Stereo speakers + amp up to 300 pounds

[mariano]

I'm looking for a stereo system which I'll be using with my computer (integrated sound card) for up to 200-300 pounds, but I'm absolutely clueless what to look at.

As far as genres go, I'm literally wihout limits (I'm mostly listening to electronic music though, so I want punchy bass).

I have a chance to get a Cambridge Audio A300 amp for 50-60 pounds. Is it a good buy for my budget ? What speakers would you recommend with it ?

Can anyone please recommend the best sound system my money can get ? I want to buy it in the UK (London).

Edit: how about these ? <a href='http://www.amazon.co.uk/KRK-Rokit-Monitor-Speakers-Pair/dp/B003SQ49YQ/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&m=A14IIIPC6UYE0C&qid=1357991050&s=generic&sr=1-10'>KRK Rokit RP5 G2</a> Would they go with the A300 amp ?

 

[Anonymous]

With your budget personally I'd shop opn eBay and get some decent 2nd hand stuff; more bang for your buck etc...!

Amps:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NAD-C315BEE-Integrated-Amplifier-40-Watts-Per-Channel-RMS-Multiple-Inputs-/281049818799?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item416fdfe6af

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Open-Box-NAD-C316-BEE-Performance-Amplifier-Graphite-/271113655916?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3f1fa2166c

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nad-C325BEE-Stereo-Amplifier-/190782440385?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item2c6b8503c1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nad-C315BEE-Intergrated-stereo-amplifier-manual-remote-box-Superb-working-cond-/290842669315?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item43b792f103

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rotel-RA-04-Black-40W-Integrated-Amplifier-/261151726948?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3ccddb1d64

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROTEL-RA-04-full-sized-Integrated-Amplifier-Great-sound-Phono-RA04-99p-NR-/190781019269?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item2c6b6f5485

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcam-A65-amplifier-/121048262717?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item1c2f09e83d

Speakers:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-W-DM601-SPEAKERS-WITH-GRILLS-BOWERS-AND-WILKINS-SUPERB-SOUND-CONDITION-/200875562932?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item2ec51dd7b4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-W-DM601-S1-Main-Stereo-Speakers-/290840892167?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item43b777d307

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wharfedale-Diamond-10-1-Blackwood/dp/B0031NHB96/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357995025&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/WHARFEDALE-DIAMOND-SPEAKERS-BLACK-PAIR/dp/B002WJAQY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357995025&sr=8-1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tannoy-Mercury-M2-Main-Stereo-Speakers-/281046535658?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item416fadcdea

All the above will work well. IMO one of the NAD amps and the Wharfedale 10.1's would be a superb set-up.

Does your soundcard have a DAC included. If not the likes of a FiiO D3 or Lindy DAC via Amazon (c£30/£40) with a basic optical cable and a set of RCA cables would be a great way to get a better sound! Thats if your soundcard has optical out that is. If not a similar USB DAC would would work well!

Have you also considered active speakers such as the Audioengine A5's or EPOZ Aktimate Maxis? Can be hand ex-demo/2nd hand for your budget and no amps needed; just plug into your computer & the mains and off you go!

 

[Blackdawn]

My choice system for that price would be a second hand Denon PMA 250SE driving a pair of Boston Acoustics A26 speakers. Fantastic combo.

 

[the record spot]

Secodhand is the way to go here, or a pair of new active speakers like KRK's Rokit 5, Yamaha's HS50, Roland's DS7 or stretch the budget out to around £380 would get a pair of Yamaha HS80M's which will satisfy your bass thirst!

For my money, and they are rare, try and get hold of a Harmon Kardon HK6550 or the beefier HK6850, both of which should come in under £150 - build to die for, ample power, good current, and sound terrific. Plenty of power under the lid. That leaves you £150 for something either new (e.g. Richer Sounds sale) or used, and the likes of Mission's original 751 for around £100 or less would be a winner. Factor in £60 for a pair of Mission's excellent Stancettes and you can sit back and enjoy knowing you'd probably have a hard time beating that combo for the money (actives included).

