Monitor 30's + amp for PC audio
ca_steve
Posts: 4
Hello Club Polk. Long time listener (SDA1's for home audio, etc), first time posting.
Background:
I find that I'm spending more time sitting at my PC with a variety of audio/visual playing in the background (Hulu, Netflix streaming, my music library, NPR podcasts, Pandora, etc) while I work on other things. Using a pair of cheap powered 2.1 PC speakers via mobo line out has finally reached the threshold of not-good-enough.
What I'm looking for:
Passive speakers and a separate amp: need the volume knob nearby.
Speakers I can mount on the wall 6ft away (or possibly on stands) rather than desktop and 2-3ft away: I find I cannot listen to near field audio at moderate volumes and everything sounds pretty bleh at low volumes at the moment. Plus, multiple PC monitors messes with desktop placement, and will also drive the speakers to be placed at least a foot above ear level.
Class D or Class "T" amp I can set on the desk with a volume control knob
- In an ideal world it would also have mic/headphone jack...but not neccessary - headset is for skype and can run that via the mobo audio.
- crossover/support for a powered sub might be interesting, but also something I can probably do via the mobo audio or via the sub (if and when I add one).
- an on/off switch to kill idle power would be handy...I can deal with a wall wart if I had to.
Spending in the neighborhood of $200-300 for the amp/pair of speakers.
What I'm not looking for:
- an audiophile solution (see the price point). I can always turn on my downstairs stereo and fill the house with music. (open house layout, SDA1's. )
- My study is ~ 10x12ft. I don't need to go headbanging loud.
Potential solutions and questions:
1) After some searching around, I'm leaning toward a pair of Monitor 30's. Newegg has them on sale for $90. I am concerned that the rear port = poor response when wall mounted. Has anyone tried this and does it work?
2) suggested mounts for these $90 9lb. speakers.
3) Amp. It looks like the T-amp from Sonic Impact is no more. Came across the Trends Audio TA-10 if I want to spend $180 on a 15W x 2 amp.
Just found the Pop Pulse 2024 amp via obad imports for $140+ shipping.
Any +/- on these two choices or other suggestions.
Thanks.
Background:
I find that I'm spending more time sitting at my PC with a variety of audio/visual playing in the background (Hulu, Netflix streaming, my music library, NPR podcasts, Pandora, etc) while I work on other things. Using a pair of cheap powered 2.1 PC speakers via mobo line out has finally reached the threshold of not-good-enough.
What I'm looking for:
Passive speakers and a separate amp: need the volume knob nearby.
Speakers I can mount on the wall 6ft away (or possibly on stands) rather than desktop and 2-3ft away: I find I cannot listen to near field audio at moderate volumes and everything sounds pretty bleh at low volumes at the moment. Plus, multiple PC monitors messes with desktop placement, and will also drive the speakers to be placed at least a foot above ear level.
Class D or Class "T" amp I can set on the desk with a volume control knob
- In an ideal world it would also have mic/headphone jack...but not neccessary - headset is for skype and can run that via the mobo audio.
- crossover/support for a powered sub might be interesting, but also something I can probably do via the mobo audio or via the sub (if and when I add one).
- an on/off switch to kill idle power would be handy...I can deal with a wall wart if I had to.
Spending in the neighborhood of $200-300 for the amp/pair of speakers.
What I'm not looking for:
- an audiophile solution (see the price point). I can always turn on my downstairs stereo and fill the house with music. (open house layout, SDA1's. )
- My study is ~ 10x12ft. I don't need to go headbanging loud.
Potential solutions and questions:
1) After some searching around, I'm leaning toward a pair of Monitor 30's. Newegg has them on sale for $90. I am concerned that the rear port = poor response when wall mounted. Has anyone tried this and does it work?
2) suggested mounts for these $90 9lb. speakers.
3) Amp. It looks like the T-amp from Sonic Impact is no more. Came across the Trends Audio TA-10 if I want to spend $180 on a 15W x 2 amp.
Just found the Pop Pulse 2024 amp via obad imports for $140+ shipping.
Any +/- on these two choices or other suggestions.
Thanks.
Post edited by ca_steve on
Comments
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Parts express just came out with a Dayton 50 wpc IIRC T-amp for $99.00.
http://www.parts-express.com/images/item_standard/300-383_s.jpgI like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D -
Ah - hadn't seen the new Dayton amp. Looks like it's not in stock until late April. That is a contender.
Budget AVR: Two downsides to them - size and idle power.
