CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
So right now I have a fairly old, fairly shit 2.1 logitech sound system.  I'm at college so due to space limitations.. I can really only get a 2.0 or 2.1 system.  I was looking on newegg and came across these two:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6836121122  $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6836121015  $244

After further prowling I found the second set up for 79 bucks from tigerdirect (vs the 244 price tag on newegg).  I had my mind pretty much made up until I found the M-audio AV40s... then shit got more difficult.  I started looking at the rokit KRK series and everything started getting waaay too expensive.  The speakers will be used for movies, music and games.  After reading some reviews it looks like m-audio is the way to go, they sound like they are great speakers, they don't need a sub and I've found them for as low as ~$130 shipped.  Is there something else that I should consider or is this the way to go?
Poseidon
Fudgepack DeQueef
+3,253|6507|Long Island, New York
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details … a-2-1.aspx

On backorder atm, but so worth it. My brother's got them and they're absolutely batshit insane. They've also lasted him 5 years now.
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
Yeah I heard about those, and I've heard that while they're good, the AV40s win.  I've been looking around more and I've found the "ALESIS M1 Active Mk2 Bi-Amplified Reference Monitor."  While it's double the price of the m-audio AV40s, and the same price as the rokits, I've heard a lot of two times the price for four times the performance.  Any validity to this?
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
Freezer. I'm expecting your "audiophillic" help btw...
Poseidon
Fudgepack DeQueef
+3,253|6507|Long Island, New York

CommieChipmunk wrote:

Yeah I heard about those, and I've heard that while they're good, the AV40s win.  I've been looking around more and I've found the "ALESIS M1 Active Mk2 Bi-Amplified Reference Monitor."  While it's double the price of the m-audio AV40s, and the same price as the rokits, I've heard a lot of two times the price for four times the performance.  Any validity to this?
I can't say as I've never heard from the AV40's, but I can tell you now for the price, those Klipsch's are some of the best out there. The bass is so incredibly powerful, it shakes our house at times.
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6167|Winland

The M-Aucios have more accurate audio reproduction, but the Klipschs will give a bit more bass, and make for better home use.

Both kits are far, far, far superior to anything Logitech offers.
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
Okay, so here's what I have at this point:
http://www.frontendaudio.com/KRK_RP5G2_ … p/2973.htm
I can get the KRK rokit 5s here for $238 shipped
I can get the m-audio AV40 from dell for $134 shipped

I don't know how many of you guys have experience with this stuff.. but for those that do:

I've read waaay too many reviews about how the KRKs are overpriced and even more about how they are god's gift to mankind.  Being that they'll be set up in a relatively small college dorm room, I don't think that I'll need to add a sub, but if I do sometime down the road, is it feasible and how would I go about doing it?  Also, I know that I can hook the AV40s right up to my computer but it sounds like I might need some kind of adapter to add the KRKs -- is this true?

Finally, between both of those speakers, I know that they're remarkable for music/movies, which is what I would mainly be using them for, but I do enjoy the occasional video game and I've been hearing that they aren't that great for games?  To what extent is this true and would they be any worse than the logitech 2.1 system I have now?

Thanks in advance

Last edited by CommieChipmunk (2009-04-16 23:43:42)

Defiance
Member
+438|6641

First, I'd avoid spending too much on anything you're going to be putting in a college dorm. Shit happens, but shit happens more often in college dorms. If you feel the room's pretty secure, fair enough.

Secondly, I'm using the Klipsch's now and they've done the job well for two years. There's always better audio quality but they more then warrant their not-so-steep price. I couldn't provide any solid argument for them, but personally I'm more then happy I bought them.
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
efffff, the more I read into it, the more it seems like monitors like the rokits would be better for mixing and recording...  not just listening. Should I just stick with the creative/logitech/klipsch like brands?
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6167|Winland

Creative is 90% shit.
Logitech is 100% shit.
Klipsch is 20% overpriced and 80% awesome.

The Rokits are designed to give as neutral sound as possible, which theoretically is the best for everything, but depending on what you listen to, you might want something with a bit more bass rather than sonic accuracy.
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6423|The Twilight Zone

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Creative is 90% shit.
Logitech is 100% shit.
Klipsch is 20% overpriced and 80% awesome.

The Rokits are designed to give as neutral sound as possible, which theoretically is the best for everything, but depending on what you listen to, you might want something with a bit more bass rather than sonic accuracy.
Thats why I bought a sub along with my Rokit monitors. Volume is on minimal but it does give you the lower frequencies only subs can produce.

