Need some suggestions

[breathemetal]

I dont know anything about this stuff, except Ive always appreciated good sound, and mega bass :) lol

So my budget can be around 1k (usa)

I like my bass heavy and powerful, there can not be too much imo lol
But i also like clarity

I listen to everything, so asking what stuff i listen to is really quite pointless, since well, i listen to everything from classical, death metal, indie, rap, etc.

Im looking for:
1) a computer based audio setup, that i can run through my macbook pro and use that for all my music storage and what not. im anti-cd :p (im sure u guys will know what i mean, im trying to explain what i wan the best that i can)
:up:

Pretty much, good audio, thumpin bass, and i want my mac to be my "cd changer"

OR id like a good heapdhone setup for under 1k

[EniGmA1987]

ok, best options for that price would not be some computer speakers, but home theater speakers. Computer speakers just cant give you what you want. Buy a $300-400 receiver to power everything and that has the capability to use the last 2 channels in bi-amp mode, and also has pre-outs for all channels. This will allow you to give lots of power to the front speakers, and also will allow you upgrades in the future if you really want to get crazy with nice speakers and "real" power amps.

Ill post my recommendations in a few mins...

[EniGmA1987]

ok, for the receiver to power the speakers you should get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120133
That is probably the best value for the money, in quality and feature wise. It will allow you to send up to 180 watts to your front L and R speakers which will be enough for a ncie set of speakers to run at any volume you want.

Next, subs:
Either one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290130
Or two of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115129

And towers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290018

or if they go up in price more than $120 each, get the Monitor 50s instead (unless you can afford the more expensive 60s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290013


That is a cost of $889.96 (plus shipping and maybe tax depending on where you live), and will be the best sound you can get under $1000. That sub will rock pretty hard for its price, and Polk is known for being somewhat bright and airy sounding. Both of which fit your requirements. The subwoofer also has a promo code for a few more days giving an additional $20 off.
To connect to the systems, you would just use a regular 1/8" to dual RCA cable to go from your Macbook to the CD input on the receiver. But Macs have really sucky sound, so after you get all this, start saving again and when you can afford it get a USB DAC unit. That will significantly upgrade your sound quality. It would connect the same way, but instead of the 1/8" to RCA coming straight from your macbook, the macboook has a USB cable going to the DAC, and the DAC connects to the receiver. The best way to do it (mainly cause of how much cheaper it would be) is if your Macbook has an Optical output, use a toslink cable from that into the receiver. It will sound better than the analog output on your laptop, but not quite as good as a dedicated DAC unit. If you go the DAC route, don't get a really nice one. Just a middle of the road unit for $150 or so. Because the signal will go through the components in the receiver no matter how you connect, and that isn't super awesome quality either. Much better than the Macbook, but still not GREAT.

[PaganII]

Mega bass? Like 2 12" subs used as headphones?
I went with a stereo receiver connected to a 260w power amp (QSC RMX1450) and then to a pair of LBL L890 full range towers. The purpose of the power amp is to provide enough current for good bass that most receivers cannot provide. I have an AVR with subs for movies but for music I like the stereo better.

[momomo6789]

headphones > lowend speakers by far

[breathemetal]

Whats a good DAC?

And what would be a good headphone setup for under 1k? as in phones, power amp, etc

[momomo6789]

well are you okay with buying from china direct ? for a dac, i bought like 1300$ worth of stuff and i would recommend anything he sells. anything made in the us/uk will be 2-3x as much for the same thing.

[breathemetal]

how do i do that?

[momomo6789]

this is a DAC/PREAMP/AMP
No need for a headphone amp section
USB, Toslink and SPDIF inputs
Has buttons in front to switch between different sources. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/audio-gd-compass-designing-alternative-zero-dac-amp-385759/

his site http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/DAC-Compass.htm just email him with any questions pricing and such his English is not so good but its workable just ask him anything he always gets back within 24 hours to me. i would go with this for DAC.

or http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350235725907&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT i have had both i would say the diff is small but towards the compass.

i use phoenix + ref-1 dac 2500$ so he can be trusted.

so moving onto headphones do you care if there used or not b/c you can get some steep discounts for used even if there mint condition. just say if you want new or used and ill give you some options ^_^

[EniGmA1987]

If you want clear highs and pounding bass, why are you considering a headphone setup? Headphones will never get you the bass you want.

[Donnie27]

how do i do that?

