New 2.1 Speaker Recommendations for PC

M

Meteor_of_War

New member
I've been using these old Logitech THX Z-2300 speakers for years and years. I think I bought them all the way back in 2007 for $106 from Newegg, and they have been great all this time so I've certainly got my money's worth out of them. They even still sound amazing to me with just a basic entry level soundcard (Sound Blaster Audigy Fx) and 320kbps mp3s.

But I am finally toying with the idea of replacing them, wondering if there's something better out there now that could provide even better sound (louder and clearer?) I don't care about fancy surround sound for gaming or anything. I love cranking music loud when working so that's my main focus with speakers. Just want a high quality 2.1 speaker setup for music listening. I wouldn't call myself an audiophile or anything as evident from mainly still listening to mp3, but I do appreciate good clear loud sound.

I don't think I need to go nuts with anything more than the type of setup I have now, just want something a bit higher quality and nothing that my basic soundcard can't properly utilize. As an example something maybe in this class of quality/price range:

Edifier S350DB Bookshelf Speaker and Subwoofer 2.1 Speaker System

Or maybe if there are better bookshelf size speakers and to get a separate sub from a different brand I am not aware of that are better? I am kind of out of the loop in the PC speaker market, so I'd appreciate hearing what everyone else here uses, and/or give some recommendation of what I should look into buying. Thank you. :masterrace:
 
Although I haven't really been looking in a while my sense is that nobody really makes high end computer speakers anymore. I think most of what's out there is about the same as what you've got.

I'm still using a Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 that I had to buy off of ebay sometime in the mid 2000's because they weren't being sold anymore.

Maybe look into some proper bookshelf speakers plus sub and a receiver.
 
Dang, that's the response I was hoping not to get, but its not surprising. I was afraid I might need to look into using a receiver with good quality bookshelf speakers, or consider an external DAC which is something totally new to me (never owned one).

My limited understanding is if using a DAC I could connect my soundcard to it with a 3.5mm to coaxial cable, then connect any powered speakers and sub to the DAC, correct? So that would essentially replace needing a receiver? One problem I have is space. I may not have the room to put a receiver on or next to my desk. Anything's possible depending on motivation, but I would have to move things around quite a bit.

Need to do some researching I guess on DAC and speaker candidates.

[EDIT] OK, thinking more on it sounds like using 3.5mm out from the soundcard to the DAC is a bit redundant, as it seems essentially the soundcard is already a DAC? Would it be better quality to go USB out from the PC to a DAC that supports USB connections, therefore transferring a pure digital signal to the DAC to convert?

Looking at something like this with a USB in port:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TW2JQN...&colid=7GDWWFPPHRK1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
 
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Gandalfthewhite said:
yeah just go USB DAC to speakers
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Thanks, that is what I am thinking is the best answer as well. Just need to figure out what DAC and speakers I want now.

Also, if I got a DAC and powered speakers I can ditch my soundcard right? I don't see any reason to have it anymore then as it would be bypassed.
 
Just get some Kanto's. My homie has a nice set of Kanto Yumi's attached to the PC I built him and they are just boomers.
 
Hapatingjaky said:
Just get some Kanto's. My homie has a nice set of Kanto Yumi's attached to the PC I built him and they are just boomers.
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I am thinking getting both new speakers and a separate external DAC for better audio quality than what my current soundcard provides. I'll look into Kanto when I start considering speaker options. Thanks for the suggestion. Right now I'm still stuck on DACs though.

Also was thinking after my last post where I asked if that solution would mean I could ditch my soundcard, but then realized with a DAC I may not be able to still use my PC 373D headphones which I do need for the mic for multiplayer gaming with friends. Unless I found a DAC I could also plug a mic into, but that seems to complicate things. So I'm thinking I would still keep the soundcard installed just for headphone use.
 
The soundcard is the DAC, and can also double as a headphone amp.

I would buy a new discrete sound-card or get a USB sound-card. Creative is making some high quality products with great DACs, strong amps, and a great software suite all combined in one. The AE-5, AE-7, and AE-9 are all great discrete options. The USB options are a bit out of my element as I'm still running a discrete card (Creative AE-5), but you could do some research on the Creative X3/X6, or "G" series. I believe ASUS has a USB Xonar option as well.

For speakers, I see a lot of people jumping on the Edifier train. They do look great (stylish set, I must say), but being bookshelves means that desk space can be an issue. if you're running into space issues, then I would recommend the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 setup. They're still top-notch and Klipsch is a fantastic brand.
 
Thanks Nunz, I actually did plan to check out the options Creative and ASUS have on offer. Just did not get time yet today. I will definitely check them out before making any final decisions.

As of right now my research has lead me to Schiit's products. I am considering to go with their "Schiit stack" - the Modi 3+ DAC and Magni 3+ amp. They seem to be constantly coming up in reviews as a pretty solid solution for the price.

