Bookshelf for PC setup

Take a look at the KRK Rokit 5 G2. Great sound, already amplified, made for near field listening which i perfect for PC setups.

The Lepai t-amp works surprisingly well (I have one), so much that it makes me wonder if the more expensive Dayton actually can perform much better. I'd say get it, save your money, and then one day upgrade to something really nice like the Emotiva mini-X a-100 or a full size HK 3390 or 3490.

I have a pair of Energy RC-10s in a PC setup. They work great; they have a good amount of mid-bass for such a small speaker and go down to 50hz. They are rear ported, so they need room to breathe out the back. Probably want to give them 6" from the wall.

Also look at the Behringer B2030P and B2031P passive studio monitors.

BTW: What kind of sound card do you have in your PC?

I am using the Audioengine A2 speakers, which got such a rave write-up in Stereophile. They are self-powered and have excellent sound for only $200; a real steal. I am just using the analog stereo sound output from my motherboard (AC97), which is surprisingly good.

I use them with a Sony SA-W2500 sub, which I got for $70. Since I don't play music super-loud, this is enough to do the job.

Quite an amazing sound setup for only $270; highly recommended.

The best speaker in your price range is the PSB Alpha B1


Forget Polk and all that junk, PSB owns this price point. There is simply nothing comparable on the market.

TRUE!

PSB ALPHA B1

Forget Polk and all that junk, PSB owns this price point. There is simply nothing comparable on the market.[/quote]

Yeah. Most motherboard analog out audio is not that great.

The reason I asked is if you have room for a receiver and listen to high quality audio files, you could do better in SQ to look for a used surround receiver in Craigslist if your PC audio has optical out or HDMI audio out from your graphics card. That can also be more cost effective than getting a sound card for $80 to $100 later on. I've seen receivers on my CL for less than or about the same price of that Dayton.

You better give your son's system back to him before he gets upset (lol)

If size is an issue, the NHT SuperZeros are nice small monitors, but they do need a sub for the below 100hz range.

I understand. My son is 12 and has a pair of Cambridge Audio S30s and an old HK receiver in his room at my house, both hand me downs from me

Ever think about Tannoy? Powered monitors are in your price range...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004BA4236

I'm on a similar search with a slightly larger budget. Cambridge S30 is one set I will audition, although it was reported that it may not be a good desktop speaker.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1391677

For your budget, the best bang for the buck appears to be Energy RC-10, right at $300 from Vanns. Adding another more economical choice, NHT SuperZero, which was suggested to me and I have since dismissed.

Good luck! Please report back what you decide upon.

With all respect your suggestions are garbadge.

Read my prior post.

With all respect, so is your respect. You suggest one speaker, give no justification for that suggestion, and dismiss all other feedback on the subject.

Go crawl back under your rock.

Your response is not respectful, but rude--and uninformed.

The Energy RC series would be considered by many people to be the same class as the higher PSB Image series, not the lower level PSB Alphas.

God bless.

Care to elaborate on why the PSB Alpha B1 is the only option someone should consider in that price range?

Not that I'll agree with you anyway, but you could at least back up such bold claims.

BTW, your ignorant reply to Nethawk is the only garbage in this thread...

Here is a good post comparing Energy RC10 with PSB Imagine B.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...0#post21026160

The Energy speakers compared well even with the better PSB speakers.

FWIW, while I will audition the PSB Alpha's while at Crutchfield, I have already dismissed them as inferior to many of the other contenders on my list, for a couple of reasons - user reports of overly "bright' highs and mediocre lows.

Jason, I might suggest adding to your research methodology the type of music you listen to most, and compose your searches with this in mind. It may help to narrow your search. For example, Stereophile praised rude dude's choice for orchestral music, while pointing out the deficiencies I mentioned.

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcom...psb/index.html

Good luck in your search.

Can I just say, LOL?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...4#post21558604

The PSB Alpha B1 gets the attention it does for good reason, but it's not the only good $300 pair of speakers out there

Stereophile's Stephen Mejias also liked the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 in comparison to the PSB Alpha B1. He listed it as one of his favorite budget components of 2011. And the full Stereophile review of the Diamond 10.1 was about as good as you can ask for when it comes to a $350 speaker - coupled to solid measurements.

I spent a couple days comparing the Diamond 10.1 and Energy RC-10 in my room, A/B level matched. Personally, I prefer the RC-10. I think the Diamond 10.1 is a very nice speaker - coherent, smooth, and pretty well balanced, with surprisingly extended and punchy bass. That said, I found it a little darker sounding compared to the RC-10, and just not as engaging.

I for one believe you have to go higher than the PSB Alpha, to challange
the Cambridge S30. As far as desktop use, one would have to expierment
and see if the S30 is right for them on the desktop - I have mixed feelings
on that. For one on a tight budget. I would also look at the EMP E41 book
shelf speakers.
http://www.emptek.com/e41b.php
It was measured down to 70hz -3db
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...-40.2-overview

Also good for one on a tight budget - HTD Level Two Speakers
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-tw...shelf-Speakers

That's a great point. I've just been upgrading my main HT setup from B&W 601s to the Energy RC series. After spending a few months comparing the 601s with the RC-10s, I found that the RC-10s do much better with house/trance/techno/trip hop, rock, and the blues that I listen. Yet, I'm sure when I go through my classical music phase again and start comparing the Beethoven sonatas of Brendel, Kempf, Ashkenazy, Richter, and Perahia, I'll miss the 601's a little. They have a sweeter upper mid range and a little better tweeter.

However, the 601 tweeter is very polite--very forgiving--and the low midrange is demure, and then mid-bass is not existent. So, the RC-10s will often sound a little harsh with the high end of the tweeter because they are more revealing, giving them better detail--it's a tradeoff--and Led Zeppelin sounds a hell of a lot better because the growl of Page's guitar has more presence, is more distinct and detailed thanks to the better lower mid-range. I won't even get into how much better the dance genres sound with the better lower mid-range and strong mid-bass.

I listen to alternative, indie, rock, classic rock, reggae, jazz, world and classical. Unfortunately, in the price range I can afford now (in the space I'm looking to fill), I can't hit perfection with everything I listen to. I know I will have to make compromises, and am carefully adjusting my reference songs for the audition process. But, by focusing my online searches and composing notes based on comments of those who have auditioned and/or owned specific contenders I believe the task ahead will be more fulfilling, and more fun.