Speaker and equipment opinions needed

[squishy]

So I've been thinking about what speaker setup to go for next, with the following requirements in mind:

• Huge frequency range (at least the range of human hearing)
• Quality of sound over just being really loud
• Upgradability

These would mainly be used from PC output, but could vary to other sources
Main use would be for music, creation/mixing/production, hopefully all three.
Secondary would be used for films/gaming with surround sound capability if possible.

I've had my eyes on this for a while:

• A pair of M-Audio BX8as as a start
• Adding an M-Audio BX10 to enforce the lower ranges
• Then eventually getting another pair of the BX8as for the rear

So, what do you guys think of these speakers for these uses? Any bad experiences? Any better suggestions?
Also, what would you recommend for a course of action regarding getting the system surround compatible, what extra equipment, etc? For something like an amplifier or decoder I'm looking at a budget of about £300. Again with upgradability and audio quality in mind.

I'd have to upgrade my soundcard to get a decent output from my PC too, I was thinking of the top range X-Fi with the external I/O console. Opinions on that idea also appreciated.

[g8ina]

Well, I know the top end M Audio stuff is used in music studios all over the world and they do have a good rep, but I feel their lower end stuff isn't really up to the same standard. They appear to have amps built in, and a better bet may be to go with unamped speakers. It's not always the best idea to go with all speakers from one mfr, despite what recommendations HiFi mags make I have Aegis EVO7 fronts, a some older KEF rears, a Tannoy centre and a hefty Yamaha sub.

My best advice would be to try and find a place who can let you listen in a single speaker demo room, or, even better, let you demo at home.

Take a look at the Denon AV amps, which you could find at around £300.

The X-Fi looks fine.

One final point - how old are you. Cuz as you get older, the HF component of sound tends to bugger off .... Im 52 and cant hear anything above 16KHz.

[squishy]

Heh, I'll miss that when it's gone (if it hasn't already, heh). I'm 19. Yeah I might have a wander around town see if there's a speaker shop I may have missed.

Cheers for the idea of an amp, it was something I was considering, but after looking at Denon Audio only amps before, I noticed there didn't seem to be any surround processing in them, or am I wrong?
As awesome as they look, I don't really want to have to get an AV amp just for this, as I don't need the Visual aspect - I don't have a TV, and I don't see myself getting one as I can easily watch films on my PC

[g8ina]

Try these :
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...17/category/79
http://www.hifibitz.co.uk/subcategory.asp?id=2

I have the 1803, its a few years old now but still going very well. 75wpc, full 5.1 with passive sub out, 4 opticals, 2 coax, 5.1 discrete inputs, plenty of "stuff".

You did say you wanted a sub and rears, so may as well go for full 5.1.

[squishy]

Yeah I do want full 5.1, those sound like they'd fit what I want pretty well. Out of interest, how loud is 75 watts? Although my main aim is indeed for quality over volume, I still like to crank it quite a lot every once in a while.
So are Denon amps really what I should be going for in my price range for my uses? Anyone know of any of their range which isn't quite up to scratch? Bad experiences, etc all appreciated

[g8ina]

75 wpc is MORE than enough for most ears

I havent found any of the Denon AV amps to be lacking in anything so just get what yer can afford, but make sure you audition it first, preferably with the speakers you intend to use.

See here for my system :
http://www.g8ina.enta.net/htpc/htpc.htm
I can also recommend the EVO3 speakers !

[toolsong]

Main use would be for music, creation/mixing/production, hopefully all three.

Then I'd suggest a card designed for music production instead of the X-Fi.

What's your budget? What software do you plan to use or do you need instrument or mic inputs?

RME HDSP 9632's go regularly on eBay for under £200 and sound amazing, use few resources and most importantly have rock solid drivers in XP or Vista.

You can extend them with add-on cards with extra analog outputs to do surround but movies & games in good quality stereo are great too.

[squishy]

Then I'd suggest a card designed for music production instead of the X-Fi.

What's your budget? What software do you plan to use or do you need instrument or mic inputs?

RME HDSP 9632's go regularly on eBay for under £200 and sound amazing, use few resources and most importantly have rock solid drivers in XP or Vista.

Cheers for that idea, looks good, only thing it seems to be missing is a 1/4" (? the ones guitars use) jack. Is that available on an add-in board, or a simple 1/4" to MIDI cable?
I use a range of software, but I would like to start using more hard instruments, clicking and dragging is getting on my nerves, I'd much rather press keys and twiddle nobs.

My budget for a soundcard is around £250 I would think, though to get what I want/what I would use, I can stretch.

You can extend them with add-on cards with extra analog outputs to do surround but movies & games in good quality stereo are great too.

Surely 5.1 can be achieved using the optical ouput on the card? Providing the connecting amp has digital in, and is 5.1 compatible.


75WPC sounds good to me then g8ina . Yeah, I'll be hearing what it all sounds like first hopefully. Just need to decide on some speakers really. Cheers for the recommendation on the EVO3s, but I'd rather not get tall/floor standing speakers - unless what I go for is too large, I'd rather have the speakers sitting on my desk

[toolsong]

Sound like what you need is an external audio interface. Most have a high impedance (hi-Z) instrument input and usually mic preamps with phantom power too.

There are plenty of USB ones but if your mobo has firewire that is the way to go (or buy a firewire card).

The firewire Mackie ONYX Satellite would be fine and is only £133 delivered here. It comes with their Tracktion2 software.

The Mackie doesn't pass through digital 5.1 but you could use your mobo digital output or buy a cheap soundcard, switching between analog and digital inputs on a surround amp.

There are loads of this type of unit around, do some research. For music you need to determine how many simultaneous recording inputs you need and what type they need to be.

To find out about particular AV amps you should search on www.avforums.com, at the entry level there can be a big difference in performance of music vs movies. A second hand amp isn't a bad idea if you're sure of the model.

[directhex]

Take a look at the Denon AV amps, which you could find at around £300.

seems silly to buy an AV amp (as opposed to a regular amp) with obsolete hookups

onkyo are currently leading the pack on affordable-yet-decent AV amps with good connectivity

[TheAnimus]

anyone got any experiance of the onkyo after sales, i'm quite tempted by some of their gear, but am scared to spend that much money on something, without knowing that i can expect good after sales.

[squishy]

Cheers toolsong, a piece of equipment like that would really help, I don't have to buy it just yet, and I can now narrow down my inputs on soundcard/amp

Those Onkyo AV amps look quite fitting for me, I was thinking of maybe getting something with HDMI input/output incase I actually get into all of that, and might get a 7.1 just for upgradability