Thread 106503075

I know NOTHING about speakers, but I do need a set for my desk area.
I tried doing a cursory bit of research, but the speakers community seems rather convoluted and autistic and susceptible to snake oil.
What speakers do you have? Do you recommend them? What features should I care about if I 'just' want to listen to 'music'? Do I need stands? Right now I'm looking at the Ai41, as my budget is like $300.

actually I think the Kanto YU2 are better for me? they have USB input

>>106503075 (OP)
whats critical is how far away you will be sat from your speakers. if its just a few feet then you need near field speakers.

>>106503226
yes it will be a few feet away. essentially on my desk.

>>106503075 (OP)
avoid bluetooth or wireless speakers if you care about quality, those two convert your music on the fly to a low bitrate and thats just a terrible idea for the sake of no wires

>>106503075 (OP)
I have KRK Rokit 7 and I'm very satisfied. They are monitor speakers, so the sound is very neutral and defined. You can probably get the 5er series of them for 150 each

>>106503325
>KRK Rokit
>Three Voicing Modes – Mix, Focus, and Create – for 3-in-1 monitoring flexibility
>25 boundary and tuning EQ combinations to help minimize and correct problems in your acoustical environment

I'm sure they're good, but all of that shit would just confuse me? Like I simply want to listen to my Klaus Schulze albums man

>>106503075 (OP)
I've got the Behringer MS40s, only about $150 and the sound is great for near field. 24bit 96khz for all your autistic audiophile needs.

>>106503380
forgot pic.

>>106503376
Mate I didn't even know about most of that until just now. You can just plug them in and play music, the default flat setting of the eq is perfectly fine. Occasionally I use the built in EQ to boost or reduce bass, depending on if I want a bit more oomph or have to consider my neighbors.

>>106503410
oh I see.

i have nearfield kef q100s i got for cheap from some boomer, on stands. old technics integrated amp. umik-1 calibration microphone and room eq wizard
pretty good value for money.

>>106503075 (OP)
>convoluted and autistic
1000% TRUTH
>What speakers do you have?
Edifier R1700BT
>Do you recommend them
Yes, cheap, good looking and decent quality.
>What features should I care about
Only you know. For me it's decent sound quality, stylish, not to big, self-powered, Bluetooth and not expensive.
>Do I need stands
No.
>Budget is $300
Lots of choices. I suggest you make up your mind first.
If you just want to listen to music at the desk i.e., close field, consider Edifier M60.
They have decent sound, are incredibly small compared to the competition, looks are okay, Bluetooth and cost about $150.

>>106503529
those are cheap enough I'll just get em and upgrade later I suppose. thanks

>>106503075 (OP)
I use the Audioengine A5+ and the small silicone stands which tilt the speaker upward slightly. Nice powered stereo speakers for my desktop.

>>106503075 (OP)

sick fucker you are just lift $300 speakers to conveyer belt see if they make some excuse or you get to own some speakers

>>106503075 (OP)
>susceptible to snake oil
Understatement of the day right there. Make sure to buy some $50K covers for your speaker cables so there's absolutely no interference, lmao

>>106503075 (OP)
1: You need front ported. Rear ports are for pedestal speakers that have enough space behind them as well as enough distance to the listener to develop the sound. On a PC you're right next to the speakers and the speakers are often not in ideal acoustic places so you basically need them front ported or sealed (sealed are uncommon).

2: Do you have an amp? Do you want stereo or surround?

If you just want stereo and don't have an amp then you need powered speakers.
Just look for front ported powered speakers and see what's in your price range and on sale--there are constantly speaker sales.

If you have an AMP already then, again, there is a short list of front ported speakers that will work for you. Personally I like my Elac Debuts 2.0 C5.2s

If you want surround and already have a surround amp the bundeled 5.1 and 7.1 systems are actually pretty good for computers.

For surround the Dayton Classics are pretty good. You can get a 7.1 setup for 40 bucks a speaker and the center will fit under your monitor.

tl;dr get front ported, wait for sales

>>106503075 (OP)
neumi silk 4 speakers
fosi za3 amp
Love them

>>106503075 (OP)
at that price you're getting into monitors territory, I would rather spend less for a pair of edifier
for that size just get some foam pads or get creative to raise them up a bit, you want the tweeter roughly at your ear's height

>>106505216
>edifier
R1700BTs?
>>106505141
>Rear ported
Nope.

who do I believe

>>106503238
Kali LP-UNF

Or if you have more flexible room on your desk, IN-UNF

>>106505327
those look perfect for me.

>>106505266
>R1700BTs?
those are fine but don't have optical input, I would search for a pair that has both optical and bluetooth so you can use them with a tv or a console via cable without buying shitty converters

>>106503283
I have a headphone DAC (Topping DX3 Pro+) that can connect both via USB and Bluetooth.
I can hear absolutely zero difference and neither could you.

