Best speakers for listening to music from your Mac

[thegoldenmackid]

The cheapest controller (fancy sound card) I use is this. They make another one with only two channels of outputs. For a lot of monitors you are going to want something like that.

Getting a 2.1 system with monitors isn't going to be easy with your budget, but finding something you like is important, just remember you are going to need a controller if you are looking at monitors, for the most part. Even though they are powered, some cannot play without a proper connection.

 

[Nostromo]

The cheapest controller (fancy sound card) I use is this. They make another one with only two channels of outputs. For a lot of monitors you are going to want something like that.

Getting a 2.1 system with monitors isn't going to be easy with your budget, but finding something you like is important, just remember you are going to need a controller if you are looking at monitors, for the most part. Even though they are powered, some cannot play without a proper connection.

Actually, I don't want a subwoofer. So it's just two speakers.

Thanks for the tip with the controller. (it looks a bit like a mixer or an equalizer to me). Is this better than trying to connect a receiver?

 

[whit8725]

Benchmark DAC1 to Naim integrated amp to Wilson Benesch. That will do you for a long long time.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Benchmark DAC1 to Naim integrated amp to Wilson Benesch. That will do you for a long long time.

Why did I not think that solution was in the OP's price range.

 

[whit8725]

Why did I not think that solution was in the OP's price range.

you only live once pal, I'm thinking about something similar but with a dedicated headphone amp and Grado RS1s.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

you only live once pal, I'm thinking about something similar but with a dedicated headphone amp and Grado RS1s.

While I appreciate good sound. The dream set-up isn't responsive.

 

[mikes70mustang]

Ok, the best quality sound will come from using your optical out due to the fact that its light and is immune to interference. And you were asking all over the place, you gave a link to reference monitors, then you talked about Bose which is the furthest thing from reference monitors. Reference monitors will give you accurate sound which is not always desirable, Bose and other setups will give you more home sound(i.e. more bass and so on). If you want reference speakers like that were shown on H&M you should go to the digital audio section on here and you can get much better advice on such monitors.

 

[Nostromo]

Ok, the best quality sound will come from using your optical out due to the fact that its light and is immune to interference. And you were asking all over the place, you gave a link to reference monitors, then you talked about Bose which is the furthest thing from reference monitors. Reference monitors will give you accurate sound which is not always desirable, Bose and other setups will give you more home sound(i.e. more bass and so on). If you want reference speakers like that were shown on H&M you should go to the digital audio section on here and you can get much better advice on such monitors.

I see that reference monitors aren't the best choice for listening to music, but for recording purposes.

Sure, I was asking all over the place as I had no orientation what was out there to enhance the sound on my iMac.

I saw that computer speakers were basically garbage.

Reference monitors are too neutral.

What do you mean by optical out? It can't be USB, FireWire, or the microphone jack...

 

[whit8725]

hey does anyone know if digital optical out is better or worse than USB connection via DAC?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Reference monitors are too neutral.

Some would say. I don't recommend monitors to people that aren't doing recording.

hey does anyone know if digital optical out is better or worse than USB connection via DAC?

DAC is better then anything digital, IMO. But that goes back to the digital vs. analog debate.

 

[Diggity-Dan]

The cheapest controller (fancy sound card) I use is this. They make another one with only two channels of outputs. For a lot of monitors you are going to want something like that.

I've got a pair of M-Audio Studiophiles connected to an Ozone.

I used to do a bit of recording, but not so much anymore. The sound is great, but my problem with the set-up for every-day use is volume control. When I'm hooked up through the Ozone, I loose control of the system volume, and I have to adjust the volume in each application separately. Sometimes when I'm browsing the net I'll get a blast of really loud sound and there'll be no way to adjust the volume. I used to use Detour, which solved that problem, but there's no Intel version available. I haven't been able to find anything else that accomplishes the same, nor have I found a way to get one of the knobs on the Ozone to adjust the volume.

Ideally, I want a set up that will allow me to adjust the sound level with the regular system volume. That way, when I'm watching movies from bed, I can use my remote to adjust the volume. Does the controller you mentioned allow this?

Thanks!