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Looking for suggested 2.1 speaker setup to beat Corsair sp2500

post #1 of 10
8/24/12 at 11:29pm
Thread Starter 
New guy here.

I have read here and elsewhere that you can do better than pc speaker systems by picking up passive bookshelf speakers, an amp, and a subwoofer. However, I am not enough of an expert to know which ones to pick. Especially the part about figuring out which amps go with which speakers and a matching subwoofer. So I was hoping some folks here could help.

Budget $200-$250. New components only (please provide links). For desktop pc with asus xonar dg sound card. This would replace logitech z-680 5.1 system. I am having trouble in my current office setup getting the back speakers going (no place to put them).

My needs are 60% music, 30% games, and 10% movies.

The alternative is to upgrade from the logitech z-680 to the corsair sp2500. But I am pretty sure I can do better picking up components with some expert opinions.
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post #2 of 10
8/26/12 at 8:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeno33 View Post

New guy here.
I have read here and elsewhere that you can do better than pc speaker systems by picking up passive bookshelf speakers, an amp, and a subwoofer. However, I am not enough of an expert to know which ones to pick. Especially the part about figuring out which amps go with which speakers and a matching subwoofer. So I was hoping some folks here could help.
Budget $200-$250. New components only (please provide links). For desktop pc with asus xonar dg sound card. This would replace logitech z-680 5.1 system. I am having trouble in my current office setup getting the back speakers going (no place to put them).
My needs are 60% music, 30% games, and 10% movies.
The alternative is to upgrade from the logitech z-680 to the corsair sp2500. But I am pretty sure I can do better picking up components with some expert opinions.
Note: this comment is in no way helpful for your budget!


I've currently got the SP2500 + Xonar STX, I thought they were good speakers until I got to use my my friends new Aktimate Mini+ (they got delivered to me so I stole them for a couple of days) After using them for a couple of hours I decided to compare between the SP2500, First thing I noticed... the SP2500 sounded REALLY dull... It had the bass which was nice.. but wasn't clear at all. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) the SP2500 when I got them. Now after hearing the Aktimate Mini+ I've ordered some Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s to go with my amp. Depending how I cope without a sub, I'll most likely back it up with the Wharfedale SW150.

And to give you some alternatives, check out Swan M50Ws and Edifier S530D. I haven't heard either of them but I'd be willing to bet they'd beat the SP2500.
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post #3 of 10
8/26/12 at 8:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuzart View Post

Note: this comment is in no way helpful for your budget!
I've currently got the SP2500 + Xonar STX, I thought they were good speakers until I got to use my my friends new Aktimate Mini+ (they got delivered to me so I stole them for a couple of days) After using them for a couple of hours I decided to compare between the SP2500, First thing I noticed... the SP2500 sounded REALLY dull... It had the bass which was nice.. but wasn't clear at all. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) the SP2500 when I got them. Now after hearing the Aktimate Mini+ I've ordered some Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s to go with my amp. Depending how I cope without a sub, I'll most likely back it up with the Wharfedale SW150.
And to give you some alternatives, check out Swan M50Ws and Edifier S530D. I haven't heard either of them but I'd be willing to bet they'd beat the SP2500.

The only one of those I have heard of are the Swan m50ws. How much did your sound system cost? The one that replaced your sp2500. Any links to these speakers at retailers and reviews would also be useful, thanks.
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post #4 of 10
8/26/12 at 8:47pm
I donno bout those Speakers but my Bose Companion 2 are pretty sweet.

Sound great with my G1 Sniper 3s onboard Creative Recon 3D Fatal1ty.

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-Series-Multimedia-Speaker/dp/B005TLTOLG

i also have the Bose companion III hard to beat bose speakers..

