Hifi system for computer?

Andy Pandy · 22 Dec 2017 at 18:16

Hi all. I am sorry to ask some really silly questions but I know absolutely nothing about sound sytems!
I am wanting to have a really nice speaker system for my computer so I can listen to Spotify, youtube videos and anything else I throw at it. I am currently using a Creative Labs Megaworks THX 5.1 550 which is showing its age. I really want the speakers to be loud and really rock the house. The volume and bass from my Megaworks 5.1 is very good, but it could be better.

I have been suggested to get a T amp (I have no idea what this is) and a pair of speakers to go with it. I have looked at a well known store that sells rich sounding hifi systems and there is a bundle which comes with

Onkyo A9010 amp
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers.

Is this a nice setup to go for? Should I go for something cheaper if its overkill? I don't even know how to connect it to the computer, do I need to buy a soundcard? I am using the onboard audio from my Gigabyte Z270x Gaming K5 motherboard at the moment.

Sorry if these are silly questions, any help is much appreciated

TLDR

Looking for great sounding speakers to connect to my computer so I can rock the house.

Andy Pandy · 22 Dec 2017 at 19:42

hornetstinger said:
The Onkyo is a stereo integrated amplifier, so you'll send analogue audio from your PC to it. That means you are limited to sound quality on the souncard, generally I find them to be noisy (like when you scroll a mouse) you can hear that from the speakers. Not all are like that, but I just use digital out into a avr instead.

A T-amplifier is a small desktop amp, usually 10-50W, and they are pretty cheap, so you could get one of those put more money into the speakers. You don't need massive amounts of power when your speakers are 1 meter away from you.

Onkyo are quite bright, so are Monitor Audio from my experience, so it may not be a good match unless you want a very forward soundstage. Go and listen to a few speaker and amplifier brands.

However if you want "banging" loudness levels, then hifi isn't for you, just get some pro speakers and a pro amplifier.

Ah so the onkyo amp is no good then. What t amp wouls you recommend I look at getting? If the speakers are no good do you recommend those other ones you said in my other thread? I will mainly be listening to music whilst sitting at my desk. I’ll go to the shop soon and try whatever they have to offer.

What are pro speakers?

Andy Pandy · 22 Dec 2017 at 20:26

I’ll look into both stereo amps and Avr amps. I won’t need pro speakers by the sound of things then. This is going to be used in my bedroom, I have a big sized desk though so I should be able to accommodate a big amp and speakers.

Thanks for your replies. I’ll hopefully be able to try three things in the shop

Andy Pandy · 23 Dec 2017 at 06:46

Thanks for the further replies. There are so many options for speakers it’s crazy! I have a budget of £300 to £400. I have a fairly big desk to put the speakers on, I may have to put the computer on the floor to fit an amp on though. The audio quest dragonfly option seems like an interesting one. Will I only need the dragonfly and the speakers with the cable to get things running? It’ll plug into my computers onboard audio ports?

I’m looking into all these options you’ve posted me. It’s a lot to take in for a beginner lol.

Andy Pandy · 23 Dec 2017 at 17:13

Just read that my current speakers came out in 2001! My friend has offered me his Logitech Z906 speakers for 2 weeks whilst he is on holiday. I have just ordered a Soundblaster Z sound card to replace my X-fi so hopefully I will notice a big change in the new speakers/soundcard. As one of the previous posters pointed out, I don't think I am an audiophile. To me my current Creative Megaworks still sound good. I do prefer volume and bass. I live in a detached house so I like to have the music really loud now and again.

Thanks for all your replies, I will update you on how I get on with the Logitech Z906!

Andy Pandy · 23 Dec 2017 at 17:31

I am 27 so I guess that is true

. I do appreciate sound quality though. I haven't ever experienced high quality speakers before though so I have nothing to compare against my Creative Megaworks. Do you think the Z906 is a big step up from what I have now? If no then I'll definitely be after a hifi system of some sort still!

Andy Pandy · 24 Dec 2017 at 11:37

I ordered a Soundblaster Z from a website last night and it was delivered this morning! I've got it setup and my friend has just dropped off his Logitech Z906 for me to try. Wow is all I can say! To me this sounds incredible.. I realise there are far better speakers than these but to me this is perfect!

Andy Pandy · 24 Dec 2017 at 18:10

Hmm help?

I thought I'd turn the volume up past 50 % on the speakers and 60 % odd in windows and now the front left speaker doesn't make any noise at low volume and it crackles at anything more than 20%.

I thought oh no the speaker is broken so I tested to see if it actually is. I swapped the front left for the front right and still the front left doesn't work, but the front right works perfectly.

So it looks like the speaker itself isn't broken but it's either the subwoofer or cable? I thought the speaker system would be able to handle high volumes. Anything I can try to do so my friend doesn't kill me? :eek:

Andy Pandy · 24 Dec 2017 at 21:29

Wow I'm so sorry to have a triple post combo... So I've fixed my crackling speaker. I guess too much bass had wriggled the cable out of the subwoofer. Its now in securely and it's working like a charm. Panic over!

Merry Christmas everyone