stuck between several speakers, help me decide

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KCOTT

Weaksauce
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Sep 20, 2011
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I just installed the Creative X-Fi Titanium HD sound card so I need some speakers to go with it. After perusing the internet through google and several forums, I've come across several options that seem to fit my needs but not sure on which one to get.

My budget is around the $150 range or so and I plan on to use these speakers for gaming and listening to music.

I originally was going to go with Klipsch 2.1 ProMedia, but seems like they're a little older and I've read some stories of them crapping out early.
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMe...2VUO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319267107&sr=8-1

I came across the Logitech Z623, they pack 200 watts and fit my price range, but it seems like most audio enthusiasts prefer to stay away from Logitech.
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studi...UTF8&coliid=IT8NX5AIISZHU&colid=3CF4EBJLE5Q09

Someone recommended me the M-Audio Studiophile AV 40. They look great and I heard they sound great as well. However, there's no amp so I'm afraid the bass will be lacking. I understand you can buy an amp to go with it, but am not exactly sure how you would set that up, sounded like there was some tweaking involved with the Creative software.
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studi...UTF8&coliid=IT8NX5AIISZHU&colid=3CF4EBJLE5Q09


Thoughts or recommendations?
 
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AV 40's sound incredible. We bought my dad a pair for his birthday 2 weeks ago.
 
id reccomend a larger budget to do it that way, but using passive speakers affords you alot more flexibility in upgrading. if the AV40s sound is fine with your and you have no reason to upgrade its a great purchase for $140.
 
is it a pain in the ass to attach a sub to it? i was reading something where a guy was saying you had to do some tinkering to get it to sound right
 
depends on how right you want it to sound....
you can absolutley buy some basic splitters and split the sound between your subwoofer and your AV40s and then use the internal crossover on the sub to bring it up to the AV40s level....
but now you will have to control the volume on your computer only or get a passive pre amp....

the best way to do it is with a sort of bass management device, pre amp or outboard...
 
I've got a logitech z-5300e and and they are great. I'm not audio enthusiast though. I would recommend Logitech to anyone, I've owned several sets of their speakers/KB/mice and they are all great products... wow that sounded like a commercial.
 
ive got the logitech 623s--theyre certainly above average speakers. i find them best in a small-medium size room
 
For your budget, it is best to buy in pieces. Get the amp and as good a pair of small speakers that you can afford. Most will go plenty low for bass. Then get a sub. Partsexpress has the best bang for the buck setups atm.
 
Please don't buy an awesome sound card the attach shit plastic computer speakers to it. Look at Swan, M-Audio, Behringer, KRK, Sampson and many more. You'll thank us all later.
 
The AV40s have their own internal amp you know... There's a reason they're called powered monitors, the bass will absolutely not go as low as a Logitech 2.1 set, but the overall sound is much better and accurate. It really depends on what you really want and your budget.

If you listen to music often with these speakers I'd definitely pick the AV40s, you can always add a sub later if you think it's necessary. There's a couple other powered monitors worth considering too, Samson has a couple of comparable models around $100-$120 (in the StudioDock and MediaOne lines), as does Swan.

A separate receiver/amp with passive speakers is more flexible & easier to upgrade, it's not necessarily more expensive either, but that kinda setup will obviously take up more space physically, that's the only downside.
 
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Also check out the Audioengine 2: LINK

I jsut sold my Logitech Z5500 to my best friend. I did a ton of research and the Audioengine 2 got great reviews all around. People who have them also seem to love them. Mine are coming in on Tuesday.

FYI - I went with these over the AV40
 
$200 is a little out of his budget, and also a bit overpriced for the A2 in general... They're smaller and less powerful than a lot of other powered monitors in the same price range. They're pretty good if you actually need something that compact, but otherwise you can do a tad better for the money imo.
 
Procyon12 said:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-654
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B3000...6A/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1319267934&sr=8-11

add a sub later...if needed.
Click to expand...


I have these speakers--they're fantastic for the price, and they have quite a good amount of low-end. They're paired with a used Kenwood VR6050 receiver I got on eBay for 50 bucks inc shipping. Completely worth it. For nearfield, AV-40s aren't bad--I felt like they were a little directional. Not a problem with the Sonys. They fill the room easily.
 
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I would go if with a separate amp or receiver w/ passives if you can. Like others have said, its just easier to deal with when it comes to adding or upgrading pieces. If you want to stick with powered monitors though, the AV40s have a sterling reputation for audio quality and value.
 
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I would also suggest hitting up a local flea market if you don't mind buying used, and you can also go bigger if you have the room.

I bought these towers for $15 and sound amazing, 150 watts 12" woofers:
100_2734.jpg


These for about $40, 150 watts 15" woofers:
9749b766.jpg



And I got this stereo amp - 90 wpc for $20:
93dfe4ab.jpg


No need for a sub with either of those bad boys. Theres also the Energy RC-10 bookshelves seen in those pics and they sound perfect and put out really good bass with enough watts going thru them but they are also more expensive.:p
 
NOTHING beats a good pair of floor standers! I bet that sounds great!


devil_trigger said:
I would also suggest hitting up a local flea market if you don't mind buying used, and you can also go bigger if you have the room.

I bought these towers for $15 and sound amazing, 150 watts 12" woofers:
100_2734.jpg


These for about $40, 150 watts 15" woofers:
9749b766.jpg



And I got this stereo amp - 90 wpc for $20:
93dfe4ab.jpg


No need for a sub with either of those bad boys. Theres also the Energy RC-10 bookshelves seen in those pics and they sound perfect and put out really good bass with enough watts going thru them but they are also more expensive.:p
Click to expand...
 
Yeah they definitely sound awesome! The pioneers in the first pic are now the mains in my HT and the bottom ones are in my basement and they thump HARD! Easily fill the entire basement with plenty of bass.
 
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