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Topic: Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish? (Read 6505 times) previous topic - next topic
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Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

I'm looking to get a new speaker system for my computer. I've been looking at Behringer and Cakewalk. I want something with SPDIF or with Coax inputs to bypass the sound card. I read they're mostly linear response, so that's good? I want a more neutral sound since I want to enjoy my music.

As an alternative, I've been looking for some bookshelf speakers and a small stereo amp but nothing that fits in the budget.

What do you guys recommend? I'd like to keep it around $300 if possible. If cheaper, then great!

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #1 –
I haven't heard these myself yet, but is trying to get a listen as soon as they arrive in Norway. They look promising. Maybe the price is above the limit, – I've been told the price in Norway will be NOK 4.000.

Elac AM 150

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #2 –
Instead of having an all in one, would it make sense to:

1. Coax from PC > DAC > Powered Speakers

or

2. Coax from PC > small stereo amp > Unpowered speakers

or

3. The current option, all in one digital speakers.


Which option would give me the most sound quality for the money?

Yeah, 4,000 NOK is around $700USD which is way out of budget.

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #3 –
In your scenario #2 you will need to add a DAC between the PC and the stereo amp unless the amp has one built-in which mostly comes at a price.  It's a bit more than what you want to spend, but check out the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1.  Self contained unit with DAC, power amps, speakers.  Connects via USB.  Has gotten some very favorable reviews.  I heard it at my local Apple Store and really enjoyed it.

You inspired me to look around and I found these Logitech USB speakers and Alesis USB speakers.  Similar idea to above at a fraction of the cost.

Another cost-effective option is to pair a simple USB sound card from Turtle Beach or Creative with powered speakers from MAudio or Audioengine.

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #4 –
Ugh, USB audio...

Where can I find info on my soundcard, or do some kind of benchmark? I'm using an Analog Devices SoundMAX chip on my motherboard. I don't know if it's any good but it gives out 24bit/192khz and has optical out and SPDIF.

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Bullit on
Ugh, USB audio...


What problem do you have with USB audio?


In general, with budget as small as $300 I would definitely waste no money on DACs whether external or built in, but find studio monitors in that price range (Alesis M1, M-Audio BX5a, Tannoy Reveal 501a, maybe save for Adam A5). When shopping for studio monitors, keep in mind that typically the price is for one monitor (but sometimes for a pair), and that most of them have no volume control on back panel, and/or separate volume controls on each speakers.
Ceterum censeo, there should be an "%is_stop_after_current%".

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: pawelq on
What problem do you have with USB audio?


Drivers, and I want to be able to use the speakers for other things. Can't plug a USB interface into everything.

How's Onkyo's monitors? Any good? I have to save up, but they have a model that's Japan only with optical and coax in.

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bullit on
Ugh, USB audio...


Get a Behringer UCA 202 - about $30, two RCA jack outputs, and no special drivers needed.

Quote
Where can I find info on my soundcard, or do some kind of benchmark? I'm using an Analog Devices SoundMAX chip on my motherboard. I don't know if it's any good but it gives out 24bit/192khz and has optical out and SPDIF.


Get a 3.5 mm jumper cable and download the Audio Rightmark freeware.

Forget about 24 bits and 192 KHz, they are just numbers.

Believe it or not, 16/44 done right is all that anybody needs for the best sound quality possible.

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #8 –
There's two obvious disadvantage with USB:

One, as already pointed out: It's of no use unless a computer is the sound source.

Two, with a computer as a sound source, the metal USB cable is likely to cause some noise problems. An optical fibre cable effectively eliminates such problems.

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Hansen on
There's two obvious disadvantage with USB:

One, as already pointed out: It's of no use unless a computer is the sound source.


I use USB to load music sound files off of my digital recorder, and flash drives and music players that can act like flash drives.

So, the sound sources aren't computers, right?


Quote
Two, with a computer as a sound source, the metal USB cable is likely to cause some noise problems. An optical fibre cable effectively eliminates such problems.


There are such things as USB audio interfaces with Toslink (optical fiber) inputs and outputs. Quite a few of them, actually.

So: ??????????????

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Arnold B. Krueger on
I use USB to load music sound files off of my digital recorder, and flash drives and music players that can act like flash drives.

Not all equipment, or combinations of equipment, gives you that options. Chances are a powered speaker with USB input don't, and a USB only DAC certainly don't.

Quote
There are such things as USB audio interfaces with Toslink (optical fiber) inputs and outputs. Quite a few of them, actually.

But no equipment that I know of, that can connect a set of powered speakers with USB input to a computer's optical output.

The audio interface needs to be plugged into the computer via USB to work, and if you want to use an optical cable to your amp or powered speakers, you'll still need a DAC in that end.

Point is, with a set of speakers (or an amp or a stand-alone DAC for that sake) with USB as the only digital input, you're stuck to a computer as sound source.

Of course it's possible to get a noise-free USB connection between a computer and a DAC — but you might have to fiddle with your ground connections or run your laptop on battery to achieve this.

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Bullit on
Quote from: pawelq on
What problem do you have with USB audio?


Drivers, and I want to be able to use the speakers for other things. Can't plug a USB interface into everything.


Then again, with $300 don't waste your money on yet another DAC (built-in into speakers). If your computer is not terribly old, you likely have a very decent DAC on your mobo. Do some research conduct RMAA tests, and if the DAC are good, get as good powered speakers with analog inputs as you can find.

This will give you the best flexibility - I can't think of a source without line-out but with a digital interface (S/PDIF).
Ceterum censeo, there should be an "%is_stop_after_current%".

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Arnold B. Krueger on
Forget about 24 bits and 192 KHz, they are just numbers.

Believe it or not, 16/44 done right is all that anybody needs for the best sound quality possible.


I'm just assuming I've got a half decent DAC because of the specs. I know that 24 and 192 don't make any difference when listening to the material.

I'll do some benchmarks and see how good, or bad it really is.

edit: So does anyone have any instructions how to use rightmark? And what I should be benchmarking with it?
 

Good Stereo speakers with digital input for $300ish?

Reply #13 –
Quote
Ugh, USB audio...


I lot of people believe this and I'm prepared to accept that it might be true with some equipment but my own experience suggests otherwise.

I have a MOTU Ultralite  whicj offers Firewire 400, USB 2.0 and, if you must, S/PDI.

There is absolutely no difference whatsoever between the Firewire and USB in SQ. At least to my old ears and signal analysis s/w. I've tried it all my friends just for fun and none of them can tell either.

Comparing S/PDIF to the other 2 pro connections methods proved surprisingly difficult as well but if there is a difference the S/PDIF is less good. It is certainly less flexible ymmv. I put this down to the fact that with S/PDIF output from the computer the MOTU has to accept the clock from the PC whereas with Firewire/USB it clocks internally. 

I don't have them myself but I think powered speakers with a built in DAC is the way to go. DAC technology is now very advanced and sophisticated. So it now makes sense that rather than spending a lot of money on one superior DAC as the centre of your system we will all soon be converting to digital as soon as possible (mic and inst preamps etc) and converting back to analogue at the last possible moment - i.e. like you suggest - in the speaker itself.

Getting all that for a $300/pair atm will be a challenge though imo. The Tannoy Precision range for example starts at $500.