Noobie: Need help with my 2.1 PC Audio setup ....

[Mugenx]

INTRO:
First of all I am "NOT" audiophile by any means, I just wanted a setup that is a step above than my current one: Logitech Z-2300 with only the (L) speaker working (Right Speaker is dead and so is the Right port). I am on a strict budget, by the way.

Budget: "Embarrassingly Cheap to close to being free as possible"

What I "currently" have:
1. Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD 24-bit 96KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Sound Card powered by THX TruStudio Pro

What I am getting, budget permitting:
1. Subwoofer: (Currently on Sale @PCParts, so it's a no brainer and I am "NOT" an audiophile)
1st Choice: Dayton SUB-120 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer
2nd Choice: Dayton SUB-100 10" 125 Watt Powered Subwoofer
3rd Choice: Dayton Audio SUB-80 8" 80 Watt Powered Subwoofer

2. Bookshelf Speakers:
1st Choice: Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair
Mulling Over (I can dream can I?): BIC Venturi DV62si Bl 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair

3. Amplifier: (I for one cannot really tell whether I still need an amplifier with the above two but, then again I don't know jack about these stuff.)
1st Choice: Dayton Audio DTA-100a Class-T Digital Amplifier 50 WPC
2nd Choice: Dayton Audio DTA-1 Class T Digital AC/DC Amplifier 15 WPC
3rd Choice: Lepai Tripath TA2020 Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Amp w/Power Supply

Questions:
1. For a Mid-Fi/decent 2.1 setup (40% Movies / 40% Music / 20% Gaming), how do I set this up? how do I connect one to each other and ultimately to my sound card? What cables do I need to acquire to connect them and get all of them working together?

2. I have a lingering feeling that the Dayton Sub-120 will be overkill for a 2.1 system, don't you think? With this should I get it's younger subs: the sub-100 or sub-80 for that matter?

3. Do I still need an amplifier to go with my choice of sub and bookshelf speakers? If yes, then how do I get it connected to both?

Being a total dunce in basically everything, particularly in this audio setup project, are my choices for a 2.1 system sound/ok?

Thank you in advance!

[NickJ]

INTRO:

Questions:
1. For a Mid-Fi/decent 2.1 setup (40% Movies / 40% Music / 20% Gaming), how do I set this up? how do I connect one to each other and ultimately to my sound card? What cables do I need to acquire to connect them and get all of them working together?

2. I have a lingering feeling that the Dayton Sub-120 will be overkill for a 2.1 system, don't you think? With this should I get it's younger subs: the sub-100 or sub-80 for that matter?

3. Do I still need an amplifier to go with my choice of sub and bookshelf speakers? If yes, then how do I get it connected to both?

Being a total dunce in basically everything, particularly in this audio setup project, are my choices for a 2.1 system sound/ok?

Thank you in advance!

Question 3 (first). You do need an amplifier to run passive speakers, and any of the ones you mentioned will probably work fine. The amplifier will be connected to your computer via the output on your sound card plus an adapter (see below) You do not need one for the subwoofers that you mentioned.

Question 1. There are several ways to set this up given your PC setup. The easiest would be to get a 3.5mm to rca adapter and then run the front setup to the DTA amp and then through speaker wires to the satellite. You would also do this into the RCA in for the sub (from the sub output). I believe your sound allows you to control the high pass filter, so this is probably a good way to go, but there are other options.

Question 2. It depends on how much of your budget you want to devote to the bottom two octaves. That sub is not going to be overkill, but you could probably do with less if you wanted to in order to free up money for better satellites (which will be producing the majority of musical signals).

Thoughts:
You actually have a decent sound card, and bought pretty expensive off the shelf computer speakers the first time around (even if they suck compared to real speakers). The budget for your project looks like it would be between 200 and 250 dollars. This is not actually all that small of a budget. If I were you I would get a better set of satellite speakers (if you aren't interested in building there are great deals on audiogon and craigslist), and an amp to power them (choice would depend on the efficiency of the speakers; which we could help you with), and then build on that good system by adding more decent components (like a sub) when you have more disposable income.

Alternatively, you could get a decent pair of powered monitor speakers for less than your budget (m-audio, behringer, audioengine, emotiva etc). For your budget you could almost get a pair of audioengine a2s and the matching sub (used). That is about as simple as you can get and will sound so much better than a pair of crappy satellites and a budget sub, in my estimation at least). OR you could get a pair of phenomenal headphones...

Sound is important (especially to people on these forums), and even thought everyone here is always trying to upgrade and tweak, the truth is that speaker tech hasn't changed all that much in the last 20 years, and it is worth the investment. Unlike you computer, your awesome speakers will still be awesome in 5 years.

[Mayhem13]

I would STRONGLY suggest you look at active studio monitors as PC listening is mostly nearfield. Given the Black friday special deals, you can certainly find a nice pair of actives for cheap. No amp needed in this case and still allows for the use of your premium soundcard for analog playback.

[engr_dave]

STRONGLY suggest you look at active studio monitors

That's quite a range...

from something like these from PMC at $10,499/pr

to these Behringers at less than $150/pr at PE

[djkest]

Overnight Sensations, OS MTMs, Nano Neos, or Nano Neo NTNs
I have a pair of Dayton B652s, they are pretty terrible to be honest- wish I had saved my money on these.

Lepai Tripath amp: Good enough if you go with an MTM design, have a smallish room, and don't need ear-blistering volume levels. The DTA-100a amp is a nice choice as well but may be overkill.

If the room is fairly small, you really wouldn't even need a subwoofer. But if you did, you could make the Beagan subwoofer for pretty cheap right now, or go with something else.

If I were you, and you can build some fairly basic speaker cabinets, I would look to build some OS MTMs and get the Lepai amp. It will give you good bass, sound quality, and value. If you still have some money left over, one of the Dayton Subs might be good.
They are also on sale through Parts Express, and you would probably get free shipping, so you should look into that.

[ckmoore]

Speakers + Amp in one package
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...umber=248-6042

Take a look at this sub. Its a step up from the 8" one you linked.
Has a more stout driver, longer throw.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-627

Plus it has a very nice cabinet.



All for less than $250

[djkest]

Speakers + Amp in one package
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...umber=248-6042

Take a look at this sub. Its a step up from the 8" one you linked.
Has a more stout driver, longer throw.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-627

Plus it has a very nice cabinet.



All for less than $250

Yeah, listen to this guy. The Behringer speakers were highly reviewed by John from Zaph Audio and are quite a bargain at that price. Don't know too much about that sub but it looks pretty decent, good value.

For $20 more you can also look at the SUB-1000
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-628
The SUB-1000 will hit deeper than the SUB-800

[bkeane1259]

The Logitech z-2300 sub is actually not bad at all. We have a couple in the house (without the original satellites -- they are junk).

This is what I propose and it will be dirt cheap and allow you to change your mind later and upgrade if you'd like.

Keep the z-2300 sub and add a pair of Dayton B652's -- They are $25, for pete's sake (for 2 days only).

Get a Lepai amp to power the Dayton's -- also on sale right now for less than $20!!

That's $45 for decent desktop speakers and a nice trusty tripath amp. There's nothing wrong with using the Logitech sub to supplement the low end. The satellites in the z-2300 are the really crappy part of that system.

On your z-2300's you can simply disconnect the satellites and still use the sub. You will have to keep the Logitech volume control with the bass knob. The only extra part you will need is a 3.5mm y-adapter so you can split the output signal from your sound card and send it to the both Lepai (for your new B652's) and your existing z-2300 sub.

If for some strange reason you didn't like this setup, you've only spent $45 and you still have a really decent set of speakers and an amp to drive them.