 

[mariano]

Thank you for the answers.

When I think about it... active speakers would probably be a better choice for a computer-based setup.

So far we have the following candidates (prices for new pairs):

Audioengine A5 - £330

KRK Rokit 5 - £250

Yamaha HS50 - £240

Unfortunately I couldn't find Roland DS7s nor EPOZ Aktimate Maxis (these look bad-ass).

A5s are a bit over my budget ? Do you think they are worth the £80 over the Rokits ?

How are the HS50s compared to the Rokits ?

Any other suggestions ?

I would consider buying 2nd hand, but I need to be sure they will work... where is the most reliable place to buy 2nd hand audio ?

 

[BigH]

There are some Behringers active for about £180, can't remember the number but meant to be very good.

OK they are B1030As.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the answers.

When I think about it... active speakers would probably be a better choice for a computer-based setup.

So far we have the following candidates (prices for new pairs):

Audioengine A5 - £330

KRK Rokit 5 - £250

Yamaha HS50 - £240

Unfortunately I couldn't find Roland DS7s nor EPOZ Aktimate Maxis (these look bad-ass).

A5s are a bit over my budget ? Do you think they are worth the £80 over the Rokits ?

How are the HS50s compared to the Rokits ?

Any other suggestions ?

I would consider buying 2nd hand, but I need to be sure they will work... where is the most reliable place to buy 2nd hand audio ?

EPOZ's here but over budget:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aktimate-Maxi-Black-iPod-Active-Speakers-Pair-Save-40-Bargain-AK7-/190782375125?pt=UK_MP3_Player_Accessories_AudioDocks_Speakers&hash=item2c6b8404d5

However I'd be tempted to contact them as their price seems too high for ex-demo when they were that price brand new not so long ago with the likes of Superfi etc...

The Yamaha AS50's are superb speakers; some that I listened to alongside the Epoz's but you need a DAC and XLR cables for the Yamaha's so that adds up as well; you can just plug them into a computer and go whereas you can with the Audioengine and EPOZ speakers!

 

[Anonymous]

Another suggestion (way below budget paremeters as well):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Gigaworks-Series-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B001IZZ2PO

I have these and they're astounding and so much bang for your buck for PC speakers. For me they thrash the B&W MM1's outright soundstage and the MM1's are multi award winners!

When we were decorating the living room (completely gutted 20' by 16' room with just carpet down) I used these on the window ledge and streamed from my iPad and they filled the living room with ease and the bass depth/kick these produce is stunning!

 

[andrew_cawood]

Also think about the Focal XS Book

 

[Anonymous]

^^^

Good call!

 

[mariano]

I think the ones that 'the record spot' recommended were HS50M - they are active as well.

I ruled out the A5s for now. I can't go higher than 300 (ideally around 250)... unless I find a good 2nd hand deal on them.

I also ruled out the Creatives. They may be a bang for the buck, but if I can get better for the money I have, then I'd rather buy those.

So far we have:

KRK Rokit 5 - £250,

Yamaha HS50M - £240, Focal XS Book - £260, Behringer B1030As - £180, I'm gonna be studying them' reviews now. Until then, please do express your opinion on which ones do you think are best. I'll be buying them around 2 weeks from now.

 

[Anonymous]

I know what youre saying re the active speakers (Yamahas, Rokits etc...) but as I said above; you'll also need a DAC with XLR outs so connect the speakers to the computer as they dont have standard RCA inpiuts unlike the Audioengine or EPOZ speakers

Pic of the rear of the Yamaha speakers:

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/closeup/xl/1600-HS50M_rear.jpg

The likes of Yamaha, Rokit et al speakers are ideally studio monitors but obviously will work well with a PC based system

Definitly dont rule out the Focal XS Book speakers; they are astonishing (brother has these as they were overkill for me) but the Creatives are also fantastic!

