Amp + speakers for a PC

[b0redom]

Hi All,
I'm after an amp and 2.0 (preferably) speakers which will be used for PC output, TV output, and possible iPod/iPhone output. It would be great if the amp had a built in tuner too. I'm also after an amp with a headphone socket, so I can use it at night etc.

I've had a quick look on the Richer Sounds website, but I can't find anything suitable for a reasonable price.

I'm also interested in a decent pair of preferably bookshelf speakers. I don't want to have to have a big sub, but I'd like reasonably mid-low bass response.

Can anyone suggest anything?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Budget??

[Zhaoman]

Well Hexus did a review of these Teufel PC speakers and amp a while back. They seem to tick most of the boxes of a pc speaker system: USB input and hub, headphone and microphone jack, 3.5mm aux in, phono inputs at the back. Don't know what they sound like but Hexus seemed to be fairly impressed. Dunno if you're looking for a proper amp + speaker setup but here's the link anyway:

http://lifestyle.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=21597

[b0redom]

Don't really have one. Couple of hundred quid? I don't want/need a big A/V amp. I'd even possibly consider a soundbar if I could find one which did what I wanted.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The OP might want to consider some active speakers.

These are meant to be very good:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/5303

A review of the speakers:

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Epoz-AktiMate-Mini/

Alternatively I would look at either of the following:

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/produc...iodock-3i.html

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samson-StudioD...b48e04ffd1ff43

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samson-StudioD...b48e04ffd1ff43

http://www.bem-music.com/list.pl?id=112706

Reviews of both speakers:

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Samson-StudioDock-3i/

http://whathifi.com/Review/Samson-Studiodock-4i/

I would also check out the Audioengine A2 and Audioengine A5.

Reviews of both speakers:

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Audioengine-A2/

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...audioengine-a5

I would probably look at the Epoz AktiMate Mini (the speaker in the first link) and the Audioengine A5. Both use 5" midwoofers and go down to around 60HZ. However both are rear ported so don't place the rear of the speaker very close to a wall.

Both of these active speakers have connections for an iPod and other inputs IIRC.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The other alternative is to go for a pair of front ported speakers such as these Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers for around £100:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/2197

You can then get a suitable receiver or amplifier:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...fm/category/87

I would demo the combination first to make sure that its sounds OK!

TBH,Richer Sounds is not the cheap place it used to be and Superfi is a better place to look for cheaper Hi-Fi IMHO!

[b0redom]

Thanks for that - food for thought indeed. I can discount a couple as they've got no headphone outs. I guess it's really a toss up between the StudioDock 3i and a real amp and speaker setup.

Do you have any input as to what the Wharfdale 9.x are like?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The StudioDock 4i does offer a bit more bass has it as a bigger 4.25" driver than the StudioDock 3i. It is a shame that the Epoz AktiMate Mini or the Audioengine A5 do not fit the bill as the larger 5" drivers they use will mean better bass extension.

The Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 were considered a good budget pair a few years ago.

Here is a review:

http://www.stereophile.com/standloud...105wharfedale/

However the Diamond 9.1 seems to have decent bass extension for a speaker of its price.

The other speaker I would look at is the Tannoy F1 Custom:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/3154

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...tann-custom-f1

These were also considered to be excellent budget speakers.

Both the speakers are front ported meaning they should be less fussy about placement.

There are some other speakers in a similar price range too:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...fm/Category/99

However the Wharfedale and Tannoy speakers I mentioned should be safe choices IMHO.


Regarding the amplifier choice a safe one would be the Cambridge Audio Azur 340A which is a well regarded budget amplifier:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...-azur-340a-sil

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...b-azur340a-blk

Here is a review:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue21/azur340.htm

The Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 does have a front input for an iPod but it seems to have inferior specifications to the Azur 340A though it doesn't mean it will necessarily sound worse:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/.../camb-am10-blk

There is also the NAD C315BEE for a similar price:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/3494

Here is a review of the amp:

http://hometheaterreview.com/nad-c31...fier-reviewed/

There is also the ONKYO A9355:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...onky-a9355-blk

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/3469

Here is a review comparing both the NAD C315BEE and the ONKYO A9355:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/n...omparison.html

The Onkyo is the cheapest of the four amplifiers and the most powerful too.

It is better if you can audition the components before purchase.

[ragnrok]

I don't know if this is in line with what you want but on the multimedia speakers front I use a Logitech Z-2300. Bass is amazing.. sometimes overpowering. But hey if that's your kind of thing then I believe it's the set for you.
I heard the satellites don't actually have tweeters. Only mid and low.

[b0redom]

I already have a 4.1 setup, but I really just want two speakers, and no sub. The NAD amp is looking favourite at the moment.