Spec me some speakers for my gaming PC

Soldato
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Hi All,

So currently I have my PC plugged in to my Audio Pro Allroom air one via a lineout lead. I'm pretty sure it's on its way out as it keeps turning itself off (have had it for 8years or so).

Anyway given a budget of £400 ish what would people suggest for a decentish stereo speaker setup. Mostly used for listening to music during my work day but would also be used for gaming too.

I have no sound card, just using the audio outputs from my MSI Mag X570 Tomahawk motherboard.

Thanks,

Paul
 
Soldato
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I can recommend these Prodipe 5 V3's, they can be purchased new for just over £100 each. To be honest they are absolutely outstanding for that money, quality twin amps per speaker, cabinet has no vibration I can hear, easy to listen to for long periods, good mids and surprisingly good low end considering size of speakers. There is a Prodipe 8 V3 with 8" drivers that's apparently even better that i'm considering buying also. To give some idea of comparison I've own Edifier speakers before and these are a jump in quality over Edifer.

To get the most from these speakers you will require a good source, and be prepared to set them up in your room. Placing them directly on your desk and running only motherboard audio will in no way do them justice.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=TWV1WEpfWVBqTDFwVlQ4ZG0xbE9aVFg0UnI0Nm93

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=MlJHS2FLcnJ4REpqaTN5UnBQTnBBWXBzSGN2QmdR
 
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Associate
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I'd have gone for a Loxjie A30 amp from the rainforest, (usb input, Amp, Headphone Amp, plus Sub out in-case you want to add one later) Then a nice set of budget speakers form one of the popular brands, (Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, Q Acoustic, Dali)
 
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Soldato
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Edifier S350DB.

I'd have gone for a Loxjie A30 amp from the rainforest, (usb input, Amp, Headphone Amp, plus Sub out in-case you want to add one later) Then a nice set of budget speakers form one of the popular brands, (Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, Q Acoustic, Dali)

Thanks, can those be combined? So the Edifiers plugged into the A30?

Can probably tell I'm clueless :p
 
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Don
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Thanks, can those be combined? So the Edifiers plugged into the A30?

The Edifiers have a built in amplifier. With a class D amp like the one mentioned you'd use some non-amplified "hi-fi" bookshelf/standmount speakers something like:

https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-9-0-black.html
or
https://www.richersounds.com/mordaunt-short-m10-blk.html

I've personally used a AIYIMA A04 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08FR1F9LC/ with some Denon bookshelf speakers, and it was powerful enough even for outdoor use, so would be fine for a desk.
There are plenty of other brands of these small amplifiers though (like Fosi Audio, Topping, SMSL), so just a case of searching for reviews and picking something appropriate.
 
Soldato
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I use to run, and still own, an Edifier S530 2.1, as in following link. That system is pretty good, however I did modify the system by changing the smaller Edifier satellite speakers out with some Yamaha bookshelf speakers that make a big improvement

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/edifier-s530d-2.1-speakers-145-w-rms-sound-system-sp-006-er.html

I no longer run the above, and instead run as mentioned Propide 5 V3's, as they out perform the Edifiers.

With the Propides I can hear details in the music I could not with the Edifier / Yamaha's I owned. The Propides have the bass reflex port on the front (so you install closer to wall), bi amplifiers (so no cross over, filtering is in electronics before the amplifiers), separate speaker front panel to reduce vibration, fiberglass speaker cones. As there monitors you also have high end DB control, the Edifiers will not give you these things.

Downside with the Propides, no DAC, I'm using an Asus Essence STX II, and you must set them up, so stands etc. However do the work and you have something that's entry level professional sound for little budget.

http://www.prodipe.co.uk/studio-monitors/2111-pro-5-v3.html

Also the Propide 5 V3's have quite a flat frequency curve, listening to these speakers they sound very honest to the sound. Notice that most of the consumer speaker brands never publish the frequency curve.

http://www.prodipe.co.uk/media/courbe_spl_pro5v3_speakers_1000_x_750__079464800_1640_26012016.jpg

EDIT:

If you don't wish all the trouble of buying a good source, or that bothered about setting up studio monitors, then the Edifier S350DB with it's build in DAC is probably your best choice.
 
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Associate
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Had the exact same challenge recently. Was very upset with the electrical noise on my set up using the normal 3.5mm jacks. The secret is to use your SPDIF output and avoid any electrical connection between your PC and DAC/Amp. I ended up doing this
- Use optical SPDIF output
- Running in to SMSL M100 Mk2 DAC
- Running in to a Muse Class D amp
- Running in to Wharefedale Diamond 9.0 speakers

Basically it's very budget (approx £200 I reckon), but sounds wonderful. I can put volume up to max and there is no noise whatsoever. Am very pleased. Obviously you can upgrade the components and get better, but this is a good starting point. Using SPDIF optical out is the key.

 
Soldato
OP
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I just have mine plugged in via Optical to the PC, check some reviews, it is a very good solution for the money IMO and sounds excellent.

Thanks all, I think I'm leaning towards these now perhaps the S360DB's.

I'm going to need some stands as my desk is getting a little full, can anyone recommend some universal stands?
 
Soldato
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PaulStar, yes these Gear4Music stands.

BTW I tried everything to resize this image in BBCode, but I was unable to.

AM-JKLWtpZuwXKVZ_8fE65-o3izPKMkbUXj5cMiDI12kfI2lC3kyaUcNO0IgMUyIGz5yGyFn1STDDEDzIVBEFsXsDy0a-V6jhTH0TgJZTWhcBwdRlD531rnSq-Rvj9ShGv44CLyHWLJdym9yeFdHur9_XmJq=w663-h884-no
 
Soldato
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Thanks have a link to those?

This is exact item.

https://www.gear4music.com/Recordin...Ph1VwYFcpivGUtGno0dEMDnjBoet8vooaAnlDEALw_wcB

Also, Gear4Music make a more expensive version that has tilt angle. My experience speaker should be flat, and then change the speaker position by vertical height only - basically you want the area between tweeter and main driver close to ear level. Other words I don't think you need the tilt version of the stands, what you do need however is some isolation foam as that makes another good improvement to sound.
 
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Soldato
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Thanks again, I think those might be a bit short for my needs, they would need to be floor stands on carpet, doesn't look like those extend sufficiently enough to have the speaker near ear level.

I think these are the equivalent perhaps

https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Studio-Monitor-Speaker-Stands-Pair/6PM

Yes they look the same, I notice these also, however they look almost identical including weight load.

https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Studio-Monitor-Speaker-Stand-Single/1T8G

PS I would also check the length of the satellite speaker connectors for the S360DB, as i'm guessing you will run the sub on the floor, and of course satellite speakers on those stands. I think the S360DB's use bespoke speaker connections, so make sure the cable reaches.
 
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Associate
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For stands I bought AudioEngine DS1 or 2 (Whichever ones were the right width for the speakers - can't seem to find my order)

I'm sure there are other options, these just allowed the sound to be raised slightly.

let me know what you think when you get it all setup :)
 
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