2.1 speakers + sound card (gaming rig)

dacads said:
Don't forget the SP2500 freq range includes the subwoofer which are expected to hit 35Hz so you've proved nothing really ;)

Also 235w that's total output power..the sub is only a 8" 120w really a 10" with 150w+ power is what you want ;)

If bookshelf speakes are hit and miss then why are they recommended constantly over 'PC Speakers'

I think if you listen to both then you'll find out which ones a hit and a miss :p
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They are a package.. for £180, at your desk, they are quite compelling.. not perfect, but firstly getting any passable sub, bookshelfs and amp for that price is nigh on impossible, and getting it to work well as a system? Or not take up the entire desk? Another huge ask..

I have Edifier RT1600s as well, they don't sound as good to my ears, and lack the scale and range on top...

It'd have to be some set of bookshelf speakers/amp combo to make any small improvements in midrange outweigh the lack of low end clout, especially if you want games, video and audio performance for that kind of music.
 
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Wow, thanks for the suggestions and feedback. I was away for a few days and came back to a full thread of responses with some really useful and helpful ideas :)

I think for my uses which are more general than audiophile-specific, e.g. gaming, music, general Internet-y stuff, etc. that the SP2500 sound like an ideal fit. I do appreciate they aren't going to compete with a proper hi-fi setup but for my uses I think they'll do just nicely!

As for a soundcard, people are suggesting the ASUS Xonar DX/D2X. I'll go read up on those as I must admit I don't know much about them other than, briefly, the DX2 doesn't have front-panel support although it's slightly better quality.
I've been looking for an Auzentech X-Fi Forte for ages but can't track one down. I've read only good things about them. What about the new Creative high end cards? I heard bad things about Creative from years gone by (terrible driver support) but has the company changed in recent years? Are they due a second chance?

Also, how do the DX/D2X compare with the Essence STX & ST?
 
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Ok, got you :)
I'm seeing Creative are releasing a new Z-range of soundblaster cards - the Z (entry level) is already out, and the ZX and ZxR are due soon. I'm reading they have sorted their act and these cards will compete - finally - with the Xonar DX/D2X. Is that right? I'm guessing there's strong feelings but I'd be interested to know what people think...
 
Been reading up more about cards. D2X is the lead contender right now as I appreciate an Essence ST/X is overboard for the SP2500 speakers. But the more I read, the more I'm learning and the more I'm looking at investing in a high-end spec. I've done this with the rest of my gig, it seems silly to cut corners on sound.

So, the SP2500 and the D2X are Option 1 (cheap).

For option 2, if cost isn't an issue although I'm looking at less than, say, £500 all-in (card plus speakers), what would be a good set up for the Essence ST/X speaker-wise? I know that it's a card for headphones but that doesn't mean it won't output the same quality with a decent enough set of speakers (2.0 or 2.1) presumably.
 
The Essence is a great card for speaker use too; definitely. Quite a few OcUK members use mainly speakers with their Essence, including me; but speakers have to cost a lot more than headphones to get similar quality. Headphones are much more sensitive and contain far less materials. My opinion is that £130+ headphones are worthy of an Essence. Some people feel that to really get the best from it, then £300+ is what you'd need to spend on headphones. £180 speakers aren't going to come close to being as good as £130 headphones.

I would say £350-£400 minimum is what you'd need to spend on speakers; this is buying new of course, and including the cost the amp. If talking 2.1, then that would rise quite a bit. A decent subwoofer will cost £200 on it's own. Marantz PM6004 amp and Monitor Audio BX2 speakers would make a great setup for around £450.

However, buying second hand can get some superb bargains, and would get you a lot more for your money.
 
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Do you mean £130 headphones + soundcard/dac/amp would be better than £130 speakers or headphones on their own?
 
Marantz PM6004 amp and Monitor Audio BX2 speakers would make a great setup for around £450.
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I would agree.

To the original poster, why do you feel the need to include a sound card in your setup when you could initially go aynchronous usb/2.1 amp/dac with a 2.1 cambridge audio Minx setup (which you could add extra speakers when you are ready to go 5.1): this is if you are going quality?

I'm biased here but I ditched my Xonar essence for an asynchronous usb setup because (in my opinion) it wasn't good enough. Just something to consider.
 
Do you mean £130 headphones + soundcard/dac/amp would be better than £130 speakers or headphones on their own?
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I'm talking about just the headphones alone.

A lot of headphones will work great from a standard 3.5mm audio socket and do not need a dedicated amp; even many higher end headphones. Speakers, won't do much at all without a dedicated amp. The cost of the amp, whether it's one in powered speakers, or a separate one, has to be factored in and adds cost.

