$1000 High Quality PC stereo setup

[lithos]

Originally Posted by Chardiieee

I only took a short single glance and wrongly assumed it was part of a surround setup, its not I know, but I still dont know why they show different sized speakers in the pic.

I didnt say the wavelength changes, I meant more that the low frequency wavelengths are reproduced better by larger speakers, where smaller speakers are worse for bass and larger is better - and in saying that, do you actually need 8" woofers to get decent bass? IMHO, you dont, and 6" can do just fine.

Well, that's pretty much exactly not what you said in the post I replied to. I'm just confused. And, to reiterate:

"The bass coming out of 8" monitors has a long wavelength"

Which means you're saying a 8" speakers have a "long" wavelength - so, by deduction that must mean 6" must have a...shorter one? Again, this is using an erroneous definition of "wavelength". Which explains my confusion.

Even then, how useful is this to the OP?

You tell me. It was your post I was replying to, to clear things up. In case he started worrying about big wavelengths. At least I've made a recommendation.

My point about speaker size relates to both frequency response and room acoustics - 6" speakers are capable of reproducing bass better than smaller sizes while retaining a better 20hz-20KHz flat response (when combined with a 1" tweeter / ribbon speaker in a box) but even then its dependant on the room.

Speaker size can definitely help flatness to a degree, and is why I keep coming back to suggest 6" monitors. While speaker size basically defines the total response spectrum, the speakers are tuned according to size (along with many factors) to try and achieve the flattest response possible - youll find 6" is an optimal size and will perform well anywhere from professional studios to personal 'bookshelf' speakers.
Good 6" monitors can produce all the bass you need and all other freq's at relatively flat levels, and are of a high quality standard.

No one's denying 6" speakers are capable, but we're really splitting hairs over the difference between 6" and the 5" HS50m. That's probably the reason why Yamaha don't do a HS60m.

Pretty much everything else you said or implied is erroneous - there's no reason a 6" woofer is somehow magically better than an 8". Diameter is not the sole determining factor of a speaker's freq response. What about an 12" woofer with an ultra-stiff suspension and high Fs? Or a 4" one with a huge XMax and low Fs? There's no reason an 8" speaker can't be designed to have just as flat a response as a 6".

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Chardiieee

This is bad, its for large surround setups only in large rooms. 8" is too big. 6" is perfect, and 5" are good priced nearfields.

that doesn't even make sense... speaker size generally determines what frequency range they'll keep a good response at... 1" tweets are much better at producing high frequency noises (loudly) and more clearly than a 12... or a 6

where a 10/12 is much better at subbass than a 6/4/1

perfect situation, you'd have speakers going all the way from 1", then 4", then 6, maybe an 8 if you want to split the middbass up more, then 10/12" sub.

sure you can get a 6" to play 40-60hz no worries, but it will distort very early

and sure you can get a 12" to play 10,000hz, but it's not going to do it very well because of the mass.. i think it's silly if you want a 6" to play above about 1000hz, or below 100-150, they just suck at it.

[mevereyn]

Well, I use three-way speakers with 10" woofers(!). Yes, for the computer 'n all. Not a problem. Very similar to running smaller two-ways and a sub, which is a very popular option, or so I've been led to believe. I've actually done recording and mixing here, just for the record, and it's turned out well, according to everyone involved. And this is not a very large room, btw.

Anyway, the STX is an excellent choice.

With that budget, I'd be tempted to check out the 2nd hand market, for speakers (and, if necessary, an amp). That's what I did, some years ago (actually, before I got an STX card), and I've been very happy with it all.

[Chardiieee]

Originally Posted by lithos

Well, that's pretty much exactly not what you said in the post I replied to. I'm just confused. And, to reiterate:

"The bass coming out of 8" monitors has a long wavelength"

Which means you're saying a 8" speakers have a "long" wavelength - so, by deduction that must mean 6" must have a...shorter one? Again, this is using an erroneous definition of "wavelength". Which explains my confusion.



You tell me. It was your post I was replying to, to clear things up. In case he started worrying about big wavelengths. At least I've made a recommendation.

I think this is getting interpreted the wrong way - you are right about the wavelengths and Im not contesting that. Its more in a sense where certain speakers are suitable only for specific applications.

In my experience, 8" speakers were usually only seen in large studios with plenty of room acoustics modification to get the most out of the speakers, and make the best of its deep low frequency projections. Pic related:



Im talking about the best tier of speakers available to buy as the standard (~the flattest response, ~0-tonality for each speaker size - 8" 6" 5" 4" etc.)

