PC - Amp/Speakers help needed

Goldenrig

Goldenrig

Goldenrig

Associate
Joined
15 Mar 2018
Posts
42
Hi all,

I would like some help and advice please. I currently have no PC speakers and never have had any, I always use headphones, but now I am looking at buying a set of PC speakers, after having a little look at some reviews, people are saying an Amp and Speakers are a better option. So my question is what type of Amp is good for my PC and speakers. I dont want to spend lots, no more than £200. any help and support on what to buy and setting up would be grateful.

Please see below a list of my PC specs if that any help.

CPU: Intel Core i7 4790
CPU Cooler: BeQuiet! Pure Rock
RAM: 16GB Corsair 2400mhz Vengeance Pro (2x8GB)
Graphics card: NVIDIA GTX 970 4g
Motherboard: Asus Z97-P
Operating System: Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
Hard Drive: 2TB S-ATAIII 6.0Gb/s
Case: NZXT S340 Black
PSU: 750W FSP
Mouse: Logitech G502 Mouse
Keyboard: Logitech G213
Headphones: Logitech G533
Internet: Gigabyte Wireless 802.11AC 867Mbps + Bluetooth PCI-E Card
Sound Card: Onboard 7.1 Audio
Monitor: Asus 24 VG248QE 144Hz Gaming LED 1080p 1ms.
 
Things to consider with PC/Desktop speakers.

Main thing is desk space, because of this you are normally better off with 2.1 speakers. Exception to this is putting the speakers forward of the desk (allowing bigger 2.0 speakers), but that would mean the desk back from the wall. Other thing you need to do is raise the speakers to ear level, so you need to allow some budget for speaker stands. I can't stress how important getting speakers to ear level is, speakers not at correct height will never sound correct.

Advantage of active speakers is reduced space, however there is some compact amp/dac's you can buy. Other advantage of active speakers is amp is matched to speakers by manufacturer.

So to recommend really need to know desk layout / space, also is 2.0 music the most important thing, or do you want more general music/games/film setup?
 
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So desk space isn’t an issue. It’s mainly for games and music. And streaming the occasional sports or film. Never knew about ear level so thats good to know.
 
Your probably looking at something like this. Below has the advance as it has it's own DAC that will be better than your motherboard audio.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/edif...dio-certified-powered-speakers-sp-05a-er.html

or these

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/edifier-studio-r2730db-128w-rms-bluetooth-speakers-sp-029-er.html

These would also be an option, again these have their own DAC also. Only issue with 2.1 speakers if mid-range can sometimes be effected.

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

Whatever you do you need some speaker stands, google 'Gear for music stands' they can be had for around £30.

I really good option would be something like Elac B5 speakers and external amp/dac however you would be looking at £300+
 
This is a great reply thank you. I will look at these soon. Just one more thing, do i need to buy a separate amp set and speakers? Or do the speakers have everything i need. So i guess my question is with the first two speakers you put in the link, will they be fine without buying an amp? Or would you recommend buying an amp with them.
 
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Goldenrig said:
This is a great reply thank you. I will look at these soon. Just one more thing, do i need to buy a separate amp set and speakers? Or do the speakers have everything i need. So i guess my question is with the first two speakers you put in the link, will they be fine without buying an amp? Or would you recommend buying an amp with them.
Click to expand...

The Edifier speakers I listed have their own built in amp, so you don't have to buy an amp. They are refered to as active speakers as the amp is contained inside them. They also have their own Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) that I believe will be higher quality then your motherboard sound.

Just looking at your motherboard it does not have an SPDIF plug as standard, so you need you need to source an SPDIF connector back plate. This is if your connecting to those speakers I have listed digitally, that I believe will give best sound quality.

You will need something like this, i'm pretty sure OCUK don't sell them.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/SPDIF-Opti...therboard/17012812621?iid=253824771478&chn=ps
 
Yes just to summarise, 2.0 speakers will be better for music, they will be better in the mid range for vocal type sounds. 2.1 speakers are better for films/games where you want the bass unit to emphasise explosion type sounds more. So choose either 2.0 or 2.1 speakers based on this.

You can have the best of both worlds, as you can run 2.1 speakers with larger satellite speakers, but no one makes 2.1 systems with larger satellite speakers in your price range.

Then as mentioned you need to raise the desk speakers up to ear level. Also raising them on speaker stands helps isolate the speaker from the desk and reduces distortion.

Whatever speakers you choose they can take 24 hours to run in (sound correct). When you first get them operate the speakers at just general background listening for at least 3 hours, after this time start to gently increase the volume on them. Over time the sound will become more rounded and less harsh as the speakers run in. What ever you do never get a new speaker and drive it to loud volumes immediately as it can possibly compromise the speaker forever.
 
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wow this just shows how little I know about speakers! haha :) but all jokes aside this is great information and has cleared many of my questions up, Im really looking forward to purchasing some very very soon and glad I asked the question on here first!
 
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