 

[Anonymous]

EDIT**

Just noticed that the Behringer does have an unbalanced RCA in:

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/closeup/xl/1600-B1030A_detail2.jpg

And the same with the ROKIT's: http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/krk-rokit-5-g2-456283.jpg

You will need a DAC or similar to connect your PC to these sppeakers. Does your PC have just a 3.5mm phono out ot does the soundcard have RCA or an optical out?

You could get away with a basic optical DAC such as the Fiio D3 or Lindy DAC for around £30-£40 on Amazon.

If not you may have to rely on a USB DAC to connect your PC to these speakers:

Maybe something like this: http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_ucontrol_uca_202.htm

 

[mariano]

I'm kinda confused about these out/inputs.

I thought cinch (RCA) was analogue... isn't that correct ? Why do I need a DAC then ? I thought I can just connect the jack output directly to the RCA input.

My PC only has a 3.5" jack output and I'm definitely looking for a solution that can work a simple jack output, so I can connect it to any source.

 

[Big Chris]

You might find the sound via the 3.5mm mini-jack is truly abysmal.

A USB DAC would probably be a big improvement. What about...

http://www.whathifi.com/review/epoz-aktimate-micro

 

[Anonymous]

You might find the sound via the 3.5mm mini-jack is truly abysmal.

A USB DAC would probably be a big improvement. What about...

http://www.whathifi.com/review/epoz-aktimate-micro

This!

 

[mariano]

I went to a hifi store here in London and got a recommendation for RCF Ayra 5. Allegedly they are similar to the Rokits, but better. Anyone knows them ?

I did think about having the sound go through USB and bypassing my poor quality integrated sound card (I'm getting a new computer soon, but it'll probably still be an integrated card). But then I want to be able to plug my mp3 player in too. So I need a set that has both jack and RCA, right ?

 

[mariano]

Looks like I'm gonna go with either Ayra 5's or the Rokits (if I find a good second hand deal).

Can you recommend a good DAC that would go with them ? Obviously it needs to be worth the upgrade from simple jack output. Price limit around £40.

 

[MajorFubar]

Sorry I'm late to join this party but what about a pair of Alesis M1 520 USB's? I have a pair of these in my home studio. They would appear to tick all your boxes. £180ish, so within price. Built-in audio-interface, you just plug them into your computer via a USB cable. Two 1/4" jack-sockets in the back to accept a stereo analogue input (which your computer can record from, if you like, because the audio interface is both a DAC and an ADC). Not too big. Active, so no separate amp required.

Oh and they sound darn good. They're pro-audio so you won't find them reviewed in HiFi mags. But if you search you'll find very favourable reviews from the pros at Sound-On-Sound and elsewhere.

 

[mariano]

They look great, but how do you think they compare to Rokit's ? Anyone else can recommend these ?

 

[the record spot]

Here you go, Roland DS7s, from the excellent Red Dog Music in Edinburgh. 14 day money back guarantee and a good price at that. Buy with confidence from the guys at Red Dog too, they're a great shop to deal with.

http://www.reddogmusic.co.uk/catalog/product/887179/roland-ds7-b-stock

They also have the excellent Tannoy Reveal 601a actives too. Deffo worth considering.

EDIT: Note the price shown is per speaker, not the pair unless the listing explicitly says so. Actives are more usually priced as single items. Still great value though.

 

[mariano]

Thanks, but I fell in love with the Alesis.

Maybe I'll get some IEMs for the money I'll have saved.

Thank you all for the advice.

 

[mariano]

I want to buy them tomorrow, but I started to think about it again.. maybe I'll go for the Rokits after all.

Has anyone had the chance to compare Alesis m1 520 USB's with the Rokits ? How about those Ayra 5's ?

Those are the 3 I'm thinking about. I really like Alesis for the price and for the USB interface, but they keep recommending me the Rokits. How much would a good USB DAC that would go with them cost ?

 

[the record spot]

Ayra 5 review from Sound on Sound. They appeared on a Google search within the first page. Worth using sometime?!

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul12/articles/rcf-ayra5.htm

 

[mariano]

Yes, I've read that. But I'd be interested in a direct comparison between any of the mentioned 3 speakers.