Now about the wavelengths - think of it like a scale to compare the sizes to the rooms. 8" speakers produce lower Hz (longer wavelengths) than 6" could due to physical limitations. They are placed in aforementioned large soundproofed studios which can actually 'fit' longer wavelengths. The reason for that is because you can position the listener 1 sine cycle of the lowest speaker frequency away in order to hear the entire bottom end point, and up from there to ~20KHz.
Taking steps up or down the frequencies is related to the optimal distance away that you can listen from, tuned to a frequency. You can tune the speakers themselves once positioned, and have the room tuned as well to get a sound image which is flatter and has an accurate soundstage.

If you were to use say, decent 6" monitors in rooms which are smaller and less 'acoustically-sound', for e.g: a bedroom or home studio - the listener would be positioned a shorter distance from the sound source, and would tune to a different frequency, which is higher up than an 8" woofer, which voids its purpose in smaller rooms.

No one's denying 6" speakers are capable, but we're really splitting hairs over the difference between 6" and the 5" HS50m. That's probably the reason why Yamaha don't do a HS60m.

If you had limited space and are positioned rather close to your sound source, 5" speakers would be not only cheap but be the most suitable. In a smaller room, you would scale it up to whichever frequency according to the distance like the 6" and 8" and be tuned to a higher bass frequency. 6" as I have mentioned before is a 'sweet spot' because if youre willing to pay more for that particular size, it gives you better bass depth if you have enough room.

Pretty much everything else you said or implied is erroneous - there's no reason a 6" woofer is somehow magically better than an 8".

There's no reason an 8" speaker can't be designed to have just as flat a response as a 6".

As far as flatness between sizes, it all depends obviously on the way its built, entailing many specific details all the way down to what the speaker cone is composed of. So no the size doesnt depict that as much as its just one part of what defines its total response from low to high.

6" woofers being better than an 8"? No, rather it is just better in a particular room size compared to an 8. Theres no point having an 8" in a small room because youll tune to a higher bass frequency and waste its potential, and not to mention the loss of high freq quality.

perfect situation, you'd have speakers going all the way from 1", then 4", then 6, maybe an 8 if you want to split the middbass up more, then 10/12" sub.

Well... Not many people like OP are going to do that. Were just talking about what size of speaker is suitable for OP's room.

My say is that OP needs to see how big his room is, and figure out what size speaker he can tune to.

Room size to speaker size ratio
Small room : 5"
Small-medium room with depth : 6"
Medium room : 6"
Medium-large room : 6" with sub or 8"
Large room : 8" with sub

Rooms obviously are all different but just for sake of scaling each application, heres what I would recommend.
Also the sub is pretty much optional to your liking on each of them.

[Oosh]

Originally Posted by oh_noes

I'm coming from an epic Emotiva + Adelaide Speakers (Timberwolfs) HTPC 2 channel setup. This came on OCAU recommendations and I couldn't be happier.
[...]
$595 - Adelaide Speakers Firesprite 502SV

Originally Posted by bluedan

Although Adelaide speakers get a good rap over at Stereo net, Remember that you are buying them to listen to at a PC.
So look into speakers that are appropriate for Nearfield listening

Indeed. If you wish to stick with AS then you should look at the monitors: http://adelaidespeakers.com/monitors.html

Then you should call up Edward and have a (long) chat.

[KillerBunny]

Originally Posted by lithos

STX $190.

Yamaha HS80M $799

/thread.

errr no.

You don't want to use unbalanced inputs to the HS80m's.

You need balanced inputs, which requires an external DAC like an mbox mini which adds another 300ish to your budget.

STX only has RCA out's. You also have issues with power humming and buzzing with studio monitors.

I have the HS80m's for my PC and VAF DCX's for my lounge room. The VAF speakers are far superior overall, but for 750-1000 dollars the HS80m's are pretty good. You just need a good USB DAC as well though.

[oh_noes]

So time to bump and and pull the trigger on these.

This thread has brought up the interesting discussion of what type of speakers. I under exaggerated how much focus I should put on 5" vs 6" and the effect they (appear) make in the real world.

So my two options are:

MONITOR M612SR $950
6" + RIBBON MEDIUM SIZE

MONITOR M502SR $795
HIGH END 5" + RIBBON SMALL SIZE

What factors should I take in to decide if the 5" or 6" is best for my needs?

