2.1 Setup(mainly for PC), looking for suggestions.

[grepkapil]

I am looking for 2.1 setup that I would be using mainly with PC, iPod and other small media pocket players. I listen to Jazz,Blues,Soft Rock,Indian/Western classical etc. but would like to use the same setup for movies(but not much).

As of now I've listen to Audioengine A2, Audiengine A5 and M-Studio AV40 @ Bajaao, Mumbai.

- AE A2 and A5 are very good system but lacks bass(for me) but both can be perfect system with a sub. Please let me know a SUB (under 10k) that is available in india and good fit for either of AEs. (preferably with crossover adjustments)

- M-Audio AV40 were very flat i.e. quite expected from Studio Monitors. I guess studio monitors are never meant for casual listening. they are primarily meant for Mixing/Professional usage that requires flat sound. Please confirm.

Swans M50W is another one that seems to be a good setup and they are also available in India.

Wharfedale 9.1/10.1 setup is another option that I am trying to figure out but the only problem is they require amp and I dont have much horizontal space to accommodate amp. (I dont know if there are amps that are vertically designed)

which one would be the better option? or suggest me with other fresh options.

(I don't have DAC or expensive sound card, I am using Lenovo T420 and R60 and assuming built-in sound card would suffice)

-Kapil

 

[harshad]

Hi Kapil,

I would like to comment about 2 of the above mentioned speakers which I have heard extensively. Without going into the differences in studio monitors and other speakers (I am no expert), I would jus list the pro's and con's as per me.

M-Audio AV40 - This are the ones which brought me into this Hi-fi world. 1st time I played Nadaan Parindey on these.. to say the least I was simply amazed.
pro's -
Nice detailed sound, with awesome sound-stage.. which kind of envelops you... when.. you and the speakers are seated in the rite positions(see below).
cons-
As per me these are meant for near-field listening.. You go off the ideal position.. the sound degrades. Also, dont expect very loud volumes. They can fill a moderate size room, but playing at higher volumes causes heating of the internal amp(You mite want to google about that).

Bass is fast and articulate (Which I personally like for music) and not heavy and punchy(which is required for movies).
They are good for good source material.. but bad for bad source.. for e.g.. a poor quality mp3.. or low quality movie soundtrack sounded more bad on these then my the wharf 10.1. I guess that's what they are meant for.. revealing the source.


Wharfedale 10.1 -
Pros- Easily fill a moderate size room. Good enough bass for movies.. on a desktop. Overall good sound.
Cons- Personally, I found that they sound better(more detailed) when played at higher volumes.. which pushes my sitting position a little further away from the speakers. Also, as per the suggestion on the net to get the best out of these.. or any similar bookshelf's(midfield/farfield speakers) they should be 1-2 mtrs apart from each other and the listener. which kind of fails the purpose of a desktop speaker setup.. unless you are using the PC only for music/movies.

So I guess your choice should depend upon what u want from the system.. If I were you.. and I had only the above 3 choices.. I think.. I would have given the AE A5 a try(Although I haven't heard them yet.. they seem to be good compromise for both movies and music).. more so the new A5+(better heat sink on the back..and better sound as per reviews) if I can get one. May be add a sub later.

Hope this helps..

 

[ruenigma]

Very nicely put by Harshad. I'll add my two paisa.

1. No the source needs to be upgraded ASAP. Even an entry level USB DAC like the Audinst HUD would do wonders. You could thank us later.
2. If you feel the bass on the A5 is any less you could add a sub as you've mentioned. Just make sure the sub is timbre matched with the speakers for a coherent experience. Subs are difficult beasts (I've given up subs for good).
3. Audioengine makes a brilliant sub which should easily integrate with the A5s. This will push the budget a bit but will serve you well for quite some time. (I've lived my A2s for good 4 years and still love them)
4. Why not think of separates? In the A5+ budget there are plethora of options. e.g Tannoy, Wharfedale, PSB Alpha B1, Paradigm Atom, MS Aviano etc. Add an entry level amp like the Marantz PM5004/Norge/Nad 315 and you have a very potent system which could be upgraded in parts without much compromise.

 

[grepkapil]

Thanks guys.
- I would definitely buy a DAC. would explore that separately.

- for AE 2, please suggest me a SUB. AE S8 is very expensive for me. Looking for one under 10-15k and should be compatible with AE2 as it does not have sub output.

- AE5/5+ with a SUB would again be an expensive deal.

- Don't have much space to have speakers setup with AMP etc.

Any feedbak on SWANS??

One more thing, as you said AV 40 are unforgiven to bad source and reveals the source. Or a DAC would cover up?
Is it the same case with AE 2/5 and Wharfedale 10.1? I do a lot of casual listening via Youtube.. (please bear with it.)

-Kapil

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Another AV-40 owner. Yes, studio monitors are supposed to be flat, and these are entry-level studio monitors. Likewise, studio monitors are mean for nearfield listening, so if they don't sound good when filling a room, it may be because they were not designed to do that.

...assuming built-in sound card would suffice

That depends on how you define suffice!

Built-in sound cards today are better than add-in soundcards of years ago. This is one thing that costs you nothing to try, because you have it already.

It's a good sign if your built-in has a line-out, and not such a good sign if you are forced to use the headphone out, which has already been subject to an inferior amplifier, but, whatever, you can try that even. At least you get music while you're saving up for your DAC/interface.

 

[grepkapil]

Thanks Thad E Ginathom.

Yes, I think....I need a DAC if looking for better sound. But dont have much idea.
I would like to have a DAC/Interface that should be multi-purpose that should also not work with computer but should support iPod/Pocket media players/cellphones etc. Can you suggest one.