>>106503075 (OP)
Just go to the thrift store/charity shop/second hand electronics/facebook marketplace and just get some basic passive speakers from the 90s and an amplifier and you're good.

>>106505429
if you add a dac you're well above your budget, keep also in mind all lowend monitors have constant background noise from their cheap amps, if your hearing is still good it can be annoying

>>106505505
I have tinnitus already
the lp-unf seems to have BT and also USB-C input so I'm good there

>>106505505
They both have digital input, no need for a separate DAC

>>106505514
>I have tinnitus already
if you go for them keep the volume in check, at first you don't realize how LOUD monitors can get because they are designed to sound as linear as possible
these days I use soundlock to protect myself from random peaks

>>106505446
Toslink is 1970s shit.
The question isn't why do manufactures use this antiquated shit standard but why do people keep falling for it.

Bluetooth is fine, I guess most people don't care about above 15khz because that's all cropped by bluetooth, but why pay more for bluetooth when the RCA or USB-C input that all new (worth a shit) monitors come with standard.

>>106503075 (OP)
>convoluted and autistic and susceptible to snake oil.
Well you've come to the right place to avoid those things OP

>>106505582
>I guess most people don't care about above 15khz
my high end is gone, I wish I could still ear that much even if it's just annoying noise

Just get some edifiers and be done with it
BUT if you want to get into bookshelves and DACs and deeper then we can go there

>>106505637
YOUR HYPE NAND IS GONE? WHAT DID YOU SAY?

>>106505582
yeah fucking brainded retard lets use BT for stationary SPEAKERS LMAO
Also Toslink is completely resistent to ground loops you poser xD

>>106505682
I said it was fine--I didn't say it was good.

If you have a ground-loop issue with your PC you've got bigger problems to worry about than a ground loop from an audio cable.

You clearly don't know anything about signal formatting if you the blue tooth is bad but toslink is good. If you want to ignore a grounding issue and just work around it with cabling than blutooth is indistinguishable from TosLink.

The main difference is eventually blutooth compression formats will be updated but toslink never will be based on how the hardware works.

Either way: I look forward to you talking out your ass more while justifying the use of 1970s cabling standards that blow donkeyballs.

order placed. thanks guys

Need bookshelf speakers?
>AR-4x
Need living room speakers?
>AR-4x
Need monitors?
>AR-4x
Need speakers for your garage?
>AR-4x

Why are the Acoustic Research 4x speakers the best speakers ever made?

>>106503075 (OP)
Buy a Logitech Z whatever 2.1 speakers and move on.
Don't based your entire personality on spending money.

>>106506757
Whatdy'aget?

>>106507551
LP-UNF

>>106507575
>LP-UNF
I, as a random stranger on an anonymous board that lives just below the anus of the internet digestive system, think you'll be satisfied with them.

Finally a speaker thread. My speaker purchases over the years...
>shitty desktop spheres
>z709 Logitech 2.1
>DIY Overnight sensations I built
>Free Paradigm Studio 20's I got from a friend

I've been chasing clarity and am considering another DIY (I'm a decent carpenter). Any thoughts on 2 way vs. 2.5way vs 3 way? Recommended kits? These will be for a dedicated music primary then home theatre space. Options I'm leaning on right now

>Chevalier 3 way
https://www.speakerdesignworks.com/chevalier
>Anthology II 3 way
https://www.speakerdesignworks.com/anthology-ii
>Ara 2 way
https://sbacoustics.com/product/ara/

I have a pretty good paradigm 10'' subwoofer to pair with. Also would love to explore ribbons.

Advice? Is there really much room to gain in the $1500 DIY territory over my current paradigm reference speakers? Am I throwing my money away... I just want to hear the twang of a violin and guitar like I was there.

>>106508407
that's a lot of money. I feel the diminishing returns aren't worth it?

>>106508771
Still relatively cheap on the audio equipment spectrum. I feel like eventually I will be buying endgame speakers, so why wait.

>>106508407
You'll get better sound with a 300 dollar speaker pair and spending the rest on acoustic treatment... unless you're using your speakers on a PC then you're better off with front ported speakers because your head is right next to them.

I used to run teams that installed AV equipment and other electronics in multi million dollar jets owned by billionaires and part of my team did the install for one of george lucas's private theaters--and his private jet.

I know a bunch of musicians and went with a few of them to professional grade recording studios. None of them use thousand dollar speakers although some use vintage ones that are expensive NOW but not when they bought them.

