PC Speaker advice

Drumroll · 23 Feb 2021 at 14:22

Finally decided to ditch the sound bar that I've been using for the past year (Sony HT-S350), which isn't bad, but somehow lack as PC Speaker.

Started looking but really confused.
Pretty much set to get something from Edifier, or similar (won't even dream to get any Logitech, always got trouble after few months).

Not sure if the lack of a subwoofer on those 2.0 active speaker bundles is a worth compromise, or getting a more generic speaker layout (without dedicated tweeter / midrange), or going B-Grade which at least for speakers is a bit scary for me, as there's potential for some issue identified by the first buyer but that I may not be able to identify in time to sort out.

Basically I'm considering:
Edifier M3600D, roughly £160,
Edifier S350DB (B-Grade) £190 (really the max I'm willing to spend) or
Edifier STUDIO R1600T III £90.

Ideally the speaker will be connected straight to the motherboard.
No Bluetooth or other features necessary.
Any other options?

dacads · 24 Feb 2021 at 21:38

I’d consider studio monitors such As the Presonus Eris E5 too.

will be better dynamically than the Edifier

there’s smaller and cheaper options too such as the Eris E3.5

JasonM · 6 Mar 2021 at 08:57

I'll give you my thoughts on this.

Studio monitors should be better then the Edifiers, you should find they have better tweeters, better quality amp. However I have an issue with studio monitors being there not necessary the most relaxing to listen to. One issue with studio monitors is there very honest, so you find yourself listening to say someone's You Tube channel and being more critical of their production (studio monitors highlight sound issues).

The other issue with studio monitors they need a good quality low noise source input, ideally XLR, you don't have any thing that can provide this.

Second issue with small speakers (including small studio monitors) is they don't provide the very low frequencies, about 45Hz is the lowest desk size speakers go, to get around this you need a sub to provide gentle fill in of those lower frequencies.

Of what you have listed I would choose the 2.1 Edifier S350DB, then I would connect the optical output from your motherboard to them.

Drumroll · 6 Mar 2021 at 20:37

JasonM said:
I'll give you my thoughts on this.

Studio monitors should be better then the Edifiers, you should find they have better tweeters, better quality amp. However I have an issue with studio monitors being there not necessary the most relaxing to listen to. One issue with studio monitors is there very honest, so you find yourself listening to say someone's You Tube channel and being more critical of their production (studio monitors highlight sound issues).

The other issue with studio monitors they need a good quality low noise source input, ideally XLR, you don't have any thing that can provide this.

Second issue with small speakers (including small studio monitors) is they don't provide the very low frequencies, about 45Hz is the lowest desk size speakers go, to get around this you need a sub to provide gentle fill in of those lower frequencies.

Of what you have listed I would choose the 2.1 Edifier S350DB, then I would connect the optical output from your motherboard to them.

Went with the Efifier S351DB. Still in the box, but will test during the week.
Almost 20kg for the set, I'm quite impressed

The main point was to keep things simpler.
For car audio, as I've done many times, I wouldn't mind the whole thing, and the many hours setting everything out.
But for the PC, an amplified kit, with a (I believe) good quality, and 20% off, new (£192), was hard to pass.
Appreciate the suggestions.

JasonM · 6 Mar 2021 at 23:55

Drumroll said:
Went with the Efifier S351DB. Still in the box, but will test during the week.
Almost 20kg for the set, I'm quite impressed
The main point was to keep things simpler.
For car audio, as I've done many times, I wouldn't mind the whole thing, and the many hours setting everything out.
But for the PC, an amplified kit, with a (I believe) good quality, and 20% off, new (£192), was hard to pass.
Appreciate the suggestions.

The Efifier S351DB should be pretty good. For best results you need to place the satellite speakers on stands and raise them up closer to ear level, search other posts on here about speaker stands.

Also, when you first use the speaker, don't drive them to hard, they need at least a couple of days of run in time. Start playing them at lower volume then gradually build up, you will know they are run in when the bottom end sounds more rounded.