If you compare headphones and passive speakers directly using the same amplifier; which would be a fairer comparison, the headphones will still sound better. Speakers use more materials; and good speakers need well made cabinets. It costs more to design and build good cabinets. Whatever the price point, whether it be £50, £200 or £1000, speakers just aren't going to sound as good as headphones that cost the same amount of money.
 
ethan said:
I would agree.

To the original poster, why do you feel the need to include a sound card in your setup when you could initially go aynchronous usb/2.1 amp/dac with a 2.1 cambridge audio Minx setup (which you could add extra speakers when you are ready to go 5.1): this is if you are going quality?

I'm biased here but I ditched my Xonar essence for an asynchronous usb setup because (in my opinion) it wasn't good enough. Just something to consider.
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Interesting - I'm learning something new with every reply.
I don't know anything about asynchronous setups - from what I can see scouting around on Google, they look almost like an external sound card which plugs into a USB port? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
What asynchronous solution are you using in place of the Essence?

So the options are totting up as:
1. D2X plus Sb2500
2. Essence ST plus Marantz PM6004 amp and 2x Monitor Audio BX2 speakers
3. Asynchronous setup (TBC)
 
I am not at home until later and so cannot correctly reply. In part answer to your question have a look at the way the dacmagic plus works or any other 2.1 integrated amp with a usb connection. I use the dacmagic plus for brilliant quality stereo and hdmi with a seperate amp for 5.1, a yamaha rx-a1010 to be exact. No sound card needed.
 
stevetuk said:
Interesting - I'm learning something new with every reply.
I don't know anything about asynchronous setups - from what I can see scouting around on Google, they look almost like an external sound card which plugs into a USB port? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
What asynchronous solution are you using in place of the Essence?

So the options are totting up as:
1. D2X plus Sb2500
2. Essence ST plus Marantz PM6004 amp and 2x Monitor Audio BX2 speakers
3. Asynchronous setup (TBC)
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Option two would be better with a DAC such as the mentioned Cambridge Audio DACMagic
 
One question that should have been asked, that hasn't as far I'm aware: Will the speaker setup be used for music?

Because really, that's what all the separates gear mentioned, was designed for. If this is just for gaming, I think it's overkill spending £500+. Game audio, in my opinion, does not require such speakers, amps and DACs. I've tried my Essence with game audio, just to see what it was like. It didn't really sound any better than a cheaper sound card. Music however; that's where it excels.

I think to spend several hundred on speakers, amp, DAC and maybe a subwoofer; one really must want such a setup for music first and foremost. To buy such gear with gaming primarily in mind, and maybe a little music; is just buying it just for the sake of it.
 
Marsman said:
One question that should have been asked, that hasn't as far I'm aware: Will the speaker setup be used for music?

Because really, that's what all the separates gear mentioned, was designed for. If this is just for gaming, I think it's overkill spending £500+. Game audio, in my opinion, does not require such speakers, amps and DACs. I've tried my Essence with game audio, just to see what it was like. It didn't really sound any better than a cheaper sound card. Music however; that's where it excels.

I think to spend several hundred on speakers, amp, DAC and maybe a subwoofer; one really must want such a setup for music first and foremost. To buy such gear with gaming primarily in mind, and maybe a little music; is just buying it just for the sake of it.
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Understood; I'm intending for my rig to be an all-in-one entertainment system really. Primary use now is for computing, secondary will be for movies, and third as a music system.
For info: I don't have a hifi system anywhere. My computer is the only thing I do play my music on (other than my iPhone on the train which doesn't count). So, turning my computer into a hifi would be nice.
I appreciate the topic title didn't start that way but I've been learning as I've gone along and have taken suggestions and ideas on board so it's evolved from a purely gaming-rig setup intent to something more.
 
dacads said:
Option two would be better with a DAC such as the mentioned Cambridge Audio DACMagic
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So that would be two options essentially:

1. D2X + SB2500 (gaming use primarily)
2. Cambridge DacMagic 100 + Marantz PM6004 + 2x Monitor Audio BX2 speakers (hifi setup for movies and sound, plus gaming)

So a DAC replaces the need for a sound card entirely? So really there's no point in the Essence ST/X?

Edit: another question, sorry: the M-Audio BX2 speakers are bookshelf speakers, but I'm seeing there are also BX5 floorstanding and BX5 D2 bookshelf speakers. Of all of those, which are best value/quality/suited to the uses above?
 
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BX5 D2's are powered studio monitor speakers made by M-Audio; who are an American company. They are not the same company as Monitor Audio; who are British.
 
Understandable, as the companies and speaker models are very similar in name. :)

Both BX2 and BX5 are great, so depends on placement and what you can afford.
 
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