this post was submitted on 27 Jun 2024

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Begging for all the Lemmy Audiophiles recommendations on computer speakers! (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

59 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I haven’t bought computer speaker setup in well over a decade, but getting back into gaming, any suggestions?

I ask, due to the fact it looks like the old brands are all over the place in quality these days, like the Logitech G560 Speaker System, whose required software is messy. https://a.co/d/00gehZRS

Which is really making me wish I kept up to date, as Amazons current “recommendations system” can’t be trusted for quality with so many being cheapo speakers and SEO ruining result searches.

Thanks in advance, as I feel like I’ve awaken in a speaker dystopia. 😧

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

I'm not an audiophile but I am a dj and music producer. I'd say the others who commented so far say not to look for "computer speakers" and they're right. Soundbars and all that crap will sound like shit compared to any set of regular speakers.

But I wanted to add that the easiest speakers to buy and use are probably powered speakers. Meaning that you power the speaker directly with a power cable, and you send the speaker the audio signal. Other non powered speakers require an amplifier/receiver. Aka a third piece of gear you'd probably rather not have to research or buy.

So I'd recommend any powered speakers that are within your budget. Larger speakers will yield more bass because they can move more air aeound. Sound is just wiggly air. Depending on your room size, I'd probably recommend something at least with 7inch or bigger bass drivers (the bigger speaker cone). Someone else mentioned KRK which is a pretty cheap brand but they don't sound terrible especially if you go for the larger ones.

As far as connecting powered speakers to your computer goes, it's really not that expensive to buy a simple audio interface. I'd highly recommend the focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I have one as a secondary interface to my main one. It's rock solid. Just plug it in and it works. There's a volume knob on the front. Get some quarter inch audio cables to go from the back of your focusrite to the powered speakers. Done. Enjoy and hopefully this helps.

Edit: I should add that I've been using a pair of Fostex PM2 mkii powered speakers as my main music production speakers for the past 10+ years. I write, mix and master every song I've released. Look me up on Spotify. My most popular song has over half a million plays. I mixed and mastered that song myself on my trusty Fostex. So hopefully that makes my advice more credible.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Bonus question: How do you see AI affecting music production in the future? Sites like Suno can already produce some sort of music, but will that sort of technology enhance or threaten your work? Is this just like the time when the spinning jenny revolutionized the textile industry?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago

Acoustic instruments are going to come back in a major way. Eventually folks are going to get tired of listening to computers masturbating.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Before photography was invented, people relied on painters to capture people's images. Everyone thought photography would completely replace painters but instead, painters began to move away from the literal realistic style and experiment with abstract and surreal styles. I'm hoping something similar happens with music and AI. People who write and produce music will be able to experiment and step away from what is already possible with AI. I'm hoping we see pop acts and music in general taking more risks and doing more weird shit.

Beyond that, I think it's just a tool. When the first synths were created, they were trying to replace real brass players with a brass-like synth sound and brass players were so threatened. But then nerds got a hold of these synths and started pushing them way way beyond what they were intended to be used for. The synth evolved into its own instrument, and never replaced brass players. I see AI in music being used like this.

I already use it occasionally. My friend trained a model on a bunch of one shot samples from a sample pack and then spat out 1000 samples similar to the training material. Sometimes I sprinkle those samples into my tracks. I also use stem splitting AI to extract vocals from songs making it possible to remix music in ways that were previously not possible. Some of my friends generate 70s funk sounding tracks with AI so that they can sample them and flip them into hiphop beats avoiding and copyright issues with sampling someone's actual song.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Random person here just popping in to say I’ve never heard of you before and you make fantastic music. I’ve been going to raves and festivals since the mid-00s and I would love to see you spin hahaha

Also all excellent advice.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Thanks! Check out my Shambhala mixtapes on Soundcloud. That's the best representation of what my dj sets sound like.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

