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Computer Speakers

post #1 of 10
1/24/13 at 6:42am
Thread Starter 
Looking for some budget bookshelf computer speakers to use with my T amp. I have seen the Dayton Audio B652 get some decent reviews and they are fairly cheap. However, I don't plan on getting a subwoofer, so the lower they can go down themselves the better. Are any of the polks worth considering as they seem to get fairly cheap regularly on newegg sales. Also, the more compact the better. And again, with these being nearfield, is it a problem to use bookshelves? I also have a triple monitor setup that is about 50" wide, so the bookshelves will be placed fairly wide apart. $100 is the max I would like to spend, but the $50 daytons do sound nice price wise. I just want something budget while not being overly cheap. Thanks.

Additionally, anything out there similar to a class t amp or a small form factor receiver that would be around $100 that has optical in and a subwoofer connection? I like the idea of a receiver but not the size, especially given the size of my monitor setup and the speakers when purchased. Running out of room.
Edited by Huck43 - 1/24/13 at 9:28am
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post #2 of 10
1/24/13 at 9:51am
There are probably better speakers available for that kind of use - especially when you are using a t-amp to drive them and not using a sub. Those Dayton speakers are only 87db efficient - and need a sub to round out the sounds since they are only rated down to 70hz. You'll miss a lot of the bass if you don't have a sub. Even a small one in near-field listening helps greatly.
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post #3 of 10
1/24/13 at 10:39am
Thread Starter 
A 10" sub could be doable, but it is an additional cost.

I currently have no sound card and don't plan to get one. Is it worth getting a new amp that has a digital input, or should i look into a cheap dac before the lepai? I had this setup connected to my tv, but I would prefer to go from my amp straight to the speakers and have a subwoofer output as well from the amp. I see the nuforce dia and audioengine n22 seem to have this capability. Is there a cheaper option than these or are these even good options?

Also, speaker recommendations to accompany this?

Or is this just getting too complicated and I might as well go with some Swan powered speakers.

Or will none of this make a difference in terms of "sound quality" over an analog input from my onboard to the lepai and simply skip all of this nonsense? I mostly play games, casually listen to music, and watch some videos.

Thanks.

Edit:

http://www.kantospeakers.com/products/yaro-amp

I also found this amp which seems to have all the inputs/outputs, but it is more expensive and not as well known?
Edited by Huck43 - 1/24/13 at 10:54am
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post #4 of 10
1/24/13 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huck43 View Post

Looking for some budget bookshelf computer speakers to use with my T amp. I have seen the Dayton Audio B652 get some decent reviews and they are fairly cheap. However, I don't plan on getting a subwoofer, so the lower they can go down themselves the better. Are any of the polks worth considering as they seem to get fairly cheap regularly on newegg sales. Also, the more compact the better. And again, with these being nearfield, is it a problem to use bookshelves? I also have a triple monitor setup that is about 50" wide, so the bookshelves will be placed fairly wide apart. $100 is the max I would like to spend, but the $50 daytons do sound nice price wise. I just want something budget while not being overly cheap. Thanks.

Additionally, anything out there similar to a class t amp or a small form factor receiver that would be around $100 that has optical in and a subwoofer connection? I like the idea of a receiver but not the size, especially given the size of my monitor setup and the speakers when purchased. Running out of room.

I notice that the Dayton B652 speakers are on sale for $29.98 each

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-652

11-13/16" H x 7-1/16" W x 6-7/16

I don't see any advantage to going out of your way to replace your existing T-amp with something with a optical input.

If you want to get serious about using a subwoofer then that is called bass management you are beginning to nibble on the bottom end of AVRs which is under $150. Trouble is as you point out, some of them are about as big as your little speakers! The good news is that they also have the optical input you want to have.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR309/Onkyo-TX-SR309-5.1-Channel-3-D-Ready-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

17 1/8" x 5 7/8" x 12 15/16"
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post #5 of 10
1/24/13 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies guys. So assuming I go the bookshelf only route for the time being, I can always add a sub down the road or upgrade to a better amp/receiver.

So can I get some recommendations for speakers for computer use. I guess if they can go lower, than that is a plus given the lack of a sub to start. Anything around the $100 range is welcome. Thanks.
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post #6 of 10
1/24/13 at 7:08pm
Thread Starter 
Well I just ordered the newer Pioneer SP-BS22-LR for $85 off amazon. Was kind of turned off by the smallish woofer, but I have heard good things so we will see.
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post #7 of 10
1/25/13 at 11:15am
That small woofer plays down to 63hz according to Pioneer. At some point a subwoofer will be needed to round out the frequency response. The Andrew Jones designed speakers get some very good reviews. Especially at the price point they sell to.
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post #8 of 10
1/25/13 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Knucklehead90 View Post

That small woofer plays down to 63hz according to Pioneer. At some point a subwoofer will be needed to round out the frequency response. The Andrew Jones designed speakers get some very good reviews. Especially at the price point they sell to.

Here's the dynamic range estimate versus frequency:

Freq,Hz Max SPL, DB

10 56
20 68
30 75
40 80
50 84
60 87
70 90
80 92
90 94
100 96
110 98
120 99
130 101
140 102
150 103
160 104
170 106

For a high quality system, they would have to be crossed over > 200 Hz.

If you are sitting right on top of them (typical computer speakers) probably OK down to 70 Hz.

My benchmark speakers in this category are the Infinity Primus P163:

Here's them P163 dynamic range estimate versus frequency:

Freq,Hz Max SPL, DB

10 65
20 77
30 84
40 89
50 93
60 96
70 99
80 101
90 103
100 105
110 106
120 108
130 109
140 111
150 112
160 113
Edited by arnyk - 1/25/13 at 11:33am
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post #9 of 10
1/25/13 at 12:07pm
Thread Starter 
I considered the p163 as well and liked the large 6.5" woofer and good reviews. Do you believe they are worth the doubled price over the pioneers? Would they be fine without a sub? The pioneers haven't shipped yet, so if you would recommend something else in the $150ish range that is vastly better (such as the p163), let me know. Thanks.

EDIT:

How are these Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 350

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=c1lbtGctEeKYbu4ky_MqHAYKA6_QOYP3_0_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&Item=N82E16882325059&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na

They appear to go extremely low as they have a built in 8" woofer in addition to the smaller 5.25" one. Any thoughts on these as they are fairly small too which is nice.
Edited by Huck43 - 1/25/13 at 12:30pm
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post #10 of 10
1/25/13 at 2:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huck43 View Post

I considered the p163 as well and liked the large 6.5" woofer and good reviews. Do you believe they are worth the doubled price over the pioneers? Would they be fine without a sub? The pioneers haven't shipped yet, so if you would recommend something else in the $150ish range that is vastly better (such as the p163), let me know. Thanks.

EDIT:

How are these Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 350

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=c1lbtGctEeKYbu4ky_MqHAYKA6_QOYP3_0_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&Item=N82E16882325059&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na

They appear to go extremely low as they have a built in 8" woofer in addition to the smaller 5.25" one. Any thoughts on these as they are fairly small too which is nice.

The DefTech SM350 are really good bookshelf speakers but they aren't powered. These are normally $400 a pair. I'd personally go for the SM450 which WERE $280 on Newegg. The 8" woofer in the SM350 is passive. It does help a little with the low end but it is just a radiator. These are older designs which were replaced last year with the new SM45/55/65. The SM45 ~ SM350 and the SM55 ~ SM450. The SM65 is a SM45 with another 5.25" mid-woofer. I have the SM55 and they are excellent for music as well as movies, but I use mine strictly for 2-channel or as Height speakers in a 11.2 setup.
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