Also have a look at this: http://www.audioengineusa.com/
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA

.Sup wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Creative is 90% shit.
Logitech is 100% shit.
Klipsch is 20% overpriced and 80% awesome.

The Rokits are designed to give as neutral sound as possible, which theoretically is the best for everything, but depending on what you listen to, you might want something with a bit more bass rather than sonic accuracy.
Thats why I bought a sub along with my Rokit monitors. Volume is on minimal but it does give you the lower frequencies only subs can produce.

Also have a look at this: http://www.audioengineusa.com/
1) How are video games?

2) How do you have everything connected, I have an x-fi sound card, would I just go through that?  Does it go through your sub into your sound card and how would I connect them without the sub?  With two separate monitors would I get two different channels (like in video games where which speaker the sound comes from is dependent upon which direction you're facing or in songs where the speakers are utilized at different times)?

I know it's a lot of questions but if you know the answers it'd really help me out..
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6167|Winland

CommieChipmunk wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Creative is 90% shit.
Logitech is 100% shit.
Klipsch is 20% overpriced and 80% awesome.

The Rokits are designed to give as neutral sound as possible, which theoretically is the best for everything, but depending on what you listen to, you might want something with a bit more bass rather than sonic accuracy.
Thats why I bought a sub along with my Rokit monitors. Volume is on minimal but it does give you the lower frequencies only subs can produce.

Also have a look at this: http://www.audioengineusa.com/
2)With two separate monitors would I get two different channels (like in video games where which speaker the sound comes from is dependent upon which direction you're facing or in songs where the speakers are utilized at different times)?
Eh?

The speakers give you what the sound card gives them. If you're playing a game, you'll get the game sounds just like when using anything else.
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
haha sorry, I'm rather ignorant when it comes to how the whole thing works -- I'm just confused as to how I would plug these in.  Would I just get an adapter and plug them both into it and then the adapter into the little green hole on my sound card?
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6167|Winland

CommieChipmunk wrote:

haha sorry, I'm rather ignorant when it comes to how the whole thing works -- I'm just confused as to how I would plug these in.  Would I just get an adapter and plug them both into it and then the adapter into the little green hole on my sound card?
Yes. You get a 3.5mm plug to two RCA females adapter.
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
Sweet man, thanks.  I'll karma you again when I can
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6167|Winland

You'll also need two mono RCA cables.
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Okay so I have to order these in like the next ten minutes if I'm going to get them any time soon.  Freezer, I have http://www.computercablestore.com/image … 8-2520.jpg that.

It's between: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod … id=1003769 These
and
http://www.frontendaudio.com/ProductDet … p;CartID=1 Those (I know it says they're out of stock but that's cuz they're in my cart)

having not listened to them, would the audio quality between the two speakers justify paying ~$100 more?

Edit:

and now there's these: http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophi … B0014IEBM0

Nevermind, I'm probably just going to go to some guitarcenter like shop and just check the speakers..

Last edited by CommieChipmunk (2009-04-17 12:47:57)

.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6423|The Twilight Zone

CommieChipmunk wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Creative is 90% shit.
Logitech is 100% shit.
Klipsch is 20% overpriced and 80% awesome.

The Rokits are designed to give as neutral sound as possible, which theoretically is the best for everything, but depending on what you listen to, you might want something with a bit more bass rather than sonic accuracy.
Thats why I bought a sub along with my Rokit monitors. Volume is on minimal but it does give you the lower frequencies only subs can produce.

Also have a look at this: http://www.audioengineusa.com/
1) How are video games?

2) How do you have everything connected, I have an x-fi sound card, would I just go through that?  Does it go through your sub into your sound card and how would I connect them without the sub?  With two separate monitors would I get two different channels (like in video games where which speaker the sound comes from is dependent upon which direction you're facing or in songs where the speakers are utilized at different times)?

I know it's a lot of questions but if you know the answers it'd really help me out..
Sorry I couldn't get back to you earlier-I just came home from work.
http://forums.bf2s.com/viewtopic.php?pi … 5#p2593235  -->heres how I have them connected. The last pic has the cables pictured-those you will need if you will connect the monitors to the X-Fi 8same cable will be used if you will go with additional subwoofer.

But beware-the X-fi doesn't have hardware volume controls meaning you will have to adjust volume on each speaker separately (controls are on the back, really hard to access)
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA

.Sup wrote:

CommieChipmunk wrote:

.Sup wrote:


Thats why I bought a sub along with my Rokit monitors. Volume is on minimal but it does give you the lower frequencies only subs can produce.

