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Looking for desktop 'hifi' speakers under 150 Euro

post #1 of 11
8/27/11 at 12:52am
Thread Starter 
Hi

I want to buy desktop speakers that are a step above what Logitech, Altec Lansing, etc, have, under 150 EURO (France).

I don't have an amp, and my sound card is a simple Asus Xonar D1. I listen to all kinds of rock (mainly alternative rock) and pop. I live in a 30 m^2 (322 square feet) 1-room apartment and want to listen to music even when I'm not near the desk, if that's important.

I've looked around and found that the M-Audio AV40, the AudioEngine A2 and the Swan M10 have good reviews, but no idea which is better (and which is better for rock). I can't find the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 here.

These websites have other speakers:
http://www.lemarchanddesons.com/home...ng-actif,1.php
http://www.comebackmusic.com/boutiqu...fr&num=0&tri=1
http://www.effect-on-line.com/t-3-14...-par-prix.html
(also found the Behringer MS40 on amazon)

Apparently if I get the M10, I need to put the subwoofer at ear level, unfortunately I'm not sure I can put it under my LCD monitor like this because my monitor looks like this. Not sure if it'll be stable enough. And I'm not sure about having my monitor that high since my monitor can't lean forward... would it hurt if the sub was on the side of my desk?

Thanks for any thoughts.

edit: seems the AudioEngine A2 are 30 euro above my budget since I can't find them with free shipping...
Edited by thiru - 8/27/11 at 1:32am
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post #2 of 11
8/27/11 at 1:43am
What's an Euro?





I'd help if i could. But i will be hanging out here to see recommendations. (Not thread jacking)
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post #3 of 11
8/27/11 at 1:53am
I have the Audioengine A2s, and I love them - but it seems they're a bit less popular than they used to be.

If you can get them, I would go with the Swan M10 - everything I've ever heard about them (and Swan speakers in general), is that they are fantastic.
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post #4 of 11
8/27/11 at 6:09am
If you can, try to listen to each first. I might be inclined to go for the a2 as they will likey hod their value better should you decide to upgrade later.

Buying used might get you better speakers.
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post #5 of 11
8/27/11 at 2:06pm
Hmm Focal France makes some good stuff and look at the Focal Chorus series in your local used audio hardware market perhaps? Definitely stretch your $$ and hit higher quality this way and 100% agree with soloz2 hehe
http://www.focal.com/en/home-audio-l...helf-speakers/

whathifi's take on the entry level Chorus offering ^^ very easy to drive as well
http://www.whathifi.com/review/focal-chorus-705v
Edited by trog - 8/27/11 at 2:11pm
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post #6 of 11
8/27/11 at 2:13pm
You are definitely on the right track. For sub 150€ I would stick wit a stereo setup. Check out thees active yamahas @ thomann. Thomanns a great shop low prices and fast delivery.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_hs50m.htm

Edit: Ups sorry that's a single monitor price but anyway thomann has some good stuff so check them out
Edited by Bit_reaper - 8/27/11 at 2:17pm
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post #7 of 11
8/27/11 at 3:23pm

Pick up these, the M-Audio BX5as:


They are a step above the AV40s, and are currently on sale on Amazon for $199--at least here in the US.
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post #8 of 11
8/27/11 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by soloz2 View Post
If you can, try to listen to each first. I might be inclined to go for the a2 as they will likey hod their value better should you decide to upgrade later.