If you're ever working in Vancouver, can i come job shadow you for a few days? Always been curious about the technical side of audio production

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I am based in Vancouver. But I teach music production lessons in Ableton Live over zoom. I have 15 students at the moment. Maybe that's something you're interested in?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

Only as abserver, not a student. But thats cool you are close by , maybe o could come watch you DJ if you do live shows sometime

[–] [email protected] 22 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Don't search for computer speakers, just look for normal speakers on which I can't help out too much on. Unless you want to invest into an expensive sound card, you probably should go for an AV-Receiver which transmits the audio through HDMI as this will give you the maximum quality depending on the supported formats. I have a sound card -> old school amplifier -> speaker setup. Basically it is your choice where the digital to analogue transformation happens, whether through a receiver or sound card. A sound card does have the massive advantage of providing virtual headphone surround sound (yes on stereo headphones, and no, this is really working) which receivers typically don't have, because reasons and it will provide you with a massive immersion boost. And no onboard sound is not comparable, even the best one is a clear step down.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Interesting direction, any recommendations? As I feel like I’m starting all over again these days lol.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

External sound cards have the advantage of less electrical interference, but usually the internal ones have external power not coming from the PCIe slot so it isn't a big problem. Asus left the market leaving you with good old Creative Sound Blaster again. Choose whatever your budget allows, the two upper tier ones just differ in accessories, but that might have changed. And AV receivers the same, I am not the up to date audio guy what is a good deal. Just try to stay >120 dB SNR on sound cards for high end.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

I feel that. Every time I need to upgrade a PC part, it's like going back to the town I grew up in, but 50 years have passed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

Studio monitors are excellent choices, but expensive. I've used genelecs for pretty much every audio workstation I've ever done, I'm a huge fan, but you're also talking $800 and up.

You can sometimes find a good deal on some used studio monitors, which to me is the way to go. A long ways back I decommissioned some genelecs for a studio (surprise surprise, the new studio had newer versions of the same model), and I've been using them since at home. Roughly 15 years now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

I have my TV, sound system, and computer all in my living room. They all use the same amplifier and speakers. Would that work for your situation?

[–] [email protected] 15 points 4 months ago

I don't know that I'd consider myself an audiophile, but I am a musician. I run a pair of powered studio monitors out of the back of a Focusrite Scarlett usb audio interface for recording, and it's way better than any computer speakers I've ever owned in terms of sound quality and fidelity. Of course, I'm also not trying to have a dance club setup that's going to rattle the windows on my nextdoor neighbor's house with super-ultra-mega bass, but it's an avenue to consider.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I don't know if I would consider myself an "audiophile" but I do DJ for myself and like to have a decent set of speakers.

I have owned a few pairs of KRK Rokit speakers and currently have a set of Rokit 6's. I like them for their overall pretty neutral sound, ideally I would have a sub along with it but space is an issue for me right now so I can make do. They have a sufficient amount of bass for my small flat by themselves to be honest.

I run them through my DJ controller (Traktor S4 mk3 if you care) and have run past pairs I've owned through other DJ controllers and basic focusrite USB audio interfaces.

I wouldn't say these are super high end but I find they offer a very good listening experience for not a great deal of money (I always buy second hand where I can), this set set me back around £160 if I remember correctly.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I’ve had a set of KRK Rokit 8s for 10 years now and they’re great. I’ve had them absolutely cranked for some parties and they haven’t showed any signs of giving up. Perhaps not the best studio monitors out there but the price to performance ratio combined with how long they’ve lasted makes them one of the better audio purchases I’ve made.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

With no budget listed I’m gonna go with KEF R3, KEF LS50, Elac DBR62, various Genelec models, Kef Q350, Yamaha HS-8 or HS-5

Audio Science Review

Also look for Erin’s Audio Corner.

I also highly recommend the Topping e50 and PA5. I use them with the KEF R3 for my main stereo listening.

