Sound System for my MBP?

[jrm27]

Hi all,

I'm in need of some speakers for my MBP. I checked out some stuff in the local Best Buy and I'm not sure if the units I were looking at were blown out, or broken, or whatever.. but they all sounded pretty bad. i really wanted to like the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 system, but it sounded like a tin can (I'm hoping it was just broken as it gets great reviews across the web).

Anyways, I was thinking that it might be nice to put together my own system out of some different components. I figured there might be some knowledgable folks on this board, so I thought I'd run it by you guys. Any thoughts on this?

I'm thinking of putting together a passive system out of the following:

Audioengine P4:
http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-P4

Dayton Sub-800:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-627

Lepai T-Amp:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=310-300

Do you think these would all play well together? I'll be mostly listening to music, but part of my job requires video and sound editing. Where I work we have a great studio that I can use for fine tuning audio, but I need something that can get me in the ballpark. I'dlove to have an amp that I could plug my headphones into (westone es5), but I see that woudl increase my preamp cost by about 70 bucks, so perhaps that is an upgrade to come down the line. Any thoughts on this setup?

-jon

-jon

 

[bwhli]

You get an audio interface, and then a pair of Yamaha HS80ms. They are really good for the price...and great for accurate sound/video editing.

 

[jrm27]

unfortunately, at $500 for just the speakers, this is way out of my budget. Thanks for the info though! Those look like great monitors.

 

[ChrisA]

unfortunately, at $500 for just the speakers, this is way out of my budget. Thanks for the info though! Those look like great monitors.

What do you mean "just for the speakers"? These are self powered and all you need to run them is a cable. No amp and no subs. Those Yamaha monitors are good. And $250 is a good price for them.

If you want something cheaper these are pretty good.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ResolvSE5/
I have a pair in 8" stands on my desk. They are also self powered. The stands help.

If cost is a really big deal buy the=ese bookself speakser s and amp. The $140 price here is for two.
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-AM3025-A-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0002ZSFTG

http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1368399588&sr=1-1&keywords=amp100

 

[Boyd01]

If you want something cheaper these are pretty good.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ResolvSE5/

I've had a pair of the 5" Samson Resolv monitors for over 10 years now. They are pretty good - I have them connected to my TV along with a subwoofer. But I always liked my M-Audio BX-5's better. I got them around the same time and the price was about the same, but one of the BX-5's died a year or two ago.

I also have a pair of 5" Mackie powered monitors but have not been as happy with them, bass seems overpowering and the mids sound kind of hollow.

I see that Guitar Center also has the Yamaha HS80M for $250 each. You could use the current coupon on their site (valid through tomorrow) and get the pair for $425. Sometimes they exclude things from these sales, but my experience has been that if you click the online chat button, they will almost always approve it regardless. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-HS80M-8--Powered-Studio-Monitor---Each-103539771-i1153007.gc

 

[Destroysall]

I'd opt for the Audioengine A5+ along with the D1 DAC. You can add a subwoofer later if you feel the need to.

Another great idea is to check Craigslist. Great deals can always be found.

Honestly though, its always best to spend the most money on your speakers because they will be the ones doing the most work in any system. Another thing to note is that it always best to actually demo a pair of speakers using songs you know best. Word of mouth is great, but this is your money. Your ears should be the ultimate judge since we all listen differently.

 

[spoonie1972]

if you like the sound of the hs80m's, the hs50m's have a very similar sound profile and still kick out a fair amount of spl.