Personal computing discussed
Moderators: renee, Captain Ned
DeadOfKnight wrote:I just recently upgraded to the Klipsch R-15PM & R-10SW speakers and they sound far better than the Logitech Z-2300 and Corsair SP2500 2.1 systems I've had before. I would never look back at getting even premium "PC desktop speakers" again. However, you can tell that they aren't really meant for desktop use, as they sound a bit better when turned up and at further range. I think if you are coming from a 5.1 system then you probably have more space and be able to position them in such a way that they sound even better.
DancinJack wrote:To be fair here, you're talking about $350 monitors plus a $250 sub versus $200-300 2.1 systems from two companies that don't make audio gear as their primary focus. You shouldn't be surprised the Klipsch combination sounds better. Not even a little.
Captain Ned wrote:As I noted on the previous page the trigger has been pulled. FWIW, the existing set is an ancient Logitech Z-640 5.1.
DeadOfKnight wrote:But the recommendation isn't just because they sound better than other speakers that are outclassed by them. They are also powered monitors that don't require any additional hardware to drive them. Simple to set up, simple to use, with plenty of input options including RCA, AUX, USB, and Bluetooth. They clearly had PC users in mind when designing these speakers, even though they sound nothing like any of the "PC speakers" I've used in the past.
ludi wrote:DeadOfKnight wrote:But the recommendation isn't just because they sound better than other speakers that are outclassed by them. They are also powered monitors that don't require any additional hardware to drive them. Simple to set up, simple to use, with plenty of input options including RCA, AUX, USB, and Bluetooth. They clearly had PC users in mind when designing these speakers, even though they sound nothing like any of the "PC speakers" I've used in the past.
Pretty typical for a studio monitor. You don't want a bunch of discrete amps and cable clutter added to the mixing equipment and cable clutter you've already got, plus you might want to switch from your main output to an aux source for a quick listen of something else without jostling any of the mixing I/O.
Conveniently, that use case also adapts quite well to typical desktop PC setup.
morphine wrote:Captain Ned wrote:Part of this is finally ditching the soundcard (Asus Xonar D1 in my case), as I've conceded I will never be a gamer and I care more about the music
Dude, I am a gamer and I've ditched dedicated soundcards ages ago. Other than fancy software tricks and 5.1/7.1 support (something that almost no interface does because WHY?!?!?!? but that's another story), there's really not much to distinguish a PC soundcard from anything else. Unless crap drivers are a desired feature.
steelcity_ballin wrote:I still use my Xonar, not reason not to. It's never bothered me, but I agree that any newer system I've built for friends I've just gone integrated.
just brew it! wrote:My Xonar works fine under Linux.
Captain Ned wrote:I've had it with the driver issues. I try to run 24/7/365 and I can guarantee that within a week of reboot, the driver will lose its mind and one channel will go out. I've tried deletion/reinstall of the driver to no avail, the only fix is a reboot. Since I'm done with 5.1 (at least on my desktop), I'm done with the card and its dodgy drivers.
Captain Ned wrote:just brew it! wrote:My Xonar works fine under Linux.
I'll bet the TBSC does as well (wanders off to rummage through deep junk storage).
just brew it! wrote:I've got one of those somewhere too. But even with continued driver support on Linux the TBSC's time is ending as legacy PCI slots go away.
End User wrote:
Captain Ned wrote:End User wrote:
Strong in this one the RDF is.
Wake me when it gets a full instrumented test by Stereophile (yes, they do run instrumented tests on everything they review).
End User wrote:
just brew it! wrote:End User wrote:
Hmm... $350 for one, and it's mono only (you can't have stereo even if you buy 2). I guess if you want stereo You're Using It Wrong. This is not a product that is designed to replace a 2.0 (or 2.1) setup.
just brew it! wrote:Except it's NOT a viable alternative for the use case being discussed here, for the reason I mentioned.
AFAICT it doesn't even have a wired input.
ludi wrote:That device is basically a Beats Pill with a better DSP and Siri integration, along with (presumably) the usual Apple build quality and (definitely) a healthy dose of the Apple Tax. It is a very poor recommendation for the OP's use case and price range.
ludi wrote:That device is basically a Beats Pill with a better DSP and Siri integration, along with (presumably) the usual Apple build quality and (definitely) a healthy dose of the Apple Tax. It is a very poor recommendation for the OP's use case and price range.
End User wrote:just brew it! wrote:Hmm... $350 for one, and it's mono only (you can't have stereo even if you buy 2). I guess if you want stereo You're Using It Wrong. This is not a product that is designed to replace a 2.0 (or 2.1) setup.
HomePod's multi-room audio support via AirPlay 2 Is going to be a thing in the not to distant future.
just brew it! wrote:(I find it quite amusing that the person who turns up his nose at anything that isn't bleeding edge is advocating a return to monophonic sound... hey, End User, the 1950s called, they want their audio tech back! )