>>106507575
Good call
Just to reinforce the decision
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kali_lp_unf/

>>106508407
If you only have one sub then invest in a measurement and room EQ system instead
It is very difficult to properly integrate one just by ear

If you are willing to learn then a $100 umik-1 and REW (free) is enough
If you want automagic then pay up for dirac, ARC, etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muB2OV7Jncw
Mine, bought cus I saw this video and liked the tech

>>106503529
I also have the Edifier R1700BT and they are surprisingly good for powered monitors at a near-budget price point. Heard some worrying stuff about longevity but time will tell and they're already 3-4 years old, still running great.

The only others I have that come close are Klipsch R-51m and they're much larger and require an amp. There is a slight limit on tone from the Edifiers that you can't get past because of their small size, they can't fill a space like larger speakers can, but otherwise very good.

got these bad boys for $140

>>106511267
btw this is with a sub, it does NOT go down to 20hz. more like 50hz

I can buy the Kali IN-8 for 650 bucks (used ofc), is there anything better than those in that price range? I'm willing to look for used speakers too

What are peoples thoughts on the ADAM D3V? That's what I'm currently considering, mostly because I like the look of them ngl.

>>106511542
Get the 2nd wave model, the first gen has bad hiss

They are awesome though and can not be beat for the price

>>106511796
im buying them next fr

Horn-loaded, if you want it to sound live. I know, most of you are poor, but when you make it, remember what I said. I'm out.

If you're going to get into audiofaggotry you should know beforehand that most bottom-tier equipment like those speakers have a "noise-floor". It may come as a shock that $300 speakers hiss more than a pair of passive $10 logitechs but it is what it is. Amps are not something you want to leave plugged in all day long, you may think playing loud music would heat them up and being quiet would cool them, it is usually the opposite. Getting an overpowered amp won't make it "run cooler" at the same volume, it isn't a sports car.
The second thing is that five-inch woofers without a subwoofer may be underwhelming.

>>106512609
I find amps introduce hissing, not the quality of the speaker. My DAC to a shitty class D amp, no hiss. DAC to a nice Yamaha amp, always a hiss unless in direct mode, which cancels the subwoofer out... Annoying.

ppl sleepin on iloud fr

I use a pair of Adam t5v's that I got for $350 and they work quite well. I doubt that you would be able to hear a difference with larger speakers if your room is not treated acoustically treated. I got them for mixing in my shitty apartment and they are probably overkill. Frankly if its just for listening to music I would go for cheaper monitors like the above mentioned Kali or KRK Rokits, don't go above 5" speakers.

>>106511796
>>106512042
WAY Over priced for what you get.
Those are 100 dollar speakers sold for 3x their value.

>>106512609
PC speaker hiss is almost always a byproduct of voltage bleed from the audio plug. On board audio has always been a grounding nightmare.
>>106513172
You probably have a ground loop. I think he's talking about active speakers. I'm curious how your sub is hooked up.

>>106513207
the small ones have no bass and the bigger ones are pricey enough where you might consider something else

>>106513207
>>106513750
overpriced, underwhelming. You can get a 2.1 logitech system with a sub for about half the price.

>>106503075 (OP)
Keep it simple brother, don't get sucked into hobbyist autism. Timesinks, MONEYsinks, emotional energy sinks. You can get sucked down any and every hobbyist black hole. Coffee. DIY tools. Cleaning products. Open source software. Musical instruments. Data storage/hoarding. There's no end.
If you know nothing about speakers, then anything basic will be fine.

Creative Pebble V2
>if you '''neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed''' more bass
Creative Pebble Plus
Edifier R1280

>>106503075 (OP)
Just aim for a flat frequency response making sure they aren't overly small. Three drivers are better than two but a lot can be done with two if they are designed well. Don't get sucked into the bass hype shit that's been a plague for 30 something years because it overwhelms the other frequencies, again you want something flat.

>>106514014
I agree if you're not mixing you probably should get that instead, fill the sub port with a sock if they sound too boomy and you're good

>>106514216
>>106514014
I like my ilouds, they need a bunch of EQ but I never felt like they didnt have enough bass

>>106513750
Small can be perfectly fine depending on the distance. You can lose bass with smaller speakers when it's time to crank the volume up. OP is not talking about the distance he will be listening from.

>>106514230
They're over priced for what you get. I don't care what you think about sound quality. I can get better for cheaper, especially at the 300 price point.
>>106514275
If it's on a PC you can very much assume the distances to be significantly less than a home theater setup.

>>106514216
If you ARE mixing iloud are total shit. There is an overlap for monotor and PC speaker requirements but iloud defiantly shouldn't be used for mixing audio tracks.

>>106514296
I wont argue about this, I wasnt in the market for big speakers anyway, just wanted the best I could get with those dimensions, while also having a front facing bass port since untreated room, expensive or not I just wouldnt change them for anything else

>>106514330
Those aren't the best you can get in those dimensions.

Even 70 dollar Edifiers will be on par with those.

i love the 2.1 sound. my recommendations:
>Logitech Z623
>Edifier S360DB