Also have a look at this: http://www.audioengineusa.com/
1) How are video games?

2) How do you have everything connected, I have an x-fi sound card, would I just go through that?  Does it go through your sub into your sound card and how would I connect them without the sub?  With two separate monitors would I get two different channels (like in video games where which speaker the sound comes from is dependent upon which direction you're facing or in songs where the speakers are utilized at different times)?

I know it's a lot of questions but if you know the answers it'd really help me out..
Sorry I couldn't get back to you earlier-I just came home from work.
http://forums.bf2s.com/viewtopic.php?pi … 5#p2593235  -->heres how I have them connected. The last pic has the cables pictured-those you will need if you will connect the monitors to the X-Fi 8same cable will be used if you will go with additional subwoofer.

But beware-the X-fi doesn't have hardware volume controls meaning you will have to adjust volume on each speaker separately (controls are on the back, really hard to access)
no problem, do they sound good in games?
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6167|Winland

There's so much to consider.

Do you need reference studio quality? Do you want it? Studio monitors are often a disappointment for regular people buying them, as they're used to and expecting "normal" sound, which usually has a bit of a tone on bass and treble. The difference is that reference monitors might sound a bit "tinny" and lifeless.

If you're just looking for a decent set of speakers to go with your computer without going mad, I'd go with the Klipsches posted earlier. They're a pretty nice all-in-one kit that's got good enough sound for most people, and way above average sound for "PC speakers"; they'll blow any shitty Logitechs out of the water.

.Sup wrote:

But beware-the X-fi doesn't have hardware volume controls meaning you will have to adjust volume on each speaker separately (controls are on the back, really hard to access)
I'll be very surprised if his keyboard doesn't have a volume control

Last edited by Freezer7Pro (2009-04-17 13:02:18)

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
CommieChipmunk
Member
+488|6540|Portland, OR, USA
alright sounds good, I guess I'll just have to go check some speakers out and see how I like them.  I'm not really looking at music production or anything.. I just want something that's going to sound good
.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6423|The Twilight Zone

CommieChipmunk wrote:

.Sup wrote:

CommieChipmunk wrote:

1) How are video games?

2) How do you have everything connected, I have an x-fi sound card, would I just go through that?  Does it go through your sub into your sound card and how would I connect them without the sub?  With two separate monitors would I get two different channels (like in video games where which speaker the sound comes from is dependent upon which direction you're facing or in songs where the speakers are utilized at different times)?

I know it's a lot of questions but if you know the answers it'd really help me out..
Sorry I couldn't get back to you earlier-I just came home from work.
http://forums.bf2s.com/viewtopic.php?pi … 5#p2593235  -->heres how I have them connected. The last pic has the cables pictured-those you will need if you will connect the monitors to the X-Fi 8same cable will be used if you will go with additional subwoofer.

But beware-the X-fi doesn't have hardware volume controls meaning you will have to adjust volume on each speaker separately (controls are on the back, really hard to access)
no problem, do they sound good in games?
Clean, accurate sound. Dunno if they will sound good for YOU, I mostly use headphones when gaming. But they produce what is meant to be produced.

Freezer Rokits aren't reference speakers. True about the keyboard, never thought of that even though I have one. Got too used controlling volume with my "soundcard" I forgot there are other ways of hardware controlling. A remote is also a nice alternative.

Last edited by .Sup (2009-04-17 13:05:43)

https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6167|Winland

.Sup wrote:

CommieChipmunk wrote:

.Sup wrote:


Sorry I couldn't get back to you earlier-I just came home from work.
http://forums.bf2s.com/viewtopic.php?pi … 5#p2593235  -->heres how I have them connected. The last pic has the cables pictured-those you will need if you will connect the monitors to the X-Fi 8same cable will be used if you will go with additional subwoofer.

But beware-the X-fi doesn't have hardware volume controls meaning you will have to adjust volume on each speaker separately (controls are on the back, really hard to access)
no problem, do they sound good in games?
A remote is also a nice alternative.
QFT. I've been meaning to make one for ages, but I never get around to it.
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
heggs
Spamalamadingdong
+581|6358|New York

Poseidon wrote:

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-2-1.aspx

On backorder atm, but so worth it. My brother's got them and they're absolutely batshit insane. They've also lasted him 5 years now.
Careful with those, I've read reviews that they don't necessarily age well. Meaning: they don't take wear and tear that well.
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