Speaker Connections to PC

[rhysduck]

I have the following two options that are being unused and I'm in sure what to do with them (use or sell)

Option 1:
Monitor Audio Radius45 Speakers

Option2:
Edifier Studio 980T 2.0 Speakers 24W

I'll be getting a desk soon so toying with the idea of what to do. I predominantly use my Arctis 7 headphones for sound as I usually game in the night but wondering if I should hookup either of these to give me better sound during the day when I'm occasionally playing music.

I'm not looking for studio reference audio quality just something better than the terrible sound of my Acer Predator monitor speakers.

I think I'd need a sound card for the Radius45 speakers as they're the usual wired screw terminals.

Advice please?

Edit: Current MB is a Gigabyte AX370 - Gaming 5 with a 1060 6GB GPU

 

[rhysduck]

Thanks for the reply @Marsman.

I think I'd prefer the MA speakers as a solution as I want to keep space to a premium and as you say they are a better speaker in general.

Is there any particular amp I shoukd be looking at? I'm assuming I don't need a full of 5.1 home cinema amp to power them?

 

[rhysduck]

Spoiler

No, stereo is what you want. You'd only be looking at something like an AV receiver if you had the intention of eventually adding speakers, such as a centre speaker, and/or if you needed features not found on a stereo amp. From what you've described a stereo amp is all you need.

Creative X7, mentioned by esat, is an option. Really depends what would be looking to spend though. Unless you can get a used one, then they are £250. Just for speaker use, there are other cheaper small options; such as SMSL AD18 or Q5 Pro.

The X7 is sound card, headphone amp and stereo speaker amp combined into one unit, so is a good choice for someone who wants the extra features. If you just want something to power stereo speakers, it's somewhat overkill, as you can spend half that on one of the above.

I've got a Q5 Pro, which I use downstairs with some floor standing speakers. Admittedly, I don't use the system that much, but the Q5 Pro does a good job. Both Q5 Pro and AD18 have a subwoofer out, should you want to add a subwoofer to use with the MA speakers.

Thanks for the suggestions. Ive been looking at the SMSL AD18 and it's a bit more than what I wanted to spend. Would the SMSL SA-50 be an option you think? It's capable of 2x50w and is more in my price range of what I was hoping for (£60).

I'm not bothered about Bluetooth connectivity as I have my yamaha sound bar plus an echo plus downstairs for such things.

Spoiler

I would look at a DAC / Amp.

The NAD D 3020 V2 would be good, then drive it from either the toslink or SPDIF from the motherboard. This should give better sound quality then the Creative option, also it will be immune to sound card drivers, as it's being powered by the motherboard audio.

Edit!

I just looked at information on the Radius45 speakers, from a quality perspective there better then the Edifiers, however there to small to provide any amount of full range sound, they look more like wall mounted satellite speakers for a surround system. If you were to buy that NAD D 3020 I mentioned above it would be totally wasted on those small speakers.

I personally would be eBaying (selling) the Radius45 and the Edifiers, and the money raised purchase some better active speakers with a DAC built in them.

So cut your losses on all your existing speakers, then buy something like this.

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

Then power the above from your motherboards toslink or spdif out.

Thanks for the info.
I'm reading good things about the Edifier speakers. I can't seem to find anything else for cheaper around the same quality though!

Only worry is how much I can sell the R45s and Edifier 980s for to cover the cost of those S880's.

 

[rhysduck]

I was looking at the R1280D and R1280T speakers as you posted that @Marsman ! Noticed the R1280T's dont have SPDIF or BT which would mean a sound card so they're out.

I can get the R1280DB for less than £100 so I think I've just found my answer! Hopefully should make that on sale of the R980's and R45's. Thank you both for the advice.

If I compare the R1280DB speakers to the S880BD then yes the S880 speakers are better but for the extra £100+ I really don't think they'll get the use for me to notice the difference to warrant the purchase