Best Set-up for use with computer

[REDSANDERS]

Hello,

I am looking for a speaker setup. It will be used mostly with my computer, and my mp3 player. Maybe later, i'll connect it to the DVD player.

My basic usage is in order of priority:
1. Music - I like a nice deep bass, but not an over powering bass. I'm a Bass guitarist. But my music taste is Soft music, instrumental, soft rock etc
2. Movies - Watch a lot of movies on the comp. And a lot of documentaries
3. Youtube and a lot of training videos.

I was thinking of M-Audio AV 40. Then thought of Razor 2.1 setup. I was wondering if it was better to get a budget Amplifier and speaker, or get a speaker like the AV 40s.. Please suggest. Budget- maybe 300 to 400 SGD?

Thanks!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I can make a comment or two on AV40, as I have had a pair since February. My "den" is in an alcove, and I sit between two walls only a few feet apart: it is very unfair on any speaker. In a more open layout, I would not say that the AV40s would be bass heavy: quite the contrary, there may not be enough bass for you.

As a musician you are probably more familiar with the concepts of monitor speakers than I am. These are the the first such speakers I have owned. I would say that these are very analytical speakers (even though they are at the low end of "monitor" budget). They are not forgiving speakers. I find I get fatigue listening to BBC drama, and I suspect it is because of the compression.

 

[thekinge]

Here are some threads that may be of interest to you:

http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/11021-active-speakers-10k-suggestions-please.html

http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/10321-logitech-z-2300-2-1-system-review.html

And please go through / search through the speakers section. In all probability, some one else has already asked similar questions and got them answered.

For 400 SGD / 14K INR, if you are looking for amp / speakers combination, your choices are very limited. See here

 

[gryph0n]

I don't believe you would be able to get anything that covers all bases in that budget. Either you'd get bookshelves with great mids & highs but anemic bass, or you could get 2.1 speakers with great thumpy bass but anemic mids & possibly ok highs.

Like Ginathom's mentioned, the AV40's are Monitor speakers. They won't be "bassy" or "musical". The Whardale's 9.2 have been recommended by many who were looking for some bass in Bookshelves.

The Altec Lansing MX5021 were highly recommended for 2.1 speakers, but they have been EOL'ed. If you are lucky, your local dealers might still have some stock lying around. Klipsch Promedia 2.1 also seem to get many recommendations, but they don't seem easy to procure.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

They won't be "bassy" or "musical".

Can be very musical, it depends on what is fed into them.

Special moments with my AV40s:

1. Incredible String Band: Accoustic 1960s folk rock. Lots of different sounds, lots of detail. Delivered beautifully.

2. Mahler symphony: Big and complete sound of huge orchestra and choir. Astonishingly good.

Not so good moments:

1. Internet BBC drama/documentary. Suspect it reveals the compression damage. gets tiring to listen to.

2. Pink Floyd: Too much bass --- but if I could only knock down that wall behind me! Can't blame the speakers for that.

Another point: I can listen to stuff with my wife asleep one door away, although I would like better very-low-volume performance. They remain quite clear at low volume.

I guess I never turn up them up to more than about 3 (no actual numbers around the nob...) they get loud quickly.

Another point: I needed to get them up to ear level. It makes a big difference; and I needed to find something to stop them passing so much vibration into my table. I don't listen with my arms!

 

[gryph0n]

2. Pink Floyd: Too much bass --- but if I could only knock down that wall behind me! Can't blame the speakers for that.

:lol: That was a good pun.

I don't listen with my arms!

Hmm, interesting. I was not expecting that from AV40's since they were classified as "Monitor". Most speakers that i've heard with "feeling" bass usually "add" the bass which was not present in the source, colouring the sound. But then again, I've not heard that many speakers and certainly not the AV40s. I'm just blabberring stuff

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

That was a good pun.

Hah Hahh!

Didn't think of it at the time. Honest!

:lol:

As to the vibration, I guess that many factors are involved, such as the weight and structure of the desk, supports, etc. Just now I am using books (! --- actually very dense and solid, if not so pretty) as speaker stands, and I found stuff that our builders used to reduce vibration when mounting pumps etc and put a couple of layers of that, along with the pads that M-Audio supply, under them. I also used some strips of it to angle them upwards a little --- seems to work for me!

 

[asliarun]

Hello,

I am looking for a speaker setup. It will be used mostly with my computer, and my mp3 player. Maybe later, i'll connect it to the DVD player.

My basic usage is in order of priority:
1. Music - I like a nice deep bass, but not an over powering bass. I'm a Bass guitarist. But my music taste is Soft music, instrumental, soft rock etc
2. Movies - Watch a lot of movies on the comp. And a lot of documentaries
3. Youtube and a lot of training videos.

I was thinking of M-Audio AV 40. Then thought of Razor 2.1 setup. I was wondering if it was better to get a budget Amplifier and speaker, or get a speaker like the AV 40s.. Please suggest. Budget- maybe 300 to 400 SGD?

Thanks!

You can try the Behringer Truth series of active monitor speakers - B1030A, B2030A, or B2031A - with incrementally larger drivers and lower bass response. These should also fit your budget as they are priced at $150-$300. They're also active, so you won't need an amp.

 

[rallynut]

i think active speakers driven by a good sound card on the comp should be right for u.look at brands like maudio,swan,krk,audioengine.cheers