As for speakers, yeah I have been leaning towards Edifier. Mainly because of aesthetics. I really like how they look.
 
Schiit products are great; I have a Schiit Magni2 Uber that is currently sitting on a bookshelf. The amp on the Creative AE-5 has done a great job of powering my Beyer DT1990 Pro's (250ohm). I actually expected it to struggle, but it's done a great job, and it's just easier to use the sound-card directly rather than additional cables and another product sitting on my desk.

The Schiit DACs are great as well. I think the reason USB or discrete (PCI/PCIE) sound-cards make so much sense for a PC that is not strictly for music, is the flexibility. Most sound-cards have every option you would need along with software that can be useful for gaming. As for running the Klipsch with an external DAC like the Modi3; yes, this would become an issue, but this is why products like the Schiit Sys exist! https://www.schiit.com/products/sys

Then you'd have a TRUE Schiit stack. :p

Truthfully, though, if you have space for the Edifier's, go that route! Oh, and the sub is massive with that set, so make sure you have some floor space lol
 
Just ordered the Modi 3+/Magni 3+. I'm done researching and am going to play with these for a while and see how it goes. Never had a dedicated external DAC and amp before, always just used either onboard audio or discrete soundcards, and never had anything expensive or high quality. So maybe these will be all I need to give me the fresh wow factor I've been looking for, or maybe I'll fall down an audio rabbit hole and upgrade them to something else in short time. Either way I have been wanting some new audio to play with. Been a long time.

I'll just connect my Z-2300 speakers to them for now until I can decide on exactly which new speakers I want to go with. Who knows maybe the they will breath new life into the Z-2300's and I'll be content for now without getting new speakers.
 
Nunz said:
How are you planning to connect the Modi3 to the PC?
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PC to Modi DAC by USB.
Modi to Magni by Schiit PYST RCA cables.
Magni to Z-2300 speakers by RCA to 3.5mm female cable.

Think that will work OK. If not it will be a little project i will need to figure out.

I think i have an RCA to 3.5mm female laying around here somewhere. Need to look to make sure, if not will want to order one tonight.
 
Cool, I do have one. Ironically it came with my Z-2300's.

l7nMdOH.jpg
 
Cables matter a lot. I wouldn't bother for the Logitech set, but when/if you buy a new pair, invest in some gold-plated higher quality cables. There are great cables for solid prices out there--biggest thing is stay away from Monster Cables overpriced and low quality crap.

Looks good to me! Biggest thing was making sure you connect the PC to the Modi through USB or optical so that you bypass the DAC on the onboard audio.
 
Nunz said:
Cables matter a lot. I wouldn't bother for the Logitech set, but when/if you buy a new pair, invest in some gold-plated higher quality cables. There are great cables for solid prices out there--biggest thing is stay away from Monster Cables overpriced and low quality crap.

Looks good to me! Biggest thing was making sure you connect the PC to the Modi through USB or optical so that you bypass the DAC on the onboard audio.
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Yes, I realized early on the main point of going with a new external DAC was to be sure I was bypassing the onboard audio, and also my current soundcard. I'm so unfamiliar with this my first instinct was to go from the line out of my soundcard to the DAC! :lol: Thankfully I quickly realized the redundancy of that.

And yes, I'm sure I will be buying additional accessories like better RCA cables and adapters soon. I'm looking at this as a little project to learn from. I'm full well expecting to be ignorant about some stuff here and learn from it, and that's what I'm looking forward to. Fun!
 
The journey into the audio world is starts off so full of excitement, and then turns into wallet burning LOL

Everything with acoustics and audio is subjective. Clarity and soundstage are the only two things that can't really be argued; it's either better or it's not. You'll read reviews and user opinions about one sound being better than the other, but always keep in mind that you have to figure out what your ears like to hear, and then chase that.

Enjoy :up:
 
Right, a bit more clarity at higher volumes, and wider depth of sound is what I'm hoping for. Maybe to hear little things in my favorite music that I couldn't notice before, stuff like that.

I don't think I'm too hard to please, but we'll see. I've been using the same setup for almost 15 years only now to want to explore something new.

Thanks for the advice. When I receive the "Schiit" I'll report back with my impressions.
 
Z Reviews is by far the best speaker reviewer on Youtube, and he's freaking hilarious. :lol:

If you're looking for a nice set of monitors for your PC, check out his channel. He's reviewed pretty much all of them. If you want to learn about real acoustics and have a thing for hardware, he's your guy.

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AllexxisF1 said:
Z Reviews is by far the best speaker reviewer on Youtube, and he's freaking hilarious. :lol:

If you're looking for a nice set of monitors for your PC, check out his channel. He's reviewed pretty much all of them. If you want to learn about real acoustics and have a thing for hardware, he's your guy.

[yt]en_1H_wZSvg[/yt]
Click to expand...
:up: Thanks for the recommendation I will definitely check him out.
 
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