Budget bookshelf speakers for PC?

[jim]

Now that I've moved my big Saturn S30 speakers into the living room, I don't have any proper speakers for my PC.

I have a Cambridge Audio 351A amp, which according to the spec sheet outputs 45W into 8 ohms (2.0). I only need it to fill a standard sized double bedroom, without disturbing the neighbours, but it would be good to get something with a bit of headroom.

I'm thinking second hand (e.g. via AVForums) would be the best bet, but there's just so much choice around I've got no idea what to look for. Any ideas / pointers?

EDIT: If I can, I'd like to spend <£100 but I know that might be a tall order.

[KeyboardDemon]

You could try Richer Sounds, great range of high quality products at reasonable prices.

[jim]

You could try Richer Sounds, great range of high quality products at reasonable prices.

Yeah that's normally my first port of call, but I'm inclined to think I could probably bag speakers cheaper second hand, given that however old they are they still function similarly, unlike amps and AV receivers.

If I don't find anything though that will be my next plan.

[Millennium]

I've been quite heavily into home audio and I would like to recommend Dali Zensor monitors. They are very close in quality to what I have now and were great value even new in my eyes.

Slightly above your budget, given, though I think in your shoes with that budget I wouldn't be worried about looking for a second user pair just to get the SQ up a notch or twoo

[99Flake]

Second hand I can highly recommend these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mission-78...item2c98256fd9

I have a pair of 780's at home (for my dining room, slightly smaller) running off an old denon integrated stereo amp and they sound lovely. I have the floorstand 782's as my main livingroom speakers and again they are superb (with the right amps). So they come from a good line.

Or there is the Kef Q1, can be had for about £50 on ebay.

Kef Cresta 2's are also a really good bet for that amp as well, can be had cheap all over the place for under £100.

If you don't mind old school looks and have room for something a little bit bigger (but still not massive) then there are these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bang-Olufs...item3cf27446a4

I know they are bit more expensive but they come up from time to time for half that (I would say they are overpriced). They make a gorgeous sound from an era where B&O made good sounding stuff as opposed to looks and no substance. Make sure they are the 45-2 though, the standard 45 isn't anywhere near as good.

For £100 used there will be plenty out there to be had, although with the CA amp I would avoid anything with metal tweeters as the amp could end up being very bright on them.

[g8ina]

The KEF Uni-Qs are fantastic Jim if you can fins em. I have them in the bedroom, very sweet, dual-concentric, like the Tannoy design. Small and sassy

[Smudger]

Richer Sounds usually have JBL Control 1s for £50-60. Oldies but goodies...

[LightningJC]

I've got some KEF Cresta 1's for my PC speakers and use them in my bedroom for TV and Music. They are still great speakers and can be picked up for under £30 on ebay.

I've also got some KEF Cresta 2's and 3's for surround sound in the living room. They are bigger but have more bass.

[Zak33]

how about looking for some Gale Gold monitors?

I have some.. got them long ago.. didn't like them to begin with... then I decided to run one in.. played music throuh it for hours... then compared it to the nearly unused one... soundsed different.. did same doe unused one... then used them both.

Years later.. still like them a lot

[Zak33]

there.. you .,... go


2007!!

http://forums.hexus.net/consumer-ele...-speakers.html

anyway.. 8 years later... they're lovely speakers!

[rallfo]

So some people are recommending studio monitors like JBLs.
Do they work better than normal consumer-level speakers for PC gaming?

[kalniel]

So some people are recommending studio monitors like JBLs.
Do they work better than normal consumer-level speakers for PC gaming?

There's no such thing as a normal consumer-level speaker. Each speaker has it's own quality and/or failings. In general, the cheaper you go, the worse the sound, but there's quite different tonalities to take into account as well.

[Hingy]

I got some Audioengine 2+ a while back. Not cheap, but very small and with decent USB DAC built in. Very happy with them.

[abaxas]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sonus-Fabe...n/271947718606

Why not splash out and get some mid end speakers?