Audioengine offers Audioengine D1 that seems to be multi purpose. Is it good??

-Kapil

 

[ruenigma]

I'd suggest go with the A5 without a sub to start with. It'll be sonically much superior than A2 + a mediocre sub. You can save for the sub if needed and get it later.

In the AudioEngine DAC's price range you have many options. HRT MSII, Audinst HUD MX1, Maverick Audio D2 etc. Do give them a listen before jumping the gun.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

On head-fi, some people said that AudioEngine A5 are an over-hyped speakers whereas swans are an amazing. M-Audio AV40 is a flat sounding speaker so you may find them boring, a monitor like sound, whereas no such thing is with Swans D1080 it is warm and at the same time very detailed and very musical with a great bass punch. AV40 has 4 inch mid-bass driver and AE2 has very small mid-bass driver 2.75 inches before swans D1080 so you cannot expect as much bass in AE2 and AV40 before D1080. AV40's are bright before Swans D1080.

If you can increase your budget and you have priority like more music and less movies/games so Swans M200MK2 is the system which is really very hard to beat or if you have more movies/games in priority which demands extra sub-woofer or you demand extra more bass punch so M50W is very hard to beat 2.1 currently in the Indian market.

 

[theredcommando]

I was and still am in similar dilemma.
I was aiming integrated 2.1 system earlier, now I am eyeing separate speakers and a sub. But think that adding sub is not going to be easy considering price.

How about microlab solo 5/6(Circle Arko) Swan D1080(also any expert opinion?)? Its(microlab) very cheap and might open the gates for further hi-fi exploration. I am considering those...

 

[grepkapil]

I was and still am in similar dilemma.
I was aiming integrated 2.1 system earlier, now I am eyeing separate speakers and a sub. But think that adding sub is not going to be easy considering price.

How about microlab solo 5/6(Circle Arko) Swan D1080(also any expert opinion?)? Its(microlab) very cheap and might open the gates for further hi-fi exploration. I am considering those...

dude, Where to get Microlab' product in india?

 

[grepkapil]

On head-fi, some people said that AudioEngine A5 are an over-hyped speakers whereas swans are an amazing. M-Audio AV40 is a flat sounding speaker so you may find them boring, a monitor like sound, whereas no such thing is with Swans D1080 it is warm and at the same time very detailed and very musical with a great bass punch. AV40 has 4 inch mid-bass driver and AE2 has very small mid-bass driver 2.75 inches before swans D1080 so you cannot expect as much bass in AE2 and AV40 before D1080. AV40's are bright before Swans D1080.

If you can increase your budget and you have priority like more music and less movies/games so Swans M200MK2 is the system which is really very hard to beat or if you have more movies/games in priority which demands extra sub-woofer or you demand extra more bass punch so M50W is very hard to beat 2.1 currently in the Indian market.

Thanks!! So you are suggesting...among Swans products, M50W is best? M1080 seems to be good and cheaper than 50W and I can easily invest money in a god DAC. But I think I will be missing SUB and this setup may require future investment in SUB too.

Now between M200MK2 and M50W, it is tough to choose. both are good...but don't know which one is best..

-Kapil

 

[theredcommando]

Its rebranded as Circle Arko here in India. bitfang and ezmaal both have them listed pretty cheap. 5c is listed at 6k and 6c was not available at both sites.

The reason I am considering those is because this would introduce me to good audio so that I can decide if hard earned cash is to be spent on something expensive.

However, I always struggle to understand importance of DAC. I have Nokia 5800 and its frequency output is extremely flat. I dont understand what difference a dedicated DAC is going to make... Can any expert clarify.?

PS: Will create separate thread for above question if you feel this is hijacking...

 

[grepkapil]

HRT MSII, Audinst HUD MX1, Maverick Audio D2 etc. Do give them a listen before jumping the gun.

What about FiiO E10 USB DAC??? Is it a good DAC. Thogh I am not sure if it is available in India.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Thanks!! So you are suggesting...among Swans products, M50W is best? M1080 seems to be good and cheaper than 50W and I can easily invest money in a god DAC. But I think I will be missing SUB and this setup may require future investment in SUB too.

Now between M200MK2 and M50W, it is tough to choose. both are good...but don't know which one is best..

-Kapil

There is no need to be confused between both of them

You need to set your priority:

1. More music and less movies/games = Swans M200MK2
2. More Movies/Games and slightly less music = Swans M50W

 

[grepkapil]

I want to audition any of the SWANS product in Delhi....any help???

 

[grepkapil]

There is no need to be confused between both of them

You need to set your priority:

1. More music and less movies/games = Swans M200MK2
2. More Movies/Games and slightly less music = Swans M50W

Dude, You sound like SWANS seller....

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I would like to have a DAC/Interface that should be multi-purpose that should also not work with computer but should support iPod/Pocket media players/cellphones etc. Can you suggest one.

Lots of other members know about stand-alone DACs: I'm more of a sound card man

How many of those portable things have a digital out?

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Dude, You sound like SWANS seller....

Am I?

Well I am not, it's a known fact which I have told you. There are many people who likes more bass punch and some don't that's what I told you.

 

[Rockfella]

Lots of other members know about stand-alone DACs: I'm more of a sound card man
How many of those portable things have a digital out?

Digital is not the ultimate bench mark of good speakers

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Digital is not the ultimate bench mark of good speakers

I would like to have a DAC/Interface that should be multi-purpose that should also not work with computer but should support iPod/Pocket media players/cellphones etc.

Is what I was talking about. "Digital" is not a benchmark of speakers at all.