Speaker/Mini home cinema help

[Edamski]

Hello again folks,


I'm looking to buy a little 2.1 setup to accommodate my PC/TV/PS4 and I was originally going to get a sound bar/sound base but the ones I've seen and like the sound off are too big unfortunately.

So I thought oh I'll get a 2.1 system, they don't seem to be in abundance these days. Is it just me or is it not as easy as it should be to find out if a speaker set is active or not? [emoji58]

So I got looking at decent PC systems the problem there is they're 3.5mm jack input and I want an optical input. Then I discovered a DAC, am I right in thinking this will solve my woes?

Also any recommendations are much appreciated as I have a few ideas but I'm far from decided.

Budget absolute max ?300 but it'll need to be something special for that, preferably sub ?200


Thanks again guys

[ValeTudoGuy]

A DAC will solve your issues. Gimme a min to post some links to some stuff that will be great below your budget.

P.S am I right in thinking you want to keep things small?

[Edamski]

Ideally buddy where but it's not the be all and end all

[ValeTudoGuy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSE-24Bit-192Khz-Digital-Optical-Coaxial-to-Analog-RCA-Audio-Converter-DAC-Blac-/251390503886

These DAC's Can sometimes be found as cheap as ?15

[Edamski]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSE-24Bit...-/251390503886

These DAC's Can sometimes be found as cheap as ?15

Is there much difference in them apart from price, will a ?20 one do the same job as a ?100 one?

[ValeTudoGuy]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/261661364902?nav=SEARCH

Acoustic Energy Aego 2.1 ?200 New but under ?100 2nd hand and unbelievable...

I am so confident in this pairing I will lend you this exact setup to use for a couple week's if you want.

[ValeTudoGuy]

Is there much difference in them apart from price, will a ?20 one do the same job as a ?100 one?

Perhaps if your putting them into ?600 speakers.

That is to say, so long as the product is of adequate quality to do it's job (The MUSE is.) then you would need to excitingly scrutinize the output to see a difference that's qualitative. Now if we we're talking about higher quality revealing speakers then my answer would be different.

[ValeTudoGuy]

Your alternative is to get a stereo amp with line out, a sub and two speakers. or if the sub has high level passthrough you can forget line out. You would still need a DAC unless the amp has an integral one. You could build a really great sounding system for small moneybut the tradeoff would be size and amount of components.

[Edamski]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/261661364902?nav=SEARCH

Acoustic Energy Aego 2.1 ?200 New but under ?100 2nd hand and unbelievable...

I am so confident in this pairing I will lend you this exact setup to use for a couple week's if you want.

Christ they're small! Live up too it?

[Edamski]

Your alternative is to get a stereo amp with line out, a sub and two speakers. or if the sub has high level passthrough you can forget line out. You would still need a DAC unless the amp has an integral one. You could build a really great sounding system for small moneybut the tradeoff would be size and amount of components.

I have considered doing just this, was look at some wharfdales for ?50 and then get an amp, like you said would be a great set up but a little space consuming

[ValeTudoGuy]

Christ they're small! Live up too it?

As with any small speakers they have to use the old BOSE trick of using a sub that crosses over somewhere in the mid band to fill in for the frequency they can't drop too. But these do it pretty well IMO.

[Ross.Co]

I went for a Bose Companion 5 set-up for PC gaming. Horrendously expensive for what it is, but unless I wanted to upgrade to a Focal 2.1, that would of been super bucks. I know of the BOSE website that literally rips them apart in all they do...But anyhow. I do have a full Focal speaker system in my car though. The clarity is better than real life..lmao

What has been suggested above is perfect for what your needs are. Compared to what you may of listened to before, I would expect you to play some music so that the neighbours 3 streets over can hear and just sit there with a mashoosive grin on your face.

As ever, this forum suggests amazing bang for buck and knowledgeable! There is a massive step in terms of quality you hear with what you are actually using to produce the noise signal....Literally it is staggering how expensive OR inexpensive it can be

I have a full 5.1 system made by Q-Acoustics, who I am sure people on here will know. It is currently in the attic

These speakers paired with a Pioneer AV Receiver is pure listening nectar. The speaker cables alone were ?150 from memory.

I can smell some audiophiles present which is my cup of expensive tea!

[Edamski]

I was looking at 2 Bose system actually (always fancied one) I was looking at the companion 3 and companion 20 systems, both look fantastic and pretty much guaranteed quality. These AE Marc has suggested certainly seem to be in a similar ball park.

I was shown some Q-acoustics BT3's I think they where and was very impressed but they're ?350 so more than I want to spend. Although I have been looking at some other Q stuff.

I spent a lot of money on car audio over the years and most of it is sat in storage now planet audio and rockford fosgate amps, CDT speakers (one pair eurosports) and a planet audio 12" sub was bliss!

[PeeJay]

I have to agree with Ross that Bose do a good job on 2.1 systems. I too have a Bose Companion set for my PC and play most of my music on it with no complaints at all. For home cinema however I have a 7.1 Monitor Audio set up with a Velodyne Sub. The scene from Spiderman 3 when the Sandman was created actually caused resonance in our concrete floor.

[Edamski]

Tempted by the Bose systems but they're pricey and I'd still need a DAC.

One that does have good reviews is the Corsair SP2500 not sure if they're in the same league though haha