need to look for in an amp?

 

[Deleted member 88227]

This is a good amp.

$24.48 - Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply

 

[kavorka19]

i want to suggest to you, to buy these:
http://www.fluance.com/fldyhidetwbo.html

This is a good amp.

$24.48 - Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in. I decided to go w/ those Fluance speakers and the cheap Lepai amp for now. I got everything hooked up today and so far, so good. The amp was acting weird at first, popping on and off when i turned it up a bit...not sure what that was about, but it hasn't done it for a while.

Thanks again!

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Make sure the connections on the back are not grounding each other out. I had a similar issue. When I stripped the wires to stick them in, I got a little carried away with how much bare copper was exposed. Every so often the two sides would touch each other, cancelling out the amp. I then cut them shorter so they stick in up to the shielding. Worked fine ever since.

 

[counterpoint]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in. I decided to go w/ those Fluance speakers and the cheap Lepai amp for now. I got everything hooked up today and so far, so good. The amp was acting weird at first, popping on and off when i turned it up a bit...not sure what that was about, but it hasn't done it for a while.

Thanks again!

If you end up being dissatisfied with that amp, take a look as this:


Emotiva mini-X a-100: http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/a100

SPECIFICATIONS

Channels: 2
Power output: 50 watts/channel into 8 ohms; 80 watts/channel into 4 ohms
Signal to Noise Ratio: 95 dB
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
+ / - 0.08 dB; - 1.0 dB at 80 kHz
Input sensitivity (for full output into 8 ohms): 600 mV
Output devices: 2 per channel
Power requirements: 115 VAC / 230 VAC
(+ / - 10%); selectable by rear panel switch
Size:
unboxed: 8.5" wide x 3.125" high x 15" deep
boxed: 12.25" wide x 6.75" high x 18" deep
Weight: 11.4 lbs (14.3 lbs boxed)

It has input auto-sensing so you don't have to manually turn it on, a 12V trigger, and RCA line outs for an optional subwoofer. I currently use their previous model (BPA-1) with a pair of Polk Monitor 30s and a 10" Emotiva subwoofer. It works well for me. BTW, the fan on the heatsink only runs when the amp is being driven at high volumes, and thus wouldn't be heard anyway.


counterpoint