2.1 awesome setup.

2911 Views 25 Replies 14 Participants Last post by soloz2, Nov 28, 2009

Bizong

Discussion Starter · Nov 22, 2009

So I've saved up a good chunk of money for some awesome speakers and a great sub. My budget is 600-1k. I'm not sure how to make this work though.

I have a asus xonar essence stx sound card which has RCA stereo outputs, and S/PDIF output for speaker's. I dunno if i would need a DAC or AMP for the speakers. But yeah how would i hook up the two speakers and a sub to those connections?

I was looking at AV123 at some of the speakers and subs and they looked nice. I'm not really sure where to get started on this honestly. So if you could give me some good information it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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The_Rocker

· #2 · Nov 22, 2009

Two ways you can do this:

Xonar STX > RCA > AMP > Speakers & Sub

Xonar STX > SPDIF > DAC > AMP > Speakers & Sub

A high quality DAC would give you the better quality audio, but depending on your choice of music and speakers, you may not notice the difference in clarity.

Reactions: 1

Koolade

· #3 · Nov 22, 2009

I was about to suggest some Altec Lansing vs4221's, but newegg discontinued them... great speakers though.

These may be worth a look though http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121122

Bizong

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 22, 2009

yeah im looking for more high end than that, but thanks!

aroc91

· #5 · Nov 22, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koolade

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I was about to suggest some Altec Lansing vs4221's, but newegg discontinued them... great speakers though.

These may be worth a look though http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121122

He said his price range was 600-1K. While nice, Z-2300's aren't really what he's looking for.

I don't know much about them, but you can get a really nice set of bookshelf speakers that would be much better than any set of PC speakers and an equally nice woofer.

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Koolade

· #6 · Nov 22, 2009

I noticed his price range afterwards. Price doesn't always equal quality though, Bose for example

Why not consider a 5.1 setup for that price range though?

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Bizong

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 22, 2009

Yeah but how do you hook those up to the amp/dac that's my main question?

tofunater

· #8 · Nov 22, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizong

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Yeah but how do you hook those up to the amp/dac that's my main question?

I run an optical cable from my rig, to a dac, then rca's from the dac to my amp where I plug in my monitors and sub.

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GSingh

· #9 · Nov 22, 2009

www.klipsch.com

http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/product...pecifications/

and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882780012

Bizong

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 22, 2009

These speakers are sold in pairs i assume?
Also could someone give me some good speaker DAC/AMP's i only know good headphone stuff im just getting started with speakers.

redalert

· #11 · Nov 22, 2009

Audioengine makes some pretty good speakers http://www.audioengineusa.com/

ace8uk

· #12 · Nov 22, 2009

I'm not sure what websites are best for HiFi stuff in the states, so for now I'll just list the names of brands of speakers, subs, DAC's and amplifiers that should be within your budget:

Speakers: Wharfedale (the new 10.1's are getting a lot of raves recently), KEF, Mordaunt Short, Tannoy, Bowers and Wilkins, Dali, Mission, Monitor Audio, Tangent, Q Acoustics, Quad, Acoustic energy... and loads of others

Amplifiers: Cambridge Audio, NAD, Marantz, Rotel, Onkyo, Denon, Audio Lab, Pioneer.

DAC's: Not particularly my specialty, but the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic is, from experience, a fine DAC. Some of the headphone guys could probably help you out more on this though.

Subs: BK, REL, Epos, SVS, Wharfedale, Mission, Tannoy, Mordaunt Short, Bowers and Wilkins...

I realise this post might not be super helpful. List some sites/shops that you would consider buying from and I'll see what systems I can come up with for your budget. Also, do you have any specific requirements? Do you mind floorstanders or do you only have space for bookshelf speakers?

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LiNERROR

· #13 · Nov 22, 2009

Xonar STX > SPDIF >Digital AMP > Speakers & Powered Sub

klipsch reference is ok but i strongly suggest you buy what you think sounds good...

there are better speakers to be had for the same money...

Reactions: 1

Bizong

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 23, 2009

sorry had to work, all this is extremely helpful thanks +rep to all. Keep the recommendations coming.

soloz2

· #15 · Nov 23, 2009

I cleaned up the thread a bit... Please stay on topic and only post if you read the OP.

As always a great place to start is the Essential thread stickied at the top of the Audio section:http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards...ease-read.html
Had you looked there you would have found threads for both speakers and speaker amps that would be in your budget.

A couple personal suggestions though:
B&W 685, an excellent small/mid sized, front-ported bookshelf speaker with great detail and imaging. They supposedly make a great pairing with the budget-priced Musical Paradise MP301 tube amp. I haven't heard the combo but each individual component is great in its price range. Add some NOS tubes and you've still got enough left over for mopads and cables.

Another option would be to take the same MP301 amp, and get a pair of Tekton Design speakers. You can even get a matching sub if you go this route. This setup would be close to what I'm running and for the money you won't be disappointed.

Alternatively you can get a pair of TCA WAF-1 or av123 ELT525M and choose a more powerful amp. This option would also give you enough left over for a cheap sub.

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slytown

· #16 · Nov 24, 2009

I love my Audio GD. I would look into going SPDIF > Audio GD Compass/MK3/200 > KRK Rokit6s.

There are other good powered speakers out there, but for your price range the R6s are the best.

Bizong

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 26, 2009

Thanks soloz, those suggestions are great ill probably doing something very similar to the second option. Your right though i should have looked at the stickied thread. I think i've got all the information i needed out of here. But I'm still open to suggestions.

edit: Got another question. Do these place's sell the speaker's as a pair or do you get 1 for the the price. So it would be 250 for 1 or 250 for 2?

soloz2

· #18 · Nov 26, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizong

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Thanks soloz, those suggestions are great ill probably doing something very similar to the second option. Your right though i should have looked at the stickied thread. I think i've got all the information i needed out of here. But I'm still open to suggestions.

edit: Got another question. Do these place's sell the speaker's as a pair or do you get 1 for the the price. So it would be 250 for 1 or 250 for 2?

Tekton speakers are sold as a pair. Just contact Eric and he'll be able to answer any of your questions. He offered me a nice combo deal for a pair of speakers and a sub, but I decided to go a different direction.

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Bizong

Discussion Starter · #19 · Nov 27, 2009

What kind of cables should i be looking for now. I'm pretty sure i'm going to run through the s/pdif of my soundcard with a coaxial to the AMP and then RCA's from the amp to the Speakers and Sub. Or is their a better solution? I don't really know where to buy high end cables from either.

zelix

· #20 · Nov 27, 2009

so you need an amp?

Any decent powered amp + http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/rb-61-overview/ (Klipch RB61, around 600 dollars in my area, probably less for you)

or if you already have an amp get the RB81's http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/rb-81-overview/ 890 dollars in my area probably less in your area. Quality is superb and yes they are sold in pairs.

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