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-multimedia-speaker-Graphite/dp/B000HZBR64
Edited by Hokies83 - 8/26/12 at 8:53pm
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post #5 of 10
8/26/12 at 9:19pm
Here's what I would suggest you look into:

Amplifier:
Dayton DTA-100a

Speakers:
Pioneer SP bookshelfs (the 5.25" model)
Polk Monitor line bookshelfs
Dayton B652's (cheapest option)
Polk RTi series
BIC Venturi bookshelfs

Subwoofers:
Dayton SUB800, SUB1000, or SUB1200 (obviously the 12 is the best option assuming you can fit it)
BIC Formula F12

Add in enough speaker wire to run from amp to subwoofer (2 channels) and from subwoofer to the bookshelfs (so figure at least 50 feet), make it at least 16 gauge wire, and you'll need a 3.5mm to RCA cable of however long you need.

Easily doable in the $250 range.
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post #6 of 10
8/26/12 at 9:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeno33 View Post

The only one of those I have heard of are the Swan m50ws. How much did your sound system cost? The one that replaced your sp2500. Any links to these speakers at retailers and reviews would also be useful, thanks.
Me being in Australia most likely wont help you with pricing. The Diamond 9.1 cost me $299 AUD delivered, but they are passive so you need to add an amp to that. The Mini's were $499 AUD.

But FYI:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_568&products_id=20186

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_568&products_id=19625
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post #7 of 10
8/26/12 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pioneerisloud View Post

Here's what I would suggest you look into:
Amplifier:
Dayton DTA-100a
Speakers:
Pioneer SP bookshelfs (the 5.25" model)
Polk Monitor line bookshelfs
Dayton B652's (cheapest option)
Polk RTi series
BIC Venturi bookshelfs
Subwoofers:
Dayton SUB800, SUB1000, or SUB1200 (obviously the 12 is the best option assuming you can fit it)
BIC Formula F12
Add in enough speaker wire to run from amp to subwoofer (2 channels) and from subwoofer to the bookshelfs (so figure at least 50 feet), make it at least 16 gauge wire, and you'll need a 3.5mm to RCA cable of however long you need.
Easily doable in the $250 range.

Which of those speakers listed has the best sound quality?
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post #8 of 10
8/26/12 at 9:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeno33 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by pioneerisloud View Post

Here's what I would suggest you look into:
Amplifier:
Dayton DTA-100a
Speakers:
Pioneer SP bookshelfs (the 5.25" model)
Polk Monitor line bookshelfs
Dayton B652's (cheapest option)
Polk RTi series
BIC Venturi bookshelfs
Subwoofers:
Dayton SUB800, SUB1000, or SUB1200 (obviously the 12 is the best option assuming you can fit it)
BIC Formula F12
Add in enough speaker wire to run from amp to subwoofer (2 channels) and from subwoofer to the bookshelfs (so figure at least 50 feet), make it at least 16 gauge wire, and you'll need a 3.5mm to RCA cable of however long you need.
Easily doable in the $250 range.

Which of those speakers listed has the best sound quality?

Depends on what you consider to be "the best".

Pioneers = more natural sounding
Polk Monitors = bright and slightly boomy (good treble and bass, recessed mids)
Dayton B652's = Really nice mids and highs, lack of bass response below 70Hz
Polk RTi series = IIRC the newer model of the monitor line
BIC Venturi = natural sounding (or close to it)

Subwoofers, the Dayton would be the better bet, the BIC is more suited for home theater (movies / TV) use.
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post #9 of 10
8/27/12 at 7:42pm
Thread Starter 
What is impressive about the Daytons is that they are apparently in the same league with the rest of the speakers listed in pioneerisloud's response. Especially considering their low price.

Curious if anybody here has gone from a logitech z-680 (my current sound system) to a 2.1 bookshelf system. Would like an idea of how much increased sound quality I would experience.
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post #10 of 10
8/28/12 at 4:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeno33 View Post

What is impressive about the Daytons is that they are apparently in the same league with the rest of the speakers listed in pioneerisloud's response. Especially considering their low price.

Curious if anybody here has gone from a logitech z-680 (my current sound system) to a 2.1 bookshelf system. Would like an idea of how much increased sound quality I would experience.

It'll be a 1000x increase in sound quality. tongue.gif

I've only got the Dayton B652's and the DTA-100a myself (for now). They're honestly some of my absolute favorite speakers in the house. They sound just as nice as some of my tower speakers (missing the bass response obviously), but they were only $30.
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