It's truely "small room" audiophile 100% music listening. It's a standard bedroom size (3m x 4m) carpeted room with a large office desk. I'm not 100% set on the USB DAC (I'm no longer going the Asus sound card) I will use but that's for another thread.

So far I'm leaning towards the M502SR.

I have my 2.0 setup in the lounge room (although it's not the best room for it :/) but I am looking forward to a super HQ office setup.

[loefah]

I'd honestly go with the 6", my first pair of speakers were 5" and I was hugely disappointed with them - the 6" pair were far superior.

Out of curiosity what are you using to power these?

[Buttocks]

I'd be tempted to go with a set of (5.25" active) Aktimate Mini+ for about $525 and be done with it. See OCAU thread Review: Audioengine A5 vs. Aktimate Mini

[Comma]

Originally Posted by oh_noes

So time to bump and and pull the trigger on these.

This thread has brought up the interesting discussion of what type of speakers. I under exaggerated how much focus I should put on 5" vs 6" and the effect they (appear) make in the real world.

So my two options are:

MONITOR M612SR $950
6" + RIBBON MEDIUM SIZE

MONITOR M502SR $795
HIGH END 5" + RIBBON SMALL SIZE

What factors should I take in to decide if the 5" or 6" is best for my needs?

It's truely "small room" audiophile 100% music listening. It's a standard bedroom size (3m x 4m) carpeted room with a large office desk. I'm not 100% set on the USB DAC (I'm no longer going the Asus sound card) I will use but that's for another thread.

So far I'm leaning towards the M502SR.

I have my 2.0 setup in the lounge room (although it's not the best room for it :/) but I am looking forward to a super HQ office setup.

Can you listen to them both? Personally, it's much of a muchness. You're going to likely get a slightly thicker low end from the 6"s and drop a little bit of brightness. They're both probably going to sound decent if you set them up properly.

[oh_noes]

Originally Posted by Comma

Can you listen to them both? Personally, it's much of a muchness. You're going to likely get a slightly thicker low end from the 6"s and drop a little bit of brightness. They're both probably going to sound decent if you set them up properly.

I've gone the 6" (M612SR in Black). Now time to find a cheap bang for buck caudio USB DAB and 50wrms Desktop Amp. Oh, and stands.

[IzzyBlues]

I have the M-Audio DSM2's, bought them for $800 on storedj.com.au. Couldn't be happier with them. They aren't set up well, but this was the best I could do with the room I have right now. In a few weeks I'll try and fix it up.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9097/setup1r.jpg

They are connected through SPDIF into an Auzentech HomeTheatre HD.

[ThE_BiG_O]

Originally Posted by oh_noes

I've gone the 6" (M612SR in Black). Now time to find a cheap bang for buck caudio USB DAB and 50wrms Desktop Amp. Oh, and stands.

I'm no audiophile but I think you'll be happy with the M612SRs - I know I would be. I got a chance to demo the M502SRs a few months ago and they were great. The clarity and punch were amazing for the price. Eddie played some Steely Dan for me on them and closing my eyes I could have almost sworn I was in the room with the band playing live.

It was hard to believe such a big sound was coming from those speakers.

Oh, and I also got a chance to listen to the Firesprite 502SVs you mentioned in the original post but they are more suited for home theatre. I felt they really needed to be paired with a sub to showcase their full potential. Using them as standalone bookshelfs for music they lack any of the punch and overall 'loudness' and that 'being there' feeling you experience with the monitors. I think you made the right choice.

[lithos]

Originally Posted by ThE_BiG_O

Steely Dan

Nice. Bloody good choice of auditioning music. The Dan mix everything equally - I love how it's all the same volume, yet doesn't come across as flat.

[oh_noes]

Originally Posted by oh_noes

I've gone the 6" (M612SR in Black). Now time to find a cheap bang for buck caudio USB DAB and 50wrms Desktop Amp. Oh, and stands.

Purchased. Now just need a USB DAC and the Amp.

I'm thinking of going the super DIY route and building my own cmedia USB DAC. Either that or save my man hours and just get a FIIO E10. The E10 is cheap enough. Then I can leave my upgrade path down the line to a much more defined Burwood USB DAC.

In true OCAU fashion, I've blown my budget and ended up spending $1k on JUST the speakers.

So wadda you reckon OCAU?

FIIO E10 ~$80 Delivered
Emotiva Mini X $319.65 Delivered

Can I get a better USB DAC or Amp for that money? I'd prefer to spend only $200 on a desktop Amp (I only need 2x 50wrms @8)