Apparently Topping recently came out with the DM7 as a multichannel DAC if you want surround sound but then you’ll need a few amps.

Honestly you should also look into acoustic room treatment. Properly done it can improve any speaker. When not done, it can potentially make any speaker sound shitty.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

The most important parts are missing from your question.

How much money are you willing to spend? Do you just want small 2 way speakers or small + subwoofer or 3 way speakers?

As someone else mentioned, KRK can be pretty good value but decent active studio monitors start around the 200$ area at the minimum. This site is my go to for audio stuff https://www.thomannmusic.com/active_nearfield_monitors.html

I have been happily using a pair of Fostex PM0.4C that i got on sale for 250€ but i dont know how availability is wherever you are.

This Focusrite Scarlett Solo is THE standard audio interface you will find in many budget or mobile audio studios, but this is not really needed for most people. https://www.thomannmusic.com/focusrite_scarlett_solo_4th_gen.htm

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Hate to jump in on someone else’s question and ask for advice, but what would you suggest for around or under $100? On a budget but getting back into gaming. TIA.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I mean for gaming, headphones are always better imo, but if you want speakers then personally i would go for used ones at that price range.

You will just get much more value for you money, but you will need to have a bit of patience to get a good deal.

Honestly even a mini amp with some random passive speakers will be a better experience than whatever active speakers you can get for 100$.

I once installed this type of thing for someone that found some passive speakers in the trash and was really strapped on money.

26€ Stereo Amp Board (Amazon)

30€ Stereo + Sub Amp Board (Amazon)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Guess you’re right on the headphones, any suggestions? There’s so many brands these days and I’ll assume most are garbage 😂

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Short Summary:

Open back: 125$ AKG K-702 i personally used these before and can recommend them.

Closed Back: 133$ AKG K-371 Im an AKG fan so although i havent personally tested these ones, they have a good rating so i would recommend these.

These two are studio headphones, so they are not super bass heavy but try to be close to recording/true frequency distribution instead.

In ears can often be much better value (eg cheaper) but i dont really know enough to recommend something (check the following list, there are some very well rated ones in the 20-30$ range.)

==============================

Exhaustive Lists:

Crinacle is a dude that ranks headphones and has not led me astray so far.

The following are big ranked list that start at S Tier meaning the list starts at 5-6 digit prices... Just scroll down until you find something in your price range that you like and has a decent rating. The prices might be different from whats listed there tho, because they change all the time.

If you want in ears: https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/

If you want over ears: https://crinacle.com/rankings/headphones/

With over ears, be aware of the difference between closed/open backs. Open backs give you better surround and more natural sound in my experience, while being able to hear things around you. If your surroundings are loud, you might want closed backs instead.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

Apologies for the late response, but appreciate the suggestions. I will likely go with your suggestions. 👍

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

Honestly just keep your old ones.

Speaker technology hasn't exactly advanced by leaps and bounds like graphics. The greatest innovations have mainly been adding RGB lights and manufacturing then more cheaply.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

A friend of mine who owns a music studio recommended Edifiers to me, and they sound great. He was originally looking for a cheap temporary studio monitor and bought a pair and ended up liking them just as well as his expensive studio monitors. My wife and I have 3 pairs of them for 3 different computer systems and have been really happy with them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

I see Edifiers go on sale all the time here in Australia and they always get recommended. The reputation seems to be good value for and they have plenty of models to pick from

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

Your budget will play a role. I 100% agree with people saying don't get computer speakers if you're looking for quality, but the catch is they need to be powered.

I did a bunch of research and got the below on sale after a few reccos and agonizing over specs. For reference, previously I have used spreadsheets to tune a room to a flat frequency response with my own custom crossover designs, so... I'm picky.

I've been happy with my choice. And since they are fairly portable, they are versatile. Also used them with a Midi keyboard and a portable projector.

Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Optical Input - Wireless Studio Monitors - 4 Inch Near Field Speaker - 42W RMS - Wood Grain (Black) https://a.co/d/0cpcTsI0

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago

I have a pair of Bose Companion 2 Series III's. I wanted a simple 2.0 set that looked unassuming and sounded good. I bought them refurbished for about half the price and it's a great set if you have the same requirements as I did. The sound is good for a home office/gaming set in a small room. Clear, bassy where needed and way louder than you'd probably need.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

When I researched and tested some, I found the Presonus Eris E3.5 to be the best bang for the buck. The other close one was Mackie CR3, but the Presonus is better.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

I’ve had the Eros E3.5s for a few years and they’ve not let me down on quality, especially at the price point.

I also considered those Mackie’s.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago

Normal hifi gear, particularly second hand can sound way way better than generic computer crap. However normal hi-fi speakers are designed to work best a certain distance from the wall **and ** a certain distance from you. These distances vary between speakers but it is important to check this before spending any cash as some speakers need to be many feet from you, which isn't always remotely practical for most pc setups.

I went with Dali Minutes for this reason, so they can be right on the wall and really close to me. I paired mine with a Rega Brio amp and RME ADI 2 USB DAC, then added a monitor audio sub later.

Most proper studio monitors are designed for near field listening they also make a good choice although they can be a little clean for some people's taste.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

I run a pair of Audioengine combined with a 24bit DAC of the same brand and they sound great without breaking the bank too much.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Assuming you have at least a 5.1 capable sound card, the Edifier S760D is the best powered surround set up I’ve been able to find. There really doesn’t seem to be a lot of options anymore but for gaming and movies/tv the surround is definitely worth it.

Edit: Though looking around it seems like they’re basically impossible to find atm

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Not an audiophile but I've been using Eltax Monitor III speakers with a SMSL Q5 Pro amp for years. I believe it's a nice 2.0 setup for around 250€.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I bought a Fosi BT20A and connected regular speakers to it

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

Fosi stuff is great, get something that fits your needs and then a decent pair of regular speakers like NHT Zeros or something.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Logitech Z623 are great, I've had them for over a decade now and they're still pretty great

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Old Logitech are great. New Logitech are cheap craps.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

I don’t know if it’s possible to be an audiophile anymore. I haven’t seen a store where you can compare gear since the 1980’s.

I don’t know if it’s in your budget but I have had good luck buying Pyle amps and klipsche speakers.

The change the amps constantly https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/679325-REG/Pyle_Pro_PTAU45_PTAU45_Mini_120_Watt.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1753664-REG/klipsch_1069855_r_40m_reference_bookshelf_speakers.html

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Im no audiophile but here are my takes

For powered bookshelf speakers : either presonus eris 4.5 (with or without bt) or edifier r1700bt but mostly leaning to presonus, i went with edifier since presonus was priced almost double in my country.

Here's a good sample of these speakers

https://youtu.be/dB_4zqiaY5g

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

You might consider the Mackie Crx Cubes. They use bmr drivers that allow a wider Soundstage without needing as much physical space and can be had at a pretty reasonable price. Bass is lacking though, so allocate funding for a small woofer if you want the absolute best experience.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

While we're at the matter, could you recommend a small woofer that's not break the bank but good enough for music (no genre in particular, I listen to all kind of stuff).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Vanatoo transparent zeros, you can use optical input if your motherboard has optical out (mine did and I didn't select for it intentionally) cleanest audio ever and you can tell the difference in HD audio compared to mp3/Spotify

They have other speakers but these are the best for Desktop use. They also support USB for audio! https://vanatoo.com/shop/speakers/transparent-zero-plus/

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

I'm running a pair of JBL 305p MKIIs with the matching LSR310S sub. I have it hooked to my PC and mixer with a Behringer UMC204HD which allows me to record the signal from my mixer. I've been happy with them for a couple of years now. Regardless, I would recommend studio monitors if you want a true sound.

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