Help Me Improve my PC Audio

[Eames]

Hi, just got the new issue and its my first time buying the mag. Seems like a very well informed bunch of guys writing the mag.

Anyway I would like to improve the sound quality of my PC which has a Creative Titanium HD soundcard and the speakers are Harman Kardon Soundsticks iii.

I have selected the Q Acoustics 2010i speakers but I understand they won't be able to connect to my Creative soundcard and I will need a seperate amp.

I have a Sandstrom SHFUSB10 and I can't find much information about it but the included speakers have a resistance of 4 ohm and the speakers are 50 watts. The Q Acoustics I've selected have 6 ohm resistance and are 75 watts. This means very little to me as I don't understand what ohms and watts means except more watts means more volume or something.

So a brief summary, I want to improve my pc sound. What I have - PC with Creative Titanium HD soundcard, a Sandstrom SHFUSB10 that is currently being used with my TV.

I have chosen the Q Acoustics 2010i and wish to place them on my desk and use them with my pc for gaming and music. They will also need to fill a medium/large bedroom with sound when I want to listen to music away from the desk.

So what would be the best way of amping the Q Acoustics, what else do I need to buy or can I somehow use what I already have?

Thanks!

 

[Andy Clough]

Have you considered a pair of powered speakers, with the amplification built in, such as the Q Acoustics Q-BT3? That way you don't need a separate amp:

http://www.whathifi.com/q-acoustics/q-bt3/review

 

[Eames]

Hi those are out of reach of my budget, I have seen the M-Audio BX5's for £138, are these a good option?

A review here http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/m-audio-bx5-d2-526893

 

[fr0g]

Hi those are out of reach of my budget, I have seen the M-Audio BX5's for £138, are these a good option?

A review here http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/m-audio-bx5-d2-526893

I have listened to some cheap m-audio actives and for the price they were very good. It's a proper bi-amplified design too, and I would bet will be a better speaker than the above Q-Acoustics...However, there is no built in DAC, so you would need to run an RCA to 1/4" cable from the soundcard.

Another review (D2) here

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb12/articles/m-audio-bx5-d2.htm