Laptop Speaker & Audio Advice

[admin_exported]

Okay so I am new to all this and need bit of advice.

I listen to a lot of music though my laptop and use a set of average 2.1 speakers. But I am now wanting to upgrade this and get a decent system to run the music through.

My first idea is getting an amp and floorstanding speakers.

Can anyone let me know if this is easy to do and if so, an idea of what kind of equipment to be looking at, I m on a bit of a budget (Around 300-ish) but want to get something that has a good quality sound and is pretty durable.

Cheers

 

[nopiano]

You will be struggling to get what is generally considered to be full 'hi-fi' speakers and amplifier within your budget, especialy as floorstanding speakers under (say) 300GBP are often inferior to 'bookshelf' models, as so much cost goes into construction ans shipping.

You can get good speakers for 100GBP upwards, and you do tend to get what you pay for. Secondhand speakers are a viable option, and you will find lots of threads here debating various merits. The Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 was a favourite you can now get for about 80GBP. Other current models with great reviews include those by Roth Audio, Q Acoustics, Mision and Tannoy. A similar story with amplifiers, really. You can access all the best buys on this site.

However, the big BUT here is that you don't want simply to be connecting all this like you do your 2.1s, namely through the 3.5mm jack on your laptop, but instread through a DAC to get the decoding done better, outside of the laptop.

This opens up a raft of options which I am far from the best placed to advise.

Richer Sounds is a good place to get bargains, often last year's models at a reduced price.

 

[Overdose]

The solution will depend on how your room is arranged, room size and how close you sit to your speakers.

If your are right in front of your speakers, then maybe an Apple Airport Express with Audioengine A2 or A5s, if you are a bit further away, then maybe a hifi amp and standmount speakers.

At your budget, secondhand kit will get you a good result.