Advice for pc speakers

Spirit-Warden · 27 Mar 2018 at 19:22

I've been trying to find an audio setup I'll be happy with for gaming with occasional music and my budget is £280. I've looked at a bunch of different speakers, I've asked friends for advice but I still can't decide. I'm currently looking at the AudioEngine A2+ or the Logitech Z906. I did have the AudioEngine A5+ but I sent them back due to bad amps.

The AudioEngine A2+s are smaller and would fit nicely on my desk, and they apparently have about the same sound quality up close as the A5+s, however my friends are suggesting I should get a 5.1 setup and have suggested the Z906. I'm just not sure, I think surround sounds novel but how good is it really? (I've never used surround sound before), also the sound quality of the A5+'s were great, and if the A2+s sound about the same then I'm sure I'd be happy with them (so long as their amp doesn't have a scratchy-hissing like my A5s did).

I know I do want to have good sound quality and several other sites people have said the Logitech's are more like "toys" which concerns me. I am open to suggestions, It's not like I need a logitech or audioengine product, I just know I liked the sound quality of the A5s and as it was just 2.0 I didn't have to worry about a bunch of wires, but friends have suggested the Z906 because of the surround. I hear good things about the Edifiers as well but there are so many models I wouldn't know where to start. Could I get some suggestions? I've been looking for over 3 months now and I really just want to get something good. Thanks

Spirit-Warden · 27 Mar 2018 at 21:20

I should point out that I don' have a sound card, to be honest I don't really plan on getting one, at least not an internal one. If there is something external I can use instead I'm open to that.

Spirit-Warden · 27 Mar 2018 at 21:49

I'm not to bothered about using the virtual software effects like surround and base. I did have a Creative Soundblast Z but when I got the AudioEngine A5+ I never even used the effects because I thought they sounded fine by default. I might still have had the soundcard but Overclockers broke it xD

As for the USB DAC any suggestions?

Spirit-Warden · 27 Mar 2018 at 21:52

Marsman said:
Stereo will be the best way to go for sound quality. Only go for 5.1 if surround sound is more important than getting the best sound quality you can for your money and if you can place the speakers correctly.

Ruark's are a good suggestion. Built in DAC, so no need for a sound card or external DAC, but you'll need to have optical on your motherboard.

A2+ are good, but for such small speakers, a little pricey in my opinion. They do have a built in USB DAC, but for the same money, I'd much prefer JBL LSR305. A fair bit larger though in size than the A2+, so depends what space you have and whether smaller is preferable. No DAC though, but onboard audio might be OK, although getting a separate DAC will be best in the long run.

I have a ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING which I think as an optical connection.

Spirit-Warden · 28 Mar 2018 at 14:02

So from my understanding the Ruarks are a solid choice and as they have a built in DAC and are active speakers I won't need any other devices? Just plug them in and done?

Also I'm not using headphones any more, I already have tinnitus due to an infection and I'm very scared about it ever getting worse.

Spirit-Warden · 28 Mar 2018 at 14:59

Awesome, thank you both.

Spirit-Warden · 3 Apr 2018 at 20:27

I just thought I'd say thanks, they just arrived today. They sound amazing! Exactly what I was looking for.

Edit: I'm seeing sound settings in Windows I've never seen before, 32-bit audio up to 192k hz. Should I set it to the highest possible option or 32-bit 48khz or 24-bit 48khz

Spirit-Warden · 4 Apr 2018 at 18:33

One last thing if anyone could offer some advice, when my graphics card starts getting hot after playing Modern games for a while, the speakers produce a moderately loud hum/ buzz which appears to stop when the game it's closed down. Is that normal?

In case this is relevant, at the moment I'm using a AUX cable rather than Optical cable (that should be arriving tomorrow)

Spirit-Warden · 4 Apr 2018 at 20:30

That's reassuring, optical cable should be here tomorrow if not Friday. I assume in the mean time there won't be any issue of using the AUX cable, causing damage to the speakers because of the possible interference?

Spirit-Warden · 4 Apr 2018 at 21:39

Nice, then I'll continue as normal until the optical arrives. Cheers