New PC audio setup.

Currently with a Z-5500 and Asus Xonar Essence STX(so I can't get the H6 board ).

But I'm feeling like selling my 5.1,don't have the place anymore in my bedroom and my card doesn't support 5.1 analog,so I'd rather get a good 2.0 or 2.1.


So,amp + bookshelf speakers vs self-powered speakers?Budget of ±250$
Keep in mind that I live in Quebec(Canada),so can't access to cheaper prices from amazon.com or other websites.(as getting Swann speakers) . I am aware of the used market over canuckaudiomart,but there's barely anything for sell close to me.

Choices so far; M-Audio AV40 or the Audioengine A2...BX5a or A5 if i can get them a bit cheaper.

Also,how would I add a sub later to those speakers?

Thanks for the input.

If you wanted to keep the 5.1 but needed a soundcard for it, this looks like a decent solution (I plan on getting it for my laptop to support my 5.1 system)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HXGJ3S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It's a usb external sound otuput converter that does 5.1/7.1 direct output, spdif in/out, headphone/mic, etc. I don't have it yet but it looks like a good product for a good price.

That said, I totally understand if you don't have space for a surround sound system anymore =p

What about NVIDIATI's suggestions in this thread? Seems to meet your criteria, particularly if you want a sub.

Boz

(Edit: Fixed link)

That 2.1 setup might not be worth it in Canada as shipping + taxes can really add up.

If you are to import from the States, last time I checked audio insider does ship to Canada (they sell Swan speakers)

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/

Also where in Quebec are you from? Montreal?

If you wanted to add a sub to a pair of active speakers, the sub would need a low pass (RCA in/out) and your soundcard would be your pre-amp.

Amp and bookshelf in my opinion, was never a fan of active speakers. Active subwoofers.. thats a different story lolSPBoss

Alright,I think I'm going to order Fluance SX6 along with the Lepai TA2020A+.

How I'd wire all that with a subwoofer?

Still waiting on my amp...:evil:

Preferably you would use a subwoofer's high pass, but I don't think that sub has one (not sure).

Meaning you'll need to use the sub'slow pass (which I'm pretty sure it has) via RCA, it looks like this:

PC --RCA--> Subwoofer --RCA--> Amplifier --Speaker Wire--> Speakers

The PC volume is the master volume.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ideal way, if that sub does have a high pass, is as follows:

PC --RCA--> Amplifier --Speaker Wire--> Subwoofer --Speaker Wire--> Speakers

That way the amplifier's volume controll can act as the master volume.

Looks like this

Hmm it looks as if you can split the speaker wire from your amp and send it to the speakers and subwoofer, but I'm not 100%. I find it strange that the subwoofer doesn't have a pass-through to take advantage of the built in crossover. Anyways, I'll try to get back to you on that.

BTW if you don't mind me asking, how much was the Fluance set?

If you have the space, the Sony is going to be your better option.

• Depending on your PC, you will want to run either an Optical or Coaxial cable from your sound card or motherboard digital audio output into on of the digital inputs on the back of your Sony (it has two optical inputs and one coax input).
• Then, from the Sony, run your left/right speaker wires to their respective speakers
• Run a single-channel RCA interconnect to the subwoofer.

This would be the optimal setup, and I expect you'll be very happy with the output.

Happy gaming,

Boz

Hmm it looks as if you can split the speaker wire from your amp and send it to the speakers and subwoofer, but I'm not 100%. I find it strange that the subwoofer doesn't have a pass-through to take advantage of the built in crossover. Anyways, I'll try to get back to you on that.

BTW if you don't mind me asking, how much was the Fluance set?

NVIDIATI

Hmm... I was wondering what the 'speaker input' was for.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/fluance/db150manual.pdf

To elaborate on what Boz was talking about.

From Fluance:

"

SPEAKER INPUT CONNECTORS- Connects the front speaker high-level signal from the amplifier as an input for the
subwoofer using speaker wire.

"

"

CONNECTING THE SUBWOOFER
1. Before connecting the subwoofer, be sure that the power switches of the amplifier and of the subwoofer are
in the OFF position.
2. If the amplifier or receiver is equipped with a subwoofer pre-out jack, connect this to the LINE INPUT CONNECTION
on the subwoofer using an RCA type pin-plug.
3. If the amplifier or receiver is not equipped with a subwoofer pre-out jack, connect the left and right front
speaker level outputs from your component to the SPEAKER INPUTS on the subwoofer using speaker wire.
4. When connecting the subwoofer to the amplifier, ALWAYS connect the "+" terminals to the "+" terminals
and the "?" terminals to the "?" terminals.
NOTE- If terminals are connected incorrectly, the amplifier may be damaged.

"

This is less ideal than using RCA connections. BozBozanimal

Not sure to get it correctly... So I run the wire from my speakers to the speaker input in my subwoofer,then run another pair of wire run that input to the amp?

Also about splitting the rca cable to the amp and my sub,why would I need to control the volume via my PC?I mean,I can set the subwoofer volume to a certain point and control the volume with the amp,as I would if I didn't split the rca,no?

[QUOTE="Bozanimal"] This is less ideal than using RCA connections. BozNVIDIATI

Finaly got everything hooked up and sounding nicely :D

But it'll keep an eye on a real receiver\amp,don't like quite much how it's wired together :P

All I need now is to get back my 27" and get a monitor arm to fit everything on my desk

Getting hiss at low level sound(don't hear it at louder volume) and it's getting on my nerves. Tested the speakers\sub on my Onkyo receiver in my living room and it was fine...seems like the tp2021 isn't powerful enough?

Soooo,started looking for a real amp\receiver

How would this do vs other choices?

1

2

3

4

Any other suggestions?

Keep in mind that I'm Canada,so don't recommend me something from parts-express\amazon.com other USA websites :P

Finaly went for a refurb'd DRA-397,some banana plugs and new cables to replace my cheap dollar store ones.

Sounds great so far :D