Speakers for computer audio setup...

[looper]

I am no audiophile by any means, just a guy that would like very good computer audio sound for music listening. I want 'active' speakers.

My latest focus is on these:
* Swan Mk III's...($400) ( http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php/p/swan-m200mkiii/products_id/121 )

* Bower & Wilkins MM-1...($500 / has a built-in DAC) ( http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/iPod_...d_Computer_Speakers/MM-1/Product-Details.html )

And would it be worth also getting the Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card($200) ( http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-xonar-essence-stx-review/3 ) as an upgrade from my current Creative X-Fi?

What do you folks think?

 

[WraithETC]

Well for one thing if you get the B&W's there is no reason to get a new sound card since the speakers will go off USB and will act as its own DAC as you mentioned.

 

[postmortemIA]

I don't see how either are better for buck than logitech Z-5500.

 

[looper]

The Xonar would be with the Swan's. The Z-5500's...can't do 5.1 in this small, cluttered room.

I had a Cambridge SoundWorks 2.1 system previously... then I heard these Swan's...real speakers...AMAZING...Sounds like I just convinced myself.

Will pay for them with my set-aside, next-summer's golf money... giving it up...golf's too expensive now... $50 for 18 holes...ridiculous.

 

[moonboy403]

I don't see how either are better for buck than logitech Z-5500.

Because more speakers don't mean much for listening to music.

 

[Number1]

No subwoofer?

 

[herm0016]

because he wants real speakers and not bassy junk?

 

[s44]

Audioengine 5

 

[looper]

I actually went with much less expensive speakers... the 'active' M-Audio AV40's. I'm sure they won't sound anywhere close to the Swan Mk III's.

I'm no audiophile, just want better sound than my mediocre Logitech USB headset. I may or may not get the Xonar Essence STX sound card... we'll see how these M-40's sound next weekend.

Thx for input, guys. GO PATRIOTS!!

 

[herm0016]

the m-audio stuff is very good. great choice.

 

[looper]

Amazon now has them for an incredible price... I couldn't walk away from that deal! Dang it, I want that sound card too...

 

[stargazr]

I actually went with much less expensive speakers... the 'active' M-Audio AV40's. I'm sure they won't sound anywhere close to the Swan Mk III's.

I'm no audiophile, just want better sound than my mediocre Logitech USB headset. I may or may not get the Xonar Essence STX sound card... we'll see how these M-40's sound next weekend.

Thx for input, guys. GO PATRIOTS!!

I just got a pair of those on a black Friday sale at Amazon. If you didn't know, these are studio monitors, placement is important. They should be at ear level and pointed to you. The sound doesn't spread like regular speakers. If you get the Essence I'd be interested to know how you made out.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I actually went with much less expensive speakers... the 'active' M-Audio AV40's. I'm sure they won't sound anywhere close to the Swan Mk III's.

I'm no audiophile, just want better sound than my mediocre Logitech USB headset. I may or may not get the Xonar Essence STX sound card... we'll see how these M-40's sound next weekend.

Thx for input, guys. GO PATRIOTS!!

Oh, well you should have considered headphones as well, you can get exceptional quality for the price.

These will be good as well. I would echo, placement is important too. They might not sound as euphoric as the Swans, but they should be accurate and clean sounding.

Amazon now has them for an incredible price... I couldn't walk away from that deal! Dang it, I want that sound card too...

Yeah, you'll get the most by getting a good sound card. I'd actually recommend checking out the X-Fi Titanium HD, its a bit cheaper than the Essence, and should be a bit better for gaming, while offering great sound quality as well. I believe Best Buy sells them in store, so if you have any gift cards for there or anything you can get it even cheaper.

Hmm, actually, if you already have an X-Fi, you could just get a DAC, and then you can get the X-Fi processing along with improved sound quality (you'd do optical or coaxial out of your current card into the DAC).

Creative has a new X-Fi HD USB that would basically be that, its only $99. There's a bunch of other DACs that are in the $100-200 range too.

 

[Number1]

because he wants real speakers and not bassy junk?

I can imagine what kind of accurate bass he is going to get with the 4 " drivers in those M-Audio AV40s.

LOL

 

[tboo]

Razer Makos if you can still find them.

 

[herm0016]

I can imagine what kind of accurate bass he is going to get with the 4 " drivers in those M-Audio AV40s.

LOL

i was replying to the poster that said logitech z 5500s were the best.

i would get a sub too, when budget allows.

 

[s44]

A sub is a much better investment than another sound card.

 

[darkswordsman17]

A sub is a much better investment than another sound card.

Eh, not necessarily. For this setup, I'd rate them about equal (especially depending on which X-Fi model), but you can get some extra use out of the sound card by setting it up properly. For music, setup ASIO or WASAPI, and switch to Audio Creation mode to keep the X-Fi from resampling.

Er, I'm not arguing that the sub would likely be much more noticeable, but for real quality, I'd say a good sound card or DAC could be as important. I'd say upgrading the speakers would actually net the most positive though, so that's where I'd put the money.

Certainly, each person should decide for themselves though, and so if they're missing bass, then a sub will certainly help. Often, just getting speakers that don't fall off too much down to 50-100Hz will be more than enough to get the bass in a lot of music (yes, I know the M-Audios are only rated for 85Hz, but even that can offer quite a bit of bass, especially with the almost mid-bass centric bass in a lot of music these days).

Sorry, I'm rambling.

 

[postmortemIA]

i was replying to the poster that said logitech z 5500s were the best.

i would get a sub too, when budget allows.

I said they are best for buck, not the best. Their average ratting on newegg is 4.78 out of 5.00 after 1.5K reviews which tells something.

 

[bigboxes]

I'm a little late to the game, but I replaced a Klipsch ProMedia setup for the Swans some 3+ years ago and have never looked back. I'm not much of gamer and music fidelity was way more important. I hated the muddy sound of the Klipsch's sub and couldn't turn it down low enough. Along came the Swan's and it's beautiful accurate sound! Like an eargasm! Poly woofers and soft-cloth dome tweethers. If you're not a gamer then the Swan's are best amplified computer speakers you can buy. Don't believe me? Find someone who has a pair and become a believer!

 

[Howard]

What's your budget?

On the cheaper end, best way to go is to pick up a pair of these:

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1004polk/

and an old stereo receiver from a garage sale.

Or, a pair of Behringer B2030A if you can find them. The amplification isn't the best, so if you have two channels of power you can get the B2030P instead, but the speaker itself is fantastic value.

 

[s44]

I said they are best for buck, not the best. Their average ratting on newegg is 4.78 out of 5.00 after 1.5K reviews which tells something.

It says that there are a lot of people who have never heard real speakers on a real receiver.