Do you live with parents or on your own? Are you solitary or do you often socialize with friends who visit more than once a week? I ask because good advice about great sounding cans and DACs are nice when you don't have to share it! Not real good for conversations either while you and your friends listen to music.

So, if you want good speakers and a lot of bass, consider old school! Pawn Shops and EBay are your friends. Never buy Towers that can't go down to at least 30Hz.

5.1 systems are tuned for movies more than Music. Most Music is optimized for stereo and to really get good reproduction of this from 5.1 requires great expenditures of money!

[breathemetal]

So i should go with a 2.1 setup for music?

[momomo6789]

if your not sharing go for headphones most headphones are >10hz-45k . ive never heard any speakers that were under 5k$ setup that sounded any where near mid-end headphones .

[breathemetal]

id like a nice headphone setup, but id rather have a nice 2.1 speaker setup so i can share :)

[jason str]

For $1000 you could get some nice sound, any 70's Marantz 22** series receiver would be your best budget sound with a small pair of bookshelf speakers and a small sub to fill in the low end.

[big poppa pump]

Check out the amps at emotiva.com. I have the XPA-5 and the XPA-2 in my home theater setup and I can vouch that these amps kick some serious a$$.

[EniGmA1987]

Im going to quote myself here because I still think it is by far the best sound for everything you want that you can get for under $1000...




ok, for the receiver to power the speakers you should get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120133
That is probably the best value for the money, in quality and feature wise. It will allow you to send up to 180 watts (bi amping) to your front L and R speakers which will be enough for a ncie set of speakers to run at any volume you want.

Next, subs:
Either one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290130
Or two of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115129

And towers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290018

or if they go up in price more than $120 each, get the Monitor 50s instead (unless you can afford the more expensive 60s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290013


That is a cost of $889.96 (plus shipping and maybe tax depending on where you live), and will be the best sound you can get under $1000. That sub will rock pretty hard for its price, and Polk is known for being somewhat bright and airy sounding. Both of which fit your requirements. The subwoofer also has a promo code for a few more days giving an additional $20 off.
To connect to the systems, you would just use a regular 1/8" to dual RCA cable to go from your Macbook to the CD input on the receiver. But Macs have really sucky sound, so after you get all this, start saving again and when you can afford it get a USB DAC unit. That will significantly upgrade your sound quality. It would connect the same way, but instead of the 1/8" to RCA coming straight from your macbook, the macboook has a USB cable going to the DAC, and the DAC connects to the receiver. The best way to do it (mainly cause of how much cheaper it would be) is if your Macbook has an Optical output, use a toslink cable from that into the receiver. It will sound better than the analog output on your laptop, but not quite as good as a dedicated DAC unit. If you go the DAC route, don't get a really nice one. Just a middle of the road unit for $150 or so. Because the signal will go through the components in the receiver no matter how you connect, and that isn't super awesome quality either. Much better than the Macbook, but still not GREAT.

[Donnie27]

So i should go with a 2.1 setup for music?

IMHO, YES and if you have friends who visit cans shouldn't be your main option but a 2nd. 2.1 or 2 full range Vintage speakers and an Old School receiver will do nice as well. I was in the Army from 1977 to 1985 and almost any of those receivers will kick-@$$! Again, Pawn shops and EBay is your friend.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-vintage-2220B-Reciever-Very-nice_W0QQitemZ250508089272QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVinta ge_Electronics_R2?hash=item3a537217b8

Once you go Old School, you'll never go back.

Sorry momomo, there are some very good sounding speakers that don't cost what the 15 sexiest speakers cost LOL!!!

http://www.axiomaudio.com/ep500.html For mind numbing teeth chattering bass!


The biggest advance in subwoofer technology in the last 15 years is here! The Epicenter EP500 is the first subwoofer of its size to truly go down to a couch-shaking 19 Hz in an anechoic environment. If you've been longing for the kind of seat-rumbling experience you get in a good movie theater, you'll get it with the EP500. How is this possible? The XLF (a DSP chip) enables the EP500 to deliver spectacular deep bass -- as low as 18 Hz in a room! Bring on War of the Worlds!

"In every configuration that I tried this sub in, it performed at world-class levels. It is both able to convey subtle musical notes, and earth-shaking low-frequency movie effects effortlessly. It's not a hard stretch to say that this sub's performance matches or exceeds the best 12" subs that are available at ANY price."-- Geoff Cintron, AudioReview.com

IMHO, they don't give it enough accolades!