Buying used might get you better speakers.
The stores in my city don't have a big selection, all they have are unknown speakers and the AV40 and BX5A.
Quote:
Originally Posted by trog View Post
Hmm Focal France makes some good stuff and look at the Focal Chorus series in your local used audio hardware market perhaps? Definitely stretch your $$ and hit higher quality this way and 100% agree with soloz2 hehe
http://www.focal.com/en/home-audio-l...helf-speakers/

whathifi's take on the entry level Chorus offering ^^ very easy to drive as well
http://www.whathifi.com/review/focal-chorus-705v
Those are really expensive..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bit_reaper View Post
You are definitely on the right track. For sub 150€ I would stick wit a stereo setup. Check out thees active yamahas @ thomann. Thomanns a great shop low prices and fast delivery.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_hs50m.htm

Edit: Ups sorry that's a single monitor price but anyway thomann has some good stuff so check them out
Yeah 150 for a single monitor

But that website sells the M-Audio BX5A Deluxe for way cheaper than in France, just 169E, and if I buy some headphones (I need to buy them anyway) like the Superlux 668B, I get free shipping...

So how are the BX5A Deluxe compared to the Audioengine A2 and Swan M10? worth the price over the AV40?
edit: apparently they heat up when unused, if still on, and they each have a separate volume knob, not something I feel like bothering with... I think I might just go with the Swan M10, I don't really want to spend more than 150E (I was considering the BX5A because they were really cheap on that website).
Edited by thiru - 8/27/11 at 3:50pm
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post #9 of 11
8/28/11 at 2:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thiru View Post
The stores in my city don't have a big selection, all they have are unknown speakers and the AV40 and BX5A.

Those are really expensive..


Yeah 150 for a single monitor

But that website sells the M-Audio BX5A Deluxe for way cheaper than in France, just 169E, and if I buy some headphones (I need to buy them anyway) like the Superlux 668B, I get free shipping...

So how are the BX5A Deluxe compared to the Audioengine A2 and Swan M10? worth the price over the AV40?
edit: apparently they heat up when unused, if still on, and they each have a separate volume knob, not something I feel like bothering with... I think I might just go with the Swan M10, I don't really want to spend more than 150E (I was considering the BX5A because they were really cheap on that website).
I have heard the A2s and the M10s--and the BX5as sound significantly better than either of them. The advantage with the M10s is that you get a sub and spend a whole lot less; but be warned that they'll prove a lot more difficult to return if you choose to purchase through TAI.

They do not heat up when unused--well at least my pair does not. Unlike the D1080s, they do not have a heatsink mounted on back, but I've never seen them get hot enough to warrant one. however, because they are rear-ported their rear side should be kept at least 6 inches from a wall. If you don't have the space to let them "breathe," I wouldn't bother--they'll likely sound muffled and unclear. This happens to affect any kind of rear-ported bookshelves or stereo monitors and is not a fault of the BX5as.

Yes, there are two volume knobs, and this is because each speaker has it's own internal amp, each outputting 35W. I have these connected to my laptop at 50% volume hardware-side and leave both of them set there; I control the volume independently through the OS via my keyboard. If I'm throwing a party I'll manually crank them up--but be warned that they get really, really loud (thanks to the 70Ws).
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post #10 of 11
8/28/11 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xombie View Post
I have heard the A2s and the M10s--and the BX5as sound significantly better than either of them. The advantage with the M10s is that you get a sub and spend a whole lot less; but be warned that they'll prove a lot more difficult to return if you choose to purchase through TAI.

They do not heat up when unused--well at least my pair does not. Unlike the D1080s, they do not have a heatsink mounted on back, but I've never seen them get hot enough to warrant one. however, because they are rear-ported their rear side should be kept at least 6 inches from a wall. If you don't have the space to let them "breathe," I wouldn't bother--they'll likely sound muffled and unclear. This happens to affect any kind of rear-ported bookshelves or stereo monitors and is not a fault of the BX5as.

Yes, there are two volume knobs, and this is because each speaker has it's own internal amp, each outputting 35W. I have these connected to my laptop at 50% volume hardware-side and leave both of them set there; I control the volume independently through the OS via my keyboard. If I'm throwing a party I'll manually crank them up--but be warned that they get really, really loud (thanks to the 70Ws).
Yeah my desk isn't that big, and I don't have enough space behind my desk for that. I guess I'll go for the AV40 or the Swan M10. Which one sounds better for rock?
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