Help me choose a system!

AngryPenguin309

I am very new to the speaker scene, right now I have a $35 Creative 2.1 set for my computer, but I would like to upgrade to something a bit better. Can anybody help me choose the right system?

My room is pretty small, and my budget is $1,500.

cmy330go

You're going to have to give us more to go on than that.

Satellite, bookshelf, or floorstanders?
Any existing gear?
Is the budget for just speakers or speakers and electronics.

Here is one tip that always applies: If you can, go to a local audio shop to audition speakers. In the end it only matters what sounds best to you.

AngryPenguin309

I don't have much room for floorstanding, although I could put them behind my desk (which would probably obstruct a lot of the sound) so I'm guessing bookshelf would be the way to go. I have a nice big desk that is pretty much 180 degrees around me

I have no existing gear, just a computer.

ledhed

Do you want to use your computer as a source?

Are you ok buying used?

AngryPenguin309

No, no used. Only new. Yeah, I want to use my computer as a source

ledhed

Well, not buying used will eat up your budget but, 1500 is still a decent amount. What is the quality of your digital audio files? It is really a must to rip at least in some form of lossless. The best option would be an outboard DAC and an optical out on the soundcard. But, if you want to save money for the amp and pre-amp then M-audio makes some really nice soundcards.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP192

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP2496

liordra

a funny thing .... while I'm knee deep in sound card research I found a post mentioning one of my prime candidates http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP192

.... if you have any experience with it ... will it get the work done when connected to Head Phones (senn 580) ?
my internet research so far has been inconclusive.
I do most of my listening with a head piece in front of my computer.
10x

cstpeter

Angry Penguin, are you looking for 2-channel only or do you plan on eventually expanding to surround?

AngryPenguin309

I am just looking at 2-channel audio, not planning on expanding to surround.

Is the sound card essential to the system? Right now I use the built-in soundcard on my motherboard

ledhed

If you already have a digital out (coaxial or optical) then it is not super important, you will just need a DAC to get the most out of it. If you don't want to spend much on the computer part then get one of the M-Audio boards.

It is important - it is just like a $50 dollar DVD player being used as a CD player compared to a $200 + dollar CD player.

Liodra - I don't have any experience but for a nice headphone system you need a headphone amp. Nice ones can be had for under $300

AngryPenguin309

Alright, I see. Suppose I get the following parts -

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP192

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28531

2 x http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/rti6/

http://reviews.cnet.com/Harman_Kardon_HK_3480/4505-6466_7-30920363.html

Would I get good sound?

Sorry, I know little about audio and such and just want a good sound system

ledhed

Yes, I would think you could get good sound though Polk is not known for its subs (and I don't know who makes a nice budget compact one, someone here will though) So, 180 for the card and roughly 350 for the speakers. that still leaves you roughly $1000 and you could definitely get into separate Amp/preamp for that money.

With a small room, wpc is not a huge consideration because it won't take much to fill up a small room. I'm sorry but I have no clue what new equipment is in that price range as I only look at used. If you do warm up to used, for 1K you could get a Parasound HALO P3 preamp and A23 amp which I guarantee you will kick that HK all the way to China

http://www.parasound.com/halo/

AngryPenguin309

My room is pretty small, i don't need much to fill it with sound.

You can bi-wire the speakers right? Will the HK allow me to do that?

ledhed

I don't know a whole lot about Bi-wiring but there really isn't much of a point unless you are using two separate amplifiers as I understand it.

Many others here can recommend very nice separates that will not break the bank yet give you nice clean sound that the HK just can't compete with.

cstpeter

Angry P., looks like you're on the right track. The system you listed will definitely provide good sound. But don't stop there! Go out and audition as many speakers in your price range as possible. RTi6 and Harman/Kardon receivers are sold all over, so you should be able to get an ear on the stuff before you purchase.

janmike

Bi-wiring is a speaker thing. Check to see if that can be done on the speakers and not the amp.

reeltrouble1

I can't help your computer question but gotta love your S/N.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa AngryPenguin:D

RT1

AngryPenguin309

Thanks for the help everyone!! I think I got the idea

janmike

So AngryPengiun, tell us about the name. Being from Canada I think Hockey right away (Pittsburgh Pengiuns).

schwarcw

janmike wrote:

So AngryPengiun, tell us about the name. I think Hockey right away (Pittsburgh Pengiuns).

Me TOO!:D

AngryPenguin309

To be honest, with all the attention monkeys are getting nowadays (ever since Dane Cook released the bit about loving monkeys. Damn him.) I got pretty upset because God in heaven knows penguins are cooler and would kick monkey **** nine out of ten times.

Maybe even ten out of ten.

So that's how I came to this screen name

janmike

Looks like the Pens are staying.
Pens Staying in Pittsburg