I didn't know Titan A.E. made such sounds. It's not even the Top model LOL! I'd love to build my own with the AMP from one of these babies!

My Bud paid $2500 for his whole Axiom 5.1 speaker system!
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epic80_350.html

Another paid the same for his Cans, HP Amp and DAC (Headroom). This stuff is personal and all cans or speakers don't fit in everyone's plans!:up:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEGENDARY-RARE-B-W-DM-3000-AUDIOPHILE-SPEAKER-PAIR_W0QQitemZ260487051070QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeak ers_Subwoofers?hash=item3ca63cf73e

Some of the older 5.1 Onkyos kick @$$ as well! O

http://cgi.ebay.com/Onkyo-TX-DS777-5-1-channel-630-Watt-Receiver_W0QQitemZ200393930528QQcmdZViewItemQQptZH ome_Theater_in_a_Box?hash=item2ea868b720

Last but not least, the headphone out of the older Receivers aren't to be confused with the New ones that suck! I know at least four users using Ole School receivers exclusively for their Excellent Headphone out! No or only small speakers connected. I wouldn't trade my Harmon Kardon 730 I use for cans for anything of equal value $100 to $175! Or even 3 times that much:rofl:.

Sorry for the long post! There are 1000's of sweet bookshelf Speakers used for a great Near Field listening environment. As you can tell, I like Speakers better. Last nice cans I heard were Denon 5000's on about $1500 (?)of Headroom equipment!

[jason str]

Be sure to give these bookshelf models a good look.

http://www.jamo.com/na-en/products/c-601-description/
http://www.jamo.com/na-en/products/c-603-description/

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/-CS-26-Bookshelf-Speaker-P259.aspx

Any parts express sub will stomp the more expensive over-rated polk audio stuff.

[breathemetal]

thanks :)

[Donnie27]

thanks :)

He's right about Parts Express. IMHO, this Sub (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635) represents the sweet spot!

[EniGmA1987]

+1 for this sub:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

Very cheap for what it can do.




OK, new suggestions that would probably sound betetr than my last suggestion. Not as flexible as it would basically only work for playing sound from a computer, but would sound better than a regular receiver:

This is a USB DAC unit:
http://www.soundadditions.com/fubarIII.php
Use it to get great quality sound from any computer you plug it in to.

Then output the sound into this sub:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

And take the line outputs from the sub, into these speakers:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BX8aDeluxe/

That setup costs only about $900 so you would still have some extra left over too :)

[PaganII]

M-Audio also makes the Mobile pre usb preamp.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MobilePreUSB.html

Have found them used on Craigslist for as little as $60usd.
I use 1 to connect computer to receiver for internet radio and another for room equalization software.

[breathemetal]

thanks again for the ideas guys. keep em coming if ya want lol

[EniGmA1987]

The M-Audio device is a pre-amp for going into the computer, not a DAC unit for taking high quality sound out of a computer. Also look at the specs:
16-bit/48kHz

Get something that is 24-bit/96KHz at least. WHy spens money on something outdated that doesnt support newer sound formats? THe Fubar III I mentioned is not the latest model, but it offers the best performance for the price and has everything breathemetal needs without being over excessive on the newest model.

[breathemetal]

Ok so this is what ive gathered:

For a 2.1 stereo setup:
DAC unit into MBP via usb, and a sub connected to the DAC, and the towers to the sub?

For a headphone setup:
DAC into MBP like before, but with a poweramp connected to that? And then the headphones?

[momomo6789]

whats a MBP ?

[breathemetal]

macbook pro

[EniGmA1987]

[qupte]For a 2.1 stereo setup:
DAC unit into MBP via usb, and a sub connected to the DAC, and the towers to the sub?[/quote]

yes, just make sure the subwoofer you get has line level outputs from it so that you can go into the other speakers. Also, you need to get self-powered speakers to do it that way. If you dont have self-powered speakers (aka "active" speakers), then you need to go from the sub, into a stereo power amplifier, and then to the speakers using speaker wire. The M-Audio speakers I listed on the last page are self-powered, the first Polk speakers I listed at the start of this thread are not self-powered.




DAC into MBP like before, but with a poweramp connected to that? And then the headphones?


No.
MBP plugs into the DAC via USB interface (cause analog out of MBP SUCKS), then into a HEADPHONE AMP, then to headphones. If you got a regular power amp you would vaporise the headphones.